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. 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)		Tries: Dale Shearer Steve Walters Goals: Dale Shearer (2) Field Goals: Laurie Daley (2)

Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland Attendance: 22,994 Referee: Russell Smith Player of the Match: Sean Hoppe

New Zealand	Position	Australia
Morvin Edwards	FB	Dale Shearer
Sean Hoppe	WG	Willie Carne
Jarrod McCracken	CE	Brad Fittler
Dave Watson	CE	Laurie Daley (c)
Daryl Halligan	WG	Michael Hancock
Tea Ropati	SO	Kevin Walters
Gary Freeman (c)	HB	Allan Langer
Se'e Solomona	PR	Paul Harragon
Duane Mann	HK	Steve Walters
Brent Todd	PR	Glenn Lazarus
Gary Mercer	SR	Bob Lindner
Quentin Pongia	SR	Paul Sironen
Tawera Nikau	LF	Bradley Clyde
Brendon Tuuta	Int.	Brad Mackay
John Lomax	Int.	Steve Renouf
Tony Kemp	Int.	Ian Roberts
Jason Donnelly	Int.
Howie Tamati	Coach	Bob Fulton

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)		Tries: Bradley Clyde Willie Carne Michael Hancock Goals: Dale Shearer (2)

Palmerston North Showgrounds, Palmerston North Attendance: 19,500 Referee: Russell Smith Player of the Match: Bradley Clyde

New Zealand	Position	Australia
Morvin Edwards	FB	Dale Shearer
Sean Hoppe	WG	Willie Carne
Jarrod McCracken	CE	Brad Fittler
Dave Watson	CE	Mal Meninga (c)
Daryl Halligan	WG	Michael Hancock
Tony Kemp	SO	Laurie Daley
Gary Freeman (c)	HB	Allan Langer
Se'e Solomona	PR	Paul Harragon
Duane Mann	HK	Steve Walters
Brent Todd	PR	Glenn Lazarus
Gary Mercer	SR	Bob Lindner
Gavin Hill	SR	Paul Sironen
Tawera Nikau	LF	Bradley Clyde
Tea Ropati	Int.	Brad Mackay
John Lomax	Int.	Andrew Ettingshausen
Brendon Tuuta	Int.	David Gillespie
Jason Donnelly	Int.	Kevin Walters
Howie Tamati	Coach	Bob Fulton

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)		Tries: Goals: Gavin Hill (2)

Lang Park, Brisbane Attendance: 32,000 Referee: Russell Smith Player of the Match: Laurie Daley

Australia	Position	New Zealand
Dale Shearer	FB	Morvin Edwards
Willie Carne	WG	Sean Hoppe
Brad Fittler	CE	Jarrod McCracken
Mal Meninga (c)	CE	Dave Watson
Michael Hancock	WG	Jason Donnelly
Laurie Daley	SO	Tony Kemp
Allan Langer	HB	Gary Freeman (c)
Paul Harragon	PR	Gavin Hill
Steve Walters	HK	Duane Mann
Glenn Lazarus	PR	Brent Todd
Bob Lindner	SR	Gary Mercer
Paul Sironen	SR	Brendon Tuuta
Bradley Clyde	LF	Tawera Nikau
Ian Roberts	Int.	Stephen Kearney
Andrew Ettingshausen	Int.	John Lomax
Kevin Walters	Int.	Tea Ropati
David Gillespie	Int.	Daryl Halligan
Bob Fulton	Coach	Howie Tamati

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