2010 ANZAC Test
Encyclopedia
The 2010 ANZAC Test
was a rugby league
test match
played between Australia and New Zealand
on 7 May 2010. The match coincided with the official opening of AAMI Park
in Melbourne
. The match was won by Australia with a score of 12–8.
The squads for each side were announced on 2 May 2010. The selectors for the Australian team made only five changes to the squad that won the final of the 2009 Four Nations. Three of those changes were due to injuries. Notable among the selections was the omission of Brisbane Broncos
centre Israel Folau
. There had been rumours that Folau was considering moving to the Australian Football League
or rugby union
; however, the selectors insisted he had been dropped for form reasons. Manly centre Jamie Lyon
was called up in Folau's place, and to act as goal-kicker due to Johnathan Thurston's injury-enforced absence. Thurston, the incumbent Australian half back, missed the match with a shoulder injury. He was replaced in the position by Cooper Cronk
. Michael Weyman
, a prop forward from the St. George Illawarra Dragons was the only member of the squad representing Australia for the first time.
The New Zealand team included two debutants: Aaron Heremaia
and Zeb Taia
. Alex Glenn
was named in the 18-man squad but was left out of the 17-man team. One of the notable selections was 19-year-old Kieran Foran
being named as half back for the first time: Commentators predicted he would be the long-term incumbent in the position, with former Australian halfback Andrew Johns
suggesting he could become the best player in the world.
. Despite having been officially sold out wet conditions on the night meant an attendance of 29,442, which nearly satisfied the stadium's 30,050 capacity. The opening ceremony featured the NRL's all-time highest point-scorer, Hazem El Masri
kicking a goal.
The National anthem of New Zealand was performed by Elizabeth Marvelly
and the National anthem of Australia was performed by Katie Noonan
.
Half Time: Australia 6 – 0
Man of the Match: Sam Thaiday
Referee: Richard Silverwood
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Attendance: 29,442
39th – Australia 6–0 (Morris try)
48th – Australia 12–0 (Morris try; Lyon goal)
68th – Australia 12–4 (Nightingale try)
78th – Australia 12–8 (Sa'u try)
scored a try to add to an earlier penalty goal from Jamie Lyon
. Morris' try was scored in the 39th minute of the first half and was the result of a grubber kick
from Darren Lockyer
. Morris scored a second try shortly into the second half to make the score 12–0. Sam Thaiday
set up the try with a flick pass as he was being pushed out of the field of play by New Zealand defenders. New Zealand pulled back two unconverted tries through Jason Nightingale
and Junior Sa'u; however, they were not able to make up the 12 point deficit, and Australia won the match 12–8. The match was affected by wet conditions that forced more conservative play. After the match, New Zealand captain Benji Marshall
claimed that his side was at least as good as the Australian team, citing that the difference in the scoreline was caused only by Australia's better goalkicking. Australia's Sam Thaiday
was named Man of the Match.
Cameron Smith
and Zeb Taia
were both injured in the course of the match in tackles involving club team-mates Adam Blair
and Kurt Gidley
respectively.
ANZAC Test
The Anzac Test is an annual rugby league football test match . The test match is played annually between Australia and New Zealand on or around Anzac Day for the Bill Kelly Memorial Trophy.-Origins:Australia and New Zealand had competed in Rugby League Tests since 1908...
was a rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
test match
Test match (rugby league)
A Test match in rugby league football is a representative match between teams representing members of the Rugby League International Federation.The definition of a Test match differs from that of an international match...
played between Australia and New Zealand
New Zealand national rugby league team
The New Zealand national rugby league team has represented New Zealand in rugby league football since intercontinental competition began for the sport in 1907. Administered by the New Zealand Rugby League, they are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of that name...
on 7 May 2010. The match coincided with the official opening of AAMI Park
Melbourne Rectangular Stadium
The Melbourne Rectangular Stadium is an outdoor sports stadium on the site of Edwin Flack Field on Olympic Boulevard in the Sports and Entertainment Precinct, in inner Melbourne, Victoria, Australia....
in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
. The match was won by Australia with a score of 12–8.
