Rugby Australia has confirmed that an ‘Australia XV’ will tour the United Kingdom in November for games against the Bristol Bears and England A.
The team will be coached by ACT Brumbies assistant Rod Seib and will play Bristol on November 9 (AEDT) at Ashton Gate and England A on November 18 (AEDT) at the Twickenham Stoop in London.
The squad will be selected in consultation with the Wallabies and Australia XV coaches.
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“We’re delighted to work closely with the RFU and Bristol to confirm these fixtures,” RA’s director of high performance Peter Horne said.
“We’re committed to our players getting opportunities to play against high quality international opposition, with the Australia XV program a great development tool for our country’s next best players, coaches and management.
“With the British and Irish Lions on our shores next year, these fixtures will allow us to continue to build depth and for Joe Schmidt and the Wallabies coaches to get a good look at a wider selection of players.”
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The Wallabies kick off their Spring Tour against England on November 10 (AEDT).
The Australia XV games loom as an ideal opportunity to give star recruit Joseph Suaalii some game time in his new code.
“I think he goes on that tour,” former Wallabies backrower Stephen Hoiles said on Stan Sport’s Between Two Posts.
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“But I think, at the same time, we’ll we’ll work out pretty quickly – like I don’t think they’ll hand out a (Wallabies) jersey to him for the sake of it.
“I’ve really enjoyed watching him play in the last couple of years, knowing he’s coming to rugby. I think he’s a lot tougher than people talk about – really enjoyed his toughness.
“So I’d take him on the Spring Tour for sure. I want to see him play against the Lions, if he’s good enough. Give him the best chance to do that.”