Perth venue switch for Wallabies

Editor

International rugby will return to nib Stadium in Perth from next year as Australia announced matches there against Argentina and South Africa.

The final Rugby Championship match on home soil for the Wallabies in 2016 will double as the inaugural Test at the rectangular venue, where Western Australian fans will experience the action closer than ever before when the Wallabies host Argentina on Saturday, September 17.

Test Rugby will then return to the venue the following season when the Wallabies host South Africa in a blockbuster 2017 Rugby Championship clash.

"nib Stadium is a wonderful venue for Rugby and certainly delivers a fantastic atmosphere when the 'Sea of Blue' fill the stands for Western Force matches," said Australian Rugby Union CEO Bill Pulver.

"We want that sea of blue to turn gold on September 17 when the Qantas Wallabies host the Pumas from Argentina next year, and again when we welcome the Springboks back to Perth in 2017.

"Our fans deserve the best possible experience when they come to a Test match and a move to a rectangular venue which is fan-friendly and purpose-built for Rugby is a great outcome for fans.

"I would like to thank the Western Australian Government for their support of the Qantas Wallabies and Australian Rugby and we look forward to bringing the Qantas Wallabies to nib Stadium for the first time next year."

Prior to the clash with Argentina on September 17, the Wallabies will host Rugby Championship matches against the All Blacks at ANZ Stadium, Sydney, on August 20, and the Springboks at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, on September 10.

This schedule, in addition to a history-making three Test series against England in June, will ensure the domestic calendar of international rugby in 2016 is one of the most highly-anticipated in recent history.

Australia will also play away matches against the All Blacks (August 27), South Africa (October 1) and Argentina (October 8) in 2016 as the Rugby Championship reverts to its traditional home-and-away format after a truncated 2015 schedule.

Wallabies 2016 Rugby Championship home schedule

Wallabies v New Zealand, Saturday 20 August, ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Wallabies v South Africa, Saturday 10 September, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Wallabies v Argentina, Saturday 17 September, nib Stadium, Perth