Wallabies ready to 'go wherever' amid Sydney COVID-19 concerns

Dave Rennie's troops are slated to open a three-match series against France at the Sydney Cricket Ground on July 7.

Rugby Australia chief executive Andy Marinos is committed to hosting the opening game in Sydney despite a coronavirus outbreak in the city.

Officials may consider moving the clash is case numbers continue to rise and significant crowd limits are enforced, but the ideal scenario is to forge ahead with plans to play in Sydney.

Canberra Stadium could emerge as an option to host the clash is a change is forced but ACT government is yet to be approached by Rugby Australia.

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The ACT government would be unlikely to throw money at the game, with Rennie adamant his squad, which is currently in camp at Sanctuary Cove, will be ready to "go wherever we need to".

"We've got our hands full on the field but it's a changing beast," Rennie said.

"We dealt with a lot of that sort of stuff last year, we've just got to get on with it. We'll go wherever we need to.

"We've had situations like Matt Philip, he will join us later today, he has been quarantining in Sydney. He will go from the hotel, straight to the airport to join us here.

"There's a lot of planning going on behind the scenes."

The French squad has arrived in Sydney to begin quarantine without a host of frontline players.

Fabien Galthie has picked a 42-man squad boasting just 167 Tests between them with scores of players in line for an international debut.

But Rennie is refusing to discount the French as the Wallabies look to kickstart their international campaign with a series win on the road to the Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship.

"It's a very strong squad they're bringing over, maybe not all household names that people down in this part of the world know," Rennie said.

"If you've watched a lot of French rugby, a lot of the players they're bringing are top class. Sometimes younger guys are hungrier, desperate to impress, they can be more of a handful.

"We've got a massive amount of respect for the team you're going to bring over here.

"For those who don't know much about them, you'll get an understanding of the quality of that team once you see them play."

WALLABIES V FRANCE

First Test: Wednesday, July 7 - Australia v France at Sydney Cricket Ground. Broadcast live on Nine and Stan Sport. Tickets from Ticketek.

Second Test: Tuesday, July 13 - Australia v France at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium. Broadcast live on Nine and Stan Sport. Tickets from Ticketek.

Third Test: Saturday, July 17 - Australia v France at Lang Park. Broadcast live on Nine and Stan Sport. Tickets from Ticketek.

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