2008 Anzac Test

The 2008 ANZAC test, also known as the Centenary Test as it commemorated the 100th anniversary of the first test match between the two countries, was a rugby league test match played between Australia and New Zealand at the Sydney Cricket Ground on 9 May 2008.[1] Commemorating the first trans-Tasman Test match, which was also played at Sydney on the same day in 1908, it was the 9th Anzac test played between the two nations since the first was played under the Super League banner in 1997. This was the first test played at the SCG since Australia had defeated New Zealand 29-12 in 1986 and the first ever rugby league test played under lights at the ground.[2]

2008 (2008) Bundaberg Rum Centenary Test  ()
12 Total
AUS 226 28
NZL 012 12
Date9 May 2008
StadiumSydney Cricket Ground
LocationSydney, Australia
Cameron Smith
RefereesAshley Klein
Attendance34,571
Broadcast partners
Broadcasters
Commentators

For the game, the Kangaroos played in replica jumpers that were used until the first Green and Gold jumpers appeared in 1928. On this night the Kangaroos jumpers were Sky Blue and Maroon hoops depicting the states of New South Wales and Queensland. It was the first time the Kangaroos had worn their alternate test jumpers in a test match since their two test series against South Africa in 1963.[3][4]

This was the 112th test between Australia and New Zealand since 1908.

Squads

Australia Position New Zealand
Billy Slater Fullback Brent Webb
Greg Inglis Wing Jason Nightingale
Mark Gasnier Centre Setaimata Sa
Justin Hodges Centre Iosia Soliola
Israel Folau Wing Sam Perrett
Greg Bird Five-Eighth Lance Hohaia
Johnathan Thurston Halfback Thomas Leuluai
Brent Kite Prop Roy Asotasi (c)
Cameron Smith (c) Hooker Isaac Luke
Petero Civoniceva Prop Nathan Cayless
Paul Gallen 2nd Row Sonny Bill Williams
Ryan Hoffman 2nd Row Simon Mannering
Michael Crocker Lock David Fa'alogo
Kurt Gidley Interchange Jeremy Smith
Willie Mason Interchange Dene Halatau
Anthony Tupou Interchange Adam Blair
Carl Webb Interchange Frank Pritchard
Ricky Stuart Coach Stephen Kearney

Match summary

Prior to the match, a minutes silence was observed in memory of the Australian Rugby League's Team of the Century coach Jack Gibson who had died only an hour before the game. Gibson's death was announced during the television broadcast by Channel 9's Peter Sterling who had won three NSWRL premierships for Parramatta under Gibson in 1981, 1982 and 1983.

The living members of the ARL's Team of the Century – Reg Gasnier (CE), Mal Meninga (CE), Wally Lewis (FE), Andrew Johns (HB), Arthur Beetson (PR), Noel Kelly (HK), Duncan Hall (PR), Norm Provan (SR), Ron Coote (SR), Johnny Raper (LK), Graeme Langlands (Res) and Bob Fulton (Res) – were paraded to the crowd before the game as part of the Centenary celebrations. Members of the team who had died (Clive Churchill (FB), Brian Bevan (WG), Ken Irvine (WG), Dally Messenger (Res) and Frank Burge (Res)) were represented by family members.

9 May 2008
Australia  28 – 12  New Zealand
Tries:
Mark Gasnier (2)
Paul Gallen
Cameron Smith
Israel Folau
Goals:
Johnathan Thurston (4/5)
Tries:
Iosia Soliola
Sam Perrett


Goals:
Isaac Luke (1/1)
Jeremy Smith (1)
Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Attendance: 34,571
Referee: Ashley Klein
Man of the Match: Cameron Smith

References

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