First Rugby World Cup warm-up match confirmed as Wallabies reveal fixture just nine days before kick-off
Mack Hansen in action for Ireland against Wallabies.
Ireland will take on the Wallabies in Canberra just nine days before the 2027 Rugby World Cup kicks off after the fixture was announced by Rugby Australia on Tuesday.
International rugby is heading to the Australian Capital Territory with Rugby Australia confirming that the Wallabies (2027) and Wallaroos (2026) will take on two of their oldest Northern Hemisphere rivals at GIO Stadium, Canberra.
The Wallabies will play their first Test in the ACT in 10 years when they take on world number three side Ireland on Saturday, September 18, 2027, just over a week before Australia’s Rugby World Cup opener against Hong Kong-China in Perth.
First for Ireland
The match will be Ireland’s first-ever Test in Canberra while the Wallabies have played five Tests at GIO Stadium Canberra between 1998 and 2017, winning all of them, with their most recent match a 45-20 victory over Argentina in 2017.
And the Wallaroos will play their third Test at GIO Stadium Canberra in two years when they face world number six side Scotland on Friday, October 23, 2026.
The Wallaroos first played a Test in the nation’s capital in 2008 before returning last May with a 27-19 victory over the USA at GIO Stadium Canberra, followed by last Friday’s 33-15 Vuvale Bowl victory over Fijiana.
Wallabies dealt critical Will Skelton blow as La Rochelle coach offers grim injury update
Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh said: “The ACT is one of the world’s great rugby nurseries and we are extremely pleased to be taking two huge Test matches to GIO Stadium Canberra in 2026 and 2027.
“The rugby community in Canberra is deeply passionate and holds a great appreciation for international touring teams, as we witnessed last year when the biggest GIO Stadium Canberra rugby crowd in 20 years packed the venue for the Brumbies’ thrilling match against the British & Irish Lions.
“The Wallaroos love playing in front of their loyal fans in Canberra and the Scotland Test should be a very competitive match, with both teams side-by-side on the World Rugby ladder. And the Wallabies are looking forward to playing their first Test match at GIO Stadium Canberra in ten years – and their first ever against Ireland in Canberra – as both teams finalise their preparations for the eagerly-anticipated home Rugby World Cup.
Sincere thanks
“On behalf of Rugby Australia, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Deputy Chief Minister Yvette Berry for their support of Test rugby during an incredibly exciting period for the game in our country.”
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said: “We’re pleased to welcome our national teams, the Wallaroos and Wallabies, back to GIO Stadium Canberra and honoured to be hosting the formidable teams from Scotland and Ireland in these two marquee Test matches in 2026 and 2027.
“We look forward to working with Rugby Australia to stage great events for the fans of all four teams.”
Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for world-class coverage you can trust.