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                                                              Saturday   16 October   North Harbour Stadium Albany NZ   Crowd 19,000

MATCH REPORT
A riveting 16-16 draw opened the 2004 Tri-Nations rugby league series in wet and windy Auckland. It was only the second draw between the trans-Tasman rivals in 102 tests and despite the drizzle the match was tense and exciting throughout with some awesome action.

The Kiwi posted first points in the 6th minute when stand off Vinnie Anderson charged across to score in the right corner. With the Brent Webb conversion the home side were up 6-0.   Kangaroo winger Luke Rooney hit back with a try 7 minutes later followed by a try to fullback Anthony Minichiello after the Kiwi defence was caught short out wide. Lockyer converted both tries to put Aussie in front 12-6 after 20 minutes.   Rooney crossed for his second try after the ball was sent out wide. At 16-6 it looked like Australia would go to the break with a dominant lead but the Kiwis hit back with a big counterpunch just before halftime that would have a strong bearing on the outcome. After a strong charge from Nathan Cayless 19-year-old debutant Louis Anderson burrowed his way over to score from dummy half in the 36th minute. The first half closed at 16-12 to Australia.

Kiwi sensation Sonny Bill Williams led the way with another barnstorming display that enhanced his growing reputation as one of the most exciting players around. His bone shaking hits in defence and big plays in attack won him the man-of-the-match award. In the second half the wet conditions affected the game especially for the Aussies who came off a huge win the previous week in 35 degree conditions in Townsville.

Despite a superior kicking game from halves Craig Gower and captain Darren Lockyer the Kiwis maintained a solid defensive effort with David Kidwell, Puletua, Wiki, Williams, Galuvao, Jason and Nathan Cayless, Asotasi and Louis Anderson keeping the pressure on the Aussies. Off the interchange Motu Tony sparked some life into the Kiwi attack at a time when their condition might have sagged.

It wasnt until the 55th minute that the Kiwis levelled up. After some sloppy play from the Roos Craig Wing threw a shocking pass on the fifth tackle that forced Lockyer to clean up the crumbs. Unable to get a kick away he was caught on the last tackle. From the ensuing set Meli made amends for his earlier defensive errors, forcing his way through Wing, Rooney and Willie Tonga to get across the line from dummy and lock up a 16-all scoreline. The final 12 minutes had 19,000 fans on knife edge with four field goal shots going astray, - two from Gower one from Lockyer and Kiwi halfback Thomas Leuluai. Kiwi newcomers Louis Anderson, Brent Webb and Roy Asotasi all had strong debuts. For Australia Lockyer, Webcke, Willy Mason, Minichello, Hindmarsh, Buderus and Rooney stood out.

Matt Utai, Joe Galuvao and Tony Puletua are unavailable for the UK tour due to surgery on injuries while 29 year old Alex Chan (Storm) has been called into the touring team. Both teams flew to the UK on Sunday where they will meet again on Saturday 23 October at Loftus Road Stadium, London 6.15pm (UK).   Kiwis Robbie Paul, forward Logan Swann and backs Lesley Vainikolo and Shontayne Hape, and Leeds second rower Ali Lauiti'iti join the Kiwi squad in England after Leeds defeated Bradford 16-8 in the Superleague Grand Final .

New Zealand 16: Tries: Vinnie Anderson, Louis Anderson, Francis Meli. Goal kicks: Brent Webb (2)
Australia 16: Tries: Luke Rooney (2), Anthony Minichiello. Goal kicks: Darren Lockyer (2)
Halftime Australia 12-6

Kiwis: Brent Webb, Francis Meli, Nigel Vagana, Paul Whatuira, Matt Utai, Vinnie Anderson, Thomas Leuluai, Jason Cayless, Louis Anderson, Ruben Wiki (c), Tony Puletua, Joe Galuvao, Sonny-Bill Williams. Interchange. Motu Tony, Roy Asotasi, Nathan Cayles, David Kidwell.

