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How Townsville’s Rugby World Cup games can ‘inspire’ the next generation
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The Wallabies ran out onto the field at Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Friday, one day out from their second Test at the venue in as many years. It’s part of an unprecedented slate of Tests for North Queensland, including four Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 games.
Rugby Australia announced on Thursday morning the Wallabies will return to the region for three more matches between 2027 and 2030. Argentina will play in Townsville in 2027 and 2030, and Georgia will visit Australia’s Sunshine State in 2029.
Georgia will get a taste of the North Queensland conditions two years before that, when they play in the region’s first of four Rugby World Cup pool matches. The tournament regulars will take on Romania in a Pool B that sets the tone for a momentous couple of weeks.
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Rugby World Cup debutants Chile and Hong Kong China will clash in a crucial Pool A match on October 9, before Tonga face Zimbabwe the following week. Spain and Canada will meet in Townsville’s final match as a host city on October 16.
“It’s really important. North Queensland are really getting behind their rugby union and the more opportunities to see the Wallabies, Reds and international teams play up here is only going to inspire more kids to play up here,” Wallabies captain Harry Wilson told reporters on Friday.
“We know passionate everyone is up here so it’s just nice to be up here and playing, and it’s always nice to play in Queensland too.”
The Wallabies are yet to lose a Test at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, and will look to keep that streak alive under the Townsville sun. Wilson led the national team to a nail-biting 35-32 win over Japan last weekend, and the two sides will again face off on Saturday afternoon.
Replacement prop Taniela Tupou burrowed over for a decisive score inside the last 10 minutes, extending the Wallabies’ lead to beyond a converted try in Osaka. Brave Blossoms skipper Warner Dearns hit back soon after, but the visitors held on for a tough win in scorching conditions.
It looms as a shot at team history for the Wallabies, who have not won three matches on the bounce since 2024. That includes victory over Portugal at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and then a run of three straight in the 2024 July international window.
“We’re challenging ourselves for consistency. Two good results there, even though obviously it wasn’t a perfect performance but it was a Test match win,” Wilson said.
“We really want to grow on that win from last week. We know who we’re versing again this week in our own conditions which will be nice.
“We haven’t won too many back-to-back games in a while so it’s good to get that winning feeling back in the change room and the boys are really happy with it and we want to keep things going. We know we’ve got an opportunity to hopefully try and win three in a row.
“These conditions are probably suited to them too so we know we’re going to be up against it against them, but it’s a great challenge for us.”
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