Trans-Tasman Test to be held in Wollongong as part of new international calendar

Australia will face New Zealand in an end-of-season double-header in Wollongong, which is expected to include an Oceania Series and Great Britain Lions tour.

The Kangaroos will face the Kiwis in the Trans-Tasman Test at WIN Stadium on Friday, October 25 ahead of a Test against Tonga the following week.

Details about the international calendar are set to be confirmed after Thursday’s ARLC annual general meeting but it has been reported that the Lions will begin their southern hemisphere tour with a Test against Tonga in New Zealand on Saturday, October 26.

The Australia-Tonga Test would be part of the Oceania Series, in which New Zealand will take on Tonga on June 22 during the NRL’s representative weekend.

The Australia-New Zealand Test at WIN Stadium in Wollongong would also be included in the Oceania Series.

Fiji, Samoa and Papua New Guinea are expected to play each other during the mid-year Pacific Test and at the end of the season.

Great Britain Lions will travel to Port Moresby to play the Kumuls on November 16 after their second Test against the Kiwis the previous weekend.

NRL chief executive, Todd Greenberg, commented: “Rugby league has a home in the Illawarra, so we’re delighted to bring the pinnacle of rugby league back to Wollongong for the first time in five years.

“We recorded one of the best-ever attendances for WIN Stadium the last time Test match rugby league was played in Wollongong, so I’ve got no doubt the local support will be strong and compliment those travelling fans who can’t wait to be at the stadium come October 25.”

The end-of-season international schedule will commence with the RLIF Nines World Cup in Sydney on October 18-19, which features 12 men’s teams and four women’s teams.