Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup Tests at Suncorp Stadium: A New Trans-Tasman Tradition
Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane has been selected as the venue for the upcoming Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup tests, with the Queensland government offering support to secure the games. New Zealand Rugby CEO Steve Lancaster emphasized the significance of the partnership with Rugby Australia, highlighting the opportunity to expand the game in a key market like Brisbane, which has a sizable New Zealand population. The Anzac Day tests will be part of a three-test Bledisloe Cup series scheduled for 2027, 2029, and 2031, with the remaining matches integrated into The Rugby Championship later in each year, alternating between New Zealand and Australia. In 2028 and 2030, the Bledisloe Cup series will consist of two matches due to Nations Championship commitments, providing an additional element to the Super Rugby Pacific competition, which will finalize its format for the 2027 season in the upcoming weeks. The introduction of the Anzac Day Bledisloe Test is expected to enhance the excitement of the early rounds of the Super Rugby Pacific season, creating selection intrigue leading up to the special match, as stated by Lancaster. Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh expressed enthusiasm for the historic Anzac Day games, emphasizing the rich history and tradition of Australia and New Zealand rugby, and the potential for the event to establish a new Trans-Tasman sporting tradition that unites the two nations and celebrates their shared values. The collaboration between Rugby Australia, New Zealand Rugby, and the Queensland government is poised to make history with the inaugural Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup Test, fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie between the neighboring countries.