Wallaroos to face Black Ferns as part of historic Anzac Day double-header

Rugby Australia has announced a historic double-header will be played in Brisbane next year, with the Wallaroos set to face the Black Ferns after the previously announced Bledisloe Cup clash between the Wallabies and All Blacks.

Ayesha Leti-L’iga starred with two tries as the Black Ferns secured a 40-5 win over the Wallaroos in the first-ever women’s Anzac Day Test six months ago. The Black Ferns secured an O’Reilly Cup series sweep with a clinical performance in Wellington on August 22.

These teams will again take the field on a shared day of remembrance for the two nations, as part of a historic slate of Test matches at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium. Tickets for the Wallabies’ 2027 season will go on sale at 12:00 AEDT on Thursday afternoon.

The Wallabies and All Blacks share a fierce 123-year rugby rivalry, with Sydney’s Accor Stadium hosting the most recent meeting between the sides earlier this month. It was the final part of a historic quadruple-header, which began with a Wallaroos win over Scotland.

“In partnership with our friends at New Zealand Rugby, we are profoundly honoured to bring together the Wallaroos, Black Ferns, Wallabies and All Blacks on the day our nations unite to reflect on the values and heritage we share,” Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh said.

“In the rich 123-year history of trans-Tasman rugby, there has been no more meaningful occasion than this. An historic Bledisloe and O’Reilly Cup double-header will connect our countries, inspire our people and strengthen the bonds forged on the shores of Gallipoli on the first Anzac Day.

“A fixture of this significance will draw fans from far and wide to Brisbane and be keenly watched by many millions of viewers around the world as the players of today honour the heroes of the past on a day that means so much to so many.”

“Four teams, two great trans-Tasman rivalries and one huge day of rugby at Suncorp Stadium – on a day that marks the close friendship of Australia and New Zealand,” Queensland Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said.

“It will be a moving and memorable day for many reasons and is another great addition to Queensland’s world-class events calendar.”

Queensland Minister for Sport and Racing Tim Mander added: “The Wallabies and All Blacks on ANZAC Day was already set to be a landmark occasion, and now fans will also get to see the Wallaroos and Black Ferns go head-to-head in a blockbuster double-header.

“Bringing four of Australia and New Zealand’s leading rugby teams together at Suncorp Stadium will create an incredible occasion for fans and further strengthen Queensland’s reputation as the home of sport in Australia.

“This is exactly the kind of world-class sporting event that will help build momentum on the runway to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”