1993 Trans-Tasman Test series

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The 1993 Trans-Tasman Test series was an international rugby league test series played in Australia between Australia and New Zealand. The series, which started on 20 June in Auckland and finished on 30 June in Brisbane, consisted of three test matches. [1] The three Tests attracted a total of 74,494 fans.

Contents

The Test series was broadcast into Australia via the Seven Network with commentary provided by Graeme Hughes, Graham Lowe and John Monie with recently retired former Australian dual-rugby international Michael O'Connor the sideline reporter.

Australia

The Australians, coached by Bob Fulton, had been crowned Rugby League World Cup champions after winning the 1992 Rugby League World Cup final for the 7th time at Wembley Stadium. Mal Meninga captained the side in the final two tests of the Trans-Tasman series but was forced to miss the first test after being suspended by the NSWRL for the use of an elbow on Manly-Warringah's Welsh import centre John Devereux in a club game. Ironically, Manly's coach was also Australian coach Bob Fulton. The captaincy for the first test fell to Meninga's Canberra Raiders team mate and New South Wales captain Laurie Daley.

The test series took place following the 1993 State of Origin series which was won by NSW. Dale Shearer's performances at fullback for Qld saw him earn a test recall in front of well performed World Cup and NSW fullback Tim Brasher (though Shearer had been selected at centre for all 3 Ashes series tests in 1992 but withdrew from all 3 with injury). Bradley Clyde, who had not played in the Origin series due to injury was also recalled to the team.

New Zealand

The Kiwis, coached by Howie Tamati and captained by Gary Freeman had lost their 1992 home series against the touring Great Britain Lions. New Zealand would be without their goal kicking fullback Matthew Ridge who had suffered a season ending knee injury in a club game for Manly-Warringah, but would lack for nothing in goal kicking thanks to the presence of North Sydney Bears superboot winger Daryl Halligan.

First Test

Due to sponsorship, the series was known as the Lion Red Test Series.

Australia went into the game without regular captain Mal Meninga who had been suspended for 2 games. It would be the first test Meninga had missed since 1988. With Meninga out, the captaincy for the test was handed to NSW captain, Meninga's Canberra Raiders team mate Laurie Daley. Dale Shearer made his return to test football after starring at fullback for Queensland in the final 2 games of the State of Origin series to beat out well performed New South Wales and 1992 World Cup final fullback Tim Brasher. The Kiwis were captained by veteran halfback Gary Freeman, but would be without goal kicking dual-rugby international fullback Matthew Ridge who had suffered a season ending knee injury playing for the Bob Fulton coached Manly-Warringah in a Winfield Cup game with coach Howie Tamati handing the #1 jumper to Balmain's utility back Morvin Edwards. Despite the loss of Ridge, the Kiwis lost nothing in goal kicking with the selection of North Sydney Bears winger Daryl Halligan.

The Australian's created history with the selection of all three Walters brothers, five-eighth Kevin, hooker Steve and reserve hooker Kerrod for the test, though Kerrod Walters did not get off the bench.

20 June 1993
New Zealand  Flag of New Zealand.svg14 – 14Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Tries:
Sean Hoppe (2)

Goals:
Daryl Halligan (3/3)
[2] [3] [4]
Tries:
Dale Shearer
Steve Walters
Goals:
Dale Shearer (2/2)
Field Goals:
Laurie Daley (2)
Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
Attendance: 22,994
Referee: Russell Smith Flag of England.svg
Player of the Match: Sean Hoppe New Zealand Kiwis colours.svg
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New Zealand
Kit left arm kangaroos.png
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Kit right arm kangaroos.png
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Australia
FB1 Balmain colours.svg Morvin Edwards
LW2 Canberra colours.svg Sean Hoppe
RC3 Canterbury colours.svg Jarrod McCracken
LC4 Bullscolours.svg Dave Watson
RW5 North Sydney colours.svg Daryl Halligan
FE6 Saintscolours.svg Tea Ropati
HB7 Eastern Suburbs colours.svg Gary Freeman (c)
PR8 Oldhamcolours.svg Se'e Solomona
HK9 Wolvescolours.svg Duane Mann
PR10 Gold Coast Chargers colours.svg Brent Todd
SR11 Rhinoscolours.svg Gary Mercer
SR12 Canberra colours.svg Quentin Pongia
LK13 Castleford colours.svg Tawera Nikau
Substitutions:
IC14 Newcastle colours.svg Tony Kemp
IC15 Fevcolours.svg Brendon Tuuta
IC16 St. George colours.svg Jason Donnelly
IC17 Canberra colours.svg John Lomax
Coach:
Flag of New Zealand.svg Howie Tamati
FB1 Gold Coast Chargers colours.svg Dale Shearer
LW2 Brisbane colours.svg Michael Hancock
RC3 Canberra colours.svg Laurie Daley (c)
LC4 Penrith Panthers square flag icon with 2017 colours.svg Brad Fittler
RW5 Brisbane colours.svg Willie Carne
FE6 Brisbane colours.svg Kevin Walters
HB7 Brisbane colours.svg Allan Langer
PR8 Brisbane colours.svg Glenn Lazarus
HK9 Canberra colours.svg Steve Walters
PR10 Newcastle colours.svg Paul Harragon
SR11 Balmain colours.svg Paul Sironen
SR12 Illawarra colours.svg Bob Lindner
LF13 Canberra colours.svg Bradley Clyde
Substitutions:
IC14 Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Ian Roberts
IC15 Brisbane colours.svg Kerrod Walters
IC16 St. George colours.svg Brad Mackay
IC17 Brisbane colours.svg Steve Renouf
Coach:
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bob Fulton

