Credit Stu Walmsley

The City of Newcastle has secured another coup for women’s sport following the announcement that the Wallaroos Rugby team will play Japan at No.2 Sportsground in July.
The international fixture on Saturday 13 July will be the first of a two-test series against Japan and the first time the tourists have ever played in Australia. The second will be at North Sydney Oval on Friday 19 July.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said today’s announcement continues the City’s success in securing elite-level women’s sporting events.
“Today’s news continues Newcastle’s evolution as a City synonymous with hosting major women’s sporting events,” The Lord Mayor said.
“We already have the runs on the board as a successful host City having staged two International women’s soccer matches in successive years which drew around 16,000.
“This latest announcement shows our continued campaign to stage more sporting events in this City is gaining significant traction, and I applaud Rugby Australia for selecting Newcastle for this match.
“This match, and others to come, will hopefully pave the way for a successful Women’s Rugby World Cup bid in future years to come.”

Rugby Australia Chief Executive Raelene Castle said: “We look forward to welcoming Japan for an historic Test series against our Buildcorp Wallaroos in July, an occasion made possible thanks to the support of the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
“When we made our bid to host the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup last year, we announced that bidding for the tournament was just part of our commitment to grow the women’s fifteens game.
“We are committed to providing more high-quality fixtures for our Buildcorp Wallaroos and giving Rugby fans, particularly aspiring young girls, more exposure to the stars of our women’s game to inspire the next generation. This series is another step on that journey.”
Australia and Japan have only met once in a Test match in 2017 when the Buildcorp Wallaroos prevailed 29-14.
Fans can snap up early tickets to the historic Japan Series through the Ticketek website.
Meanwhile, Rugby fans buoyed by the news will also get the opportunity to see the NSW Waratahs in action when they play the Japan Sunwolves at McDonald Jones Stadium on 29 March.
McDonald Jones Stadium has been touted as one of many possible home ground venues for the ‘Tahs in the coming years while their regular ground – Allianz Stadium – is knocked down and rebuilt.