All Blacks star Quinn Tupaea has thrown his support behind the proposed Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup test, as talks take place to introduce the fixture next year.
The idea of playing a test on April 25 was first discussed by Rugby Australia in late 2024, but the proposal was rejected by then New Zealand Rugby (NZR) chief executive Mark Robinson.
After an overhaul of executives and personnel at NZR, the concept is nearing reality, with newly appointed chief executive Steve Lancaster saying today that the NZR board had discussed the test this year, but nothing had been confirmed.
Other sports, such as NRL and AFL, have annual Anzac Day matches, while the A-League and Super Rugby play only if the date falls at a weekend.
The Kiwis and Kangaroos used to play an annual rugby league test between 1997 and 2017.
Speaking ahead of the Chiefs’ clash with the Reds in Brisbane tonight, Tupaea said it was something he would love to be part of.
“Exciting to have a test in the middle of the season. Good for both nations to have that game and to have it scheduled at that time.
“A lot of Kiwis over here as well, and when we play Australia over this side of the ditch, we still feel a lot of that support, so both nations would be keen to host.
“It would be a cool test to be a part of and [I] haven’t put too much thought into it. Got to make the team first, the squad.”
The biggest elephant in the room is what would happen to Super Rugby around that period, as an Anzac Day match would fall in the middle of the season.
Lancaster said today that the Super Rugby sides were open to the idea, which would likely see the entire competition stop for a week, although he admitted there was plenty of water to flow under the bridge before an announcement.
“We think it’s a good idea, but not all good ideas come to fruition either. We’re certainly not denying the fact that we’re having that conversation. We talked about it with the board on Wednesday.
“Part of the process for us as we contemplate these things is we need to understand the views of all of our stakeholders, not just our partner in Rugby Australia.
“Super clubs are open to it, the Players Association are open to it. All Blacks management are also open to it. So at the moment we’ve got a willing group of stakeholders that are happy for us to continue to advance the discussions.”
Lancaster added that there was no deadline for an announcement, but he understood that a decision in the near future was preferable for all parties, including when exactly a Super Round would take place as it was held over Anzac weekend last month in Christchurch.
The match would take place in Australia, with Perth and Brisbane mentioned as the most likely venues.
Reds captain Fraser McReight has thrown his support behind Brisbane as the host.
“It’s such an awesome thing that rugby has the ability to do,” he said.
“Look at AFL and NRL, they have such big crowds for that weekend and just with Australian teams. Why not Brisbane ... Sydney [NRL], Melbourne [AFL] have huge events that day and Brisbane doesn’t, and we have a fantastic stadium.”
The test could also serve as strong preparation in a Rugby World Cup year. If the All Blacks were to reach the final of next year’s World Cup, it would be their 15th test of the season.
NZR’s board is scheduled to meet on May 14 to consider the Anzac test again.
Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.