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Sport Nation
Join our Fantasy SRP leagueBlack Ferns head to Australia for historic Anzac Day clash
Sport Nation • January 29th, 2026 4:00 pm
The Black Ferns perform the Haka | Photo: Photosport
The Black Ferns will head to Queensland’s Sunshine Coast in April for a landmark Test match against the Wallaroos, with the trans-Tasman rivals set to meet on ANZAC Day for the first time.
The historic clash will be staged at Sunshine Coast Stadium, kicking off at 9.45pm (NZ time) on Saturday, April 25.
The ANZAC Day Test will form part of the Pacific Four Series and double as the opening match of the two-Test O’Reilly Cup series in 2026.
The rivalry between the Black Ferns and Wallaroos dates back to 1994, when the teams met for the first time at Test level. Since then, the neighbours have faced each other 29 times, including three encounters at Women’s Rugby World Cups.
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New Zealand Rugby General Manager of Professional Rugby and Performance Chris Lendrum said the occasion would add further meaning to an already significant rivalry.
"The O’Reilly Cup represents a deep and proud history between New Zealand and Australia," Lendrum said.
"To have this rivalry played out on ANZAC Day gives the match an added layer of significance, and it’s something women’s rugby fans will be especially excited about.
"We saw incredible support for the Black Ferns during last year’s World Cup, and we’re looking forward to seeing fans once again get in behind the team — both at the stadium and watching from home — in 2026."
