The tour, which kicks off on November 1, celebrates the cenentary of the first Wallabies tour to the Northern Hemisphere, during which they won the gold medal for rugby at the 1908 London Games.

 

Australia collected the Olympic title by beating Cornwall, the English county champions representing Great Britain, 32-3 in the final.

 

It was one of four occasions when Rugby was played at the Olympics, with France winning gold in 1900 and USA victorious in 1920 and 1924 – but the Wallabies competed only once, in 1908.

 

The International Rugby Board is pushing to have the code returned to the Olympics in a rugby sevens format from 2016, with the International Olympic Committee to vote in October next year at its Session. 

 

A Games flavour, however, has already swept up the 2008 Wallabies as they prepare to fly out on a six-match campaign.

 

A gold medal from the 1908 Australian success, awarded to Wallabies Hall of Fame member Tom Richards, was on display at training in Sydney today along with one of Trickett’s two gold medals from the pool at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

 

In a rare and significant moment Trickett held in one hand her gold medal from the 2008 Olympic Games and in the other the gold medal won by Richards in 1908, brought to training by Richards' grandson, Jim.

 

The Wallabies will play their tour finale against the Barbarians at Wembley on December 3 in a match supported by the British Olympic Association to commemorate the Games final of 1908.

 

Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock said: “It brings home the significance of what the first Wallabies achieved during their massive tour 100 years ago. 

 

“They travelled to and from the Northern Hemisphere by ship, were away for nine months in total, and played 38 matches while visiting the UK and North America.

 

“Seeing the gold medal from 1908 was amazing and the guys greatly appreciated Libby taking time out to come down and wish us well for the upcoming tour.

 

“Her achievements in the pool, winning six medals across two Olympics, plus countless World Championship and Commonwealth Games medals, are extraordinary.

 

“Libby has been an inspirational figure to a lot of Australians.”

 

For her part Trickett was also enthusiastic to see Rugby return to the Olympic family.

 

She said: "I think it would be great for Rugby Union to be back in the Olympics.

 

"It would be a great drawcard for the Olympics and if they play it in the main stadium that would be absolutely mind blowing for the players who get to participate.

 

"Obviously it’s not my decision but I think it’s great that Rugby Union is putting it’s hand forward to getting back into the 2016 Games."

 

The Wallabies open their tour with a fourth Bledisloe Cup match against the All Blacks in Hong Kong on November 1, before taking on Italy in Padova on November 8, England at Twickenham on November 15, France in Paris on November 22 and Wales at the Millennium Stadium on November 29. 

 

 

The tour concludes with the game against the Barbarians – the first Rugby match to be played at the redeveloped Wembley Stadium, which is due to stage the semi-finals and finals of the Olympic football tournament in 2012.