1
Wallabies announce Fiji Test ahead of Lions tour
By Ned Lester
The Wallabies have announced they will play Fiji in the lead-up to the British and Irish Lions series this July, hosting their Pacific neighbours in Newcastle.
The Test will take place on July 6, two weeks before the first game of the Lions series, offering the Australians a chance to get their legs under them in the international arena before taking on the all-stars of the British and Irish Isles.
The contest also offers the Wallabies a shot at redemption after the last Test between the two nations, a 22-15 loss that all but condemned the Australians to their first pool-stage exit at a Rugby World Cup.
For the rebuilding Wallabies, a hit-out against the Pacific Nations Cup champions is a strong primer for the upcoming challenge.
“It will be great to get the squad together and to have a genuine Test match prior to the British and Irish Lions series,” Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said.
“In their bid to make the semifinals, Fiji were just six points shy of beating England at the last World Cup in 2023. They beat Wales in Cardiff last November and bring a physicality and flair that makes them entertaining to watch and tough to beat.”
While Schmidt's future beyond the Lions series is still yet to be confirmed, a young Wallabies squad will take the field in July having reversed their concerning momentum in 2024 under the coach.
The Fiji Test being played in Newcastle brings the excitement of international rugby back to an area that hasn't seen that level of rugby since 2020's Covid-19-affected Rugby Championship.
The Wallaroos will also host the Black Ferns in Newcastle on May 10, making for an exciting local schedule.
"Newcastle fans are passionate supporters of both men's and women's sport so I have no doubt these upcoming fixtures will attract big crowds, " Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge said.
"The Wallaroos won their first-ever Test match in Australia by outclassing Japan in Newcastle in 2019.
"Our fans proved their commitment to the men's team when 20,000 turned out in atrocious conditions to watch the Wallabies first test in Newcastle in 2012."
Fiji haven't faced the Wallabies on Australian soil since 2017. The Pacific heavyweights will be searching for their fourth win over the men in green and gold.
NSW Sports Minister Steve Kamper said: “It’s going to be one of the biggest years ever for rugby with all eyes to be on Newcastle for the Wallabies’ last and only match before the highly-anticipated British and Irish Lions series.”
“It will be only the third time ever the Wallabies have played at McDonald Jones Stadium and what a match it promises to be against the Flying Fijians.”
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Leinster player ratings vs Sharks | 2024/25 URC
3
Fissler Confidential: Leicester Tigers set sights on Orlando Bailey
4
Wales given hands off message on rising star Kane James
5
Latest Comments
I live in an unstable region, so I'm always ready for surprise curfews or my aunt dropping by uninvited to borrow some cooking oil. To protect my future from both, I swept $530,000 under the floor in Bitcoin- my emergency parachute.Well, things went downhill. Protesters filled the streets like a rowdy rave, with pepper spray in place of glow sticks. In the chaos, security personnel took my laptop and everything that wasn't bolted down. That's where I store the keys to my Bitcoin wallet. When I say I swallowed a brick, I am not kidding.I pictured myself telling my future self, who lived under a tarp, how I used to have half a million dollars but lost it since I had forgotten to encrypt my drive. "Great job, Past Me," I would be saying while heating canned beans over a candle.But fate, or possibly my guardian angel who was finally done laughing at me, intervened. During a hushed meeting with a journalist friend (we whispered like we were plotting an espionage thriller), he mentioned Tech Cyber Force Recovery. These folks were not just tech geniuses; they practically wore digital capes.I phoned, and the reassuring voice I received was so reassuring, I almost asked them to fix my love life too. They labored in their homes with the frenzy of an explosives specialist defusing a bomb. They constructed my wallet information from recovery fragments I barely remember creating. It was like magic shows where magicians extract bills from a hat, except the hat has been confiscated by the authorities.Thirteen days passed, and I received the call. My money had been returned. I was so relieved that I hugged my aunt, who naturally took the chance to request additional cooking oil.Tech Cyber Force Recovery did not just save my Bitcoin; they saved my future. And they gave me a newfound respect for proper backups and encryption. If you are in a tricky spot or just want to avoid awkward family requests during every political crisis, call them. They are the real deal and possibly part wizard, part therapist.CALL OR WHATSAPP THEM THOUGH+.1.5.6.1.7.2.6.3.6.9.7
Go to commentsI am a business woman living in the diaspora, and my desire for affection and care mirrored that of anyone else. My search for love commenced with me signing up for an online dating app, where I encountered an Asian man. Following a period of communication, he introduced me to what she described as a popular investment platform in Asia, I trusted him so much that I failed to carry out an investigation. According to him, substantial profits were being earned there, and her presentation was so compelling that it piqued my curiosity. Unbeknownst to me, I was being catfished. he provided evidence of his earnings and even sent me a watch as a token of her affection. Consequently, he gained my trust and affection, which marked the beginning of my financial losses in Bitcoin. I had complete faith in him and invested over a million US dollars. Upon recognizing the extent of my investment in this fraudulent scheme, I attempted to withdraw my profits from the investment program, as I had utilized my business capital. My requests were disregarded, and they continually requested additional funds. Frustration mounted, and my supposed partner became hostile after I ceased sending money. Seeking assistance, I discovered RUDER CYBER TECH SLEUTHS. They assessed my circumstances and confirmed my worst fear: I had become a victim of a pig-butchering romance scam. I was disheartened, as I genuinely believed I had found love again following a difficult divorce. Fortunately, RUDER CYBER TECH SLEUTHS specializes in recovering Bitcoin sent to fraudulent or scam wallets. After collaborating with RUDER CYBER TECH SLEUTHS, they successfully recovered my scammed Bitcoin. They are my permanent solution for cybersecurity. I strongly endorse RUDER CYBER TECH SLEUTHS for crypto tracing and recovery. If you find yourself in a similar situation or involved in a suspicious investment platform, contact RUDER CYBER TECH SLEUTHS
Go to comments