Adelaide will host four of the world’s best rugby teams this week including the current men’s and women’s world champions for the first time since rugby started competitively in the city in 1932.
The historic double header—to be played at Adelaide Oval this Saturday, 27 August—will see the Wallaroos take on the current women’s world champion, New Zealand’s Black Ferns, followed by Wallabies against the men’s world champion, the South African Springboks.
The timing couldn’t be better for Adelaide’s rugby community and its 3,200 active players, says Rugby Union SA (RUSA) CEO Carl Jones.
“This week is a celebration of the great game of rugby in Adelaide, where the very first competitive game was played 90 years ago at Port Adelaide between a Navy side and the Adelaide Club, which later became Adelaide University’s rugby club,” Jones said.
“We have a strong and growing rugby community in this state and the opportunity to see the superstars of the sport right here in Adelaide, training and competing, is inspiring and motivating.”
About 300 junior players from across Adelaide’s rugby clubs will form a guard of honour for the competing sides inside Adelaide Oval prior to both matches.
“If you’ve never seen a live game of rugby, starting with the Wallabies and Wallaroos against current world champions at our own Adelaide Oval it is a pretty amazing introduction to the game we say is ‘played in heaven’,” Jones said.
It’s been almost two decades since the Wallabies played in Adelaide and the first time the Wallaroos have played in Adelaide.
It’s also the only time both Australian teams share a fixture this year.
The current Wallaroos squad includes former RUSA and Brighton rugby player, Eva Karpani.
More than 600 guests will attend RUSA’s 90th anniversary function in the Magarey Room on Friday, 26 August.
The event will be attended by senior figures from government and industry, supported by guest speakers including Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie, and former All-Blacks coach Wayne Smith who is now the Black Ferns director of rugby.
Ted Fidoch, the oldest living RUSA life member and Roger Wills, whose father played in the inaugural 1932 rugby match, will also be present and acknowledged by the local rugby community.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Free travel applies to all bus, tram and train services to and from the city, all day on Saturday, 27 August 2022.
Additional services will also be running to ensure an easy and convenient ride for the expected crowd of around 30,000 spectators.
The action starts from 12.15pm as the Wallaroos tackle New Zealand, before the Wallabies clash with rugby powerhouse South Africa at Adelaide Oval.
“Not only are SA rugby fans buzzing with excitement—but we know this event is a massive drawcard for visitors to our state who want to come to Adelaide and watch world-class sport, as well as take in the best our city and regions have to offer,” Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Tom Koutsantonis says.
To access free travel, simply present your match ticket to the driver or customer service staff when using public transport.
Passengers are encouraged to use Adelaide Metro to check their timetable in real time and plan their trip with Adelaide Metro’s journey planner.
Public transport passengers are also reminded to continue to wear a face mask while on board, as well as at or moving through stations.
Please social distance wherever possible and do not travel if you are unwell.
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