Wallabies announces a trial match against Fiji on Newcastle

A mass year for the Australian international rugby will begin with a mission of revenge for one of the darkest days in the history of the Wallabies.

The team will play a unique trial match against Fiji in Newcastle on July 6, its only success before the three -test series against the British and Irish lions.

Newcastle’s game will be the first game between the two nations since Fiji achieved a lot in the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Fiji, along with Wales, left the group to the semifinals, while Australia lost the elimination phase for the first time in its history.

Fiji was defeated by England in the quarterfinals of that World Cup, and last year defeated Wales in Cardiff for the first time.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt, who guided Australia to win against England on Twickenham and Wales in Cardiff last spring, said the test against Fiji will be an excellent preparation for lions.

“It will be great to gather the team and have a genuine trial match before the series of British and Irish lions,” Schmidt said.

In his attempt to do the semifinals, Fiji was only six points to overcome England in the last World Cup in 2023.

The FiS Flying beat Wales in Cardiff last November and bring a physicality and a touch that makes the team entertaining to see and difficult to win.

The British and Irish Lions series arrives in Australia for the tenth time from the inaugural tour in 1899.

The team has traveled every 12 years since 1989.

The visitors claimed the 2-1 2013 series, with a 41-16 victory in the third trial and decisive game in Stadium Australia.