New Zealand Rugby to Discuss Possible Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup Test

New Zealand Rugby is scheduled to discuss a proposed Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup Test at a board meeting on Thursday. The AFL and NRL have established Anzac Day matches as prominent calendar events, with the Collingwood versus Essendon AFL fixture and the St George Illawarra versus Sydney Roosters NRL fixture attracting massive crowds and strong TV viewing figures.

Rugby union trails those domestic competitions in local popularity despite its greater international presence, but an annual Bledisloe Cup Test on Anzac Day could provide rugby with a State of Origin moment capable of establishing a national footprint.

904 million viewers. A Wallaroos versus Black Ferns Test match was played on Anzac Day this year and had a total TV national reach of 887,000 viewers, finishing 11th on VOZ's April 25 rankings. The 2029 Women's Rugby World Cup will be hosted by Australia.

The Queensland Reds lost to the Chiefs 31-21 in Brisbane on Friday night. Referee Marcus Playle denied the Queensland Reds a try on the stroke of half-time by judging Seru Uru to be held up. TMO Glenn Newman was consulted on the Seru Uru try decision and upheld the on-field call.

The penalty count in the Reds versus Chiefs match was 12-5 against the Reds. Referee Marcus Playle penalised Josh Flook for incorrect entry to a ruck inside the Reds' 22 in the 78th minute even though Chiefs captain Luke Jacobson went off his feet at the breakdown moments before. The Chiefs scored a try through number eight Wallace Sititi from a scrum in the 78th minute against the Reds.

The Queensland Reds lost three of their own lineout throws in the first half against the Chiefs. The loss saw the Queensland Reds slip to sixth place on the Super Rugby Pacific standings. The ACT Brumbies moved one spot ahead of the Queensland Reds on the standings after their win.

The ACT Brumbies defeated the Western Force 32-15 in Canberra on Saturday night. The Brumbies' win over the Western Force ended a three-match losing streak. Ryan Lonergan scored a try and kicked 17 points in the Brumbies' win over the Western Force.

David Feliuai delivered a long pass to Ollie Sapsford that set up a first-half try for the Brumbies against the Western Force. The Western Force are nine points adrift of the top six on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder while the Brumbies lost five of their own lineout throws against the Western Force. The NSW Waratahs lost to the Highlanders 31-26 in Dunedin on Saturday.

The Waratahs trailed the Highlanders 28-7 at halftime in Dunedin. The Waratahs closed the gap to 28-26 against the Highlanders with 90 seconds remaining before a Cam Millar penalty goal. The NSW Waratahs have lost four of their past five matches and sit in eighth place, six points behind the Reds.

Abc reported that rugby may soon have its best chance to compete with the AFL and NRL on the domestic stage should the proposed Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup Test between the Wallabies and All Blacks receive approval.