Rugby: Wales to play Australia in November
Posted by africanpress on May 16, 2008
Publisher; Korir, africanpress@getmail.no source.kenyatimes.worldnews/AP
CARDIFF - Six Nations champion Wales will host Australia in November to mark 100 years of rugby union matches between the two countries.
The match will be played November 29 at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, after Wales play world champion South Africa on November 8, Canada on November 14 and New Zealand on November 22.
“South Africa, New Zealand and Australia are all World Cup winners, so it will be an important milestone in our progression towards the 2011 World Cup,” Wales coach Warren Gatland said on Wednesday.
“I have always said we must test ourselves against the best and I am delighted we have been able to secure this series.
“The squad has made significant progress this year and the … games will now provide a perfect opportunity to test how far forward we are in our development.”
Gatland led Wales to a Grand Slam in the Six Nations earlier this year. He will take the team on a tour of South Africa in June.
“We will have played the current world champions three times this year by the end of November, and that is just the sort of benchmark rugby we require in order to keep getting better,” Gatland said.
The Australia game falls outside the IRB window for internationals, but clubs Cardiff Blues, Newport Gwent Dragons, Ospreys and Llanelli Scarlets have agreed to release Welsh players for the game.
Australia also play New Zealand in Hong Kong on November 1, Italy on November 8, England on November 15 and France on November 22.
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