Kiwis Face Kangaroos in Perth Too

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Kiwis Face Kangaroos in Perth Too

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New Zealand Rugby League and the NRL have confirmed a second trans-Tasman test this year, with Perth hosting the Kiwis and Kangaroos at nib Stadium on October 15.

The end-of-year fixture – Perth’s first rugby league test – will provide a warm-up game for the world #1 NZ side as they prepare to defend their Four Nations title in the northern hemisphere over the following weeks.

Today’s announcement was attended by respective national coaches Stephen Kearney and Mal Meninga, as well as current Kiwis star Martin Taupau and West Australia sports & recreation minister Mia Davies.

The additional game means the rivals could meet as many as four times this year, if they progress to the Four Nations final.

“Our aim is to play more international football and 2016 is already looming as a very busy one for our Kiwis, as they prepare for next year's World Cup,” observes NZRL acting chief executive Alex Hayton.

“But once the traditional mid-year fixture against Australia disappears in 2018, this is also the most likely time slot for future trans-Tasman encounters, so we need to get used to the planning and logistics around that.

“The Kiwis and Kangaroos have never played in Perth, so this will be a wonderful new experience for everyone involved.”

Perth has become a regular stopover for the NRL Premiership, with two games allocated to nib Stadium this season, including Vodafone Warriors v Manly Sea Eagles on July 16.

“We have seen some wonderful crowds in Perth in recent seasons,” says NRL head of football Todd Greenberg.

“It is clear that Perth has embraced our club games and the support that the game has received is a key reason we have decided to stage a test match here.”

Earlier this week, Newcastle was announced as the venue for this year’s mid-season Kiwis/Kangaroos showdown on May 6, with the Kiwi Ferns facing the Jillaroos as a curtainraiser and the Junior Kiwis v Junior Kangaroos scheduled for the following day at Parramatta.

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