Australia v Samoa, ANZ Stadium, July 17
Wallabies line up Samoa to open 2011
ESPNscrum Staff
December 21, 2010
A general view of the ANZ Stadium in Sydney, NSW, Australia, July 28, 2008
The evening chill will be replaced by Sunday afternoon sunshine at ANZ Stadium © Getty Images
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The Wallabies will start their 2011 preparation for the Rugby World Cup with a rare afternoon Test against Samoa in Sydney on July 17, the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) announced on Tuesday.

For their first Test of the year, and the first of three matches the Wallabies will play on Australian soil, a 2pm kick-off was chosen to attract families to ANZ Stadium.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said Samoa, who are in Pool D at the World Cup in New Zealand, would provide a full-throttle challenge in the lead-up to rugby's showpiece.

"The Samoans will be building to the Rugby World Cup themselves which will ensure they field a strong side," Deans said. "They are capable - their recent results in the northern hemisphere show that. They are in a position to field an experienced group, a lot of who have played in the southern hemisphere and against a lot of our players in Super Rugby so they wont be overawed by the occasion. They'll be looking forward to it."

ARU chief executive John O'Neill said Australian fans would be given access to their heroes on the day of the match saying full details would be released closer to the day.

"Having a Sunday afternoon kick-off for the first time since 2005 is designed to give families a real opportunity to enjoy a day out at a Test match, the first in a World Cup year, O'Neill said. "With just three Tests to be held in Australia before the Rugby World Cup, it is important that grassroots supporters have a chance to see and interact with their heroes."

Australia and Samoa have met four times before, the Wallabies winning on each occasion. The two sides last played each other at the same venue, ANZ Stadium, in 2005 when Australia won 74-7.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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