Wallabies announce 2023 Rugby Championship, Bledisloe Cup fixtures

Fri, Feb 10, 2023, 7:55 AM
Nathan Williamson


Eddie Jones will kick off his tenure as Wallabies coach against the Springboks at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on July 8.

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This will be followed by a return to Sydney to take on Argentina at CommBank Stadium in Sydney the following week, with several venues (including Suncorp Stadium, ANZ Stadium and Allianz Stadium amongst others) unavailable due to the FIFA Women's World Cup.

The two teams played at the venue in 2020, with the contest ending in a 16-all draw.

Following this, the Bledisloe Cup series will commence as Jones looks to capture the trophy he won in 2002, the last Wallabies coach to do so.

It will kick off at the MCG on Saturday July 29, the first time the iconic ground will host rugby union since 2007.

This will be followed by a trip to Dunedin seven days later, the last hit-out before the Wallabies head to France ahead of the Rugby World Cup, with Eden Park also occupied by the World Cup

Wallabies fixtures have been confirmed for the 2023 International season
“The Rugby Championship is one of the toughest competitions in the world and to play against high-quality sides in South Africa, New Zealand and Argentina in a World Cup year is perfect preparation for our team," Jones said in a statement.

"To be able to play in Sydney against the Pumas is going to be a great hit-out and then you've got the MCG which is one of the most iconic stadiums in the world with 100,000 Wallabies supporters there cheering us on.

"There's plenty to be done between now and then but I can't wait to bring the team together and get to work."

“2023 is a big year for our men in gold as we look ahead to the Rugby World Cup in France. The eToro Rugby Championship home fixtures are an important part of this preparation as we look forward to welcoming the Pumas and All Blacks to our backyard. With the Pumas at Commbank Stadium and All Blacks at the MCG there is a lot of exciting rugby ahead," RA CEO Andy Marinos added.

"With the Rugby World Cup less than nine months away I know the team will be wanting to get hold of some silverware before then and these matches will provide the perfect platform for this. With a new Wallaby coach in charge and being the last coach to have won the Bledisloe Cup, expectations will be high throughout the international series.

"As always, we would like to thank all of our partners and broadcasters for their continued support, as well as the State Governments for their ongoing support and co-operation in delivering world-class sporting events in Australia."

2023 eToro Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup Fixtures

Wallabies v South Africa, Time TBC, Saturday 8 July at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria

Wallabies v Argentina, 7:50pm AEST, Saturday 15 July at CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Wallabies v New Zealand, 7:50pm AEST, Saturday 29 July at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne

Wallabies v New Zealand, 2:35pm NZST/12:35pm AEST Saturday 5 August at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

https://www.rugby.com.au/news/wallab...loe-cup-202327