The All Blacks will play a Test in Perth for the first time next year, with their traditional Bledisloe Cup clash with the Wallabies set for August 10.
It will be one of the last games for both teams ahead of the World Cup in Japan, which kicks off in September.
“This isn’t just any Test match, this is one of the most important games that the Wallabies will play next year,” said Rugby Australia chief Raelene Castle in announcing the match on Monday.
“Not just because it’s against our traditional rivals, the All Blacks, but also because it’s one of the last chances to prepare before the Rugby World Cup kicks-off in Japan.”
It is the first time Perth has hosted a Bledisloe fixture and will be a new experience for the All Blacks, who have never played there before.
The city has hosted 15 Wallabies Tests previously. South Africa has featured in eight of them, with Ireland, Argentina, Fiji and England making up Australia’s opponents in the rest, according to Rugby Australia. – Agence France-Presse
