Perth’s new stadium the venue for first taste of the Bledisloe in west
The Bledisloe Cup will be contested in Western Australia for the first time when the All Blacks take on Australia at the new Optus Stadium on August 10 next year.
Former All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu was at the announcement in Perth and said it’s a great oppor- tunity for the All Blacks and Australia to play in Western Australia for the first time.
“Throughout my time as an All Black, it was a test match that I always looked forward to, it was always hotly contested and it’s always physical and fast paced,” Mealamu said.
“I have a few friends that live over here and they always say when we lose they cop it the most. So there’s always a little bit more riding on those games.”
Although Australia haven’t held the Bledisloe Cup since 2002, the rivalry is always fierce with Australia taking out the last test played between the sides in Brisbane last year.
Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle said the new stadium in Perth is a fitting arena for such a big clash betweem two traditional rivals.
“This isn’t just any test match, this is one of the most important games that the Wallabies will play next year.
“Not just because it’s against our traditional rivals, the All Blacks, but also because it’s one of the last chances to prepare before the Rugby World Cup kicks off in Japan the following month.”
The All Blacks and Australia are set for three tests this year with the first test taking place in Sydney on August 18 and the second the following weekend in Auckland. The third Bledisloe Cup test will be played in Japan on October 27.