'Too long between drinks': Calls for revival of 'lost rivalry' grow louder amid boom of international rugby league
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The rise of the international game has captivated the rugby league world in recent years, but there is one famed match-up that fans have been calling to see more of.
A battle between Australia and New Zealand was traditionally held each year around Anzac Day, but the Test match has not been played since 2017.
Calls for the Test match to return have been on the rise in recent months, with New Zealand Rugby League CEO Greg Peters only heightening pleas.
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Peters has not ever ignored calls for the clash with the Kangaroos to be revived, rather has admitted he, too, would like to see it added back to the calendar annually.
"It is too long between drinks in those games," Peters said on 2GB's Wide World of Sports.
The Kiwis celebrate their win over Samoa in the Pacific Championship final. Getty
"There is no greater rivalry than the Trans-Tasman in rugby, netball, cricket, etc.
"We need to be playing every year to build that rivalry that we lost over a few years. Obviously, it was interrupted by COVID and other things, but we should be playing at least one Test match, or preferably more, against Australia.
"It's about two countries and the Anzac spirit. We all went off to fight in a war together, shoulder-to-shoulder. That is what it is all about.
"It is more about national pride than it is about club, in my view."
Peters noted that the revival couldn't solely be for the men's game, but also the women's.
"I've been on the record saying we should be playing Australia, men's and women's, every year," he continued.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck takes a carry in the 2017 Anzac Test. Getty
"Unless you're playing the best in both the men's and women's - Australia is the benchmark - then you can't really improve yourself.
"I fully understand the challenge that we have now with the NRL season and no breaks to create that, but wouldn't that be magnificent to have Australia and New Zealand play to mark that really special day for both our countries."
Peters' comments came just two weeks after Kiwi skipper James Fisher-Harris called for the return of mid-season Test matches to better develop the global game.
New Zealand are ranked second in the world rankings, with their comeback display to defeat Samoa in the Pacific Championship final only showcasing their strength even more.
"We are very proud of where we are at," Peters said of the Kiwis' win.
"It is a really interesting dynamic. The Tongan crowd is the only crowd that I have experienced in any world sport that will cheer just as loud for both teams.
"In the case of Samoa, there was a little bit of edge in there."
Australia and New Zealand are likely to sit as favourites to take home the rugby league World Cup title next year, but Peter refused to rule out his nation's Pacific Championship rivals.
"We have a few other teams that have designs on trophies these days that could do it," he said.
"That is the beauty of international footy at the moment; there are about four or five teams in the battle for that World Cup.
"I think if everyone is fit and healthy [for the Kiwis], we will give it a red-hot crack."
