Tickets will go on sale tomorrow (June 1) to the general public for the 2018 Mitsubishi Estate Rugby Championship, with three huge Test matches including the Bledisloe Cup opener to feature on Australian soil.
In the seventh year of the tournament, the Qantas Wallabies will play home Tests against New Zealand in Sydney on August 18, South Africa in Brisbane on September 8, and Argentina on the Gold Coast on September 15.
Australia’s campaign will kick off in true trans-Tasman style with back-to-back Tests against the All Blacks at ANZ Stadium and then Eden Park in New Zealand.
The last time these two rivals met Aussie fans rejoiced as the Qantas Wallabies finished the season on the highest note with a famous 23-18 victory over New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium.
To add even more spice to the occasion at ANZ Stadium on August 18, the Buildcorp Wallaroos will share the limelight with the Qantas Wallabies for the first time as they prepare to face off with the Black Ferns in a historic double-header.
NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said: “A highlight of the Rugby Championship is undoubtedly the first match of the Bledisloe Cup between the Wallabies and the All Blacks at ANZ Stadium."
“With next month’s clash between the Wallabies and Ireland in Sydney being a sell-out, I encourage everyone to get their tickets early and start planning their trip to the Harbour City for what is sure to be a blockbuster.”
Suncorp Stadium will host the Qantas Wallabies’ second home fixture, against the Springboks, where the men in gold will be out to retain the Nelson Mandela Challenge Plate.
The team will then remain in Queensland ahead of their final home Test, against the Pumas at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast.
Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said hosting matches for the 2018 Rugby Championship would enhance Queensland’s reputation as the home of major sporting events, attract thousands of visitors and generate millions of dollars for the Queensland economy.
“Queenslanders have a rich rugby history and our former Wallabies and Queensland Captain John Eales will soon be immortalised with a bronze statute at Suncorp Stadium.
“The Palaszczuk Government is proud to support these events through Tourism and Events Queensland’s It’s Live! in Queensland calendar, which promotes our spectacular destinations and inspires travellers to experience the best address on earth.”
Rugby Australia Chief Executive Raelene Castle said: “The end of the 2017 season left a lot of Qantas Wallabies fans hanging for more after the victory over the All Blacks in Brisbane, which sets up an epic contest at ANZ Stadium on August 18 to open the 2018 tournament.
“We are also proud to be hosting on that night the first men’s and women’s Test double-header in Australia as our Qantas Wallabies and Buildcorp Wallaroos will share the biggest stage against their trans-Tasman rivals on Bledisloe Cup day.
“Then it’s Queensland’s turn to get in on the Rugby Championship action with back-to-back Test matches on the calendar in Brisbane and the Gold Coast in September.
“We are also looking forward to seeing thousands of people from our community clubs take part in the #PartofMore march where fans will walk on-field and within touching distance of our Qantas Wallabies while they warm up at the Sydney Test and prior to kick-off at the Gold Coast Test.’’
The Qantas Wallabies will then head overseas for an away clash with South Africa in Port Elizabeth on September 30 and then travel to Salta for the first time to take on Argentina.
FOX SPORTS will show every match of the 2018 Rugby Championship LIVE and all Bledisloe Cup Tests with no ad-breaks during play and in HD.
All Bledisloe Cup and Qantas Wallabies Rugby Championship matches will be screened LIVE and free in HD on TEN and WIN Network and streaming on tenplay.com.au.
Hospitality packages for the 2018 Mitsubishi Estate Rugby Championship are also now on sale. Fans can enjoy each Test match from the comfort of a premium match day function, private suite or open-air box to make their experience even more special. For more information about hospitality packages please call 1800 619 181, email hospitality@rugby.com.au or visit www.rugbyaustralia.com.au/hospitality/testmatches
Qantas Wallabies home fixtures:
Qantas Wallabies v New Zealand: Saturday August 18, 19:45 AEDT, ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Qantas Wallabies v South Africa: Saturday September 8, 20:00 AEDT, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Qantas Wallabies v Argentina: Saturday September 15, 20:00 AEDT, Cbus Stadium, Gold Coast
