France at full-strength for Wallabies in 2009

Rugby World Cup semi finalist France will return to Australia for a Test next season following guarantees they will send a full-strength side for a one-off international in Sydney.

The Wallabies will play the French at ANZ Stadium on Saturday, June 27, as part of the 2009 Bundaberg Rum Rugby Series, Australian Rugby Union has announced today.

The ARU Board has approved a domestic schedule that also takes in two Tests against Italy, while the Wallabies will also play Tri Nations matches against the Springboks and All Blacks.

“There are some exciting elements to next year’s program, and a guarantee from the French that they will head to Australia with a full complement of drawcard players is a breakthrough for Rugby fans to savour,” said John O’Neill, ARU Managing Director and CEO.

France toured earlier this year with a squad that featured several emerging talents but was missing a number of frontline stars who were involved in the finals of their national club championship.

“There is no point trying to sugar coat the reality; northern hemisphere countries have not helped us in our domestic market in recent seasons by sending touring teams that have clearly been under-strength,” Mr O’Neill added.

“That will not be the case in 2009.

“We have a cast-iron promise from the French that they will be bringing their best team out, and that means we can all expect a thrilling Test in Sydney.

“Italy will be bringing their best for the first two Tests and then come the French, who have consistently been one of the strongest teams in the world over a long period of time.

“When they are in full flow, there are few national teams that can match the French for flair.

“We look forward to their visit with confidence; the Sydney Test should be a gripping spectacle.

“It is the way international Rugby should be showcased to the world, with both teams prepared to protect the integrity of Test Rugby and ensure the contest is best against the best.”

Canberra Stadium will host the opening international of the season when the Wallabies take on Italy on Saturday, June 13.

It will be the first Test the Wallabies have played in the nation’s capital since they defeated Argentina 32-25 in the second match of a two-Test series in June 2000 – a game in which current Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock played on the wing in only his second Test.

Canberra did host four Rugby World Cup matches in 2003 but none of them involved Australia.

“Taking a Wallabies Test back to Canberra for the first time since 2000 means we are deliberately reaching out to our fans in what is a heartland region for the game,” said Mr O’Neill.

“We played a Rugby World Cup qualifier there against Tonga in 1998 and went to Canberra again in 2000.

“After a break of what will be nine years, ARU is sure the Canberra sporting community will get right behind this match against Italy.”

The second match of the 2009 inbound series against Italy will be played at Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium (currently known as Telstra Dome with a name change to take effect from March next year) on Saturday, June 20.

Six Nations heavyweights France will round out the visits by northern hemisphere countries.

The Wallabies will also embark on a six-match Tri Nations campaign against New Zealand and South Africa.

Australia will open its challenge for the Tri Nations trophy and the Bledisloe Cup with a Test against New Zealand in Auckland on Saturday, July 18.

The Wallabies will then travel to South Africa to play the Springboks in Cape Town on Saturday, August 8.

They will return to Australia for three successive home Tests against the All Blacks (Saturday, August 22) at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, against the Springboks (Saturday, August 29) at Subiaco Oval in Perth, and South Africa again (Saturday, September 5) at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

Australia will play its final Tri Nations Test against the All Blacks in Wellington on Saturday, September 19.