Anzac Test (rugby union)

Anzac Test
Australia
New Zealand
Native nameMāori: Rā o Ngā Hōia Tēhi[1][a]
Other namesAnzac Bledisloe Cup Test[2]
SportRugby union
First meeting25 April 2027
Statistics
Trophy seriesBledisloe Cup

The Anzac Test, also known as the Anzac Bledisloe Cup Test,[2] or simply the Anzac Day Test,[3] is a biennial one-off rugby union test match between Australia and New Zealand played on Anzac Day that will first take place in 2027. Spanning more than 180 test matches,[4] the Australia–New Zealand rivalry is the most frequently contested fixture in international rugby union.

Anzac

ANZAC stands for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps,[5] a military force formed during the First World War.[5] Australian and New Zealand soldiers fought together at the Gallipoli campaign in 1915, where their courage and sacrifice became an important part of both nations' identities.[6] Today, ANZAC represents the close relationship between Australia and New Zealand. Every year on 25 April, both countries observe ANZAC Day to honour those who have served in wars and conflicts.[7] Beyond its military origins, ANZAC reflects the strong cultural bond between Australia and New Zealand.[5][6]

Ten Australian and thirteen New Zealand Test players died in the First World War.[8]

History

The initial idea of an Anzac Day Bledisloe fixture played between Australia and New Zealand was proposed around 2014–2015,[9] but was rejected by New Zealand Rugby (NZR) due to scheduling difficulties.[9][10]

In April 2024, Rugby Australia (RA) chairman Daniel Herbert publicly pitched the idea of a one-off Test match between Australia and New Zealand on Anzac Day.[10] He stated that it would be an obvious and profitable move, and argued it could become a marquee event similar to the State of Origin rugby league series.[10] Implicit in the proposal was a return to three Bledisloe Cup fixtures, reversing the 2022 reduction to two matches and reinstating the long-standing arrangement that had been in effect since the mid-2000s.[11][12] NZR was reportedly open to the idea, with chief executive Mark Robinson commenting to The Sydney Morning Herald: "The Bledisloe Cup series is something which is truly special in our game and a highlight for Wallabies and All Blacks fans each season... we had a constructive set of meetings with RA recently and they tabled the idea of an Anzac Bledisloe match", and added: "as with all discussions about matters in the future... we will keep the conversations going."[13][14]

By September 2024, RA and NZR were reportedly close to approving the Anzac Day match proposal, and was at an advanced stage of negotiations, with the Western Australian government prepared to pay a lucrative sum to host the event at Perth Stadium.[15] It was also reported that the fixture would also coincide with Super Rugby's Super Round, creating a major rugby festival in Perth by staging both events over the same period.[15] The negotiation's between the two unions formed part of wider effort between the Australian and New Zealand rugby unions regarding New Zealand's planned tour of South Africa in 2026.[15] Although stating that NZR were "really open to it", chief executive Mark Robinson mentioned that the timeframe for a 2026 event kickoff was too rushed.[16]

In March 2025, NZR declined the proposal after various stakeholders did not give their support toward the idea.[17] In January 2026, a women's Anzac Day Test between Australia and New Zealand was confirmed,[18] and was part of the 2026 Laurie O'Reilly Cup that took place on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland.[19] This event was seen as a boost to the men's proposal.[18]

After receiving the support of All Blacks coach Dave Rennie,[20] the Anzac Day Bledisloe Test was finally announced on 28 June 2026.[8][21] The Western Australian and Queensland governments vied for the hosting rights in negotiations with Rugby Australia, with Brisbane's Lang Park ultimately emerging successful and securing the event for 2027, 2029, and 2031.[22][23]

Results

Year Winner Result Runners-up Venue Attendance
2027 TBD Lang Park, Brisbane TBD

Notes

  1. ↑ English: Anzac Day Test

References

  1. ↑ "Rā o Ngā Hōia | Te Aka Māori Dictionary". Te Aka Māori Dictionary. Retrieved 29 June 2026.
    "Tēhi | Te Aka Māori Dictionary". Te Aka Māori Dictionary. Retrieved 29 June 2026.
  2. 1 2 Brown, Alan (28 June 2026). "Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup Test to launch new trans-Tasman tradition". allblacks.com. New Zealand Rugby. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
    Williamson, Nathan (28 June 2026). "Wallabies, All Blacks lock in ANZAC Day Bledisloe Cup Test in Brisbane". Rugby.com.au. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
  3. ↑ "All Blacks, Wallabies lock in Anzac Day Test series". 1News. 28 June 2026. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
  4. ↑ "Stats – New Zealand v Australia". stats.allblacks.com. All Blacks.
  5. 1 2 3 "ANZAC acronym | Australian War Memorial". awm.gov.au. Australian War Memorial. Archived from the original on 24 January 2026.
  6. 1 2 "Anzac spirit | Australian War Memorial". awm.gov.au. Australian War Memorial. Archived from the original on 21 January 2026.
  7. ↑ "First Anzac Day | National Museum Australia". nma.gov.au. National Museum Australia. Archived from the original on 10 February 2025.
  8. 1 2 Payten, Iain (28 June 2026). "'Absolute no-brainer': How axed Wallabies coach got Kiwis over the line for Anzac Bledisloe". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
  9. 1 2 Robinson, Georgina (8 April 2015). "Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup Test remains a pipedream". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media.
  10. 1 2 3 Payten, Iain (24 April 2024). "'No-brainer': Rugby Australia wants Bledisloe Cup clash on Anzac Day". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment.
  11. ↑ Payten, Iain (24 February 2022). "'Agreed on both sides': Marinos says cutting a Bledisloe Cup Test was mutual decision". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment.
  12. ↑ "Annual Bledisloe Cup series reduced to two matches from three". Reuters. 24 February 2022.
  13. ↑ Cully, Paul (28 April 2024). "Kiwis open to an Anzac Day Bledisloe – but based on this weekend, there's no need". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment.
  14. ↑ Cully, Paul (27 April 2024). "NZ Rugby keeps open mind on Anzac Bledisloe test". The Post. Stuff Ltd.
  15. 1 2 3 Payten, Iain (5 September 2024). "Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup Test set for green light". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment.
  16. ↑ Payten, Iain (27 September 2024). "'A massive day': Kiwis confirm support for Anzac Day Bledisloe clash". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment.
  17. ↑ "All Blacks v Wallabies: New Zealand Rugby scuppers Rugby Australia's plan for an Anzac Day test". The New Zealand Herald. New Zealand Media and Entertainment. 25 March 2025.
  18. 1 2 Drennan, Jonathan (29 January 2026). "Why RA believes Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup Test just moved a step closer". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment.
  19. ↑ Pentony, Luke (25 April 2026). "Australia's Wallaroos fall 40–5 to New Zealand's Black Ferns in Anzac Day Test". ABC News.
  20. ↑ Payten, Iain (6 May 2026). "Anzac Bledisloe finally set for green light after crucial Rennie support". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
  21. ↑ "Wallabies and All Blacks to play Bledisloe Cup Tests on Anzac Day at Lang Park". ABC News. 28 June 2026. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
  22. ↑ Mulveney, Mikaela (28 June 2026). "Queensland secures historic Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup in six-year deal". The Courier-Mail. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
  23. ↑ Bita, Natasha (28 June 2026). "Bledisloe in Brisbane: Crisafulli wins three-game rugby Anzac deal". The Australian. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
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