The teams
 Australia |
New Zealand  |
|
|---|---|---|
| Billy Slater Billy Slater Billy Slater is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League . An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative fullback, he has played his whole NRL career to date at Melbourne... |
1. | Lance Hohaia Lance Hohaia Lance Hohaia is a New Zealand rugby league player, he currently plays for St Helens RLFC. In 2008 Hohaia was a member of the World Cup winning New Zealand team.-Early years:... |
| Brett Morris Brett Morris Brett Morris is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the St. George Illawarra Dragons of the National Rugby League. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative winger, he is the son of St... |
2. | Sam Perrett Sam Perrett Sam Perrett is a professional rugby league footballer for the Sydney Roosters of the National Rugby League. A representative for New Zealand at international level. A versatile back who is capable of playing on the wing, in the centres and at fullback... |
| Greg Inglis Greg Inglis Greg Inglis is an Australian professional rugby league player for the South Sydney Rabbitohs. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative outside back, Inglis joined the Rabbitohs in 2011 after much controversy.Inglis is a versatile back, having played in several... |
3. | Junior Sa'u |
| Jamie Lyon Jamie Lyon Jamie Lyon is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently captains for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles of the National Rugby League... |
4. | Steve Matai Steve Matai Stephen "Steve" Matai is a professional rugby league footballer for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles of the National Rugby League. He plays as a centre. He is a New Zealand international of Samoan Heritage... |
| Jarryd Hayne Jarryd Hayne Jarryd Lee Hayne is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Parramatta Eels of the NRL. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australian, Fiji international representative winger and fullback, he has played his entire NRL career to date with Parramatta, with whom he got to the... |
5. | Jason Nightingale Jason Nightingale Jason Nightingale is a professional rugby league footballer for the St. George Illawarra Dragons of the Australian National Rugby League... |
| Darren Lockyer Darren Lockyer Darren Lockyer is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer. He was the captain of the Australian national team, the Queensland State of Origin team and his National Rugby League club, the Brisbane Broncos. His professional career spanned between 1995 and 2011... (c) |
6. | Benji Marshall Benji Marshall Benji Marshall is a professional rugby league footballer with the Wests Tigers of the National Rugby League . A goal-kicking five-eighth, he is the current captain of the New Zealand national team, with whom he won the 2008 World Cup and 2010 Four Nations tournaments... (c) |
| Cooper Cronk Cooper Cronk Cooper Patrick Cronk is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the Melbourne Storm of the NRL... |
7. | Kieran Foran Kieran Foran Kieran Foran is a New Zealand rugby league player who has represented his country. He currently plays for the Manly Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League. He plays as a five-eighth or half-back though he can also play centre... |
| Petero Civoniceva Petero Civoniceva Petero Civoniceva is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently contracted to the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League... |
8. | Frank-Paul Nu'uausala |
| Cameron Smith Cameron Smith Cameron Smith is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently captains the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League... |
9. | Issac Luke Issac Luke Issac Luke is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer for the South Sydney Rabbitohs of the National Rugby League. His position of choice is either hooker or in the halves. His first-grade debut was for the South Sydney Rabbitohs against the Melbourne Storm at Olympic Park in round 12... |
| David Shillington David Shillington David Shillington is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Canberra Raiders of the National Rugby League... |
10. | Sam Rapira Sam Rapira Sam Rapira is a New Zealand rugby league player who currently plays in the National Rugby League for the New Zealand Warriors. His usual position of choice is at prop-forward... |
| Luke Lewis Luke Lewis Luke Lewis is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative utility player, he has spent his entire professional career with the Panthers,... |
11. | Bronson Harrison Bronson Harrison Bronson Harrison is a professional rugby league footballer for the Canberra Raiders of the National Rugby League. He primarily plays at lock. He previously played for the Wests Tigers... |
| Sam Thaiday Sam Thaiday Samuel H. "Sam" Thaiday is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who captains the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League. An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative forward, he has spent all of his career at the Broncos, with whom he won the 2006... |
12. | Zeb Taia Zeb Taia John Zebelon "Zeb" Taia is a professional rugby league player for the Newcastle Knights who has represented New Zealand and the Cook Islands. Taia plays as a second-row, but can also play lock.-Playing career:... |
| Paul Gallen Paul Gallen Paul Gallen is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks of the National Rugby League. Gallen's position of choice is lock and occasionally at Prop. He is an Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative... |
13. | Adam Blair Adam Blair Adam Blair is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer currently contracted to the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League until 1 November 2011, when he will join the Wests Tigers. A New Zealand international representative forward, Blair spent six seasons with the Storm, winning... |
| Kurt Gidley Kurt Gidley Kurt Gidley is a professional Australian rugby league player and captain of the Newcastle Knights in the NRL. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative fullback he has played his entire NRL career to date with the Knights. He is the younger brother of Matthew... |
