Perth to host international rugby in 2016 and 2017

The Argentinian and South African rugby teams will go head-to-head against Australia in Perth following a two-year partnership agreed between the Western Australian Government and the Australian Rugby Union.

The Wallabies will play Argentina's Pumas in 2016 and South Africa's Springboks in 2017 at nib Stadium, with both games expected to generate high local and national interest from rugby fans.

Commenting on the fixtures, acting Western Australian Tourism Minister John Day stated "Perth has hosted regular fixtures of international rugby since 2001 and we are pleased to once again welcome back the Argentinian and South African rugby teams.

"The Wallabies won by a point against both Argentina and South Africa the last time both teams played here in 2013 and 2014 respectively, so it is expected the upcoming matches will provide some fierce competition.

"Hosting international sporting events is part of the State Government's strategy to increase the value of tourism to $12 billion by 2020.

"Events such as the International Rugby Test Matches not only add vibrancy to the city, they also attract visitors and provide valuable media exposure of Western Australia."

The International Rugby Test Matches, which are both part of 'The Rugby Championship' series, will be backed by the Western Australian Government through Tourism Western Australia.

Western Australian Sport and Recreation Minister Mia Davies said the Argentinian game would be the first international rugby match to be played at nib Stadium, which is owned by VenuesWest on behalf of the Western Australian Government.

Minister Davies added “it is great to see the games played at nib Stadium, which is the home ground of the Western Force and supported by the rugby community as it provides a quality spectator experience thanks to a $95 million redevelopment.”

"In addition, with WA having a high expatriate population of South Africans, we expect the test match in 2017 to attract strong attendance."

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