1 month ago
3
Rugby Australia chair Dan Herbert believes the announcement of a historic Anzac Day Test between the Wallaroos and New Zealand could help unlock an annual Bledisloe Cup clash on the same day.
Last year, RA lobbied strongly to stage a Bledisloe Cup Test on Anzac Day in April – but the proposal was killed off by New Zealand Rugby, whose former CEO Mark Robinson described it as not “viable”.
Rugby Australia chairman Daniel Herbert.Credit: Jamila Toderas
Speaking ahead of the announcement of the women’s Anzac Day Test this year, which will take place on the Sunshine Coast, Herbert said he believed the fixture could be the start of something bigger for both Australian and New Zealand rugby.
“It’s something that is very unique to rugby,” Herbert said. “Anzac Day is commemorated by every Australian and every New Zealander.
“We believe that it can be an even bigger day in the future. This is the start, with the women’s Test on Anzac Day, and then we’re hoping we can expand on that in the years to come.
“New Zealand [rugby] obviously have supported this initiative, and conversations are ongoing with New Zealand about having a men’s Test on Anzac Day as well, we think it can really own that space in the calendar ... we feel it’s something very unique that rugby can own.”
Harry Potter breaks free against the All Blacks last year in PerthCredit: Getty Images
Robinson left his role with New Zealand rugby at the end of 2025 and was appointed chief of rugby at World Rugby earlier this week. Speaking last year, he said there had been numerous barriers to staging an annual Anzac Day Test.
“We looked at the model of doing [Anzac Test] this home and away, because if we were to move to what is effectively a three-Test series, playing every year away wasn’t something we thought was appropriate,” Robinson said. “And when you look at the financial model of doing it home and away, it’s vastly different to what the Australians are proposing with their model of funding.
“The reality of that, and how it looked long-term commercially, was another consideration. What do we risk in Super, in player welfare and in other commercial partnerships, by comparison? That was the equation we looked at and, at the moment, it doesn’t really stack up.”
Additionally, according to informed sources, former All Blacks coach Scott Robertson was not in favour of the proposed Anzac Day Test due to the timing of the clash, which would have taken selected players out of Super Rugby for at least two rounds in the middle of the season.
The Wallaroos will play New Zealand in a historic first Anzac Test on the Sunshine Coast.Credit: Getty
With the departures of Robinson and Robertson, the appointment of a new chief executive and coach will provide a fresh perspective on the Anzac Day concept, which could boost revenue for both RA and NZR.
While he acknowledged there were barriers to overcome with NZR before the Anzac Day Test could become a reality, Herbert said he believed they were all surmountable.
Loading
“Would you imagine trying to start a Rugby World Cup when they did back in 1987? Lots of people were saying that couldn’t happen,” Herbert said.
“Every Lions tour, there’s a bunch of people standing up saying it’s not the best thing for the calendar. Every Origin series that happens, you’ve got clubs who are saying it’s not the best thing for our clubs.
“Is it [the Anzac Test] the best thing for the fans? Is it the best thing for the code? Is it the best thing for players? I think all of those three are an overwhelming yes. As administrators, we need to get out of the way of all of the barriers and try and find a common ground and how we make it happen.”
Most Viewed in Sport
Loading
