2007 All Golds Tour

Squad

• Coach: Gary Kemble *Also played in All Golds match.

Australian representative

Andrew Johns had initially been invited, but due to a career-ending neck injury, he was unable to play with the squad. Australian captain Darren Lockyer was then set to take Johns' place until he too was ruled out after suffering a season-ending knee injury. Trent Barrett was also linked with the stand-off role in the side.

All Blacks and former Kiwi Test players

The NZRL expressed interest in including recently retired New Zealand rugby league stars Nigel Vagana, Ruben Wiki, and Stacey Jones in test matches. All three came out of international retirement to play in the match against the Northern Union.

Several current and former All Blacks (New Zealand rugby union players) were also considered for the match against the Northern Union. Players who grew up playing rugby league such as Carlos Spencer, Piri Weepu and Ma'a Nonu were approached by the NZRL however none were available due to rugby union commitments. Jonah Lomu was also considered but was effectively ruled out due to media and personal appearance commitments at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

Coach

Brisbane Broncos' Australian coach Wayne Bennett accepted the invitation from the New Zealand Rugby League to join the All Golds for their commemorative match against the Northern Union in England in October. The former Queensland and Australia coach stated "This is a great honour and it's unique in the game."

Fixtures

The New Zealand side played a total of five matches while on their European tour and one test in New Zealand before leaving.

Italics indicates the Northern Union vs All Golds game which was contested by retired players

New Zealand vs Australia

There was a pre-tour test between Australia and New Zealand in Wellington.

Goals: Greg Inglis (3) Israel Folau (2) Greg Bird Jarryd Hayne Willie Mason Steve Price Cameron Smith Brett Stewart Goals: Cameron Smith (6/10) Kurt Gidley (1/1)

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All Golds v Northern Union

This was an exhibition match played under 1907 scoring rules with tries worth 3 points and goals / field goals worth 2 points each. Danny McGuire (2) Jon Clarke Kirk Yeaman

Goals: Jamie Rooney (3/4) Ali Lauitiiti (2) Greg Eastwood Louis Anderson Clinton Toopi Goals: Stacey Jones (5/5)

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Steve Price was the Australian guest player emulating Dally Messenger's role with the original All Golds. 19 year old Bradford forward Sam Burgess was awarded the Man of the Match and his performance saw his inclusion in the Great Britain squad for the upcoming Baskerville Shield series against the Kiwis.

Stacey Jones in his last international match kicked 5 goals from 5 attempts. |}

Baskerville Shield

Venues

The three Baskerville Shield tests took place at the following venues.

1st Test

Sam Burgess Maurie Fa'asavalu Gareth Raynor Goals: Rob Burrow (4/4) Shontayne Hape (2) Paul Whatuira

Goals: Lance Hohaia (1/3)

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2nd Test

Leon Pryce Rob Burrow Ade Gardner Jamie Peacock Gareth Raynor Keith Senior Paul Wellens Goals: Kevin Sinfield (5/5) Rob Burrow (1/3)

Goals:

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3rd Test

Rob Burrow David Hodgson Danny McGuire Keith Senior Jon Wilkin Goals: Rob Burrow (4/6) Chase Stanley (2) Taniela Tuiaki Paul Whatuira

Goals: Jeremy Jon Oscar Smith (3/4)

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France vs New Zealand

Éric Anselme Cyril Stacul

Goals: Maxime Grésèque (3/3) Louis Anderson Shaun Kenny-Dowall Thomas Leuluai Paul Whatuira Goals: Ben Roberts (3/4)

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Aftermath

Great Britain's scrum half back, Rob Burrow was awarded the George Smith Medal as player of the series which he finished as top points scorer with 26 from two tries and nine goals. Coach Gary Kemble was fired after the tour losses, with Roy Asotasi and David Kidwell leading a public campaign to replace him. Kemble was replaced by Stephen Kearney as head coach and Wayne Bennett assistant coach, a combination which took the Kiwis to win the 2008 World Cup. The All Golds played another match, against the New Zealand Māori in New Plymouth, in 2008 as part of the lead up to the Rugby League World Cup.

References

References

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3. (2007-07-29). "Price accepts invitation". Newstalk ZB.
4. (2007-03-01). "Legend Johns to represent Kiwis". BBC.
5. (2007-04-10). "Neck injury forces Johns to quit". BBC.
6. (2007-07-08). "Lockyer to star in All Golds game". BBC.
7. (2007-07-14). "Lockyer faces long injury lay-off". BBC.
8. (2007-07-24). "Snubbed All Blacks get All Golds invite". Sydney Morning Herald.
9. (2007-07-22). "NZRL wants Lomu to switch codes for centenary match". Stuff.co.nz.
10. (2007-07-22). "Darren Lockyer and Wayne Bennett confirmer for NZ All Golds". RLeague.com.
11. (2007-07-09). "Bennett, Lockyer join All Golds". press.co.nz.
12. Shawn Dollin. "New Zealand vs Australia 2007".
13. [https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/7037268.stm BBC SPORT {{pipe Rugby League {{pipe Northern Union 18-25 All Golds]
14. [http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Great_Britain_vs_New_Zealand_2007/Game_1/Great_Britain-vs-New_Zealand.html Great Britain vs New Zealand 2007 Series - Game 1] {{webarchive. link. (January 5, 2010)
15. [http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Great_Britain_vs_New_Zealand_2007/Game_2/Great_Britain-vs-New_Zealand.html Great Britain vs New Zealand 2007 Series - Game 2] {{webarchive. link. (January 22, 2010)
16. [http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Great_Britain_vs_New_Zealand_2007/Game_3/Great_Britain-vs-New_Zealand.html Great Britain vs New Zealand 2007 Series - Game 3] {{webarchive. link. (August 23, 2009)
17. [http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/France_vs_New_Zealand_2007/France-vs-New_Zealand.html France vs New Zealand 2007] {{webarchive. link. (October 8, 2012)
18. [http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/new-zealand-vs-australia-2007/new-zealand-vs-australia.html New Zealand vs Australia test]
19. Steve Price & Ben Blaschke. (2011). "Steve Price - Be Your Best". ReadHowYouWant.com.
20. [https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/7037268.stm Northern Union vs All Golds]
21. "1st Test - Great Britain vs New Zealand".
22. "2nd Test - Great Britain vs New Zealand".
23. "3rd Test - Great Britain vs New Zealand".
24. [http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/france-vs-new-zealand-2007/france-vs-new-zealand.html France vs New Zealand]
25. (12 November 2007). "Rob Burrow walks tall for Great Britain". Telegraph Media Group.
26. New Zealand Herald. "Rugby League: Kiwis tours build up special magic". nzherald.co.nz.