Back-to-back double headers for the Wallabies and Wallaroos against New Zealand in August will be another step in Australia’s bid to host the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup.
The Australian women’s team will play a double header with the men’s team on home soil for the first time when they tackle the world champion Black Ferns before the Wallabies and All Blacks clash in the first Bledisloe Cup Test at ANZ Stadium on Saturday, 11 August.
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The teams will then travel to Auckland for the second leg of trans-Tasman Tests at Eden Park on Saturday, 18 August.
Rugby Australia chief Raelene Castle announced the double headers on Tuesday, declaring them another advance for women’s rugby following the recent inaugural Super W domestic competition.
But she also had her eye on another big prize. “Securing this year’s two-Test series is another important marker as we prepare our bid to host the next Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2021,” said Castle.
However, the Wallaroos will well and truly have their work cut out to keep up with the Black Ferns or even claim the Laurie O’Reilly Memorial Trophy for the first time.
In the wake of their world title triumph in Ireland last year, New Zealand are set to announce their first-ever group of players to be contracted as Black Ferns under a new professional performance program ahead of a first training camp in mid-June.
New Zealand Rugby said it will employ a minimum of 30 players on Black Ferns contracts with a guaranteed retainer, assembly fees and other benefits.