The 2011 ANZAC Test was a rugby league test match played between Australia and New Zealand on 6 May 2011 at Skilled Park on the Gold Coast. Australia won their tenth straight Anzac test with a score of 20–10.

2011 (2011) Anzac Test  ()
12 Total
AUS 1010 20
NZL 64 10
Date6 May 2011
StadiumSkilled Park
LocationGold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Paul Gallen
RefereeRichard Silverwood England
Attendance26,301
Broadcast partners
Broadcasters
Commentators
← 2010
2012 →

Pre-game

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The game was originally scheduled to be played in AMI Stadium in Christchurch but was moved because of the damages from the 2011 Canterbury earthquake. However, 250 earthquake victims and volunteer workers were flown in for the match. to be commemorated.[1]

New Zealand were given a chance by some pundits considering that they had beaten Australia in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup final and in the 2010 Four Nations. Winning the Anzac test was seen as the one achievement that alluded the New Zealand team. However, Australia went into the match as favorites, having won the last nine Anzac Tests and having never lost to New Zealand in an Anzac Test in Australia. The odds for an Australian win opened at $1.35 but dropped to $1.22 while New Zealand was paying $4.25.[2]

The New Zealand national anthem was performed by J.Williams.

Squads

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Australia Position New Zealand
Billy Slater
 
Fullback
 
Lance Hohaia
Brett Morris
 
Wing
 
Matt Duffie
Greg Inglis
 
Centre
 
Simon Mannering
Justin Hodges
 
Centre
 
Shaun Kenny-Dowall
Jharal Yow Yeh
 
Wing
 
Jason Nightingale
Darren Lockyer (c)
 
Five-Eighth
 
Benji Marshall (c)
Johnathan Thurston
 
Halfback
 
Kieran Foran
Petero Civoniceva
 
Prop
 
Sam Rapira
Cameron Smith
 
Hooker
 
Nathan Fien
Matthew Scott
 
Prop
 
Sam McKendry
Ben Creagh
 
2nd Row
 
Adam Blair
Sam Thaiday
 
2nd Row
 
Bronson Harrison
Paul Gallen
 
Lock
 
Jeremy Smith
Cooper Cronk
 
Interchange
 
Issac Luke
Ben Hannant
 
Interchange
 
Ben Matulino
Jamal Idris
 
Interchange
 
Fuifui Moimoi
Kade Snowden*
 
Interchange
 
Lewis Brown
Tim Sheens
 
Coach
 
Stephen Kearney

*Replaced originally selected David Shillington who withdrew due to injury.

Match summary

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6 May 2011
8:00pm (BST)
Australia   20 – 10   New Zealand
Tries
Billy Slater (2', 68') 2
Jharal Yow Yeh (20') 1
Jamal Idris (71') 1
Goals
Johnathan Thurston 2/4 (3', 69')
[3]
Tries
1 (36') Matt Duffie
1 (80') Lance Hohaia
Goals
1/2 (37') Benji Marshall
Skilled Park, Gold Coast
Attendance: 26,301
Referee: Richard Silverwood  
Player of the Match: Paul Gallen  

New Zealand were criticized after the game for their unforgiving error rate, most notably for a period in the second half where five consecutive New Zealand errors allowed Australia to score two tries to secure their win.[4][5] New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney said after the game "It seems a bit same old, same old – but I know we're taking steps in the right direction. The effort of the guys to keep hanging in there was a real positive.' [6] New Zealand had at least proved that they could be competitive with Australia again.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Earthquake victims fly in for Anzac test". Stuff.co.nz. 5 May 2011. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
  2. ^ "Punters jump on Kangaroos". rleague.com. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
  3. ^ Report
  4. ^ Barclay, Chris (7 May 2011). "Another sombre Anzac Test for New Zealand". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
  5. ^ Kilgallon, Steve (6 May 2011). "Slater, handling errors sink Kiwis". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
  6. ^ Kilgallon, Steve (7 May 2011). "A loss but Kiwis are progressing – Kearney". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
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28°4′1″S 153°22′44″E / 28.06694°S 153.37889°E / -28.06694; 153.37889 (Skilled Park)