Wallabies switch back to day-time Tests
Australia will play Samoa in July, their first afternoon Test on Australian soil in six years – opening their 2011 season and build-up to the World Cup.
The July 17 match will have a 14.00 kick-off, Australian Rugby Union Chief Executive John O’Neill said ensuring a “family-friendly atmosphere” for the first Test of 2011.
Samoa will also use the match to boost their preparation for the September-October World Cup at which they will face South Africa, Wales, Fiji and Namibia in pool play.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said “the Samoans will be building to the Rugby World Cup themselves which will ensure they field a strong side.”
O’Neill said the early kick-off initiative for the Samoan Test was aimed at ensuring the rugby community could welcome the start of the international season in a family-friendly atmosphere.
“Having a Sunday afternoon kick-off for the first time since 2005 is designed to give families a real opportunity to enjoy a day out at a Test match – the first in a World Cup year,” he said.
“With just three Tests to be held in Australia before the World Cup, it is important that grassroots supporters have a chance to see and interact with their heroes.
“While full details will be released closer to the game, we will ensure those opportunities are available on the day of the Samoan Test.
“July 17 will be a festival of rugby for all the family and the early kick off will help create that atmosphere on and off the field.
“The Samoans also have a wealth of talent so it is sure to be a day of entertaining and competitive rugby.”
Samoa has attended the last five World Cups after missing out on the inaugural event in 1987, when Fiji and Tonga represented the Pacific Islands.
The team made the quarterfinals in 1991 and 1995, only to lose to Scotland and South Africa respectively.
Next year, Samoa is in pool D alongside South Africa, Wales, Fiji and Namibia.
Samoa Rugby Union CEO Sua Peter Schuster acknowledged the opportunity accorded by ARU for the Test match against the Wallabies and said it was vital for the sides’ preparations prior to the start of the World Cup in New Zealand.
“I am happy with the Manu Samoa progress after the recent UK tour and I look forward to an exciting fixture against the Wallabies,” Sua Peter said.
The Sunday afternoon fixture will be the fifth time the two teams have met and it promises to be an entertaining match with both teams looking to start 2011 with a win.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said the match will be a good starting point for what is going to be a massive campaign.
“The Samoans will be building to the World Cup themselves which will ensure they field a strong side,” Deans said.
“They are capable, their recent results in the Northern Hemisphere show that.
“They are in a position to field an experienced group, a lot of who have played in the Southern Hemisphere and against a lot of our players in Super Rugby so they won’t be overawed by the occasion, they’ll be looking forward to it.”
