The Wallabies will open their 2024 international season against their long-time World Cup rivals Wales, with new coach Joe Schmidt viewing the Test as a “fantastic turnaround challenge” following last year’s embarrassing showing in France.
The national side’s 40-6 capitulation in front of a bumper crowd in Lyon essentially sealed their World Cup fate, as the Wallabies failed to progress out of the pool stage for the first time.
The heavy defeat also put the wheels in motion for significant change, with a shake-up seeing Eddie Jones resign and Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan eventually ousted following the Wallabies’ World Cup flop.
Wallabies captain Will Skelton speaks to the squad after their World Cup loss to Wales. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Schmidt, the former Ireland coach and All Blacks assistant, was unveiled as Jones’ replacement at Allianz Stadium in late January and the venue is where he will kick start his coaching career with the Wallabies against Wales on July 6.
The New Zealander late last month said he wasn’t expecting miracles from the outset, but was excited about taking on Warren Gatland’s side.
“I’m also realistic, I know how competitive the top of the Test match tree is,” Schmidt said on Wide World of Sports radio in Brisbane.
“You get Wales first-up, who put 40 points on the Wallabies. Well, what a fantastic turnaround challenge that is.
“Looking through the lens with a different perspective, I’m just looking at the individuals and thinking about how we can keep building them forward.
“And then some of the connections, I just felt didn’t quite work and [we’ll] try and put those together.
“But, as I said, it’s five trainings that you get before that Welsh Test.
“I’m not expecting miracles, but I definitely believe we can get a shift and we can keep that shift going in the right direction and build a competitive group.”
Ben Donaldson in action against Wales during the Wallabies’ World Cup loss at Parc Olympique on September 24, 2023 in Lyon. (Photo by Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images)
While venue times are to be confirmed, with afternoon rugby a possibility for the mid-year Tests, Rugby Australia on Friday afternoon confirmed their home international fixtures for the season, with Sydney the big winner.
The two mid-year Tests in Sydney will raise eyebrows, particularly with Canberrans eager to host their first match since 2017, but Rugby Australia will see the month as an opportunity for the Wallabies to finally chalk up some success in the Harbour City after a horrid decade.
The city will host three Wallabies Tests throughout the year, including a historic home fixture against Georgia, who they beat comfortably during last year’s World Cup 35-15, on July 20, as well as two Wallaroos internationals.
The second Welsh fixture will be played at Melbourne’s AAMI Park on July 13.
The Wallabies will then host South Africa in their opening two Rugby Championship fixtures, with the world champions to play Schmidt’s men on August 10 at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium before tackling them over at Perth’s Optus Stadium on August 17.
The men in gold will round out their home fixtures against the All Blacks at Sydney’s Accor Stadium on September 21, which follows two Tests against Los Pumas in Argentina.
The Wallaroos, meanwhile, will kick-start their campaign against Canada on May 11 at Allianz Stadium, before taking on the United States a week later at AAMI Park on May 17.
Jo Yapp’s Wallaroos will also play Fiji as part of a double header with their male counterparts on July 6 in Sydney, before taking on New Zealand’s Black Ferns on July 14 at Ballymore in Brisbane.
“We’re thrilled to announce a massive international season next year for the Wallaroos and the Wallabies on home soil with 10 Tests in total across the two teams,” Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh said.
“It’s particularly pleasing to know we are going to host Test matches in the four largest cities in Australia as we continue to invest in making the game more accessible to more Australians.
“We’re continuing to honour our commitment to grow the women’s game, with the Wallaroos set to play their highest number of Tests on home soil in a calendar year in 2024 against world-class oppositions at first-class stadiums.
“The Wallabies will be looking for a reset this year, with Joe Schmidt to lead them against four high-quality Test opponents on home soil, including Georgia who we look forward to welcoming to Australia for the first time.
“To be able to host a double header in Sydney with both teams at Allianz Stadium will be a highlight on the Australian sporting calendar in 2024, while having the World Champion Springboks play two Tests here is a massive win for all rugby supporters and sports fans in Australia.”
