The tests are being held in Brisbane with the Queensland government securing hosting rights, though the figure of the government’s investment in the fixtures has not been revealed.
In a release, the Queensland government said the fixture would only be held in Brisbane on alternate years as New Zealand would be hosting it in the years between.
The Herald understands that while NZR remains open to exploring opportunities to host an Anzac Day test on home soil in those years, as it stands it will only be a biennial meeting to fit in with the international calendar, being played in Rugby Championship years, not Nations Championship years.
Speaking to Newstalk ZB’s Jason Pine, NZR chief executive Steve Lancaster said that while the motivating factor behind these fixtures was not primarily financial, there was significant financial benefit and the economics of playing in Australia was quite different to New Zealand.
“They have access to a different economic model with the state funding model that’s in place there and the size of their commercial market,” Lancaster explained.
“So, we see the opportunity right now as an opportunity in Australia to have a major rugby fixture early in the year to capture their public’s attention, to build interest in the competition.
“It’s a slightly different proposition here in New Zealand and so that’s why we’ve done the every other year. It’s not to say we wouldn’t and couldn’t do something in the intervening years here in New Zealand, but at the moment we’re comfortable that what we’ve committed to is going to work for the next six years.”
In June last year, the Queensland government announced its Destination 2045 tourism plan, setting out to make the state Australia’s events capital, which included investing A$100 million ($122m) in tourism over four years through a dedicated mega and strategic events fund. The Anzac Day tests were pursued as part of the government’s tourism plan.
The Herald understands NZR and RA are exploring opportunities to turn the fixtures into more of a celebration of the sport, including the potential to add a test between the Black Ferns and Wallaroos to the schedule.
The two sides met in the first Anzac Day test between New Zealand and Australian rugby teams earlier this year, which the Black Ferns won 40-5 on the Sunshine Coast.
That fixture was understood to be seen as a huge success and the timing works well, with the Pacific Four Series being shifted to April as of this year to match the timing of the Women’s Six Nations and better fit in with the international calendar.
The Anzac Day tests will be held on April 25 in each of the three years, which falls on a Sunday, Wednesday and Friday.
“We think it’s got the potential to be a, it’s a cliché phrase, but a tentpole moment in the rugby season both for ourselves and Australia,” Lancaster said of the Anzac Day tests.
“We think it will add a lot of interest in the early stages of Super Rugby, as people are looking at the performance of players in the early rounds and looking towards selection for that game. And we see it as a great commercial opportunity as well, we certainly don’t shy away from that.”
Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.