Anzac Cove: Seven All Blacks and Wallabies died on the Gallipoli Peninsula © Getty Images

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Anzac Day is an important moment for Australian and New Zealand rugby, as countless representative footballers have served in numerous conflicts, including both world wars. Ten Wallabies - all of whom appeared in the NSW colours - were killed during World War I: Blair Swannell, Ted Larkin, Harold George, Fred Thompson, Arthur Verge, George Pugh, Herbert Jones, Clarence Wallach, Bryan Hughes and William Tasker. Five of them were killed during the Gallipoli campaign, with Swannell and Larkin shot by Turkish snipers on April 25, 1915.

And 13 All Blacks died in action during World War I, with Albert Downing and Henry Dewar killed at Gallipoli in August 1915, five months after the first troops landed on the peninsula.

And the day will be treated with the required level of respect at the Crusaders-Blues and Waratahs-Rebels matches on Saturday - after the lunacy of Anzac Day last year, when the home teams weren't allowed to play the national anthems before their fixtures. Both venues this year - AMI Stadium in Christchurch and ANZ Stadium in Sydney - will stage a special pre-game ceremony that will finish with both Australian and New Zealand anthems being played.

It is also fitting that the Waratahs are hosting the Rebels on Saturday, as New South Wales and Australia half-back Nick Phipps, who has played for both teams, has a close connection to ANZAC. News Limited colleague Iain Payten wrote an excellent article in the week about Phipps' two grandfathers and their extraordinary war stories. It is well worth a read here

As we gather to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli in Turkey, ESPNscrum lists the 13 All Blacks who died in action during World War I and the 63 Wallabies who served - 10 of whom were killed in action.

Lest we forget.