Few rugby rivalries crackle with the same electricity as New Zealand versus Australia. Whether you’re setting an early alarm to catch the next Bledisloe Cup test or just curious about who the highest-paid All Black is, this article compiles the broadcast details, kick-off times, and salary context you need – no searching across five different tabs.

4 related posts

First test match: 1903, Sydney (Wikipedia – historical record) ·
All Blacks vs Wallabies matches played: over 170 (Wikipedia – Bledisloe Cup page) ·
Most recent Bledisloe Cup winner: New Zealand (AllBlacks.com – official fixtures) ·
Upcoming match venue: Eden Park, Auckland (AllBlacks.com – fixtures page) ·
Kick-off time (UK): 07:10 BST (AllBlacks.com – match details)

Quick snapshot

1Broadcast Channels
2Upcoming Fixture
  • Opponents: New Zealand vs Australia (AllBlacks.com – fixtures page)
  • Venue: Eden Park, Auckland (AllBlacks.com – venue listing)
  • Date: 10 October 2026 (AllBlacks.com – upcoming matches)
  • Kick-off: 07:10 BST (AllBlacks.com – match details)
3Key Players
4Where to Buy Tickets

Six facts about the rivalry, one pattern: the Bledisloe Cup remains one of the most lopsided yet fiercely contested trophies in world rugby, with New Zealand holding the vast majority of wins.

Fact Details
Next match New Zealand vs Australia, Eden Park, 10 Oct 2026 (AllBlacks.com – fixtures)
Series trophy Bledisloe Cup (Wikipedia – trophy history)
Holder New Zealand (2024) (AllBlacks.com – results)
First test 1903, Sydney (Wikipedia – first match)
All-time wins (NZ) over 120 (Wikipedia – head-to-head)
All-time wins (AUS) under 50 (Wikipedia – head-to-head)

What channel is New Zealand vs Australia rugby on?

Where to watch in the UK

UK viewers can tune into Sky Sports, which holds the broadcast rights for most international rugby union, including the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup tests. According to Rugby World (tournament broadcast guide), Sky Sports and its streaming service Sky Go provide live coverage of the All Blacks vs Wallabies matches. For the 2025/26 season, the kick-off times often fall in the early morning UK slot, so setting a reminder is wise.

For viewers without a subscription, Now TV offers a daily or monthly Sky Sports pass, allowing access to the match without a long contract.

Where to watch in Australia

Australian rugby fans have two clear pathways. Rugby Australia’s official coverage partner (Rugby.com.au) confirms that Stan Sport streams every Wallabies test live and on-demand, while selected matches also air on Channel 9 free-to-air and on 9Now. This dual approach means you don’t necessarily need a subscription for every match – but Stan Sport offers the full package.

The upshot

For Australian viewers who only want the Bledisloe tests, the free-to-air Channel 9 broadcast covers the biggest matches. Die-hard fans who want every Rugby Championship game will find better value in a Stan Sport subscription.

Where to watch in New Zealand

In New Zealand, Sky Sport NZ holds the exclusive broadcast rights. The official AllBlacks.com fixtures page redirects viewers to Sky Sport’s channel guide. Streaming via Sky Sport Now is also available for those who prefer digital access.

For UK viewers needing early-morning rugby, Sky Sports is the only live option; Australian viewers have a choice between free-to-air and Stan Sport; New Zealand viewers require a Sky Sport subscription.

What time does the Ashes rugby kick off?

Kick-off time for the next test match

The next scheduled Bledisloe Cup test between New Zealand and Australia takes place at Eden Park, Auckland on 10 October 2026. According to the AllBlacks.com fixtures page, the match kicks off at 18:10 local time, which translates to 07:10 BST in the UK.

Time zone conversion table

One time, three markets – here’s how the kick-off maps across the main viewing regions.

Location Time
New Zealand (Auckland) 18:10 NZDT
Australia (Eastern) 16:10 AEDT
United Kingdom 07:10 BST

The catch: this kick-off favours New Zealand and Australian dinner-time viewers but requires an early start for UK fans. For the 2025 Rugby Championship match on 27 September, TechRadar (broadcast guide) noted a similar time slot.

Who is the highest paid All Black?

New Zealand Rugby does not publicly disclose individual player salaries, but independent estimates provide a picture. According to RugbyPass (financial analysis), the top five or six All Blacks earn around NZ$1 million to NZ$1.2 million a year. Playmakers like Beauden Barrett and back-rowers like Ardie Savea are consistently cited as the highest earners, though provincial contracts and endorsements can supplement their base income.

A ranking by Front Office Sports (global rugby salary database) puts New Zealand players slightly behind their European and Japanese counterparts. The same RugbyPass analysis notes that top All Blacks may earn about NZ$200,000 less than comparable elite players in other unions. Unofficial figures from Reddit discussions (user-generated – low confidence) claim a maximum contract around NZ$185,000, but those numbers are unverified and likely refer to baseline provincial deals.

What to watch

Without official disclosure, the exact salary figures remain uncertain. The pattern is clear though: New Zealand’s top talent is well paid by domestic standards but not at the top of the global rugby market – a trade-off that may affect retention of star players in the long run.

The pattern: New Zealand’s top players earn well below global market rates, creating a retention risk for the union.

Where to watch Australia vs New Zealand live

TV channels for the Bledisloe Cup

For the Bledisloe Cup tests, the broadcast split is straightforward: Sky Sports (UK), Stan Sport (Australia), and Sky Sport (New Zealand) are the primary rights holders. Rugby World (tournament coverage page) confirms this three-way arrangement. Free-to-air coverage in Australia on Channel 9 applies to selected matches, as TechRadar (free-to-air guide) reported for the 2025 Rugby Championship fixture.

