Melbourne misses out on Wallabies World Cup matches, scores All Blacks

Victorian rugby fans will have to travel interstate to Brisbane, Sydney or Perth for a chance to see the Wallabies during the 2027 World Cup, with no Australia games scheduled for Melbourne.

The World Cup fixture was announced on Tuesday morning, with eight games scheduled in Melbourne at the 56,000-seat Marvel Stadium, including a France-USA clash on October 2 and a New Zealand v Hong Kong China on October 15.

However, no Australia games will be played at any Melbourne venues.

Instead, the Wallabies will open the 2027 World Cup against tournament newcomers Hong Kong China at Optus Stadium in Perth on October 1 and will play a highly anticipated match against the All Blacks on October 9 at Stadium Australia in Sydney.

There were previous hopes the Wallabies-All Blacks blockbuster could be staged at the MCG, where it could potentially draw 100,000 fans.

However, the G’s availability could not be guaranteed in October 2027, due to an exclusive clause in a deal between the Victorian government and the National Football League (NFL).

Victorian government gave the NFL first choice of dates to use the venue in 2027 (apart from AFL finals).

At a press conference on Tuesday morning, Rugby World Cup Australia Chair Sir Rod Eddington would not comment on whether he thought the Victorian Government had made an error and said the organisation knew in advance that playing at the MCG would not be possible.

“We’re really lucky in many ways… that we have this ground [Docklands] as well,” he said.

“We’re delighted we’re playing here,” he continued. “The Docklands Stadium team … We think they’ll make a real success of it.”

Former Australian rugby great and Wallabies captain, Stirling Mortlock said the scheduling for a World Cup was difficult, highlighting the expanded 24-team format and the new round-of-16 knockout stage

Mortlock famously had an 80-metre intercept try in the semi-final win against New Zealand in the 2003 Rugby World Cup semi-final.

“You will have some big blockbuster games, and you’ll have some games that potentially might not be considered the blockbuster but actually sometimes the lesser known nation does play better,” he told this masthead.

“That happens. So scheduling these games is not that easy, so I’m glad it’s not my job, to be honest.”

The decision not to schedule any Wallabies games in Melbourne has raised eyebrows amid speculation Victoria is being punished for a breakdown in the state’s relationship with the code.

Victoria’s strains with Rugby Australia became public in May 2024, when the organisation shut down the Melbourne Rebels amid serious financial difficulties.

The decision not to save the club, which included not accepting a rescue proposed by a consortium led by business heavyweight Leigh Clifford, frustrated the Allan government.

At the time, Sports Minister Steve Dimopoulos said the loss of a local team would influence the government’s decision to bid on major events.

“The Victorian government is extremely disappointed that Rugby Australia has decided not to support the Melbourne Rebels following the team’s 2024 season, after we made it clear that we expected them to commit to a team at the elite level of the sport in Victoria,” he said.

“We have been extremely clear that having a Victorian-based Super Rugby team would be the reason we can continue hosting large rugby events on our major events calendar – including the Bledisloe Cup and any future Rugby World Cups.

“That social licence has been diminished today.”

Venue selection and match schedules are ultimately decided by Rugby World Cup Australia, and the Allan government has not commented on these matters since they’ve been released.

However, they have pointed out Melbourne’s eight games is still the most the city has hosted for a Rugby World Cup, and that all seven matches from the 2003 World Cup were hosted at Docklands.

Those 2003 games included one Wallabies match and two quarter-finals.

By comparison, Melbourne’s two knockout games in 2027 are in the larger round of 16 and cannot feature the Wallabies because they involve teams from different pools.

“Our visitor economy will receive a massive boost during the tournament as fans from around the world fill our hotels, restaurants and iconic venues – generating jobs across the state,” a state government spokesperson said.

“The Rugby World Cup has a massive global audience and hosting games in Melbourne means the best of Victoria will be shown to millions of viewers overseas and create huge demand for visitation.

“Melbourne offers three outstanding stadia in the centre of the city and Marvel Stadium’s recent upgrades offer great options for fans and guests at all levels, and it is the only major venue in the country with a roof – making it a unique option for events.”

In July last year, Melbourne hosted two matches during the tour of the British Lions across Australia, including a Wallabies game at the MCG.

However, these fixtures were first announced in 2023, before the collapse of the Rebels.

The Rugby World Cup commences on October 1, with the final taking place in Stadium Australia on November 13.

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