The All Blacks line up for the anthem. Photo: David Neilson/Photosport
All Blacks v Wallabies
Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 28 September NZT
Sky Stadium, Wellington
Live updates on RNZ Sport
Analysis - The Bledisloe Cup on the line in April? While the idea of an Anzac Day test match has been around for a few months now and was roundly scoffed at when it was first floated, the latest rumours out of NZ Rugby are saying it's not actually as far-fetched as first thought.
It's understood the idea was formally pitched by Rugby Australia to NZR bosses last week in the lead up to the first Bledisloe Cup test, with the main point of interest being the serious amount of money the fixture will generate for both organisations.
So, where there's a will there's a way, but just how would an Anzac Day test match work?
There is a ton of issues to overcome before it even gets onto the drawing board, most notably that it falls directly in the middle of Super Rugby Pacific. However, there is no reason why the competition can't simply keep going. It's not the best look, but really the All Black overreach into when test players can actually take the field makes this the next logical step.
It is probable that it will mean frontline All Blacks will have to miss even more rounds of Super Rugby Pacific, however.
There is the undeniable attraction that it's something new. Well, new for rugby anyway - the AFL and NRL have been doing this fixture for years and it's worked very well in terms of attendance. This year's drawn match between Essendon and Collingwood at the MCG drew 93,000, while the new Allianz Stadium in Sydney was a 40,000 sell out between the Roosters and Dragons, as well as a sold out Mt Smart for the Warriors and Titans.
Warriors players stand during the National Anthem. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz
Given that the Bledisloe Cup is already a massive pull (the match on the weekend had 68,000 at Accor Stadium), it's not hard to think that an Australia v New Zealand sporting event at that time of year could get right up around the AFL's numbers.
The biggest obstacle is simply assembling the teams and giving them enough lead in time to prepare for a test match. It obviously goes outside of the established timelines that the NZRPA has agreed to, plus would need to be offset by probably removing a test from the schedule later in the year. But really, who is going to miss the All Blacks taking on Italy in the final match of the season?
The potential is there to really shake up the concept of the Bledisloe Cup itself, which has been in the All Blacks' possession for 22 seasons. A lot of that is to do with the very difficult way the Wallabies have to win in back over two matches. So the opportunity is there to make the Anzac Day match the only game where the Bledisloe is on the line, all or nothing.
The All Blacks win the Bledisloe Cup. Photo: David Neilson/Photosport
Even the most one-eyed All Black fan knows full well that having a trophy reign almost older than some of the players isn't a great look.
Really, the one big issue though is just how far rugby wants to lean into the Anzac Day pageantry. The Australians have gone far more patriotic and showy in their approach, something that comes off as high cringe when attempted in New Zealand. It is a day when any attempt to make money is heavily scrutinised, factors that may well keep it on the other side of the Tasman if it ever happens.
That's a pretty big 'if'. But as far as doing something different with the test calendar goes, it's not the worst idea in the world.