2016 Anzac Test

The 2016 Anzac Test (known as the Downer Anzac Test due to sponsorship) was a rugby league test match played between Australia and New Zealand at Hunter Stadium in Newcastle.[1] It was the 17th Anzac Test played between the two nations since the first was played under the Super League banner in 1997.

2016 (2016) Anzac Test  ()
Logo of the 2016 Anzac Test
Australia
Australia		 New Zealand
New Zealand
16 0
12 Total
AUS 106 16
NZL 00 0
Date6 May 2016
StadiumHunter Stadium
LocationNewcastle, New South Wales, Australia
Charles Savory Medal Paul Gallen
RefereeAustralia Gerard Sutton
Attendance27,724
Broadcast partners
Broadcasters
Commentators

The game marked the international coaching debut of Mal Meninga for Australia since taking over the position from Tim Sheens in late 2015. Meninga, a 4 time Kangaroo Tourist (the only player ever to do so), a World Cup winning captain and a veteran of 46 tests for Australia between 1982–94, has previously coached Queensland to 9 State of Origin series wins in 10 years (including a record 8 series wins in succession from 2006-2013) in the years prior to taking over as Kangaroos coach.

This was the first of two matches between Australia and New Zealand before the 2016 Rugby League Four Nations in late October and November. The second match will be played at the nib Stadium in Perth, Western Australia on 15 October.

Meninga broke tradition and named the Australian team a few days early, which included 4 debutants; Blake Ferguson, Josh McGuire, Michael Morgan and Fijian-born Semi Radradra.[2]

The New Zealand team was named on 1 May.[3]

Pre-game

National anthems
  • New Zealand Russ Walker - New Zealand National Anthem
  • Australia Adrian Li Donni - Australian National Anthem

Squads
Australia Position New Zealand
Darius Boyd Fullback Jordan Kahu
Semi Radradra Wing Jason Nightingale
Greg Inglis Centre Tohu Harris2
Josh Dugan Centre Gerard Beale1
Blake Ferguson Wing Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
Johnathan Thurston Five-Eighth Kodi Nikorima
Cooper Cronk Halfback Shaun Johnson
Matt Scott Prop Jesse Bromwich (c)
Cameron Smith (c) Hooker Lewis Brown
Paul Gallen Prop Adam Blair
Josh Papalii 2nd Row Kevin Proctor
Matt Gillett 2nd Row Manu Ma'u
Corey Parker Lock Jason Taumalolo
Josh McGuire Interchange Greg Eastwood
Michael Morgan Interchange Martin Taupau
James Tamou Interchange Sam Moa
Sam Thaiday Interchange Kenny Bromwich
Mal Meninga Coach Stephen Kearney

1 - Peta Hiku was originally selected to play but withdrew due to injury. He was replaced by Gerard Beale.
2 - Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Brad Takairangi were originally selected to play but both players withdrew. Tohu Harris was shifted from five-eighth to centre and Kodi Nikorima was shifted from the bench to five-eighth as a result.

Match summary

6 May 2016
8.05pm (AEST)
Australia  16–0  New Zealand
Tries:
Boyd (14') 1
Inglis (32') 1
Ferguson (80') 1
Goals:
Thurston 1/3
(20' pen)
Smith 1/2
(44' pen)
Sin Bin:
Radradra 1
(6')		 [4]
Hunter Stadium, Newcastle
Attendance: 27,724
Referee: Australia Gerard Sutton
Player of the Match: Paul Gallen

Notes:

Women's Test
2016 (2016) Women's Anzac Test  ()
Australia
Australia		 New Zealand
New Zealand
16 26
12 Total
AUS 610 16
NZL 1214 26
Date6 May 2016
StadiumHunter Stadium
LocationNewcastle, New South Wales, Australia
Broadcast partners
Broadcasters
Commentators

A Women's rugby league match between the Australian Jillaroos and New Zealand Kiwi Ferns will serve as the curtain-raiser for the main game.

New Zealand coach Alan Jackson named an 18-strong squad in preparation for the Trans-Tasman Test.[6]

A few days later, Australian coach Steve Folkes announced his 18-strong squad for the Trans-Tasman Test.[7]

Women's squads
Australia Position New Zealand
Samantha Bremner Fullback Sarina Fiso (c)
Chelsea Baker Wing Lanulangi Veaimu
Corban McGregor Centre Maitua Feterika
Annette Brander Centre Va'anessa Molia-Fraser
Karina Brown Wing Atawhai Tupaea
Allana Ferguson Five-Eighth Georgia Hale
Maddie Studdon Halfback Kristina Sue
Simaima Taufa Prop Lilietta Maumau
Brittany Breayley Hooker Krystal Rota
Heather Ballinger Prop Kelly Maipi
Kezie Apps 2nd Row Teuila Fotu-Moala
Vanessa Foliaki 2nd Row Annetta Nu'uausala
Ruan Sims (c) Lock Nora Maaka
Libby Cook-Black Interchange Amber Kani
Kody House Interchange Kahurangi Peters
Casey Karklis Interchange Krystal Murray
Emma Young Interchange Charmaine McMenamin
Steve Folkes Coach Alan Jackson
Caitlyn Moran 18th Woman Mary-Jane Ale
  • The 18th woman is a cover for a possible injury or suspension and unless called up to the starting line-up or the bench, does not actually play.

Match summary

6 May 2016
5.25pm (AEST)
Australia Australia 16 – 26 New Zealand New Zealand
Tries:
Brown (50', 78') 2
Bremner (24') 1
Goals:
Studdon 1 (pen)
Moran 1 (con)		 [8]
 Tries:
Tupaea 2 (11', 17')
Fiso 2 (45', 64')
Feterika 1 (33')
Rota 1 (68')
Goals:
Maaka 1 (con)
Hunter Stadium, Newcastle
Referee: Australia Adam Cassidy

References
  1. "Representative Round: Newcastle to host Test". NRL.com. 25 January 2016.
  2. "Kangaroos team named to face NZ". NRL.com. 26 April 2016.
  3. "League: New caps, new Kiwis captain for Anzac test". The New Zealand Herald.
  4. Brady, Jack (6 May 2016). "Kangaroos win Downer test match". NRL.com.
  5. "Great Britain vs New Zealand 2007". rugbyleagueproject.org. Archived from the original on 11 December 2017. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  6. "Sleepless Nights for Ferns Selectors". scoop.co.nz. 28 April 2016.
  7. "Australian Jillaroos team named". asiapacificrl.com. 2 May 2016.
  8. Brady, Jack (6 May 2016). "Kiwi Ferns too classy for Jillaroos". NRL.com.
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