The first test at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium almost produced a shock result. After three first half goals from Daryl Halligan and two tries from winger Sean Hoppe, one an intercept off a Dale Shearer pass that saw him race 80 metres and out-pace Shearer and Willie Carne, the Kiwis led 14-13 at half time. The Australians scored two tries next to the posts through both Shearer and Steve Walters (who scored with only seconds left in the half) with Shearer easily kicking both conversions, while a field goal from Laurie Daley after Shearers try gave the Australians a 7-2 lead until Hoppe's first try.

Midway through the first half, English referee Russell Smith earned the ire of the Australian's when he ignored a Gary Mercer spear tackle on Bradley Clyde, then on the next tackle also ignored a high tackle by Tawera Nikau on Paul Harragon which caused the Australian front rower to lose the ball with Smith ruling a knock-on. Smith also denied both sides what looked to be legitimate tries with Steve Walters denied one in the first half following a dart from dummy half, and replacement Kiwi forward John Lomax denied in the second half despite television replays showing that he clearly got the ball down on the Australian line.

The second half was scoreless until the 77th minute when a cool under pressure Laurie Daley (who had already missed one attempt to tie the scores) slotted his second field goal to salvage a 14-all draw for the reigning World Champions. [5]

Second Test

The Australian's made several changes to their line up for the second test. Captain Mal Meninga returned from suspension with Laurie Daley moved from the centres to 5/8 in place of Kevin Walters who moved to the bench at the expense of his brother and Brisbane Broncos team mate Kerrod Walters. Ian Roberts was ruled out with injury with David Gillespie replacing him on the bench while Andrew Ettingshausen returned to the side on the bench in place of Steve Renouf. The only change made by New Zealand coach Howie Tamati was promoting Tony Kemp to start at 5/8 with Tea Ropati dropping to the bench.

25 June 1993
New Zealand  Flag of New Zealand.svg8 – 16Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Tries:
Gary Freeman


Goals:
Daryl Halligan (2)
[6] [7] [8] [9]
Tries:
Bradley Clyde
Willie Carne
Michael Hancock
Goals:
Dale Shearer (2)
Palmerston North Showgrounds, Palmerston North
Attendance: 19,500
Referee: Russell Smith Flag of England.svg
Player of the Match: Bradley Clyde Australian colours.svg
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New Zealand
Kit left arm kangaroos.png
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Kit body kangaroos1992.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm kangaroos.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts thingoldsides.png
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks 2 gold stripes.png
Kit socks long.svg
Australia
FB1 Balmain colours.svg Morvin Edwards
LW2 Canberra colours.svg Sean Hoppe
RC3 Canterbury colours.svg Jarrod McCracken
LC4 Bullscolours.svg Dave Watson
RW5 North Sydney colours.svg Daryl Halligan
FE6 Newcastle colours.svg Tony Kemp
HB7 Eastern Suburbs colours.svg Gary Freeman (c)
PR8 Oldhamcolours.svg Se'e Solomona
HK9 Wolvescolours.svg Duane Mann
PR10 Gold Coast Chargers colours.svg Brent Todd
SR11 Rhinoscolours.svg Gary Mercer
SR12 Canberra colours.svg Quentin Pongia
LK13 Castleford colours.svg Tawera Nikau
Substitutions:
IC14 Saintscolours.svg Tea Ropati
IC15 Canberra colours.svg John Lomax
IC16 Fevcolours.svg Brendon Tuuta
IC17 St. George colours.svg Jason Donnelly
Coach:
Flag of New Zealand.svg Howie Tamati
FB1 Gold Coast Chargers colours.svg Dale Shearer
LW2 Brisbane colours.svg Michael Hancock
RC3 Canberra colours.svg Mal Meninga (c)
LC4 Penrith Panthers square flag icon with 2017 colours.svg Brad Fittler
RW5 Brisbane colours.svg Willie Carne
FE6 Canberra colours.svg Laurie Daley
HB7 Brisbane colours.svg Allan Langer
PR8 Brisbane colours.svg Glenn Lazarus
HK9 Canberra colours.svg Steve Walters
PR10 Newcastle colours.svg Paul Harragon
SR11 Balmain colours.svg Paul Sironen
SR12 Illawarra colours.svg Bob Lindner
LF13 Canberra colours.svg Bradley Clyde
Substitutions:
IC14 Western Suburbs colours.svg David Gillespie
IC15 Brisbane colours.svg Kevin Walters
IC16 St. George colours.svg Brad Mackay
IC17 Cronulla colours.svg Andrew Ettingshausen
Coach:
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bob Fulton

After a day of torrential rain, the second test was played on a very wet Palmerston North Showgrounds. The overflow crowd of 19,500 were allowed onto the speedway track and close to the pitch and a number of times in the second half play was halted as a result of balls being lost in the crowd which had been souvenired by spectators. This prompted rival captains Garry Freeman and Mal Meninga to appeal to English referee Russell Smith to actually abandon the game. However, the game continued and the Australia's eventually took a 1-0 lead in the series with a 16-8 win.

