Wallabies' matches secured for WA
- Wallabies to play a game each year for the next three years in Perth
- First match against South Africa in September 2012
- Springboks only tests in Australia in 2012 and 2014
Western Australian rugby fans can see the Wallabies play an international match in Perth each year for the next three years.
Acting Tourism Minister John Day said the State Government, through Eventscorp, had secured a three-year deal which would see the Australian rugby union team play test matches at Patersons Stadium in Subiaco.
From 2012, the current Tri-Nations series between Australia, New Zealand and South Africa will expand to include a fourth southern hemisphere heavyweight, Argentina.
Mr Day said the first Perth match in the expanded competition will be staged in September 2012 when Australia takes on South Africa.
"This will be the only time the Springboks play on Australian soil in 2012 so we expect the match to attract interstate and overseas visitors as well as local fans," he said.
"Rugby has a strong following in Western Australia and we expect spectators will be thrilled to see some of the world's best players in action over the next few years."
The Wallabies will play Argentina in Perth in 2013 and the Springboks again in 2014. Both matches will also be exclusive to WA.
Mr Day said the deal would also see the British and Irish Lions play the Western Force as part of the visitor's 2013 tour of Australia.
"The British and Irish Lions are one of the most revered teams in world rugby and it will be fantastic to see the team in action in WA against the Western Force," he said.
Fact File
- Perth hosted its first international rugby fixture against South Africa in 1998
- For more information about the Wallabies visit http://www.rugby.com.au
- To find out what else is happening in WA, visit http://www.westernaustralia.com/events
Tourism Minister's office - 9222 8788