2010 Anzac Test
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox rugby league football match
|year = 2010
|title = Anzac Test
|image =
|imagesize =
|alt =
|home = Australia
{{flagicon|AUS|size=30px}}
|away = New Zealand
{{flagicon|NZL|size=30px}}
|home_abbr = AUS {{leagueicon|Australia|16}}
|away_abbr = NZL {{leagueicon|New Zealand Kiwis|16}}
|home_half1 = 6
|home_half2 = 6
|home_total = 12
|away_half1 = 0
|away_half2 = 8
|away_total = 8
|date = 7 May 2010
|stadium = AAMI Park
|location = Melbourne, Australia
|MoM_title =
|MoM = Sam Thaiday {{leagueicon|Australia|16}}
|anthem_title =
|anthem =
|referee = Richard Silverwood {{flagicon|ENG}}
|referee2 =
|attendance = 29442
|network = Nine Network
|commentators = Ray Warren
|commentators2=
|commentators3=
|tournaments = Anzac Test
|last = 2009
|next = 2011
}}
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 teams
The squads for each side were announced on 2 May 2010.{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10642349|title=League: Kiwis squad named to play Australia|date=2 May 2010|work=New Zealand Herald|accessdate=7 May 2010}}{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/israel-folau-out-as-cooper-cronk-and-david-shillington-named-in-australias-side-to-play-new-zealand/story-e6frexnr-1225861228210|title=Israel Folau out as Cooper Cronk and David Shillington named in Australia's side to play New Zealand |last=Jancetic|first=Steve|date=2 May 2010|work=Daily Telegraph|accessdate=7 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.{{cite news|url=http://sportal.com.au/league-opinion-display/preview-kangaroos-v-kiwis-90717|title=Preview: Kangaroos v Kiwis|last=Brooks|first=Scott|work=Sportal|accessdate=15 May 2010|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100513174908/http://sportal.com.au/league-opinion-display/preview-kangaroos-v-kiwis-90717|archivedate=13 May 2010|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/israel-folau-snubbed-by-test-selectors/story-e6frg7mf-1225861307826|title=Israel Folau snubbed by Test selectors |last=Honeysett|first=Stuart|date=3 May 2010|work=The Australian|accessdate=7 May 2010}} Thurston, the incumbent Australian half back, missed the match with a shoulder injury. He was replaced in the position by Cooper Cronk.{{cite news|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/cooper-cronk-replaces-injured-thurston-for-test/story-e6frep5o-1225861228245|title=Cooper Cronk replaces injured Thurston for Test |last=deKroo|first=Karl|author2=Rickets, Steve|date=3 May 2010|work=Courier-Mail|accessdate=7 May 2010}} Michael Weyman, a prop forward from the St. George Illawarra Dragons was the only member of the squad representing Australia for the first time.{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/its-old-hands-on-deck-for-seasons-first-test-20100502-u1l1.html|title=It's old hands on deck for season's first Test |last=Jackson|first=Glenn|author2=Paxinos, Stathi|date=3 May 2010|work=Sydney Morning Herald|accessdate=7 May 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100506213648/http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/its-old-hands-on-deck-for-seasons-first-test-20100502-u1l1.html| archivedate= 6 May 2010 | url-status= live}}
{{table alignment}}
| style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto" class="wikitable col1left col2center col3right"
!align="Left" width="200" style="border: 2px solid gold; background: green; color: gold"|Australia !width="100"| Position !align="Right" width="200" style="border: 2px solid silver; background: black; color: white"|New Zealand | ||
| {{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} Billy Slater | {{rlp|FB}} | Lance Hohaia {{leagueicon|New Zealand|16}} |
| {{leagueicon|St George|16}} Brett Morris | {{rlp|WG}} | Sam Perrett {{leagueicon|Easts|16}} |
| {{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} Greg Inglis | {{rlp|CE}} | Junior Sa'u {{leagueicon|Newcastle|16}} |
| {{leagueicon|Manly|16}} Jamie Lyon | {{rlp|CE}} | Steve Matai {{leagueicon|Manly|16}} |
| {{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} Jarryd Hayne | {{rlp|WG}} | Jason Nightingale {{leagueicon|St George|16}} |
| {{leagueicon|Brisbane|16}} Darren Lockyer (c) | {{rlp|FE}} | Benji Marshall (c) {{leagueicon|Wests Tigers|16}} |
| {{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} Cooper Cronk | {{rlp|HB}} | Kieran Foran {{leagueicon|Manly|16}} |
| {{leagueicon|Penrith|16}} Petero Civoniceva | {{rlp|PR}} | Frank-Paul Nu'uausala {{leagueicon|Easts|16}} |
| {{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} Cameron Smith | {{rlp|HK}} | Issac Luke {{leagueicon|South Sydney|16}} |
| {{leagueicon|Canberra|16}} David Shillington | {{rlp|PR}} | Sam Rapira {{leagueicon|New Zealand|16}} |
| {{leagueicon|Penrith|16}} Luke Lewis | {{rlp|SR}} | Bronson Harrison {{leagueicon|Canberra|16}} |
| {{leagueicon|Brisbane|16}} Sam Thaiday | {{rlp|SR}} | Zeb Taia {{leagueicon|Newcastle|16}} |
| {{leagueicon|Cronulla|16}} Paul Gallen | {{rlp|LK}} | Adam Blair {{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} |
| {{leagueicon|Newcastle|16}} Kurt Gidley | Bench | Aaron Heremaia {{leagueicon|New Zealand|16}} |
| {{leagueicon|Manly|16}} Josh Perry | Bench | Sika Manu {{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} |
| {{leagueicon|Manly|16}} Anthony Watmough | Bench | Jared Waerea-Hargreaves {{leagueicon|Easts|16}} |
| {{leagueicon|St George|16}} Michael Weyman | Bench | Ben Matulino {{leagueicon|New Zealand|16}} |
| {{leagueicon|Wests Tigers|16}} Tim Sheens | Coach | Stephen Kearney {{leagueicon|New Zealand Kiwis|16}} |
