THE Tri-Nations Rugby Test match between the Wallabies and Argentina in Newcastle next month is set to attract the biggest crowd to McDonald Jones Stadium since the outbreak of COVID-19.
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Acting NSW Minister for Sport Geoff Lee confirmed on Thursday that the COVID-19 capacity at Turton Road had been increased to just over 12,000.
Tickets for the Wallabies match on November 21 and the clash between Argentina and New Zealand (November 28) went on sale Thursday and start at $30.
The normal capacity at McDonald Jones Stadium is 30,000 but that has been severely reduced to meet social distancing and other COVID safe protocols.
The crowd was capped at 7500 for the Knights' final seven home games after NRL fixtures were opened to crowds in July.
The Australia-Argentina game is just the second rugby Test to be played in Newcastle.
It has been eight years since the Wallabies went down 9-6 to Scotland in cyclonic conditions. A crowd of 20,088 braved driving rain and gale-force winds that night.
Scone-born and Maitland raised halfback Nic White has been among the Wallabies best in the opening two Wallabies' Tests against the All Blacks. Newcastle prop Harry Johnson-Holmes is also in the squad.
"What a terrific coup we have secured for the Hunter with two world-class matches featuring the Wallabies, All Blacks and the Pumas," Mr Lee said.
"This premier rugby union competition at McDonald Jones Stadium will ensure regional fans get to see some of the world's best rugby talent in their own backyard," Mr Lee said.
Newcastle City Council worked with Venues NSW to secure the Wallabies match and the other rugby Tri-nations fixture - the first time the All Blacks will have played an international in the city.
The Wallaroos played a Test against Japan earlier this year and the city has also hosted Super Rugby, Matildas football internationals, the Asian Cup football tournament and rugby league Test matches in recent years.
"The city has a strong track record of hosting elite sporting fixtures such as the Matilda's Olympic Qualifier against Vietnam and the historic Wallaroos Test match against Japan, and hopes this record and the partnership with Venues NSW will continue to secure great events for the city," Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
"Hosting two matches as part of the revised Rugby Championship recognises our capability to successfully host these premier international events and is fantastic news not only for the region's sports lovers but for its potential flow-on effects for our visitor economy.
"Having the opportunity to host all three teams over the course of two weekends provides the perfect opportunity to showcase our city and we look forward to rugby fans from across the world having their eyes on Newcastle for these COVID safe events."
Rugby Australia interim Chief Executive Rob Clarke said: "Newcastle is one of Australia's strongest rugby communities and we can't wait to showcase the very best of the Tri Nations in the Hunter region next month," Mr Clarke said.
"McDonald Jones Stadium will be the centre of the rugby universe with two world class Tests over two weeks and I'm certain that the locals will turn up in their droves for what truly is a once-in-a-lifetime event."
Tickets for the Tri-iNations are available through Ticketek