Wallabies to play Test against Ireland at Sydney Cricket Ground
They’ve been left homeless while two of Sydney’s biggest stadiums are being renovated, so the Wallabies are going back in time to bring some nostalgia to their Test against Ireland.
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The Wallabies are heading back to their old stomping ground for the first time in 34 years when they host Ireland in a Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Rugby Australia has announced that Test Rugby will return to the SCG for the first time since 1986 in the second match of a two-Test series against the Irish.
The venue for the July 11 fixture was up in the air with both ANZ Stadium and Allianz Stadium unavailable due to renovations.
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The 30,000-seat Bankwest Stadium was mooted as a potential host but RA has instead chosen to play at the SCG with its 46,000-seat capacity.
It will be almost 34 years to the day that the Wallabies last played at the SCG. On July 12, 1986, Simon Poidevin led Australia to a 26-0 thrashing of Argentina.
Ireland, who bowed out of the Rugby World Cup following a disappointing 19-12 loss to Japan in their final pool game, will be looking to bounce back in the two-Test series, which kicks off in Brisbane a week earlier.
Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle confirmed the decision to play the game at the Moore Park ground.
“The Sydney Cricket Ground is one of the most iconic venues in Australian sport and has hosted some of the most famous Rugby Test matches ever played in this country,” Castle said in a statement.
“Returning there in 2020 for the second Test against Ireland will be a nostalgic experience for those who watched Test matches there through the 60s, 70s and 80s, and a chance to be part of history for the younger generation watching a Test at the SCG for the first time.
“The last time these two countries played in Sydney the Stadium and the whole Paddington and Moore Park precinct came to life and was flooded with fans wearing green and gold, not to mention the on-field action which went right down to the wire as Ireland pipped the Wallabies to win the series.”
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Sydney Cricket Ground CEO, Kerrie Mather added: “The SCG is the original home of the Wallabies having hosted Australia’s very first Test match in 1899.
“There have been so many memorable Test matches at the ground and we look forward to seeing the next generation of Wallabies add to the SCG’s rich Rugby history.”
2020 Ireland Series
Saturday July 4, Wallabies v Ireland, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Saturday July 11, Wallabies v Ireland, Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney