The ANZAC Test took place for the last time in 2019.
The annual ANZAC Test was a representative Rugby League football matched played between the Australian Kangaroos and New Zealand Kiwis just after ANZAC Day (April 25) in early May.
The ANZAC Test took place from 1997 until 2017 mid-season, after which the Rugby League tournament moved to after the NRL season was complete.
The NRL ANZAC Test Match has taken place post-season the NRL season since 2018.
Inaugurated in 1997 the two teams in the NRL test match played for the Bill Kelly Memorial Trophy, named in honour of Trans-Tasman football legend William Kelly who played and coached for both New Zealand and Australia during the 1920s, ‘30s and ‘40s.
The ANZAC Test, also known as the Trans-Tasman Test, was first introduced by the Super League in 1997 and the first match saw Australia defeat New Zealand 34 – 22 in Sydney in front of 23,829 spectators.
Australia are the dominant ANZAC Test winners throughout history boasting 17 titles from the 20 tests played (up until 2019, inclusive) and as such usually dominated ANZAC Test betting.
The ANZAC Test played out over various venues in Australia including five at Lang Park, now Suncorp Stadium, in Brisbane and most recently WIN Stadium at Wollongong for the 2019 edition won by Australia.
New Zealand have only hosted the Test three times: winning 22 – 16 in 1998, going down 20 – 12 in 2012 and losing in a tight 26-24 edition at Mt. Smart Stadium in 2018.
The ACT hosted the 2017 ANZAC Test at GIO Stadium on Friday May 5 during the Rep Round of the NRL with the Mal Meninga-coached Kangaroos scoring a dominant 30 – 12 win over the New Zealand Kiwis in the final mid-season clash.
The ANZAC Test date featured a double-header with the women’s test match played between the Jillaroos and the Kiwi Ferns, Australia also successful with a 16 – 4 victory. It was the first time the ANZAC NRL Test match was played in Canberra since 26,000 footy fans turned out for the 2013 edition won by the Kangaroos 32 – 12.
2017 was the final ANZAC Test with all future games involving the Kangaroos played post the NRL season from 2018 onwards.
ANZAC Test Records
- Most ANZAC Test Wins: Australia (17 from 20 test played)
- Biggest ANZAC Test Winning Margin: 52 points – Australia kept NZ scoreless at Sydney’s Stadium Australia in 2000
- Highest ANZAC Test Attendance: 44,191 fans turned up to watch Australia score an easy 50 – 12 victory over the Kiwis in Brisbane on May 5, 2006
Anzac Test Betting
ANZAC Test betting offers head-to-head markets on the annual representative clash with Australia traditionally favourites to win the title.
All of the standard NRL odds are open on the game like First Try Scorer and Winning Margin as well as Man of the Match betting markets.
ANZAC Test Results
Team |
ANZAC Test Wins |
KANGAROOS (Australia) |
17 |
KIWIS (New Zealand) |
3 |
ANZAC Test Winners
- From 1997 – 1999 the ANZAC Test Winners were awarded the Anzac Trophy
- From 2004 – onward the ANZAC Test Champion Team receive the Bill Kelly Memorial Trophy
YEAR |
WINNER |
RUNNERS UP |
SCORE |
2019 |
AUSTRALIA |
NEW ZEALAND |
26-4 |
2018 |
AUSTRALIA |
NEW ZEALAND |
26-24 |
2017 |
AUSTRALIA |
NEW ZEALAND |
30-12 |
2016 |
AUSTRALIA |
NEW ZEALAND |
16-0 |
2015 |
NEW ZEALAND |
AUSTRALIA |
26-12 |
2014 |
AUSTRALIA |
NEW ZEALAND |
30-18 |
2013 |
AUSTRALIA |
NEW ZEALAND |
32-12 |
2012 |
AUSTRALIA |
NEW ZEALAND |
20-12 |
2011 |
AUSTRALIA |
NEW ZEALAND |
20-10 |
2010 |
AUSTRALIA |
NEW ZEALAND |
12-8 |
2009 |
AUSTRALIA |
NEW ZEALAND |
38-10 |
2008 |
AUSTRALIA |
NEW ZEALAND |
28-12 |
2007 |
AUSTRALIA |
NEW ZEALAND |
30-6 |
2006 |
AUSTRALIA |
NEW ZEALAND |
32-16 |