Third Test

Australia's series win extended their series streak over New Zealand to 40 years with the Kangaroos not having lost a test series to the Kiwis since 1952.

30 June 1993
Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg16 – 4Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand
Tries:
Brad Fittler
Michael Hancock
Mal Meninga
Goals:
Dale Shearer (2)
[10] [11] [12]
Tries:



Goals:
Gavin Hill (2)
Lang Park, Brisbane
Attendance: 32,000
Referee: Russell Smith Flag of England.svg
Player of the Match: Laurie Daley Australian colours.svg
Kit left arm kangaroos.png
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body kangaroos1992.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm kangaroos.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts thingoldsides.png
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks 2 gold stripes.png
Kit socks long.svg
Australia
Kit left arm whiteborder.png
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body whiteV.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm whiteborder.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks hoops white.png
Kit socks long.svg
New Zealand
FB1 Gold Coast Chargers colours.svg Dale Shearer
LW2 Brisbane colours.svg Michael Hancock
RC3 Canberra colours.svg Mal Meninga (c)
LC4 Penrith Panthers square flag icon with 2017 colours.svg Brad Fittler
RW5 Brisbane colours.svg Willie Carne
FE6 Canberra colours.svg Laurie Daley
HB7 Brisbane colours.svg Allan Langer
PR8 Brisbane colours.svg Glenn Lazarus
HK9 Canberra colours.svg Steve Walters
PR10 Newcastle colours.svg Paul Harragon
SR11 Balmain colours.svg Paul Sironen
SR12 Illawarra colours.svg Bob Lindner
LF13 Canberra colours.svg Bradley Clyde
Substitutions:
IC14 Western Suburbs colours.svg David Gillespie
IC15 Cronulla colours.svg Andrew Ettingshausen
IC16 Brisbane colours.svg Kevin Walters
IC17 Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Ian Roberts
Coach:
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bob Fulton
FB1 Balmain colours.svg Morvin Edwards
LW2 Canberra colours.svg Sean Hoppe
RC3 Canterbury colours.svg Jarrod McCracken
LC4 Bullscolours.svg Dave Watson
RW5 St. George colours.svg Jason Donnelly
FE6 Newcastle colours.svg Tony Kemp
HB7 Eastern Suburbs colours.svg Gary Freeman (c)
PR8 Canterbury colours.svg Gavin Hill
HK9 Wolvescolours.svg Duane Mann
PR10 Gold Coast Chargers colours.svg Brent Todd
SR11 Rhinoscolours.svg Gary Mercer
SR12 Fevcolours.svg Brendon Tuuta
LK13 Castleford colours.svg Tawera Nikau
Substitutions:
IC14 Western Suburbs colours.svg Stephen Kearney
IC15 Canberra colours.svg John Lomax
IC16 Saintscolours.svg Tea Ropati
IC17 North Sydney colours.svg Daryl Halligan
Coach:
Flag of New Zealand.svg Howie Tamati

The only test match played in Australia in 1993 saw some 32,000 turn out at Lang Park in Brisbane to see Australia wrap up the Trans-Tasman series 2-0. Scoring three times themselves, the Kangaroos kept their line intact to run out 16-4 winners and send retiring forward Bob Lindner out on a winning note.

See also

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References

  1. 1993 Australia vs New Zealand at Rugby League Project
  2. 1st Test Report
  3. "The Canberra Times Sport - NZ already making excuses: ARL". The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. 20 Jun 1993. p. 20. Retrieved 1 Jan 2022.
  4. "History created on two fronts in nail-biting Test". The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. 21 Jun 1993. p. 32. Retrieved 1 Jan 2022.
  5. New Zealand vs Australia - 1st Test highlights
  6. 2nd Test Report
  7. "The Canberra Times Sport - Double cross accusation on eve of Test". The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. 25 Jun 1993. p. 28. Retrieved 1 Jan 2022.
  8. "Meninga leads Aussie triumph". The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. 26 Jun 1993. p. 1. Retrieved 1 Jan 2022.
  9. "The Canberra Times Sport - Mal makes giant effort in comeback". The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. 26 Jun 1993. p. 20. Retrieved 1 Jan 2022.
  10. 3rd Test Report
  11. "The Canberra Times Sport - Aust to target NZ pygmy back row". The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. 30 Jun 1993. p. 36. Retrieved 1 Jan 2022.
  12. Hepworth, Kevin (1 Jul 1993). "Spiteful end marks tough Test series". The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. p. 24. Retrieved 1 Jan 2022.