The 1998 Anzac test was a rugby league test match played between Australia and New Zealand at the North Harbour Stadium 24 April 1998. It was the 2nd Anzac test played between the two nations since the first was played under the Super League banner in 1997 and the first to be played in New Zealand.

1998 (1998) Anzac Test  ()
12 Total
NZL 616 22
AUS 124 16
Date24 April 1998
StadiumNorth Harbour Stadium
LocationAuckland, New Zealand
Robbie Paul
RefereeRussell Smith England
Attendance24,620
Broadcast partners
Broadcasters
Commentators
← 1997
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Australia led 12-6 at half time after two tries to Terry Hill while Kevin Iro crossed for the home side, but the Kiwis came back thanks to two tries after half time by Sean Hoppe and Terry Hermansson which saw NZ lead 18-12. After Steve Renouf scored with only his 3rd touch of the game midway through the second half, the game was in the balance with the score at 18-16. Kevin Iro then put the result beyond doubt with his second try with 2 minutes remaining to give the home side a 22-16 win in front of an almost full house of 24,620 fans. This was New Zealand's first win over Australia since the first test of the 1991 Trans-Tasman Test series at the Olympic Park Stadium in Melbourne.[1]

Squads

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Although Rodney Howe, Brad Thorn and Darren Lockyer had played Super League Tests for Australia in 1997, according to official Australian Rugby League records (but not International Rugby League records) which do not recognise any test match played under the Super League banner, they along with Mat Rogers made their test debuts for Australia in this game.

New Zealand Position Australia
  Matthew Ridge (c) Fullback Robbie O'Davis  
  Sean Hoppe Wing Wendell Sailor  
  Richie Blackmore Centre Terry Hill  
  Ruben Wiki Centre Steve Renouf  
  Richie Barnett Wing Mat Rogers  
  Robbie Paul Five-eighth Laurie Daley (c)  
  Stacey Jones Halfback Andrew Johns  
  John Lomax Prop Rodney Howe  
  Henry Paul Hooker Geoff Toovey  
  Quentin Pongia Prop Paul Harragon  
  Jarrod McCracken Second-row Steve Menzies  
  Tony Iro Second-row Brad Thorn  
  Logan Swann Lock Brad Fittler  
  Nigel Vagana Interchange Darren Lockyer  
  Terry Hermansson Interchange Nik Kosef  
  Kevin Iro Interchange Glenn Lazarus  
  Joe Vagana Interchange Dean Pay  
  Frank Endacott Coach Bob Fulton  

Match summary

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24 April 1998
7:30pm (AEST)
New Zealand   22 – 16   Australia
Tries
Kevin Iro (2)
Sean Hoppe
Terry Hermansson
Goals
Matthew Ridge (3/5)
[2]
Tries
Terry Hill (2)
Steve Renouf

Goals
Mat Rogers (2/4)
North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
Attendance: 24,620
Referee: Russell Smith  
Player of the Match: Robbie Paul  

References

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