2000 Anzac Test

The 2000 Anzac test was a rugby league test match played between Australia and New Zealand at the Sydney Olympic Stadium 21 April 2000. It was the fourth Anzac test played between the two nations since the first was played under the Super League banner in 1997 and the third to be played in Sydney.

2000 (2000) Anzac Test
Australia New Zealand 52 0
1 2 Total AUS 22 30 52 NZL 0 0 0
Date	21 April 2000
Stadium	Stadium Australia
Location	Sydney, Australia
Referee	Bill Harrigan
Attendance	26,023
Broadcast partners
Broadcasters	Nine Network (AUS) Sky Sport (NZ)
Commentators	Ray Warren Phil Gould Peter Sterling
Anzac Test ← 1999 2004 →

Squads

Scott Hill and Chris McKenna made their test debuts for Australia, while Tasesa Lavea made his debut for New Zealand.^[1]

Australia	Position	New Zealand
Darren Lockyer	Fullback	Richie Barnett (c)
Mat Rogers	Wing	Nigel Vagana
Ryan Girdler	Centre	Richie Blackmore
Shaun Timmins	Centre	Henry Paul
Wendell Sailor	Wing	Lesley Vainikolo
Brad Fittler (c)	Five-eighth	Robbie Paul
Brett Kimmorley	Halfback	Stacey Jones
Shane Webcke	Prop	Joe Vagana
Jason Hetherington	Hooker	Richard Swain
Rodney Howe	Prop	Craig Smith
Gorden Tallis	Second-row	Matt Rua
Bryan Fletcher	Second-row	Stephen Kearney
Jason Smith	Lock	Tyran Smith
Jason Stevens	Interchange	Tony Puletua
Robbie Kearns	Interchange	Jason Lowrie
Scott Hill	Interchange	David Kidwell
Chris McKenna	Interchange	Tasesa Lavea
Chris Anderson	Coach	Frank Endacott

Match Summary

Australia withstood an early challenge from the Kiwis before running in four tries in the first half with a further five tries after the break. The win set a then record winning margin and highest score for Australia in rugby league test matches against New Zealand.^[2] With two tries and eight goals, Mat Rogers set the individual points scoring record for Australia at 24 points in matches against New Zealand, breaking the record of Eric Simms.^[1]

Friday, 21 April 2000 19:30 AEST (UTC+10)

Australia	52 – 0	New Zealand
Tries: 9 Brad Fittler (2) Mat Rogers (2) Ryan Girdler Chris McKenna Wendell Sailor Gorden Tallis Shaun Timmins Goals: 8 Mat Rogers   8/9	[3]	Tries: 0 Goals: 0

Stadium Australia, Sydney Attendance: 26,023 Referee: Bill Harrigan

References

1. Middleton, David (2001). Rugby League 2001. Sydney: Harper Sports. ISBN 0732269261.
2. "Record for Aussies in Anzac Test". BBC News. 21 April 2000. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
3. 2000 Anzac Test Report