Australian Capital Territory Government Bidding For Anzac Day Rugby League Test In Canberra

The Australian Capital Territory government "is bidding to bring a rugby league Test match back to the capital to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Anzac landing at Gallipoli," according to Jon Tuxworth of the CANBERRA TIMES. ACT Sports Minister Andrew Barr said that the government had commenced talks with the National Rugby League "about Canberra's interest in hosting the Anzac Day rugby league Test between Australia and New Zealand in 2015, the 100th anniversary of Gallipoli." The ACT government "will release a report on Wednesday and is buoyed by the strong support for this year's Test on April 19, which attracted more than 25,000." The report is timely, with NRL CEO David Smith "visiting Canberra on Wednesday." Barr said, "We're looking at the possibility of bringing the match back to Canberra, and the next logical opportunity is 2015 and the Gallipoli centenary" (CANBERRA TIMES, 6/26).