Wallaroos 2024 Home Fixtures
Wallaroos v Canada, Saturday May 11 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Wallaroos v USA, Friday May 17 at AAMI Park, Melbourne
Wallaroos v Fiji, Saturday July 6 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Wallaroos v New Zealand, Sunday July 14, Ballymore, Brisbane
Wallabies 2024 Home Tests
Wallabies v Wales, Saturday July 6 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Wallabies v Wales, Saturday July 13 at AAMI Park, Melbourne
Wallabies v Georgia, Saturday July 20 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
The Rugby Championship/Bledisloe Cup
Wallabies v South Africa, Saturday August 10 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Wallabies v South Africa, Saturday August 17 at Optus Stadium, Perth
Wallabies v New Zealand, Saturday September 21 at Accor Stadium, Sydney
1997 Brumbies
Roar Rookie
Been doing that for 20 years and hasnt done a thing. Completely abandoned by the organisations greatest promotional tool
Bentnuc
Roar Pro
On top of these games should be 1 home test and 1 away test v either fiji, tonga or samoa each year. NZ should do the same. Not enough games each year for the wallabies. Imagine the atmosphere of oz v fiji in Suva. Be great for both nations
Racing Chicken Trainer
Roar Rookie
At the Reds Tahs game in Roma. ARU has bought all the big guns with Joe, Phil and Daniel.
WhoDis
Roar Rookie
What’s there to comment about. The people who had the evidence in front of them judged him not guilty. The personal part is between him and his wife. Why on earth do you feel the compulsion to air your views about Beale’s personal life. I bet none of you have ever screwed up before. Parasites, all of you.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
I was lucky enough to be at both. In 2000 at Homebush & at Ellis Park in 2013! Both games were won by the AB’s!
Footy Franks
Roar Rookie
I was there great game, those days are gone.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
Vastly different to the rather damning version of events reported widely in the media last year. It will be interesting to see if this is the last we hear of it. Looking forward to hearing the Crown’s defence on a costs claim, although I would be putting my money on a quiet settlement there too.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
Good money after bad though, five years too late for a commercial turnaround of that company. Terrible governance and oversight by RA for a decade. Inexcusable incompetence dressed up as plausible deniability.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Some truth there as Sydney still holds the crowd rugby record of over 109, 000 at Homebush, pre the Olympics there, in 2000. But now the wings have been taken down from that facility , that number will never happen again, there. At the time, that particular game was classed as the greatest test match of all, until surpassed in 2013, at Ellis Park in Jo'burg.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
I have been but this whole Rebels thing has showed us who they really are. Waugh could have very easily given the Rebels enough to keep going. Lets face it RAs massive borrowings is the only thing keeping them going but they refuse to share and it now appears their agenda is to rid SR of the Rebels.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Is it? More go to Bledisloe in melbourne
Fin
Roar Rookie
I went to the Wallaroos Fiji and Tahs Drua double header last year. I was a pretty good crowd that I think was a lot better than the “main” game would have got on its own. Coming down from the Hunter, 2 games make the trip more worth while. I’m a fan of the concept.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Finally a Bledisloe in Sydney. We’ve been shafted for tests in recent years . About time!
Footy Franks
Roar Rookie
It’s good to Sydney get some tests for a change as it is rugbys biggest market.
GusTee
Roar Pro
Hey Jacko - I understand your feelings but think that we should be behind Waugh & Herbert & give them a fair go! Is that not the Aussie way?
East Coast Aces
Roar Rookie
that's actually really disappointing then if they are just SRP curtain raisers. They deserve their own headline game at a suitable stadium and time.
charels
Pretty good home season. Now I need to see all the WBs' 2024 fixtures to get a feel for their workload and expectations. I'm also looking forward to the Melbourne Test vs Wales. Even more so because it's at AAMI, which is a great stadium for watching rugby. For starters, it's rectangular. You can't pay me to go to the hassle of attending another major game - no matter how good - played on a cricket or AFL oval.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Im so rooting for Australia here ..Now I never in my lifetime thought I would say that :stoked: …But I think the team , the players have been so short changed by their admin and of course you know who that not only do they deserve a break but certainly deserve better ..Sure Aus rugby has well documented domestic challenges but sort your flagship first ..And whats more its doable ….And …my motives are not from empathy but selfishness … We SH countries are under seige from the so called great 6 Nations and its very important that the Rugby Challenge fires back a challenge of its own as the Worlds greatest comp … With only 4 teams its sooo important that all cylinders are firing . Ita a V6 vs a turbo charged 4 …
liquorbox_
Roar Rookie
I wonder if income has an effect on a wife's decisions to leave?
Jacko
Roar Rookie
I guess Im still hoping Waugh and Herbert are a change we need Ken but Im getting less and less confident they are almost every day now.