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Wallabies add Leicester to end of year tour

Article Published: Wednesday 14 July 2010

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Australia's Wallabies have confirmed a second midweek match on the Spring Tour to Europe later this year - a showdown with English Premiership champions Leicester Tigers at their Welford Road home on Tuesday, 9 November.

The match against Leicester will fall between the Test against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, 6 November, and the Test against England at Twickenham on Saturday, 13 November.

Leicester defeated World Champions South Africa 22-17 when they visited Welford Road last November and sealed the English Premiership earlier this year with a 33-27 win over Saracens.

"Going up against Leicester - the Premiership champions - is an exciting opportunity for our players, and Australian Rugby in general," said Wallabies coach Robbie Deans on the ARU site.

"We have already seen the benefit of the two midweek tour matches that we played in England and Wales last year flow through this season, in terms of broadening the depth that we have across a number of positions.

"Players like prop Salesi Ma'afu, who played briefly at Leicester in 2007, along with fullback Kurtley Beale and flanker Matt Hodgson, were set up for their Test debuts by the experience that they gained playing in the tour matches that we had against Gloucester and the Cardiff Blues on last year's tour.

"Players are faced with unfamiliar circumstances, foreign referees and players that they have never encountered before in these Tour games, which all serves to add to the difficulty associated with the contest.

"Leicester presents the added carrot of being England champions, and a club steeped in tradition and history.

"Welford Road is an intimidating place to play at the best of times, which only adds to the value that we will gain out of this contest.

"Leicester beat South Africa last year, which serves to highlight what a tough game it is going to be.

"For the players who are fortunate enough to pull on the Wallabies jersey at Leicester, the game will be as big an occasion as a full international."

The Wallabies have another confirmed midweek match in Europe against Munster on Tuesday, 16 November.

The Munster match will be played between the Test against England and the Test against Italy on Saturday, 20 November.

Leicester Tigers managing director David Clayton said: "It is a very special event when an international squad plays on a club ground and we are delighted to be able to welcome Australia this year.

"The Springboks fixture last season was a very memorable occasion and we're looking forward to another historic encounter with the Australians."

CONFIRMED DATES FOR THE WALLABIES SPRING TOUR

October 30: Test v ALL BLACKS (Bledisloe Cup match) in Hong Kong
November 6: Test v WALES in Cardiff
November 9: v Tour match v LEICESTER in Leicester
November 13: Test v ENGLAND in London
November 16: Tour match v MUNSTER in Limerick
November 20: Test v ITALY in TBA
November 27: Test v FRANCE in Paris

 
 
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