14. Bench | Aaron Heremaia Aaron Heremaia Aaron Aspin Heremaia is a New Zealand rugby league player who currently plays for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League... |
| Josh Perry Josh Perry Josh Perry is an Australian professional rugby league player for St Helens RLFC in the Super League competition... |
15. Bench | Sika Manu Sika Manu Sika Manu is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Melbourne Storm in the NRL. He was a member of the World Cup winning New Zealand team who beat Australia in the 2008 World Cup Final... |
| Anthony Watmough Anthony Watmough Anthony Watmough is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles club of the National Rugby League... |
16. Bench | Jared Waerea-Hargreaves Jared Waerea-Hargreaves Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is a rugby league player currently with the Sydney Roosters in the NRL. He plays in the second-row.-Early years:Waerea-Hargreaves first made a name for himself playing schoolboy rugby union at Iona College in Queensland, through some impressive performances in the AIC... |
| Michael Weyman Michael Weyman Michael Weyman is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the St. George Illawarra Dragons of the National Rugby League... |
17. Bench | Ben Matulino Ben Matulino Benedict Andrew Matulino is a rugby league player who has represented his country. He currently plays for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League... |
| Tim Sheens Tim Sheens Tim Sheens is an Australian professional rugby league football coach and former player. He currently coaches the Wests Tigers of the National Rugby League and in 2009 was appointed coach of the Australian national team, the Kangaroos... |
Coach | Stephen Kearney Stephen Kearney Stephen Peter Kearney, ONZM is a professional rugby league football coach and former player. He is the current head coach of the Parramatta Eels in the NRL as well as the New Zealand national team... |
The squads for each side were announced on 2 May 2010. The selectors for the Australian team made only five changes to the squad that won the final of the 2009 Four Nations. Three of those changes were due to injuries. Notable among the selections was the omission of Brisbane Broncos
Brisbane Broncos
The Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the city of Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. Founded in 1988, the Broncos play in Australasia's elite competition, the National Rugby League premiership. They have won six premierships and two...
centre Israel Folau
Israel Folau
Israel Folau is a professional Australian rules footballer currently listed with the Greater Western Sydney Football Club in the Australian Football League . He previously played Rugby league for the Melbourne Storm in the National Rugby League from 2007 to 2008 where he broke the record for most...
. There had been rumours that Folau was considering moving to the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
or rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
; however, the selectors insisted he had been dropped for form reasons. Manly centre Jamie Lyon
Jamie Lyon
Jamie Lyon is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently captains for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles of the National Rugby League...
was called up in Folau's place, and to act as goal-kicker due to Johnathan Thurston's injury-enforced absence. Thurston, the incumbent Australian half back, missed the match with a shoulder injury. He was replaced in the position by Cooper Cronk
Cooper Cronk
Cooper Patrick Cronk is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the Melbourne Storm of the NRL...
. Michael Weyman
Michael Weyman
Michael Weyman is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the St. George Illawarra Dragons of the National Rugby League...
, a prop forward from the St. George Illawarra Dragons was the only member of the squad representing Australia for the first time.
The New Zealand team included two debutants: Aaron Heremaia
Aaron Heremaia
Aaron Aspin Heremaia is a New Zealand rugby league player who currently plays for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League...
and Zeb Taia
Zeb Taia
John Zebelon "Zeb" Taia is a professional rugby league player for the Newcastle Knights who has represented New Zealand and the Cook Islands. Taia plays as a second-row, but can also play lock.-Playing career:...
. Alex Glenn
Alex Glenn
Alex Glenn is a professional rugby league footballer who plays for Brisbane Broncos in the NRL.-Playing career:...
was named in the 18-man squad but was left out of the 17-man team. One of the notable selections was 19-year-old Kieran Foran
Kieran Foran
Kieran Foran is a New Zealand rugby league player who has represented his country. He currently plays for the Manly Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League. He plays as a five-eighth or half-back though he can also play centre...
being named as half back for the first time: Commentators predicted he would be the long-term incumbent in the position, with former Australian halfback Andrew Johns
Andrew Johns
Andrew Gary "Joey" Johns is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s who is considered by many to be the greatest player of all time. He was heralded as the world's best halfback for a number of years...
suggesting he could become the best player in the world.
Opening of AAMI Park
The match was the first event to be held at Melbourne's AAMI Park, a rectangular stadium built for rugby league, rugby union and soccer in a city known for its preference for Australian rules footballAustralian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
. Despite having been officially sold out wet conditions on the night meant an attendance of 29,442, which nearly satisfied the stadium's 30,050 capacity. The opening ceremony featured the NRL's all-time highest point-scorer, Hazem El Masri
Hazem El Masri
Hazem El Masri is a Lebanese-Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. An Australia and Lebanon international, and New South Wales State of Origin representative winger, he played his entire club football career with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs with...
kicking a goal.
