INTERNATIONAL rugby league will return to Newcastle for the first time in five years after confirmation that Hunter Stadium will host a mid-year Test between Australia and New Zealand.
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The trans-Tasman rivals last did battle in Newcastle in October, 2011, when Darren Lockyer captained the Kangaroos to a 42-6 victory over the Kiwis in front of a ground-record crowd of 32,890.
It was Lockyer’s last game in Australia, and also Knights winger Akuila Uate’s Test debut.
This year’s Trans-Tasman Test match, to be played on Friday May 6, will be Mal Meninga’s first match as coach of the Kangaroos.
The Australian Jillaroos will also take on the New Zealand Kiwi Ferns in the curtain-raiser.
NRL Head of Football Todd Greenberg said the representative round, which also features Tests between Pacific Islands nations at Parramatta Stadium and the annual City-Country clash at Tamworth, would be a highlight of the season.
“Once again, to have Australia and New Zealand clashing, along with our best women and junior players, will be wonderful to see,” Greenberg said.
“The Trans-Tasman Test will be an extremely important match for both teams, in a Four Nations year, and the fact it will be Mal’s first match in charge of the Kangaroos will ensure it is a little more special.
“International Rugby League is a real priority for us and this representative round will feature some great match-ups.”
