Newcastle to host Wallabies against Fiji in lead-up to British & Irish Lions series

This weekend’s Test against Ireland won’t be the last international the Wallabies play before hosting the Lions. JAMIE PANDARAM and JULIAN LINDEN have the details.

THE Wallabies are set to play a warm-up match against Fiji before the British & Irish Lions tour next year.

The game is planned for Sunday, July 6 in Newcastle, the day after the Lions take on the NSW Waratahs, and two weeks before the opening Test between Australia and the Lions at Suncorp Stadium on July 19.

It means that this weekend’s clash against Ireland will not be the final international the Wallabies play before the Lions series kicks off, and gives players one last chance to make their case to be included for the opening Test.

This will also be the first time in 125 years that the Wallabies will play a warm-up Test before a Lions series.

Fiji perform the Cibi prior to their Rugby World Cup win against Australia in 2023. Picture: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

It will also give the Wallabies a chance at redemption. The last time they played Fiji, the Pacific Islanders defeated them 22-15 in the pool stages of the 2023 World Cup in France, a defeat that eventually led to Australia’s early elimination.

Since the World Cup, Fiji have won seven of 10 Tests, including wins over Wales and Eddie Jones’ Japan, and are ranked ninth in the world, one spot below Australia.

The Hunter is not a happy hunting ground for the Wallabies, whose only two Tests in Newcastle were a draw to Argentina in 2020, and a loss to Scotland in 2012.

The Wallabies’ fixture against Fiji won’t clash with rugby league.

Fiji won their last meeting against the Wallabies. Picture: Olivier Chassingnole/AFP

The Knights have a bye that week, which is round 18 of the NRL and will coincide with the third State of Origin match in Sydney the following Wednesday (July 9).

The warm-up game will be another important marker for Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt, who will get a final chance to settle on the 23-man squad he believes can win the first Test in Brisbane.

While Australia’s hopes of winning a Grand Slam came crashing down after their loss to Scotland last weekend, the team can rebuild confidence with a strong showing against Ireland this Sunday (2.10am AEDT).

Schmidt’s assistant coach Laurie Fisher said the Wallabies camp is in happy spirits because they’re getting honest feedback.

Scotland put an end to the Wallabies’ Grand Slam ambitions at Murrayfield in Edinburgh. Picture: Andy Buchanan/AFP

“I know Joe from day one said that he sought permission to be 100 per cent honest with the group about what they did well or what they’re not doing well,” Fisher said.

“Players always say, ‘Give me the truth, give me both barrels’. They don’t necessarily mean it, I don’t think. It’s just something you say.

“But we’ve got a generally good group of players and Joe is honest with them about what we’re doing well and what we’re not doing well.

“As a player and as a coach, you’re looking for growth. The wins are nice, but where we started off, we wanted to just grow our game, and part of growing your game is you’ve got to turn up seven days a week and you’ve got to enjoy what you’re doing.

“So it can’t be a chore. It’s got to be challenging, but it’s not a chore. Joe and all the staff have created an environment that is challenging.

“We are getting better and we’ve had a couple of wins come our way. So all those things help the environment.”

Originally published as Newcastle to host Wallabies against Fiji in lead-up to British & Irish Lions series