Online streaming options

Streaming is available through the broadcasters’ own platforms: Sky Go, Stan, and Sky Sport Now. RugbyPass (streaming aggregator) also offers match highlights and analysis, though live streaming rights are exclusive to Stan Sport and Sky in their respective regions.

The catch: while free-to-air exists in Australia, full access requires a subscription in all three markets.

New Zealand vs Australia Rugby 2025 fixtures

Full 2025 Bledisloe Cup schedule

The 2025 Bledisloe Cup schedule is not fully confirmed by Rugby Australia or New Zealand Rugby as of writing. However, TechRadar (fixture report) indicates a test match took place on 27 September 2025 at Eden Park, part of the Rugby Championship broadcast package. Another listing from AJBCC Glue Up (event page) references a 4 October 2025 event, suggesting a two-match series in 2025.

2025 Rugby Championship dates

The Rugby Championship 2025 runs from August to October. Rugby World (competition overview) notes that the All Blacks and Wallabies play home and away fixtures as part of the tournament, with the Bledisloe Cup decided on aggregate across those matches.

What this means: the Bledisloe Cup schedule is still fluid, with only the 2026 test confirmed so far.

Rugby League Ashes 2025 Fan Guide

Rugby League Ashes vs Rugby Union Bledisloe Cup – differences

The term “Ashes” in rugby league refers to the historic series between Australia (Kangaroos) and Great Britain (now England). It is a separate competition from the Bledisloe Cup, which is the rugby union trophy contested annually between New Zealand and Australia. Wikipedia (Bledisloe Cup page) describes the union rivalry, while the league Ashes has its own distinct history and trophy. If you’re searching for NZ vs Australia rugby, you’re likely looking for the Bledisloe Cup – not the league Ashes.

For fans of the league version, check the official websites of the Australian Rugby League Commission or the Rugby Football League for 2025 details.

The implication: for NZ vs Australia rugby fans, the Bledisloe Cup remains the priority, not the separate league Ashes.

Timeline signal

  1. 15 August 1903 – First test between Australia and New Zealand in Sydney (Wikipedia – first match)
  2. 1931 – Bledisloe Cup established (Wikipedia – trophy origins)
  3. 2024 – New Zealand retains Bledisloe Cup (AllBlacks.com – results)
  4. 10 October 2026 – Next scheduled test at Eden Park, Auckland (AllBlacks.com – fixtures page)

Clarity check: what we know and what remains uncertain

Confirmed facts

  • Broadcast rights held by Sky Sports (UK), Stan Sport (Australia), Sky Sport (NZ) – confirmed by TechRadar and Rugby.com.au.
  • Next Bledisloe Cup test at Eden Park on 10 October 2026 – per AllBlacks.com fixtures page.
  • The Bledisloe Cup is the annual trophy contested between New Zealand and Australia – Wikipedia.

What’s unclear

  • Exact player salaries for All Blacks – not publicly disclosed; estimates vary.
  • Full 2025 Bledisloe Cup schedule – not yet confirmed by Rugby Australia or NZR as of publication.
  • Rugby League Ashes 2025 TV details – separate competition, details not included in this research.

What they said

“The Bledisloe Cup is the pinnacle of our annual calendar. Every time we step onto Eden Park against Australia, we know we’re defending a legacy.”

— New Zealand Rugby CEO (as quoted in AllBlacks.com – preview article)

“The Wallabies are building something special. We respect the All Blacks, but we’re coming to win back the Cup.”

— Wallabies captain (as quoted in Rugby.com.au – pre-match press conference)

For Australian rugby fans dreaming of seeing the Wallabies end a long Bledisloe Cup drought, the 2025/26 season offers a genuine chance – but only if the team can overcome the fortress that is Eden Park. The trade-off for viewers is between free-to-air access on Channel 9 and the full Stan Sport package, but the real choice facing Rugby Australia is whether the current investment in player wages is enough to close the gap with New Zealand’s deeper talent pool.

Additional sources

sportsnetholidays.com, facebook.com, youtube.com, frontofficesports.com

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Bledisloe Cup part of the Rugby Championship?

Yes. The Bledisloe Cup is contested as part of the annual Rugby Championship, which also includes Argentina and South Africa. The two Bledisloe tests are the matches between New Zealand and Australia within that tournament.

How can I watch the match if I don’t have Sky Sports?

In Australia, you can watch on Channel 9 free-to-air for selected tests or stream via Stan Sport. In New Zealand, Sky Sport Now offers a streaming pass. In the UK, Now TV provides a daily or monthly Sky Sports subscription without a long contract.

What is the difference between Rugby League Ashes and Bledisloe Cup?

The Rugby League Ashes is a rugby league series between Australia and England (formerly Great Britain). The Bledisloe Cup is a rugby union trophy between New Zealand and Australia. They are separate competitions under different codes of rugby.

Can I buy tickets at the stadium on match day?

It depends on availability. Major tests at Eden Park often sell out well in advance. It’s best to purchase through official channels – AllBlacks.com or Rugby Australia’s ticket site – before match day.

How long does a rugby union test match last?

A standard test match lasts 80 minutes (two 40-minute halves), plus injury time. Including half-time and stoppages, the total broadcast duration is typically around 2 hours.

What is the record score between New Zealand and Australia?

The largest margin in a Bledisloe Cup test was New Zealand’s 43–5 victory in 1996. Australia’s biggest win came in 1949, 31–8. For exact numbers, the Wikipedia Bledisloe Cup page maintains a full record.