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.{{cite news|url=http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague/10/05/06/RUGBYL_New_Zealand_Nightlead.html|title=Kearney Tips Foran for Bright Future|work=sportinglife.com|accessdate=7 May 2010}}{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/sheens-ready-for-kiwi-onslaught/story-e6frfgbo-1225863351059|title=Sheens ready for Kiwi onslaught|last=Marshall|first=Matt|date=7 May 2010|work=Herald Sun|accessdate=7 May 2010}} 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/gary-freeman-says-kieran-foran-has-the-class-to-cement-position-in-nz-test-team/story-e6frg7mf-1225863324310|title=Gary Freeman says Kieran Foran has the class to cement position in NZ Test team |last=Read|first=Brent|date=7 May 2010|work=The Australian|accessdate=7 May 2010}}{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/foran-let-me-take-nz-forward/story-e6frfgbo-1225863296217|title=Foran – let me take NZ forward |last=Phelps|first=James|date=7 May 2010|work=Daily Telegraph|accessdate=7 May 2010}}
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 football.{{cite news|url=http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/breaking-news-sport/aami-park-the-shape-of-things-to-come-20100508-uk0u.html|title=AAMI Park the shape of things to come |last=Hand|first=Guy|date=8 May 2010|work=Brisbane Times|accessdate=7 May 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100509045747/http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/breaking-news-sport/aami-park-the-shape-of-things-to-come-20100508-uk0u.html| archivedate= 9 May 2010 | url-status= live}} Despite having been officially sold out{{cite news
| last = AAP
| title = Anzac Test officially a sell out
| work = tvnz.co.nz
| place =New Zealand
| publisher = Television New Zealand Limited
| date = 2010-05-03
| url = http://tvnz.co.nz/rugby-league-news/anzac-test-officially-sell-3508925
| accessdate = 2010-05-08| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100506075051/http://tvnz.co.nz/rugby-league-news/anzac-test-officially-sell-3508925| archivedate= 6 May 2010 | url-status= live}} wet conditions on the night meant an attendance of 29,442, which nearly satisfied the stadium's 30,050 capacity.{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/crowd-roars-for-new-star/story-e6frf7jo-1225863845069|title=Crowd roars for new star |last=Brown|first=Terry|date=8 May 2010|work=Herald Sun|accessdate=7 May 2010}}{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/bubbling-with-excitement-on-opening-night/story-e6frf9if-1225863869762|title=Bubbling with excitement on opening night|last=Reed|first=Ron|date=8 May 2010|work=Herald Sun|accessdate=7 May 2010}} The opening ceremony featured the NRL's all-time highest point-scorer, Hazem El Masri kicking a goal.{{cite news
| last = Read
| first = Brent
| title = Kangaroos shine brightest against New Zealand
| work = The Australian
| place =Australia
| publisher =News Limited
| date = 2010-05-08
| url = http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/kangaroos-shine-brightest-against-new-zealand/story-e6frg7mf-1225863842447
| accessdate = 2010-05-11}}
The National anthem of New Zealand was performed by Elizabeth Marvelly and the National anthem of Australia was performed by Katie Noonan.
=Match details=
The first half of the match was low-scoring, as wet conditions caused numerous ball-handling errors.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/05/07/2893805.htm|title=Roos hold off fast-finishing Kiwis|date=8 May 2010|work=ABC Grandstand Sport|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=15 May 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100511001825/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/05/07/2893805.htm| archive-date= 11 May 2010 | url-status= dead}} Australia took a 6–0 lead at half-time, after Brett Morris 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/inglis-reigns-supreme-on-new-home-turf-20100507-ujuq.html|title=Inglis reigns supreme on new home turf |last=Jackson|first=Glenn|date=8 May 2010|work=Sydney Morning Herald|accessdate=7 May 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100511233952/http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/inglis-reigns-supreme-on-new-home-turf-20100507-ujuq.html| archivedate= 11 May 2010 | url-status= live}} 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/australia-defeat-new-zealand-in-anzac-test/story-e6frexnr-1225863824249|title= Australia defeat New Zealand in Anzac Test |last=Massoud|first=Josh|date=8 May 2010|work=Daily Telegraph|accessdate=7 May 2010}} 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 teammates Adam Blair and Kurt Gidley respectively.{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/tough-season-gets-even-worse-for-smith-20100507-ujxf.html|title=Tough season gets even worse for Smith |last=Walter|first=Brad|date=8 May 2010|work=Sydney Morning Herald|accessdate=7 May 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100510055315/http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/tough-season-gets-even-worse-for-smith-20100507-ujxf.html| archivedate= 10 May 2010 | url-status= live}}
Match summary
7 May 2010, 8:00pm
| class="wikitable" style="margin:auto; text-align:left;" cellspacing="2" |
| width=100 |12
!width=250 |{{leagueicon|Australia}} Australia |
|---|
| Tries
|2 Morris (39', 48') |
| Goals
|2/3 Lyon (32', 49') |
| Field Goals
| |
| 8
!{{leagueicon|New Zealand}} New Zealand |
| Tries
|1 Nightingale (68') |
| Goals
|0/2 Luke |
| Field Goals
| |
Half Time: Australia 6 – 0
Man of the Match: Sam Thaiday
Referee: Richard Silverwood
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)
See also
{{Portal|Australia|Military of Australia|New Zealand|Sports}}
References
{{reflist}}