Wallabies announce major warm-up Test ahead of British and Irish Lions series
Wallabies celebrate Max Jorgensen's winning try against England in 2024.
The Wallabies have announced they will prepare for the British and Irish Lions series with a Test against Fiji in Newcastle.
The match will be the first time they have played Fiji on home soil since 2017, and it will also be the side’s first meeting since Fiji’s victory in the 2023 World Cup.
Wallabies to take on Fiji ahead of British and Irish Lions series
The Test will be just the third ever to be held at the McDonald Jones Stadium – the home of NRL side Newcastle Knights – and is the first to be played there since the Wallabies faced Argentina in 2020.
Commenting on the news, Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt said: “It will be great to get the squad together and to have a genuine Test match prior to the British and Irish Lions series.
“In their bid to make the semi-finals, Fiji were just six points shy of beating England at the last World Cup in 2023. They beat Wales in Cardiff last November and bring a physicality and flair that makes them entertaining to watch and tough to beat.”
NSW Sports Minister Steve Kamper added: “It’s going to be one of the biggest years ever for rugby with all eyes to be on Newcastle for the Wallabies’ last and only match before the highly-anticipated British and Irish Lions series.”
The game will take place on Sunday, July 6, just under two weeks before the first Test against the Lions.
In addition to the Fiji Test, the Wallaroos will also play in Newcastle this year as they take on the Black Ferns on Saturday, May 10.
“Newcastle fans are passionate supporters of both men’s and women’s sport so I have no doubt these upcoming fixtures will attract big crowds,” Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge said.
“The Wallaroos won their first ever Test match in Australia by outclassing Japan in Newcastle in 2019.
“Our fans proved their commitment to the men’s team when 20,000 turned out in atrocious conditions to watch the Wallabies first test in Newcastle in 2012.”
Confirmed Wallabies 2025 Tests
Wallabies v Fiji, Sunday, July 6 at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
British & Irish Lions Tour
Wallabies v British & Irish Lions, Saturday, July 19 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Wallabies v British & Irish Lions, Saturday, July 26 at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Wallabies v British & Irish Lions, Saturday, August 2 at Accor Stadium, Sydney
The Rugby Championship/Bledisloe Cup
Wallabies v Argentina, Saturday, September 6 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Wallabies v Argentina, Saturday, September 13 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Wallabies v New Zealand, Saturday, September 27 at Sky Stadium, Wellington
Wallabies v New Zealand, Saturday, October 4 at Optus Stadium, Perth
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