Tradition & Hunter region on Aus radar

The Australian Rugby Union today announced on Friday that the Wallabies will return to playing traditional June Tests next year - with Scotland and Wales to tour Down Under. 

The three Test- series against Wales - which the Wallabies beat in the World Cup third-place play-off match last month - comes after the two teams meet in a one-off international in Cardiff later this month.

Australia will also face Scotland in a one-off Test on June 5 at Newcastle, some 125 kilometres north of Sydney.

That match will be the first meeting between the two teams since the Scots defeated Australia 9-8 at Murrayfield in Edinburgh in 2009, a win that saw them break a 27-year, 16-game losing streak to the Wallabies.

Following the Newcastle showdown, Australia will play three Tests on successive Saturdays against Wales, whom they beat 21-18 in last month's World Cup third-place showdown in New Zealand.

The games will take place at Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.

It will be the first time since 2001 - when the British and Irish Lions toured Australia - that the Wallabies have played a European heavyweight in a three-Test series across the traditional June window Down Under.

"A return to a three-Test series as we will play against Wales is an opportunity to build anticipation, excitement and momentum during the course of the tour," said Australian Rugby Union chief John O'Neill.

"It is a long time since we have had that opportunity, to experience a heavyweight northern hemisphere opponent in our backyard for three Tests.

"I'm delighted too that Wales will be that opponent in 2012. I think all Australians understand what the Welsh are capable of in terms of exciting and attacking rugby.

"They were unfortunate to lose to France in the World Cup semifinal, after playing with 14 men for most of the game, and they were certainly difficult opponents for the Wallabies [in the third-place play-off].

"The challenge for our team next year will be huge." 

O'Neill added that the addition of Scotland to the June Test window was also significant.

The Scotland Test will kick off the 2012 domestic Test season in historic fashion, with the one-off clash to be the first Test ever played by the Wallabies in the Hunter region.

"Newcastle has a wonderful history as a nursery for Wallabies stars, the most recent of them being Luke Burgess," he said.

"So to take a Test to the area is a fitting reward for the contribution Newcastle and the region has made over a long period of time."

"Our Test history stretches back to 1899 and there have been any number of Newcastle stars to grace Australian teams during that period.

"I also want to thank the Scots and the Welsh for agreeing to tour Australian 2012.

"Scotland came close to beating both Argentina and England at the World Cup and did defeat the Wallabies in the last meeting between our two countries in 2009, so we know they will provide formidable opposition."

Scotland head coach Andy Robinson welcomed Friday's announcement.

"We're really pleased to have this fixture as part of our tour in June which will also encompass Test matches against Fiji and Samoa," Robinson said.

"The last time we played against Australia was a very good game and a special win for Scotland.

"We're very much looking forward to going to Newcastle and playing our part in the inaugural Test match at the stadium there."

Welsh Rugby Union Group Chief Executive, Roger Lewis said they are very much looking forward to Wales' tour in 2012 when they head to Australia to play one of the finest and most exciting rugby playing nations. 

"Wales and Australia were two of the best teams in the 2011 Rugby World Cup and it will be a mouth-watering opportunity for fans to see the two sides lock horns again," Lewis said.

"The Welsh fans proved that they are fantastic travelling support when they turned up in New Zealand creating a sea of red at all Wales' fixtures and we are hope that the loyal expats will do Wales proud again when they have the opportunity to support the Welsh Team next year.

"It is an ideal opportunity for Wales to be tested against one of the best teams around and challenge on a world stage.

"It will also be a fantastic experience for any Welsh players who are seeking to travel back to Australia with the British and Irish Lions the following year."

Australia's mid-year schedule:
June 5: v Scotland, Newcastle
June 9: v Wales at Brisbane
June 16: v Wales at Melbourne
June 23: v Wales at Sydney