The Wallabies will play a a Test against Samoa in western Sydney in September to round off their Rugby World Cup match preparations.
The match on September 7 will be the first rugby Test at the new Bankwest Stadium in Paramatta and Australia’s fifth and final match of their build-up to the World Cup, which starts in Japan later that month.
Australia have played 17th-ranked Samoa five times, winning the first four before being upset 32-23 in Sydney in their last clash in 2011.
Prior to the Samoa Test, Australia will play one round of Rugby Championship matches against New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina, plus a second Bledisloe Cup Test against the All Blacks.
A number of Wallabies – including props Allan Alaalatoa and Scott Sio – are of Samoan descent.
Revelations the Pacific Islands may not be represented in the mooted Nations Championship sparked outrage in Australia and New Zealand, both of whom have benefited from selecting players born in the region.
Wallabies superstar Israel Folau, who is of Tongan descent, welcomed the chance for Australia to play a rare Test against one of the Pacific Island nations.
“There’s a few guys in the team of Samoan descent, so its exciting to be able to play against them,” Folau said.
“Every opportunity to play against Pacific nation sides is always a good thing.
“It’s so important for the overall growth of the game. There will be a packed out stadium and no doubt there will be plenty of Samoans and Pacific Islanders.”
With Fiji being Australia’s first World Cup pool opponent, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika welcomed the chance to play another Pacific Island nation.
“They have a mix of razzle-dazzle and physicality which will be exactly what we need before stepping out against Fiji in Sapporo,” Cheika said.