Wales to mark centenary Test vs. Australians
"South Africa, New Zealand and Australia are all World Cup winners, so it will be an important milestone in our progression towards the 2011 World Cup," Wales coach Warren Gatland said Wednesday. "I have always said we must test ourselves against the best and I am delighted we have been able to secure this series.
"The squad has made significant progress this year and the ... games will now provide a perfect opportunity to test how far forward we are in our development."
Gatland led Wales to a Grand Slam in the Six Nations earlier this year. He will take the team on a tour of South Africa in June.
"We will have played the current world champions three times this year by the end of November, and that is just the sort of benchmark rugby we require in order to keep getting better," Gatland said.
The Australia game falls outside the IRB window for internationals, but clubs Cardiff Blues, Newport Gwent Dragons, Ospreys and Llanelli Scarlets have agreed to release Welsh players for the game.
"The confirmation of the Australia fixture has made all the hard work we have put in to secure this series worthwhile," Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Roger Lewis said. "I am particularly grateful to all four of our regions in Wales for agreeing to release their international players outside the normal IRB window for the final game in the series against Australia.
"The strong relationship we are building with our four regions bodes well for the future of the game in Wales."
Australia also plays New Zealand in Hong Kong on Nov. 1, Italy on Nov. 8, England on Nov. 15 and France on Nov. 22.
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