Wallabies to hit the road before big game

The Wallabies will hold camps in Newcastle, Cessnock and western Sydney before their first Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship clash with New Zealand.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika

The Wallabies will again go regional and also try to woo the tough Western Sydney sporting market. (AAP)

The Wallabies will again go regional and also try to woo the tough Western Sydney sporting market, as they strive to get into top shape for the "mother of all matches" against world champions New Zealand next month.

With the Brumbies the only Australian team in the Super Rugby finals, an extended squad of around 50 players will go into three-day camps starting next Thursday in Brisbane, Sydney Melbourne and Perth.

The naming of the squad for the first Bledisloe Cup match and the Rugby Championship will depend on how long the Brumbies remain involved in the Super finals.

The Australian Rugby Union on Friday released details of camps in Newcastle from July 24, and Cessnock in the NSW Hunter area starting August 6.

Their final camp in Penrith in Western Sydney, starts on August 13, six days before their Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup opener at ANZ Stadium.

It continues the trend established by coach Michael Cheika of taking the Wallabies away from the major centres and connecting with regional centres in the lead-up to major series and tournaments.

"Country and regional rugby all around Australia is our heartland," Cheika said.

"The Wallaby support is very strong in these areas so Cessnock and Newcastle will be a great chance for us to feel that support before we take on New Zealand.

"I've already been up there a number of times -- great facilities, great people and a great chance for us to share the gold jersey with the people of the region, while we get ready for the mother of all matches in Sydney."

Cheika acknowledged rugby has struggled for traction in western Sydney, where rugby league has ruled, football has a strong foothold and AFL has made strides in recent times.

"It's no secret that rugby hasn't made a strong home in the west of Sydney," Cheika said.

"It's weird because we have so many players in our professional teams who are born and bred in the area.

"We want to change that by taking the Wallaby jersey there for people to see a little more about who we are.

"We saw fans in western Sydney embrace rugby at the 2014 Super Rugby final with a record crowd at ANZ Stadium and we really want the western Sydney community with us, especially for our upcoming battle against New Zealand."


Share
3 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world
Wallabies to hit the road before big game | SBS News