Rugby: Black Ferns to play two home test matches against Australia

New Zealand's Portia Woodman. Photo / Photosport

New Zealand fans will get their first chance to see the World Champion Black Ferns live when they play two home test matches against Australia in August.

The Trans-Tasman rivals will compete for the Laurie O'Reilly Memorial Trophy on the same night the All Blacks take on Australia in their bid for the Bledisloe Cup.

"Having our two top sides take on the Aussies in the same night is something special," New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew said.

He said the double header came as the popularity of the Black Ferns and women's rugby had "grown massively in the past couple of years".

The double header takes place in Auckland on August 25, one week after Sydney's ANZ Stadium hosts an earlier double header featuring the four teams on August 18.

New Zealand Rugby said it was also set to announce its first-ever group of players to be contracted to the Black Ferns under a new professional performance programme in the coming weeks.

This will precede the Black Ferns' first training camp in mid-June.

The Laurie O'Reilly Memorial Trophy is named in honour of the first Black Ferns selector, coach and stalwart of women's rugby.

-NZN

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