Australia: Anthony Minichiello, Luke Rooney, Shaun Berrigan, Willie Tonga, Matt Sing, Darren Lockyer (capt), Craig Gower, Shane Webcke, Danny Buderus, Jason Ryles, Willie Mason, Nathan Hindmarsh, Tonie Carroll. Interchange: Craig Wing, Petero Civoniceva, Ben Kennedy, Andrew Ryan

New Zealand 16 v Australia 16           16 October        Auckland
   New Zealand 12 v Australia 32           23 October        London
   Great Britain      8 v Australia 12           30 October        Manchester
   Great Britain    22 v New Zealand 12      6 November   Huddersfield
   Great Britain    24 v Australia 12            13 November   Wigan
   Great Britain    26 v New Zealand 22    20 November   Hull
Final   Australia 44 v Great Britain 4 Saturday 27 November   Elland Road Stadium, Leeds

An ANZAC Australia-New Zealand team beat Cumbria 64-12 on Wednesday 27 October
International    New Zealand beat France 24-20 at , Carcassone, France 11 November.

Willy Mason is halted by defenders
Wiki, Cayless and Anderson

Kiwi newcomer
Louis Anderson's try
before halftime proved
a critical turning point

Motu Tony (14) checks Willy Tonga
in his Kangaroo debut

Bulldogs teamates Matt Utai
and big Willy Mason

Sonny Bill caused all
sorts of headaches
for the Aussie defence

Civoneciva (l) and Tonie Carroll
try to bundle up Sonny Bill

Roy Asotasi had a massive
debut for the Kiwis

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up-to-date information about the Great Britain RL team

                                                  Saturday 23 October    Loftus Rd Stadium   London   Crowd 17,000

MATCH REPORT
Australia came back from 8-12 down at halftime to post 24 second half points in a sensational 32-12 win over the Kiwis. The wet conditions made handling difficult and cost both sides scoring opportunities.   Nevertheless after last weeks cliffhanger in Auckland, a full house of around 17,000, including vocal Aussie and Kiwi expats added to an exciting match at Loftus Road .

The Kiwis opened the scoring in the third minute after Sonny Bill Williams somehow slipped a pass to Vagana who offloaded to Brent Webb to touchdown and put the Kiwis up 4-0. The Kangaroos hit back with a try to Luke Rooney who collected an inside pass from Tonga to score in the Kiwis right side corner. Craig Fitzgibbon added the conversion then a penalty to lead 8-4.

In the second 20 minutes the Kiwis lifted their game to post an awesome try after the ball was moved through Webb, Leuluai, Vinnie then onto Vainikolo who scored in the corner. The Kiwis followed up with another big play that saw Vinnie Anderson score off an inside pass from Logan Swann. At halftime they had the edge 12-8, but not for long.

The Roos came back a different side with captain Lockyer nailing their second try 90 seconds in the second half. They showed more purpose and were more confident around the rucks as they gained momentum off Gower and Lockyers kicking game. Centre Willie Tonga capped an excellent game by running onto Lockyers pass then barging over the line to score.

The smart plays got smarter minutes later when Gower grubber kicked for Shaun Berrigan to score by beating 2 defenders to the pounce in goal. With six minutes left the Aussies put the match beyond reach after Civoniceva scored to lock up a 32-12 victory.

The Kiwis predictable kicking game lacked the skill and accuracy of their opponents. Webb's dismal goalkicking never helped much either. Their defensive lapses, handling errors and mistackles allowed the Roos to post a stunnning second half performance.

However once again Sonny Bill Williams stood out with some impressive bone shattering hits and some clever offloads. Vinnie, Jason Cayless, Roy Asotasi, Kidwell and winger Vainikolo all had strong games and earned their spot for the Kiwis next match against Great Britain Lions in 2 weeks.

Australia 32 Tries: Luke Rooney, Darren Lockyer, Willie Tonga Shaun Berrigan, Petero Civoniceva.
                        Goals: Craig Fitzgibbon 5, Berrigan
Kiwis 12 Tries: Brent Webb, Lesley Vainikolo, Vinnie Anderson.
Halftime Kiwis: 12-8

Kiwis: Brent Webb, Francis Meli, Nigel Vagana, Paul Whatuira, Lesley Vainikolo, Vinnie Anderson,
Thomas Leuluai, Jason Cayless, Louis Anderson, Nathan Cayless, Reuben WIki, Logan Swann,
Sonny-Bill Williams.     Interchange: Robbie Paul, Roy Asotasi, David Kidwell, Paul Rauhihi.

