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| Victorious Kiwi captain Ruben Wiki and stand off half Nigel Vagana after defeating the Aussies 30-16 |
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| Above: Kiwis Thomas, Vinnie & Monty celebrate another try against the Aussies |
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| Kiwi captain Rueben Wiki (centre) shares a joyous moment with prop forwards the Cayless brothers, Jason (left) & Nathan (right) after downing the Aussies |
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| the victorious Kiwis pose with the Trans Tasman Cup click 2 enlarge |
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| Aussie fullback & captain Darren Lockyer hits the line |
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| Tony Puletua is hit by Aussie enforcers Robbie Kearns and Shane Webcke. |
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| Jubilant Kiwis Leuluai - top, Vinnie, Toopi & Faafili congratulate each other on their tries against the Aussies. |
| North Harbour Stadium, Auckland. New Zealand 18 October, 2003. |
| Under new coach Daniel Anderson the Kiwis inflicted a rare but spectacular 30-16 victory over the Australian Kangaroos in the Centenary Test Match before 21,000 jubilant fans. Against the odds this major sporting upset delivered sweet revenge for the 48-6 whipping the Kiwis suffered at the hands of the classy Aussies in Sydney in July 2003. From zero's to hero's, Kiwis Clinton Toopi scored a record 3 tries and centre Vinnie Anderson bagged 2 tries on debut. Halfback Thomas Leuluai also on debut continued the excellent rookie form shown during the year with the Warriors. Penrith's Kiwi forwards Galuvao and Puletua, captain Ruben Wiki and the whole team lifted their game above the Aussies. The Kangaroos led early but the Kiwis had their measure then went away with it in the second half to square it 1-1 for 2003. |
| Final score New Zealand 30 Australia 16 Tries: Anderson (2), Fa'afili, Toopi (3) Tries: Kimmorley, Simpson, Webcke Goals: Faumuina (3) Goals: Fitzgibbon (2) Halftime Kiwis 14-10 click for match report pics by NRL & Photosport.co.nz |
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| New Zealand Kiwi & Warriors scrum-half Stacey Jones won the prestigious 2002 Golden Boot Award voted for by international journalists. After the Warriors 2002 Grand Final shot against the Sydney Roosters Jones teamed up with the Kiwis in late October for the tour to the UK & France where they drew the 3 game series against Great Britain. "It's a massive honour," said Jones, who is only the second Kiwi, after Hugh McGahan, to earn the Golden boot award for the best rugby league player in the world for 2002. Andrew Johns won the award in 2000 and 2001. |
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| Kiwi coach Daniel Anderson |
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| Kiwi second rower Awen Guttenbeil |
| Kangaroo hooker Danny Buderus |
| Kiwi Thomas Leuluai |
| Prop Jason Cayless |
| Steve Simpson |
| pics from the Kangaroos 48-6 defeat of the Kiwis in Sydney in July 03 Kiwi Clinton Toopi Shane Webcke Willy Mason match report |
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| Australia v New Zealand Test
Newcastle Australia Friday 23 April 2004 Crowd 21,5377 The Australian Kangaroos handed the Kiwis a fair dinkum 37-10 hiding in the traditional ANZAC test at Newcastle. The Kiwis struck first with tries to David Kidwell (6m) then Kangaroo fullback Anthony Minichiello replied (11m). Kiwi winger Lesley Vainikolo (18m) added another try as did his Australian opposite Timana Tahu (18m). Lockyer landed a drop goal to grab a 11-10 halftime lead. Despite losing key players Nathan Cayless and Robbie Paul to concussion the Kiwis matched their opponents in the first half but failed to hold them in the second half. Led by by halves Craig Gower and Darren Lockyer Australia blew the Kiwis aside scoring five tries to Tate, De Vere, Gower, and Crocker in the second half as the Kiwi challenge collapsed. Australia 37 A Minichiello, T Tahu, B Tate, M De Vere D Lockyer C Gower M Crocker tries M De Vere 4 goals D Lockyer field goal. New Zealand 10 D Kidwell L Vainikolo tries S Faumuina 2 goals Referee: S Hampstead click for full match report Kiwis Nigel Vagana, Leslie Vainakolo, Paul Whatuira, Clinton Toopi, Francis Meli, Sione Faumuina, Thomas Leuluai, Jason Cayless, Robbie Paul, Nathan Cayless, Tony Puletua, Joe Galuvao, Ruben Wiki. Reserves: Jerry Seuseu, Sonny Bill Williams, David Kidwell, Stephen Kearney Australia Anthony Minichiello, Timana Tahu, Matthew Gidley, Brent Tate, Michael De Vere, Darren Lockyer (c), Craig Gower, Shaun Timmins, Steve Price, Nathan Hindmarsh, Joel Clinton, Danny Buderus, Shane Webcke. Bench: Shaun Berrigan, Michael Crocker, Trent Waterhouse, Luke Bailey |
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| Kiwi winger Lesley Vainakolo beats Timana Tahu and Minichello to score |
| Kiwi half Thomas Leuluai
gets a pass away |
| Tony Puletua
on the charge |
| triumphant Kangaroo captain Darren Lockyer holds the Bill Kelly Memorial trophy after defeating the Kiwis 37-10 |
| Kiwi forward David Kidwell beats Aussie fullback Minichello to scoreKiwis |
| Kangaroo hit up man Shane Webcke
had an awesome game |
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