Australia A national rugby union team

Australia A
Union Australian Rugby Union
Emblem(s) the Wallaby
Team kit

Australia A is a national representative rugby union football team of Australian rugby union. The last match played under the 'Australia A' name was in 2008, but the team was previously the second-tier team to the national side, the Wallabies. Australia 'A' matches were used as a stepping-stone up to Wallaby selection, with the team playing at smaller venues than the Wallabies. Fringe Wallaby players were given a chance to impress selectors during these games. In the past, the team would also play touring sides, such as the British and Irish Lions, when they visited Australia.

In 2010, the ARU arranged for an Australian Barbarians team to play two matches against the visiting England national team.[1] The Australian Barbarians side was nominated as the national second-tier team and was, as such, essentially Australia A by another name. The team also played against Canada in 2011 but has not played any international matches since then.[2]

Pacific Nations Cup: 2006–08

Australia A plays Japan in the 2008 Pacific Nations Cup at Level-5 Stadium in Fukuoka

Australia was originally invited to take part in the IRB Pacific Nations Cup but decided against sending a team, stating a need to focus on domestic competition. However, Australia hosted two games in the inaugural 2006 tournament. Australia A played two matches against Fiji after the 2006 tournament, and then joined the competition in 2007.[3][4]

In the 2007 Pacific Nations Cup, Australia A played 5 matches for 3 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss. The tournament was won by the Junior All Blacks.

In the 2008 Pacific Nations Cup, Australia A played 5 matches for 4 wins and 1 loss. The tournament was won by New Zealand Māori. At the end of the 2008, however, the Australian Rugby Union decided to scrap the Australia A team, citing financial constraints. Australia withdrew from the 2009 tournament.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "England to play Australian Barbarians". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 18 March 2010. Archived from the original on 28 January 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  2. ↑ "Wallabies power Barbarians' victory". 26 August 2011. Archived from the original on 9 March 2014. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  3. ↑ "'Australia A' to play Fiji in Adelaide and Melbourne". rugby.com.au. 9 June 2006. Archived from the original on 1 Jul 2012. Retrieved 2012-07-01.
  4. ↑ "Australia A to join Pacific Cup". BBC. 18 October 2006. Retrieved 19 October 2006.
  5. ↑ Swanton, Will (December 22, 2008). "Financial crisis forces sacrifice of Australia A". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 June 2012.

External links