Anzac Bledisloe finally set for green light after crucial Rennie support

Support from former Wallabies coach Dave Rennie was a key factor in New Zealand Rugby doing an about-face on the staging of an historic Bledisloe Cup clash on Anzac Day, which is set to be launched next year. After years of negotiation and apparent dead-ends, the much-discussed concept has been successfully revived and is set to become a reality in 2027 on Thursday. After board meetings around the New Zealand Rugby annual general meeting, the NZR are expected to officially endorse the unprecedented Test match between the Wallabies and the All Backs in April next year. It is likely to be held in either Brisbane or Perth, given Sydney and Melbourne already have Anzac Day fixtures in the NRL and AFL, but Adelaide could also be in the mix.

Super Rugby is set to be paused for a bye round to provide for the equitable mid-season release of players, and Super Round would be shifted to a different round in the season. The Anzac Day Test match - which would be held on the eve of April 25 (a Sunday) in 2027 - would also be the return of a three-Test Bledisloe series, which was reduced to two games in 2022.