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ESPN staff
Almost a week after relations between Rugby Australia and New Zealand Rugby soured, RA have confirmed Optus Stadium in Perth will host Bledisloe III with a Father’s Day afternoon clash on September 5.
This will be the first time Australia have hosted an afternoon Bledisloe clash in 25-years, with the All Blacks taking the spoils in 1996 with a 32-25 win at Lang Park in Brisbane.
The third Test was originally slated for Saturday 28 August in Perth, but due to newly implemented COVID restrictions in Western Australia and the uncertainty around the remainder of the Rugby Championship fixtures, NZR refused to send the All Blacks to Australia until there was confirmation of the remaining fixtures.
RA confirmed on Tuesday, Queensland will host the remaining Rugby Championship matches, including the All Blacks’ 100th Test against the Springboks, with the sporting body left to confirm the date for the final Bledisloe.
The revised schedule will now see the match kick-off at 4pm AEST (2pm local, 6pm NZST).
Just 2,000 tickets remain for the Father’s Day clash, with all tickets from the previous date transferred, while people who can no longer attend will receive a full refund.
“It’s fantastic on all fronts to have the opportunity for the Wallabies to play at this iconic stadium again, and entertain the Perth public that have embraced them so warmly over the past two weeks,” RA boss Andy Marinos said.
“From speaking with the Wallabies team, they are desperate to put on a great show for the Perth community – and confirming this Test is great news for them and the fans in Western Australia.
“We look forward to welcoming the All Blacks to Australia for this match, which is the start of a Rugby celebration in our country.”