1998 New Zealand rugby league tour of Great Britain
The 1998 New Zealand rugby league tour of Great Britain was a tour by the New Zealand national rugby league team. The New Zealand national rugby league team defeated Great Britain 2–0 in the three match test series.
Background
New Zealand arrived in Great Britain for the first time since the 1995 World Cup, having already lost a test series 1–2 with Australia. It was the first full tour of Great Britain by a New Zealand side since 1993.
Many of the squad, including coach
Squad
The squad included two sets of brothers; the Iros,
Name | Test1 | Test2 | Test3 | Games | Tries | Goals | FGs | Points | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Richie Barnett | FB | FB | FB | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | Sydney Roosters |
Nathan Cayless | BE | BE | BE | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Parramatta Eels |
Syd Eru | HK | HK | HK | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Auckland Warriors
|
Daryl Halligan | WG | WG | WG | 3 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 28 | Canterbury Bulldogs |
Sean Hoppe | WG | WG | WG | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | Auckland Warriors
|
Kevin Iro | CE | CE | CE | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Auckland Warriors
|
Tony Iro | BE | BE | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Adelaide Rams | |
Stacey Jones | HB | HB | HB | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | Auckland Warriors
|
Stephen Kearney | SR | SR | SR | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | Auckland Warriors
|
Jarrod McCracken | SR | SR | SR | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Parramatta Eels |
Henry Paul | BE | BE | BE | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | Wigan Warriors |
Robbie Paul |
FE | FE | FE | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 | Bradford Bulls |
Quentin Pongia (c) | PR | PR | PR | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Auckland Warriors
|
Tony Puletua | BE | BE | BE | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | Penrith Panthers |
Craig Smith |
BE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Illawarra Steelers | ||
Logan Swann | LK | LK | LK | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Auckland Warriors
|
Joe Vagana | PR | PR | PR | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | Auckland Warriors
|
Ruben Wiki | CE | CE | CE | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | Canberra Raiders |
- Coach: Auckland Warriors)
Fixtures
They won the first two test matches 22–16 and 36–16 before being held to a 23-all draw in the third and final test match. Australian referee Bill Harrigan controlled all three Test matches.
In the second test match Great Britain were ahead 16–8 at halftime before letting in 28 points in the second half to lose the match and the series.[2][3]
Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Score | Attendance | Report |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
31 October 1998 | Great Britain | Alfred McAlpine Stadium, Huddersfield |
Won | 22–16 | 18,500 | [4] |
7 November 1998 | Great Britain | Reebok Stadium, Bolton |
Win | 36–16 | 27,486 | [5] |
14 November 1998 | Great Britain | Vicarage Road, Watford | Draw | 23–23 | 13,217 | [6] |
Aftermath
New Zealand next competed against Great Britain in the
The
References
- ^ Family power struggle is force behind fearsome Paul brothers Analysis of the relationship between Bradford and New Zealand rugby league siblings reveals plenty about their talents The Independent, 10 November 1998
- ^ Brits Face Kiwi Rout; Great Britain 16 New Zealand 36 The Mirror, 9 November 1998
- ^ "Rugby League: Kiwis tours build up special magic". The New Zealand Herald.
- ^ "Great Britain vs New Zealand 1998 Series - Game 1 - Rugby League Project".
- ^ "Great Britain vs New Zealand 1998 Series - Game 2 - Rugby League Project".
- ^ "Great Britain vs New Zealand 1998 Series - Game 3 - Rugby League Project".
- ^ Endacott seeks a new warrior class The coach of New Zealand's rugby league Test side is totally focused on a series victory The Independent, 30 October 1998