Rugby Australia and New Zealand Rugby announce historic Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup Tests
All Blacks flyer Leroy Carter tries to get past Wallabies counterpart Corey Toole.
Rugby Australia (RA) and New Zealand Rugby (NZR) have announced Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup Test matches in 2027, 2029 and 2031, as part of a new Trans-Tasman sporting tradition.Ā
This agreement marks the first time in the 123-year history between the All Blacks and Wallabies that they will face each other on Anzac Day.
As a result, the 2027 Bledisloe Cup will comprise three Tests for the first time since 2021, with venues for the other two to be announced in due course.
RA and NZR announce Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup Tests for 2027, 2029 and 2031
With support from the Queensland government, all three Tests will be held at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium and will kick off at mid-afternoon.
Speaking on the confirmation of the historic Tests, NZR CEO, Steve Lancaster, said: “New Zealand and Australia share a special and unique bond built on sporting rivalries, friendship and those men and women who have served our countries in global conflicts, some making the ultimate sacrifice in doing so.
“Playing the Bledisloe Cup on Anzac Day creates a unique trans-Tasman sporting occasion that honours our countriesā shared history and cultures, while bringing people together through rugby.
“Rugby Australia is an important partner for us, and a strong game in Australia is good for rugby in New Zealand. Brisbane has long been seen as a home away from home with a large New Zealand population living there and we see this as a huge opportunity to work in partnership with Rugby Australia to grow the game in a key market.
“The Anzac Day Bledisloe Test adds another key moment during the Super Rugby Pacific season as the early rounds will have the added element of selection intrigue ahead of this match. We’ve worked closely with our clubs to ensure it gives fans another compelling reason to engage with the competition across the season.”
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Also commenting, RA CEO, Phil Waugh, added: “This is an historic day for Australian, New Zealand and international rugby and, on behalf of Rugby Australia, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Premier David Crisafulli, acting Minister for Sport and Racing Andrew Powell and the entire Queensland Government for supporting an Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup Test at Suncorp Stadium in 2027, 2029 and 2031.
“A Test match of this significance will draw fans from far and wide to Brisbane and inspire Queenslandās vast and passionate rugby community. And as a new, marquee fixture on the global sporting calendar, the Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup Test will be watched by tens of millions across Australia, New Zealand and beyond at a time Queensland is preparing to welcome the world to its shores for next yearās Rugby World Cup and the 2032 Olympic Games.
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“The eternal bond shared between Australia and New Zealand was forged on the first Anzac Day and, 112 years later, our nations will again unite around a sport that, in the immortal words of Wallabies legend and Gallipoli veteran Tom Richards, provided hope and respite for troops through the ādark passagesā of war.
“The 123-year history of Australia and New Zealand rugby is renowned and revered across the globe and the first ever staging of an Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup Test will, we believe, create a new trans-Tasman sporting tradition that will bring our nations together and reinforce our shared values.
“We are grateful to our friends at New Zealand Rugby for this partnership and, along with the Queensland Government, we look forward to creating history together.”
As part of the occasion, Queensland will also host community and business events around the Test, including the Australian Rugby Summit and Super Rugby Pacific Summit.