Wallabies to play New Zealand in Bledislode Cup clash at Optus Stadium in 2025

The Wallabies are returning to Perth in 2025 — and they are bringing their biggest rivals with them.

And Australia’s next home clash with the All Blacks could serve as something of an appetiser for a speculated Anzac Test in Perth between the two rivals in 2026.

Optus Stadium was announced on Monday morning as the venue for the Wallabies’s only home game against New Zealand in the Bledislode Cup on October 4.

It marks the third time Australia have faced the All Blacks at the venue, and guarantees a second trip out west in as many years for the Wallabies after their August Test against South Africa.

With Perth missing out on seeing the Wallabies in action against the British and Irish Lions next year — although the Lions will take on the Force at Optus Stadium in an exhibition game — the Bledislode Cup clash will offer some consolation for local rugby fans.

However, next October’s game may also end up being the precursor to a previously-reported Anzac Day Bledislode Cup clash, which would see Optus Stadium would host two games between the two sides in the space of just over six months.

The West Australian understands a plan for Perth to host the April 25 match in 2026 is not dead and is still being considered.

Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh said there was excitement over the Perth Test, which will be the third time in seven years the All Blacks have played in Perth, but the first time since 2021.

“We saw again this year the massive support for the game in Perth with over 58,000 supporters at Optus Stadium for the South Africa match and I’m sure we’ll see great interest when the Bledisloe Cup Test returns to Western Australia next year,” he said.

Toursim minister Rita Saffioti said 2025 was shaping up to be a great year for rugby in WA.

“Having this test match as the only Bledisloe Cup Test on Australian soil next year is a massive coup, and with the passion and enthusiasm rugby fans have for this event in particular, we’re expecting many of them to make the trip across the country to witness this spectacle.

“There’s so much happening for rugby union fans in WA with the HSBC SVNS returning for a second year in January, the Western Force set to play on home turf in the opening fixture of the highly anticipated 2025 British & Irish Lions tour, and of course the entire nation gearing up to host the Rugby World Cup in 2027.”

The 2019 clash drew an eye-watering 61,241 fans — an Optus Stadium record — to watch the Wallabies stun the All Blacks 47-26.

New Zealand made amends in their 2021 trip to Perth, beating Australia 38-21 in front of a crowd of 52,724.

The back-to-back world champions Springboks’ big win over the Wallabies in August was watched by 58,197 fans.

The trip to Perth will be one of six Tests the Wallabies play in Australia in 2025, with their three-game series against the Lions in July and August to take place in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.