Perth To Host Rugby Union Test At Rectangular Ground During Rugby Championship

Perth "will host a rugby union Test at a rectangular ground for the first time next year when Australia take on Argentina in the Rugby Championship," according to Adrian Warren of the AAP. The 14 Tests so far in the West Australian capital "have been played at Subiaco Oval, an Australian football venue." But "in a move aimed at delivering a fan-friendly environment for Perth rugby followers, the Test will be played at nib Stadium which has a capacity of 20,500." The stadium "is one of two new Test venues for the Wallabies, with another rectangular ground, Melbourne's AAMI Park scheduled to host one of the three-game series against England before the Rugby Championship." Australia's other home Rugby Championship fixtures next year "will be against New Zealand on August 20 at Sydney's ANZ Stadium and South Africa at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on September 10." Their away games "will be against the All Blacks on August 27, the Springboks on October 1 and the Pumas on October 8 at venues to be announced" (AAP, 7/27).