New Zealand Rugby board set to discuss Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup test next week as Aussie plan moves closer
Thursday, 30 April 2026
Top-level talks took place last weekend in Christchurch.
Super Round could move to a new spot on the calendar.
Matter will be on the agenda at a NZ Rugby board meeting next week.
The New Zealand Rugby board will next week discuss a Rugby Australia (RA) proposal for an annual Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup test, The Post understands.
The development marks a significant step forward for the idea, which is being driven hard by RA chief executive Phil Waugh and chair Dan Herbert.
Waugh was in Christchurch last weekend for the Super Rugby Super Round at One New Zealand Stadium, and top-level talks took place between the two unions on a number of issues.
The Post understands that NZ Rugby was receptive to Waugh’s pitch in regards to the Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup test and while a lot of water has yet to flow under the bridge, momentum seems to be building.
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NZ Rugby board-level talks point to an Anzac Day Bledisloe test being more likely than not, and The Post understands that the Australians want to start it up in 2027.
It is likely that the potential Anzac Day test would be held in Australia next year as a part of a revived three-test series, The Post understands.
Confirmation of the test would have major ramifications for Super Round, which was so wildly successful that it multiple cities have informally expressed an interest in taking it away from Christchurch.
In anticipation of this, Crusaders chief executive Colin Mansbridge used a Sunday evening press conference to make an unsubtle pitch to keep it in Crusaders country - and not without justification.
However, if the Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup proposal is backed by NZ Rugby, Super Round will either have to find a new spot on the calendar or share the weekend with the All Blacks and Wallabies.
The King’s Birthday weekend in early June has been mentioned as an alternative spot on the calendar for Super Round, The Post understands.
However, a well-placed source told The Post that was far from locked in.
When the Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup test was first raised in 2024, NZ Rugby declared that it would keep an open mind to the idea.
However, former chief executive Mark Robinson then ruled it out last March “at this stage”.
“We certainly committed to exploring the concept and were open-minded to it, but had a lot of work to do,” Robinson said.
“When we have gone and spoken to various groups, be it the Super Rugby clubs, the players association and various partners, we don't see it as viable, at this stage.”
Ironically, the possible failure of the Moana Pasifika franchise could make the scheduling of these events easier, as it would pave the way for a simpler 10-team Super Rugby draw.
The success of the Super Round also highlighted the value of one-off events during the Super Rugby season to build hype around rugby.
Supporters of the Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup test argue that having a sold-out midseason game between the All Blacks and Wallabies, as well as the Super Round, would create a win-win scenario for both unions and the Super Rugby clubs.
On the downside, NZ Rugby and RA would need to be careful that the Anzac Day Bledisloe test doesn’t undermine Super Round, which found its feet in Christchurch last weekend after failing to do so in Melbourne.