Australia to close Camp Wallaby for 2007

SYDNEY - Australia will close Camp Wallaby in the lead up to the rugby World Cup with next year's congested schedule leaving little time for the national team to use their Coffs Harbour training base.

The Australian Rugby Union today said it would defer the final year of their three-year contract at Coffs until 2008.

Coach John Connolly and Coffs Harbour City Council General Manager Stephen Sawtell made the announcement at Camp Wallaby today as the Wallabies prepare to embark on a four-week tour of Italy and Great Britain next week.

"Next year is very condensed with the domestic test series kicking off the weekend after the Super 14 final," Connolly said.

"We play back-to-back tests until late July and then have a short turnaround before our departure for the World Cup.

"During the winter test series this year we set about taking the team back to the cities, rather than returning to Coffs to prepare for each test.

"It was a strategy to give the team increased national presence and we are looking to continue this push next year, gathering the support of the nation as we continue our build up to the World Cup.

"But (this decision for 2007) is more an issue of time."

Under the current agreement the Wallabies are contracted to use the training base, located at the Novotel Pacific Bay Resort, for the 2007 season.

However the ARU and the Coffs City Council have agreed for the final year of the three-year deal, which was signed in 2005, to be carried over to 2008.

Sawtell said Coffs Harbour looked forward to continuing its involvement with the team in 2008.

"Coffs Harbour will remain the home of the Wallabies," he said.

- AAP