Australia: Anthony Minichiello; Luke Rooney, Shaun Berrigan, Willie Tonga, Matt Sing; Darren Lockyer (capt), Craig Gower; Tonie Carroll, Nathan Hindmarsh, Craig Fitzgibbon, Jason Ryles, Danny Buderus, Shane Webcke.
Interchange Craig Wing, Petero Civoniceva, Willy Mason, Shaun Timmins.

Lesley Vainikolo had
an awesome game grabbing 1 try

Luke Rooney

Lesley Vainikolo nicknamed "the Volcano" heads for the try line

Kangaroos Willy Mason and Webcke wrap up Kiwi centre Paul Whatuira with Danny Buderus (r)

Kiwi forward Roy Asotasi hits
a wall of Aussie defenders

Game 2 Preview Kiwis v Kangaroos Saturday 23 October London

After last weeks 16 all draw this should be one massive ripper of a match. The Kiwis line up two sets of brothers against the Aussies in game 2 of the Tri Nations in London; the Cayless's up front and the Anderson's, 19 year old hooker Louis and Vinnie at stand off.

Captain Rueben Wiki partners up with Logan Swann in the second row with the "Volcano" replacing Matt Utai on the wing. Paul Rauhihi benches up with Asotasi and Kidwell. Robbie Paul, Brent Webb and Leuluai will form the key playmakers for the Kiwis.

Craig Fitzgibbon's return sees Willy Mason move to the bench. The Kangaroos key game breakers lie in the Lockyer, Gower, Buderus and Minichello combination.

Interest in the Tri Nations series is high with the Sydney (246,714) and Brisbane (175,571) TV ratings for the 16-16 all drawn test between Australia and New Zealand attracting more than 5 times the audience of any other commercial station. The afternoon figures outgunned even Saturday night prime time audiences on some stations. Spurred by a drawn opener of the highest order, Anzac rivalry, the Sonny Bill factor and the Tall Poppy thing a follow on is expected for the return match beween Australia and New Zealand in London. ratings

Brent Webb after the
16 all draw with Australia

Jason & Nathan Cayless

Louis & Vinnie Anderson

New Zealand Kiwis

For the first time in almost a century an Anzac team of Australian and New Zealand players will combine to play Cumbria on Wednesday, 27 October 7.30pm. The hit out provides players not selected in their countrys starting line up a chance to press their claims for test selection.

The team will be jointly coached by Craig Bellamy, assistant to the Kangaroo's Wayne Bennett, and James Leuluai, assistant to Kiwis coach Daniel Anderson. The Anzacs: M Bowen (Aus); S Hape (NZ), B Tate (Aus), M Cooper (Aus), J Lolesi (NZ); S Hill (Aus), B Kimmorley (Aus); P Rauhihi (NZ), D Halatau (NZ), M O'Meley (Aus), C Toopi (NZ), W Koopu (NZ), B Kennedy (Aus).
Subs: A Chan (NZ), S Timmins (Aus), H Fa'afili (NZ), L Sione (NZ).

Results
As predicted the Anzacs kicked ass big time scoring 11 tries to blast Cumbria away 64-12. Prop Mark O'Meley the destroyer grabbed 3 tries, Kiwi Shontayne Hape 2, Henry Fa'afili and Dene Halatau one each.

Man of the match Brett "Noddy" Kimmorley kicked 9 of 10 goals and looks set to step into Darren Lockyer boots for Australia's clash with Great Britain this weekend. With no specialist hooker in the Anzacs squad Kiwi Dene Halatau normally a centre played at hooker as the Anzacs wore their distinctive jerseys of New Zealand colours on one side and Australian colours on the other, and even had one of each sock on.

Anzacs 64 (Mark O'Meley 3, Shontayne Hape 2, Matt Bowen, Matt Cooper, Dene Halatau,
Scott Hill, Brent Tate, Henry Fa'afili tries; Brett Kimmorley 9 goals, Matt Bowen goal)
Cumbria 12 (Craig Calvert 2, Oliver Wilkes tries). Halftime: 28-12. Crowd 4,500

27 October

ANZACS v Cumbria

Mark "the destroyer" O'Meley had a top game for the Anzacs but cant get a look in the Aussie team

Wests Tigers & Kiwi centre Dean Halatau had a strong game for the A

Brett Kimmorley

Scott Hill in the distinctive Anzac
jersey, half Kiwi half Aussie

                                                                         Lions lucked out
                                                   Saturday October 30       Manchester          Crowd 38,572

British fans were stunned in the last minute as Aussie winger Luke Rooney snapped an 8 all deadlock with a hell
of a try in the corner. The Lions led 8-4 at halftime with tries to Martin Gleeson and Brian Carney. Big Willy Mason charged over to score for Australia just before halftime. It was an exciting closely fought clash throughout.

