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Rugby Australia has officially confirmed fixtures for the upcoming Australia XV tour of England, set to take place alongside the Wallabies Grand Slam tour in November.
Discussions within rugby circles has been considerable around which 64 players will make the journey north for both squads – and who will be included in each.
Australia XV will kick off the first match of the entire tour at Ashton Gate in Bristol on Friday, November 8 against the Bristol Bears, before facing England ‘A’ at the Twickenham Stoop the following Sunday, November 17th.
These fixtures will overlap closely with the first two Wallabies fixtures, who will kick off at Twickenham against England on Saturday, November 9th before heading down the M4 to Cardiff to take on Wales on Sunday, November 17th.
It is expected some of Joe Schmidt’s men could still feature in the two Australia XV fixtures as a result – and likewise, players in the XV squad could transition to the main squad for their final two fixtures against Scotland and Ireland.
The Australia XV tour is set to be groundbreaking in several ways, with the Ashton Gate clash marking the first time in 115 years that a touring Australian team has played at the venue.
As revealed by The Roar earlier this week, former NRC coach and experienced Brumbies assistant coach Rod Seib is set to lead the Australia XV side, with former Fiji and Melbourne Rebels assistant Brad Harris (defence) and highly regarded Reds assistant Zane Hilton (forwards) completing his coaching staff.
“We’re delighted to work closely with the RFU and Bristol to confirm these fixtures,” Rugby Australia’s Director of High Performance of Rugby, Peter Horne confirmed in an official press statement.
“We’re committed to our players getting opportunities to play against high-quality international opposition, with the Australia XV program a great development tool for our country’s next best players, coaches and management.
“With the British & Irish Lions on our shores next year, these fixtures will allow us to continue to build depth and for Joe Schmidt and the Wallabies coaches to get a good look at a wider selection of players.”
However, who makes up both squads is still up for debate, with Rugby Australia chairman Daniel Herbert revealing on The Roar Rugby Podcast that 64 players would head to the UK – with an announcement as to who will make up both sides expected in the next few weeks.
The performance of several players outside of the Wallaby camp will certainly give Joe Schmidt and his staff food for thought as who of the next generation to bring in – with Western Force star Harry Potter starring in an impressive win over the Cheetahs in South Africa, while Waratah Tane Edmed has lit up the NPC for North Harbour.
Even the U18s squad has showcased several exciting prospects in their current tour of New Zealand, with prop Kingsley Uys’ barnstorming performance eerily similar to Angus Bell.
However, top of mind, which comes as no surprise, is the former Australian Schoolboys star who signed with the Roosters out of high school, Joseph Suaalii, who has made it clear he wants to be on the plane to England.
Discussion around whether the talented player should be slotted straight into the Wallabies squad or should be eased back into rugby through the Australia XV fixtures has been rife, with several former players arguing about his inclusion.
Joseph Sua’ali’i is determined to kick start his Wallaby career. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Speaking on Between Two Posts, former Wallaby Stephen Hoiles believed his inclusion is a no-brainer – but that coaches and fans should pump the brakes on seeing him in the Wallabies camp immediately.
“I think he goes on that tour,” said Hoiles.
“But I think, at the same time, we’ll work out pretty quickly – like I don’t think they’ll hand out a (Wallabies) jersey to him for the sake of it.
“I’ve really enjoyed watching him play in the last couple of years, knowing he’s coming to rugby. I think he’s a lot tougher than people talk about – really enjoyed his toughness.
“So I’d take him on the Spring Tour for sure. I want to see him play against the Lions, if he’s good enough. Give him the best chance to do that.”
Michael Hooper also echoed Hoiles, but believed the toughness the young player has showcased would be key at the Wallabies – drawing comparisons to Israel Folau in terms of his attacking capabilities.
“I watched a bit of the Roosters game and he hurt himself early,” he said on Between Two Posts.
“Like genuine dead arm and he got after it for the rest of the 78 minutes. I mean, he looks like a terrific athlete, doesn’t he?
“He probably can do things like an Israel, you know, and bring that to the side.”
With the flyhalf position also an open question following the Rugby Championship, Hooper also believes Tane Edmed should be no-brainer inclusion.
Tane Edmed has picked up phenomenal form in the NPC. (Photo by Dave Rowland/Getty Images)
“I’d definitely love to see him [Tane] in that Wallabies squad,” Hooper added.
“His [NPC] performance at the moment is fantastic, like he’s given us some highlights.
“But these are the big pressure games (on the Spring Tour) that our players need to be playing in before the Lions next year…
“These are our last Tests before Lions and a lot of our players haven’t played up there in these big stadiums.
“They’re cauldrons and where you want to be playing your footy. Big pressure. Big moments.”
The Wallabies are expected to reconvene for camp later this month.
2024 Australia XV Tour
Australia XV v Bristol Bears, 7:45pm GMT, Friday November 8, Ashton Gate, Bristol
Australia XV v England A, 2:00pm GMT, Sunday November 17, Twickenham Stoop, London
