New Zealand-Australia rugby rivalry takes on added spice in 2026, with news today of a Classics match, featuring former All Blacks and Wallabies.
The match, to be played on Anzac Day, will be hosted in New Plymouth – with the Australians managed by former superstar wing David Campese, the manwho ran circles around the All Blacks at Eden Park in 1986.
The New Zealand team will feature a string of former All Blacks, including 2015 World Cup winner Nehe Milner-Skudder.
“Being part of the Classics kaupapa up in Whangārei last year was awesome, so I’m really looking forward to linking up again,” said Milner-Skudder.
“This time down under the manaakitanga of Taranaki Maunga and its people who call this place home, a place with deep rugby roots and a strong sense of identity.
“The best part of these trips is always getting around the clubs, spending time with the tamariki, hearing their stories, and hopefully passing on a few learnings from my own journey.
“Catching up with the lads is choice, but giving back to regions like Taranaki, who live and breathe the game, makes it all feel full circle. That’s the real essence of the Classics for me.”
The big match will be played on Anzac Day 2026.
The match will be played at Stadium Taranaki, with an afternoon kick-off time of 2.35pm. It will be screened live on TVNZ.
It follows the success of The Classics’ clashes with Steelform Whanganui and the Pasifika Legends this year.
Over the years, the Classics jersey has been worn by former All Blacks including Jerry Collins, Jeff Wilson, Jonah Lomu, Andrew Mehrtens, Justin Marshall, Stephen Donald, Rico and Hosea Gear, Conrad Smith, Piri Weepu, Corey Flynn, Troy Flavell, Jamie Joseph, and Scott “Razor” Robertson, among many others.
Fans can expect to see a host of former All Black stars (including Milner-Skudder, Jason Eaton and Chris Masoe) take on Australian greats, including Radike Samo, Cliffy Palu and Andrew Walker.
Campese said: “Rivalry and camaraderie – that’s the Anzac spirit in a nutshell. We’ll come to Taranaki to play hard and have fun, just like the old days.”
The Classics patron, former All Black captain Sean Fitzpatrick, said: “The Classics represent everything that is good about our game – connection, loyalty, community and mateship.
“They give former players a meaningful way to stay involved and continue contributing, and that matters enormously.”
The Classics – formerly known as The Classic All Blacks – were founded 38 years ago by former All Black Andy Haden to help players stay connected beyond their playing careers and to bring rugby back to grassroots communities.
The team has played across the globe at venues including Wanda Stadium, Madrid (v Spain), Prince Chichibu Stadium, Tokyo (v Japan), ANZ Stadium, Suva (v Fiji), Ballymore, Australia (v Classic Wallabies), Welford Road, Leicester (v Leicester Tigers), and Stade Mayol, Toulon (v RC Toulon).
Fitzpatrick said he was proud to support Haden’s adult children, Chris and Laura, in continuing to build their father’s vision.
“The Classics were built on the idea that once a player hangs up their boots, their story doesn’t end – it continues through connection, community and the love of the game," said The Classics manager Chris Haden.
“All things that we know we’ll find in spades when we come to Taranaki next year.”
The match is also being supported by Venture Taranaki and New Plymouth Event Venues. New Plymouth District Mayor Max Brough said Taranaki boasted world-class facilities and a passionate sporting community.
“We love our rugby here, and we’ve seen some great clashes over the years. Having some of the game’s legends from here and across the ditch for an Anzac Day showdown will be a real treat for fans, and who knows, maybe we can regularise a classic Bledisloe fixture.”
More names will be announced in the weeks and months leading up to kick-off.