In the final quarter the Australians' momentum took a hold of the match.   Both teams tried frantic attempts at
drop goals until Rooney snatched the heartbreaker in front of a capacity crowd at the City of Manchester Stadium.

Australia 12     L Rooney 2, W Mason tries)
Great Britain 8 M Gleeson, B Carney tries
Halftime : Great Britain   8-4

AUSTRALIA: A Minichiello, L Rooney, W Tonga, S Berrigan, M Sing, S Hill, C Gower,
B Kimmorley, T Carroll, N Hindmarsh, A Ryan, S Webcke, D Buderus (c), J Ryles.
Interchange: C Wing, W Mason, P Civoniceva, S Timmins, B Kennedy.

GREAT BRITAIN : Kris Radlinski, Paul Wellens, Stuart Reardon, Brian Carney, Stephen Wild, Martin Gleeson,
Keith Senior, Chev Walker, Danny McGuire, Sean Long, Terry Newton, Stuart Fielden, Andy Farrell (c),
Adrian Morley, Ryan Bailey, Jamie Peacock, Gareth Ellis, Paul Sculthorpe, Sean O'Loughlin.

Martin Gleeson

Luke Rooney

Willy Mason

Kiwis 24 v France 20
Thursday 11 November Carcasonne, France Crowd 3,500

Four players made their Kiwi debut in New Zealands 50th test against France. Jamaal Lolesi started in the unfamiliar role of fullback, Dene Halatau at hooker, Alex Chan and Wairangi Koopu at lock. In an unpredictable move coach Daniel Anderson has picked Henry Fa'afili at five-eighth outside Robbie Paul.

The Kiwis scraped home with a last gasp try by Ali Lauitiiti to snatch a 24-20 win over France. Clinton Toopi scored two tries with Shontayne Hape, Rueben Wiki grabbing one each against a French side put together 3 days ago. The French played with pride and led 12-8 at halftime.

The Kiwi halves Robbie Paul and Henry Fa'afili struggled against their French opponents. Dean Halatau, Louis Anderson, Nathan Cayless, Alex Chan and Paul Rauhihi put in strong performance to get the Kiwis home in the second half. Down 18-20 with 3 three minutes left Lauitiiti put on some clever footwork to step inside the French defence and score under the posts.

Australia play Great Britain this week. The Kiwis meet the British next week and need to win to make the final against Australia on November 28.

New Zealand 24 (Clinton Toopi 2, Shontayne Hape, Ruben Wiki, Ali Lauitiiti tries; Robbie Paul 2 goals)
France 20 (Maxime Greseque, Claude Sirvent, Frederic Zitter tries; Greseque 4 goals)
Halftime: 8-12

New Zealand: J Lolesi; N Vagana, P Whatuira, C Toopi, S Hape; H Fa'afili, R Paul;
P Rauhihi, D Halatau, A Chan, A Lauitiiti, R Asotasi, W Koopu. Subs: N Cayless,
J Cayless, R Wiki (capt), L Anderson

audio interview... Radio Sport talks with Dene Halatau ahead of his Kiwi test debut against against France.

Saturday 14 November Wigan Crowd 25,000

Great Britain have shattered any hopes the Kiwis had of making the Tri-nations final with a stunning 24-12 win over the Aussies. The British were up 18-6 at halftime with converted tries to Reardon, Newton and Fielden. Luke Rooney nailed the first try of the match for Australia.

Aussie prop Mark O'Meley scored in the second half but an intercept by the Lions centre Keith Senior
with three minutes remaining locked up a 24-12 scoreline. Great Britain meet the Kiwis next week
at Hull and are assured of a final clash against Australia in two weeks.

Great Britain Lions 24 T Newton, S Reardon, S Fielden, K Senior tries, A Farrell 4
Kangaroos 12 L Rooney, M O'Meley tries, C Fitzgibbon, B Kimmorley gls
Halftime : Great Britain 18-6

Vinnie Anderson

Paul Rauhihi

Alex Chan

Jamaal Lolesi

Dene Halatau

Ali Lauitiiti

Shontayne Hape