ANZAC Test

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The logo for the Bundaberg Rum Test Match.
The logo for the Bundaberg Rum Test Match.

The ANZAC Test (also known as the Bundaberg Rum Test for sponsorship reasons) is a Rugby League Test match played annually between Australia and New Zealand on or around ANZAC Day. The New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) have announced that they will not contest the ANZAC Test after 2008.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Origins

Australia and New Zealand had competed in Rugby League Tests since 1908. The ANZAC Test, played on or around ANZAC Day, was introduced by Super League (Australia) in 1997. When New Zealand was defeated 56-0 in 2000 the Australian Rugby League (ARL) was criticised for playing the match before the State of Origin series. The Test was then dropped from the annual schedule in favour of match in mid-July. In 2002 and 2003 Australia defeated Great Britain (64-10) and New Zealand (48-6) in July Test matches, so the Bundaberg Rum Test (as it became known for sponsorship reasons) was revived the following year.

[edit] Naming controversy

The ANZAC Test was controversial for its use of the term ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) and its perceived comparison of professional sportsmen with soldiers. However Super League donated a large sum of money to the RSL, and Bruce Ruxton featured in commercials for the inaugural ANZAC Test, proclaiming

"Mark my words, Australia is still in grave danger from one of our so-called neighbours. The Kiwis were once our allies and now they’re on the other side - at least for 80 minutes". [1]

The word ANZAC is protected in Australia by the The Protection of Word "ANZAC" Regulations (under the War Precautions Act Repeal Act 1920) and requires permission of the Minister for Veterans' Affairs for use in commercial events.[2] This permission was given for the event from 1997-1999.[3] Since 2004 it has been officially called the Bundaberg Rum League Test, after the principal sponsor, Bundaberg Rum. Media outlets sometimes still describe the game using its original name.

[edit] Trophy

Two different trophies have been awarded for the winner of this Test. For the 1997-1999 ANZAC Tests, the winner was awarded the ANZAC Trophy, which depicted an Australian slouch hat and New Zealand lemon squeezer hat.

Since 2004, the winner of the Bundaberg Rum League Test has been awarded the Bill Kelly Memorial Trophy (pictured here). This trophy was donated in 1996 by Gerald Ryan ONZM, a past president of the New Zealand Rugby League. It is named after Bill Kelly, a New Zealand Rugby League player in the early 20th century.

The Bill Kelly Memorial Trophy was briefly stolen by three 25 year old New Zealand men after Australia's victory in the 2006 Test. It was found several hours later on the awning of a nearby building.[4] The trophy currently resides at the Australian Rugby League headquarters in Sydney.

[edit] Demise

The New Zealand Rugby League has announced that the ANZAC Test will not be contested after 2008, citing difficulties with selecting their best possible team for a match held at that time of year. According to the NZRL Director of Football, Graham Lowe, "We have an obligation to play Australia in Sydney on May 9 next year, because it is their centenary test, and we will fulfil it, but that will be the last one."[5]

[edit] Overall tally

Team Wins
Australia1 8
New Zealand 1
  1. Includes the Australia (Super League) victory in 1997.

[edit] Results

Date Result Stadium City Crowd
9 May 2008 Australia def. New Zealand 28-12 Sydney Cricket Ground Sydney 34,571
20 April 2007 Australia def. New Zealand 30-6 Suncorp Stadium Brisbane 35,241
5 May 2006 Australia def. New Zealand 50-12 Suncorp Stadium Brisbane 44,191
22 April 2005 Australia def. New Zealand 32-16 Suncorp Stadium Brisbane 40,317
23 April 2004 Australia def. New Zealand 37-10 EnergyAustralia Stadium Newcastle 21,537
21 April 2000 Australia def. New Zealand 52-0 Stadium Australia Sydney 26,023
23 April 1999 Australia def. New Zealand 20-14 Stadium Australia Sydney 30,245
24 April 1998 New Zealand def. Australia 22-16 North Harbour Stadium Auckland 25,000
25 April 1997 Australia (Super League) def. New Zealand 34-22 Sydney Football Stadium Sydney 23,829

[edit] Trivia

  • The home team has never lost.
  • Only one ANZAC/Bundaberg Rum Test has actually been played on ANZAC Day.

[edit] Sources

[edit] See also

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