The National anthem of New Zealand was performed by Elizabeth Marvelly
Elizabeth Marvelly
Elizabeth Lillian Marvelly , is a soprano from Rotorua, New Zealand. Marvelly was a scholarship student at King's College, Auckland in 2007.-Debut Album:...
and the National anthem of Australia was performed by Katie Noonan
Katie Noonan
Katie Anne Noonan is an Australian singer-songwriter. In addition to a successful solo career encompassing opera, jazz, pop, rock and dance, she sings in the groups george and Elixir, duets with her mother, Maggie Noonan and is currently playing with support from the group The...
.
Match summary
7 May 2010, 8:00pm12 |
Australia |
|---|---|
| Tries | 2 Morris (39', 48') |
| Goals | 2/3 Lyon (32', 49') |
| Field Goals | |
8 |
|
| Tries | 1 Nightingale (68') 1 Sa'u (78') |
| Goals | 0/2 Luke |
| Field Goals | |
Half Time: Australia 6 – 0
Man of the Match: Sam Thaiday
Sam Thaiday
Samuel H. "Sam" Thaiday is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who captains the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League. An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative forward, he has spent all of his career at the Broncos, with whom he won the 2006...
Referee: Richard Silverwood
Richard Silverwood
Richard Silverwood is a professional rugby league referee. He currently officiates in the Super League competition.-Biography:...
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
Attendance: 29,442
Scoring timeline
32nd – Australia 2–0 (Lyon penalty goal)39th – Australia 6–0 (Morris try)
48th – Australia 12–0 (Morris try; Lyon goal)
68th – Australia 12–4 (Nightingale try)
78th – Australia 12–8 (Sa'u try)
Report
The first half of the match was low-scoring, as wet conditions caused numerous ball-handling errors. Australia took a 6–0 lead at half-time, after Brett MorrisBrett Morris
Brett Morris is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the St. George Illawarra Dragons of the National Rugby League. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative winger, he is the son of St...
scored a try to add to an earlier penalty goal from Jamie Lyon
Jamie Lyon
Jamie Lyon is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently captains for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles of the National Rugby League...
. Morris' try was scored in the 39th minute of the first half and was the result of a grubber kick
Grubber kick
The Grubber kick is a type of kick in various codes of football with an oval ball which results in the ball moving erratically along the ground....
from Darren Lockyer
Darren Lockyer
Darren Lockyer is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer. He was the captain of the Australian national team, the Queensland State of Origin team and his National Rugby League club, the Brisbane Broncos. His professional career spanned between 1995 and 2011...
. Morris scored a second try shortly into the second half to make the score 12–0. Sam Thaiday
Sam Thaiday
Samuel H. "Sam" Thaiday is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who captains the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League. An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative forward, he has spent all of his career at the Broncos, with whom he won the 2006...
set up the try with a flick pass as he was being pushed out of the field of play by New Zealand defenders. New Zealand pulled back two unconverted tries through Jason Nightingale
Jason Nightingale
Jason Nightingale is a professional rugby league footballer for the St. George Illawarra Dragons of the Australian National Rugby League...
and Junior Sa'u; however, they were not able to make up the 12 point deficit, and Australia won the match 12–8. The match was affected by wet conditions that forced more conservative play. After the match, New Zealand captain Benji Marshall
Benji Marshall
Benji Marshall is a professional rugby league footballer with the Wests Tigers of the National Rugby League . A goal-kicking five-eighth, he is the current captain of the New Zealand national team, with whom he won the 2008 World Cup and 2010 Four Nations tournaments...
claimed that his side was at least as good as the Australian team, citing that the difference in the scoreline was caused only by Australia's better goalkicking. Australia's Sam Thaiday
Sam Thaiday
Samuel H. "Sam" Thaiday is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who captains the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League. An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative forward, he has spent all of his career at the Broncos, with whom he won the 2006...
was named Man of the Match.
Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently captains the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League...
and Zeb Taia
Zeb Taia
John Zebelon "Zeb" Taia is a professional rugby league player for the Newcastle Knights who has represented New Zealand and the Cook Islands. Taia plays as a second-row, but can also play lock.-Playing career:...
were both injured in the course of the match in tackles involving club team-mates Adam Blair
Adam Blair
Adam Blair is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer currently contracted to the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League until 1 November 2011, when he will join the Wests Tigers. A New Zealand international representative forward, Blair spent six seasons with the Storm, winning...
and Kurt Gidley
Kurt Gidley
Kurt Gidley is a professional Australian rugby league player and captain of the Newcastle Knights in the NRL. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative fullback he has played his entire NRL career to date with the Knights. He is the younger brother of Matthew...
respectively.