Is Docklands an unlikely Fortress for the Wallabies?

by Gavin Norman

It was interesting to read in the Sydney Morning Herald recently, that from 17 tests at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium or Lang Park , a total of 3 matches have been lost since the beginning of the professional era. Most impressive though is the 5-0 record against the Springboks.

One statistic which isn’t comforting though, is the Wallabies record against the All Blacks in Australia. The earlier statistic of 3 loses, were all incurred at the hands of the All Blacks. Let’s compare this now to Docklands in Melbourne. While the Wallabies have never faced the All Blacks at Docklands, the two have previously met in Melbourne, at the MCG in 1997, 1998 & 2007. The record currently favours the Wallabies 2-1.

Since 2000, Docklands has hosted a total of 10 tests, with the Wallabies only incurring a single lost to England in 2003, prior to the Word Cup. Opponents have often been “lesser” sides in Ireland, Scotland and Italy. Although the stadium might not have a rectangular configuration (a permanent one), it does include one important feature, a roof, giving it the nickname of ‘The Dome’.

If you discuss previous Test match experiences in Victorian Rugby circles, they’ll often mention the 2001 British & Irish Lions tour match and the roar of the crowd under the roof. The Wallabies won the second match of the series and set a record crowd for the venue at 56,605. For those who weren’t there (including myself), you can just imagine 50,000 people under the roof would be amplified to sound like 100,000 people. It’s interesting to note that James Horwill mentioned this after the 2009 Italy test, even though the crowd was around 20,000.

Hopefully come next Saturday, we have 50,000 Wallabies supporters under the roof of ‘The Dome’, creating an intimidating experience for the All Blacks and a record favoring the Wallabies 11-1.