Every April 25th, dawn breaks differently in Australia and New Zealand.

The usual clatter of the day slows. Cities and small towns hush. People rise early — some while it’s still dark — and gather at war memorials, beaches, and community halls across the two nations. Why? To stand in silence. To remember. To honour. This is ANZAC Day.

If you’re new to the sport of Rugby League — or new to the culture that surrounds it — you might wonder why the NRL marks this day with such reverence. Why do stadiums go quiet before kickoff? Why do players wear commemorative jerseys? Why does this round of footy feel… different?

What Is ANZAC Day?

ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps — a joint military force formed during World War I. The date, April 25, marks the anniversary of the ANZACs landing on the shores of Gallipoli, Turkey, in 1915.

The goal of that campaign was to secure a sea route for the Allies and take the Ottoman Empire out of the war. It failed — the campaign dragged on for eight months, resulting in over 100,000 deaths, including more than 11,000 from Australia and New Zealand. But something deeper than military victory took root.

From the horror of Gallipoli came a legacy of bravery, sacrifice, mateship, and endurance — values that Australians and New Zealanders would come to define themselves by. ANZAC Day isn’t about glorifying war. It’s about remembering sacrifice, honouring service, and reflecting on how shared hardship can shape a national identity.

How Is It Commemorated?

ANZAC Day begins with dawn services — solemn gatherings that echo the time of the Gallipoli landing. People lay wreaths, recite the Ode of Remembrance, and observe a moment of silence. It’s quiet, heartfelt, and open to all generations.

Later in the day, ANZAC Day marches feature veterans of many wars — not just WWI — along with their families and service groups. Flags fly at half-mast. Pubs serve a cold beer in memory of the fallen. Old mates reunite. Young ones listen and learn.

And then, come the afternoon, many sit down to watch or attend a game of Rugby League.

Why Rugby League

The connection between ANZAC Day and Rugby League is strong, and it runs deep — especially in Australia. But to understand that bond, you have to understand what Rugby League means to the people here.

It’s not just a sport. It’s part of the social glue. It started in working-class communities, was built on grit and struggle, and often ran parallel to the lives of men who would later serve in wars. In fact, during both World Wars, many Rugby League players enlisted in the military, some never returning to their home clubs.

So when the NRL holds its ANZAC Day clashes, it’s not a marketing exercise. It’s a tribute. A nod to the players who went from muddy fields to muddy trenches. A reminder that some jerseys were folded away and never worn again.

The NRL’s ANZAC Day Games

The biggest and most symbolic ANZAC Day clash is between the Sydney Roosters and St George Illawarra Dragons. This annual game, often held at the Sydney Cricket Ground or Accor Stadium, is the spiritual centrepiece of the round.

It’s not just about the scoreboard. The match begins with a full military-led ceremony:

• Players stand side by side for the Last Post
• The stadium falls silent
• A lone bugle cuts through the stillness
• Fans, young and old, rise to their feet
• Lest we forget

This isn’t theatre. It’s reverence.

Elsewhere, the Melbourne Storm traditionally host a home game on ANZAC Day as well — often against rivals like the New Zealand Warriors. That pairing carries even more weight: a true trans-Tasman clash, symbolizing unity between nations that once fought side by side.

These matches are fiercely contested, but never disrespectful. That’s part of the magic — players go to war on the field, but honour real war off it.

What New Fans Might Miss (But Shouldn’t)

If you’re new to either ANZAC Day or Rugby League, it might feel like you’re watching something heavy without the right context. Here’s what’s happening between the lines:

• The pre-game silence isn’t awkward — it’s sacred. It’s one of the only times 40,000 people will collectively hold their breath. Let it wash over you.
• Commemorative jerseys often feature poppies, medals, or the Rising Sun badge — symbolic elements that represent honour and remembrance.
• The players’ intensity feels elevated — not because the game matters more on the ladder, but because the occasion matters more in the heart.
• You’ll hear “Lest we forget” spoken often. It’s the final line of the ANZAC ode, and it means exactly what it says — may we never forget the cost of freedom, mateship, and courage.

A Shared Spirit: Mateship on the Fiel

There’s a word you’ll hear a lot on ANZAC Day: mateship. It’s not just friendship. It’s a deeply Aussie (and Kiwi) idea that speaks to loyalty, standing by one another, and having each other’s backs when things get tough.

That same spirit lives in Rugby League.

• When a forward takes a brutal hit but gets up swinging — that’s mateship.
• When a teammate runs in to protect a tackled player — that’s mateship.
• When a player, bloodied and bruised, sees the game out for his side — that’s mateship.

And on ANZAC Day, it’s not just the players showing it. The crowd, the volunteers, the veterans in the stands — everyone is there together. That shared experience — of pain, pride, reflection, and release — is what makes ANZAC Round feel like something more than sport.

The Legacy of Service in the Rugby League Community

Many NRL clubs have deep ties to military communities. Some of the game’s earliest legends were soldiers — like Herb Narvo, a former Newtown Bluebags (now Sharks) player who also fought in World War II.

In recent years, current and former players have used ANZAC Day to connect with veterans, raise awareness about PTSD, and share messages of resilience.

Some clubs even partner with local RSLs (Returned and Services League) or military charities to support troops and their families. It’s not about grandstanding — it’s about connection. It’s about saying: You served. We see you.

For New Fans: How to Engage Respectfully

If this is your first time watching ANZAC Round, a few tips can help you feel more connected:

• Watch the pre-game ceremony — don’t skip ahead. The Last Post and national anthems are powerful moments that ground the game in purpose.
• Read about the teams playing — especially the Roosters, Dragons, Storm, and Warriors. Their histories are full of stories that echo the ANZAC spirit.
• Ask questions — Rugby League fans are fiercely passionate, but they’re also welcoming. Whether online or at the pub, most are happy to explain terms or rituals.
• Reflect — Whether you’ve had family in the military or not, this is a good time to pause and think about the values you stand for. What courage means. What community means.

Final Whistle: More Than a Game

Rugby League is fast, brutal, emotional — and when played on ANZAC Day, it becomes something even more. A mirror for a nation’s memory. A tribute to those who came before. And a reminder that some battles are fought far from the field.

So if you find yourself watching a game this April 25 — sit with the silence. Listen to the bugle. Watch the way players carry themselves just a little taller. And know that you’re not just watching a match.

You’re witnessing ritual.
You’re part of a living tradition.
You’re seeing what happens when sport meets soul.

Lest we forget.