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Wallabies will play Georgia as one of six home Tests in 2024 under new coach Joe Schmidt

The Wallabies will get to play one of the only two teams they beat in 2023 in a historic home Test in 2024.

The only way is up for Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt. Picture: David Swift
The only way is up for Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt. Picture: David Swift

New Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt will start his “reset” of the national team” against Wales and a historic clash against Georgia after confirmation of the six-Test home schedule for 2024.

Schmidt replaced Eddie Jones in the wake of a disastrous World Cup campaign in France, which included a 40-3 thumping by Wales that sealed the fate of the Wallabies who missed the knockout stages for the first time.

The Wallabies won just two of nine matches under Jones in 2023, losing to Fiji at the World Cup and to Argentina in Sydney.

It will be the first time Wales has toured Australia in more than a decade.

One of the Wallabies’ only two wins in France came with a 35-15 victory over Georgia, who will come to Australia for the first time since the 2003 World Cup for a clash at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium. It will be the first time the two teams have met outside a World Cup.

The Wallabies were smashed by Wales at the World Cup. Picture: Jeff Pachoud / AFP
The Wallabies were smashed by Wales at the World Cup. Picture: Jeff Pachoud / AFP

Those three matches – two against Wales – will come before the real challenge begins in the Rugby Championship. The Wallabies will take on World Cup winners South Africa in Brisbane and Perth before a showdown with the All Blacks in Sydney, the first of two Bledisloe Cup clashes.

The Wallabies have not won the Bledisloe Cup since a 2-0 series win in 2001.

Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh said a return of more matches to the sport’s heartland in Sydney was important as the Wallabies looked to turn their fortunes around after the 2023 shemozzle that ended with Jones walking away to take up the coaching job in Japan.

“The Wallabies will be looking for a reset this year, with Joe Schmidt to lead them against four high-quality Test opponents on home soil, including Georgia who we look forward to welcoming to Australia for the first time,” Waugh said in a statement.

“To be able to host a double-header in Sydney with both teams at Allianz Stadium will be a highlight on the Australian sporting calendar in 2024, while having the world champion Springboks play two Tests here is a massive win for all rugby supporters and sports fans in Australia.”

Tickets for games will go on sale in April.

Wallabies 2024 home Tests

Wallabies v Wales, Saturday July 6 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Wallabies v Wales, Saturday July 13 at AAMI Park, Melbourne

Wallabies v Georgia, Saturday July 20 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney

The Rugby Championship/Bledisloe Cup

Wallabies v South Africa, Saturday August 10 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Wallabies v South Africa, Saturday August 17 at Optus Stadium, Perth

Wallabies v New Zealand, Saturday September 21 at Accor Stadium, Sydney

Originally published as Wallabies will play Georgia as one of six home Tests in 2024 under new coach Joe Schmidt

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/rugby/wallabies-will-play-georgia-as-one-of-six-home-tests-in-2024-under-new-coach-joe-schmidt/news-story/f71fa623f7455ed712c4bf0761563c47