1993 Trans-Tasman Test series
The 1993 Trans-Tasman Test series was an international rugby league test series played in Australia between Australia and New Zealand. The series, which started on 20 June in Auckland and finished on 30 June in Brisbane, consisted of three test matches.[1] The three Tests attracted a total of 74,494 fans.
Australia
The Australians, coached by Bob Fulton, had been crowned Rugby League World Cup champions after winning the 1992 Rugby League World Cup Final for the 7th time at Wembley Stadium. Mal Meninga captained the side in the final two tests of the Trans-Tasman series but was forced to miss the first test after being suspended by the NSWRL. The captaincy for the first test fell to Meninga's Canberra Raiders team mate and New South Wales captain Laurie Daley.
The test series took place following the 1993 State of Origin series which was won by NSW. Dale Shearer's performances at fullback for Qld saw him earn a test recall in front of well performed World Cup fullback Tim Brasher. Bradley Clyde, who had not played in the Origin series due to injury was also recalled to the team.
New Zealand
The Kiwis, coached by Howie Tamati and captained by Gary Freeman had lost their 1992 home series against the touring Great Britain Lions. New Zealand would be without their goal kicking fullback Matthew Ridge to a season ending knee injury but would lack for nothing in goal kicking thanks to the presence of their 'other' superboot Daryl Halligan.
First Test
Australia went into the game without regular captain Mal Meninga who had been suspended for 2 games for using an elbow on Manly Warringah's Welsh import John Devereux in a club game almost 2 weeks earlier (ironically, Manly's club coach was also Australian coach Bob Fulton). The captaincy for the test was handed to NSW captain, Meninga's Canberra Raiders team mate Laurie Daley.
20 June 1993 |
New Zealand  |
14 – 14 |  Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Sean Hoppe (2) Goals: Daryl Halligan (3) |
[2] | Tries: Dale Shearer Steve Walters Goals: Dale Shearer (2) Field Goals: Laurie Daley (2) |
The first test at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium almost produced a shock result. After two tries from winger Sean Hoppe, one an intercept off a Dale Shearer pass that saw him race 80 metres to score, out pacing Shearer and Willie Carne, the Kiwis led 14-13 late in the game until a cool under pressure Laurie Daley slotted his second field goal of the game to salvage a 14-all draw for the reigning World Champions.
Second Test
25 June 1993 |
| New Zealand |
8 – 16 | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Gary Freeman Goals: Daryl Halligan (2) |
[3] | Tries: Bradley Clyde Willie Carne Michael Hancock Goals: Dale Shearer (2) |
Palmerston North Showgrounds, Palmerston North Attendance: 19,500 Referee/s: Russell Smith  Man of the Match: Bradley Clyde  |
After a day of torrential rain, the second test was played on a very wet Palmerston North Showgrounds. The overflow crowd of 19,500 were allowed onto the speedway track and close to the pitch and a number of times play was halted as a result of balls being lost in the crowd. This prompted rival captains Garry Freeman and Mal Meninga (who was recalled after serving his suspension) to appeal to referee Russell Smith to actually abandon the game. However, the game continued and the Australia's eventually took a 1-0 lead in the series with a 16-8 win.
Third Test
Australia's series win extended their series streak over New Zealand to 40 years with the Kangaroos not having lost a test series to the Kiwis since 1952.
30 June 1993 |
| Australia |
16 – 4 | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Brad Fittler Michael Hancock Mal Meninga Goals: Dale Shearer (2) |
[4] | Tries: Goals: Gavin Hill (2) |
The only test match played in Australia in 1993 saw some 32,000 turn out at Lang Park in Brisbane to see Australia wrap up the Trans-Tasman series 2-0. Scoring three times themselves, the Kangaroos kept their line intact to run out 16-4 winners and send retiring forward Bob Lindner out on a winning note.
See also
- Australian national rugby league team
- New Zealand national rugby league team
- Australia vs New Zealand in rugby league