Wallabies and Wallaroos to Play Historic Double-Header V New Zealand at ANZ Stadium this August

Image: Side-by-side . . . Wallaroos star Grace Hamilton and Wallabies captain Michael Hooper announcing the double-header at Stadium Australia

Julian Keith

HISTORY will be made at Stadium Australia this August when the Qantas Wallabies and Buildcorp Wallaroos share the spotlight in a back-to-back double-header against New Zealand.

The Saturday 18 August fixture will be the first-ever double-header to feature both the Wallabies and Wallaroos playing at the same venue on Australian soil.

Wallaroos star Grace Hamilton is excited to be part of a special day for Australian rugby, saying: “It’s just a privilege to get this opportunity to play at home in such a big fixture.

“I’ve actually never played in Australia wearing a Wallaroos jersey so to have the chance to play in front of a home crowd & before the boys is fantastic. The exposure for our game will be great.”

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The confirmation of the historic double-header comes as women’s rugby goes from strength-to-strength with the highly successful inaugural season of the Buildcorp Super W a testament to the games growth in Australia. 

The Wallaroos will face off against the Black Ferns for the Laurie O’Reilly Cup – a competition they are yet to win.

Following the women’s game, the Wallabies will begin their 2018 Bledisloe Cup campaign against the All Blacks as they look to win the Cup for the first time since 2002.

Wallabies captain Michael Hooper can’t wait to be part of the historic day: “To see the passion the girls have for their game, it’s really exciting to have them on the same stage as us this year.

“Bledisloe and the rivalry our nation has with New Zealand is always massive & exciting to be part of – the double-header just makes it that little bit more special.”

The two teams will travel to Auckland a week later for a second double-header at Eden Park on Saturday 25 August.

Rugby Australia Chief Executive, Raelene Castle said: “We’ve just witnessed an incredible Buildcorp Super W Final and this is another pivotal moment for Women’s fifteens Rugby with the Buildcorp Wallaroos getting an opportunity to share the spotlight with their male counterparts on back-to-back Bledisloe Cup Test days this year.

“Two years ago, we had the first of these double-headers at the third Bledisloe Cup match in Auckland, and now our Buildcorp Wallaroos will get to experience a home Bledisloe Cup crowd for the first time when they take on the Black Ferns at Stadium Australia.

“Securing this year’s two-Test series is another important marker as we prepare our bid to host the next Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2021.”  

Buildcorp Wallaroos Head Coach Dwayne Nestor said: “This is a truly exciting opportunity and I know the players will be pumped following the confirmation of these Test matches.  

“It’ll be an historic experience to play two double headers and to have the opportunity to play in front of a big crowd in Sydney and Auckland will replicate the excitement we saw at the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup. 

“Buildcorp Super W showed the amazing array of players we have in this country and I know it will motivate all players to continue to work hard to ensure they are wearing Wallaroos gold come August.” 

Stadium Australia Members will be able to access the historic double-header as part of their 2018 Membership. Learn more about Stadium Australia Membership here.

Or why not lock in a special experience and watch the two games in ultimate style with Stadium Australia’s Official Hospitality packages. Choose between a Private Suite, Zone Box or Centreline Seats at one of the best corporate events of the year to entertain your important clients. Enquiries here