The ANZAC XV. It’s hard enough to find a new idea in sport yet ditching a good one after just 80 minutes has been perplexing for the past 33 years.
The Super Round upon us in Melbourne is a wonderful opportunity for the Roar’s rugby community to at least select such a XV over the weekend that honours ANZAC Day.
We have four trans-Tasman clashes among the five games so why not pick away and come up with a composite line-up of stars from the weekend.
Rewind to 1989. A wonderful invention bonded two nations with a fierce rivalry at rugby but a common bond on the higher plane of defending freedom.
We’re talking about the coalition of Wallabies and All Blacks that took on the British and Irish Lions in the final game of the 1989 tour of Australia.
It was less of a spectacle than hoped at Ballymore because the match fell on the free July weekend between the two Tests of the All Blacks’ series against Argentina.
They were the amateur days. While the New Zealand Rugby Football Union was fully supportive, it was still up to the individual players to accept invitations to play in the match.
Most chose to rest and not risk injury so Buck Shelford, John Kirwan, Sean Fitzpatrick, Grant Fox and other stars declined to come.
In the end, top prop Steve McDowall, centre Frano Botica and fullback Kieran Crowley were the only All Blacks to run out with 12 Australians.
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Michael Lynagh potted 11 points with the boot and pacy Ian Williams scored the ANZAC XV’s only try. The Lions, captained by Scotland’s David Sole that day, got home 19-15 in the second half.
A number of decorated war veterans from Australia and New Zealand were invited to the match and stirred the ANZAC spirit even more at the post-game dinner.
The concept was a very good one, even if the execution could have been better, because a Barbarians-style match to finish such a tour is such a good fit.
Sadly, it has never been revisited.
The jersey struck for the day is still a classic. The old Canterbury jersey had striking bands of Wallaby gold, white and New Zealand black. The shield logo carried a silver fern and a wallaby emblem.
You can see it in the Peter Ford photo reprinted here from the sports pages of The Courier-Mail newspaper the day after the match. Michael Lynagh is giving Lions halfback Robert Jones a good old fend.
To these three days in Melbourne.
There have already been deeds aplenty in the opening half of Super Rugby Pacific to warrant the selection of an ANZAC XV.
This will likely be way off your XV but I’d be happy to send this form group out to play as an ANZAC XV picked from Super Rugby Pacific in 2022. You have to select with an 8-7 or 9-6 split of Kiwis and Aussies as well.
As in the tradition of the Barbarians, we’ll always include an uncapped player too. Melbourne Rebels finisher Glen Vaihu was close but we stuck Izzy Perese on the wing instead. Our uncapped nod goes to Waratahs hooker Dave Porecki.
Let’s see if the form line by Sunday night warrants major changes. And remember select away with your own teams.
ANZAC XV: Will Jordan (Crusaders), Caleb Clarke (Blues), Rieko Ioane (Blues), Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes), Izaia Perese (NSW Waratahs), Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders), Tate McDermott (Queensland Reds), Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), Rob Valetini (Brumbies), Dalton Papalii (Blues), Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), Izack Rodda (Western Force), Taniela Tupou (Queensland Reds), Dave Porecki (NSW Waratahs), Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Blues).
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Well obviously that ' man ' thing counts you out boy!! Just another ' know it all journo' , that seemingly thinks he knows it all, but never mastered it, as in participation.
BeastieBoy
Roar Rookie
No Way.. Waste of Time. No Australians would be picked.. It would just be Tokenism. Kiwis are not interested and so they shouldn't be. it smacks of us hanging off their coat tails.
sheek
Roar Guru
Muzzo, Ha, ha, as soon as you start playing the man, you lose.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
G’day Ben. I’m not saying the Aus selectors didn’t taken the opportunity. My question is, was the decision taken before or after only 3 Kiwis made themselves available? No matter what positions the Kiwis played, there were going to be Australian combinations somewhere/mostly on the field.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
As it looks with gutter journalism, sheek, know everything about nothing as you've possibly been a failure at everything else in sport, unlike quite a few here that have been, in actually doing it!! So try getting a life!!!
sheek
Roar Guru
Muzzo, At this point I'm reminded if you get in the gutter with a dope, you become one. Have good life!
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Sounds like your the one that's off!! sheek. Yeh as I said, I don't need to big note myself, as you, even though I've, been here for a few years. What's the big deal, ' Roar Guru' ??? Are you that insecure, that you can't, evidently handle, being corrected, on your ridiculous, original rant??? Stick to journalism, as I assume, your lack of knowledge, in the game i've chosen as part of my life, is being ridiculed by insecure, fools that have virtually no understanding!! Get back on your bike, boy, if you can ride one!!
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
You said it!!! being the arrogant assuming know it all as you. Apart from ' Journalism, what have you ever done for the game, apart from write up on it as you claim??? Iv'e been in & around the game, for a few decades, even sitting on management committees as in the Sydney Subbies, for many a year, & on a voluntary basis. Have you ever played, coached, managed, reffed, like putting something back into the game, as I. Nah, as it sounds, & I assume, your just one of these so called critics that can't handle the truth when it's shoved in your face. Another thing, I might be a " Roar Rookie' , but if you care to check I've been here for a few years now, & it's myself that chooses, to not elevate myself, & not raise the bar. Rant over.
sheek
Roar Guru
Muzzo, Take 3. I don't like being m-ed. I resent it hugely. So you're a Roar Rookie & you're lecturing me?????????? I've been on The Roar since 2007, member #19. I came in on the ground floor. In the early years, my volume of output kept the site afloat. But nobody today would know that, or respect that. Look me up, I've written more articles than I can remember on rugby union, rugby league, cricket, soccer, horse racing, Olympics, some Aussie Rules. Whatever you think you can tell me on rugby union, or even sport in general, I could tell you back 100 times. So off you go.
sheek
Roar Guru
Muzzo, Okay, "they" didnt like me calling you words beginning with 'a' & 'i'. You're a Roar Rookie, & you're lecturing me!!!!!!!!!! Who'd have thunk that. Here's a brief history lesson. You've been on The Roar for 5 minutes. I've been on the Roar on & off since 2007, member #19. I got in on the ground floor. Look me up, I've written more articles than I can remember on rugby union, rugby league, cricket, soccer, Olympics, horse racing, even some Aussie Rules. But yeah, I get it, you millennials know everything by the time you're 10. Or you only think you do.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Yes Aus really wrapped up the Solomon Islands without NZ eh!
sheek
Roar Guru
Muzzo, You're a Roar Rookie, & you're lecturing me!!!!!!!!!! Some history, I've been with Roar on & off since 2007, member #19. Even the Roar operatives would be amazed, if they could be bothered. But like you, they're probably fellow millennials who knew everything at age 10. Look me up, I've written more articles than I can remember on many, many different sports & topics. I could even enlighten you on the history of Australian rugby union, rugby league, cricket, soccer, horse racing, Olympics, some Aussie Rules. But I would be wasting my time with such an arrogant, ignorant know-all.
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
I remember watching it at the time and being disappointed by the low numbers of ABs. Then I learnt the back story: it seemed clear that the ARU were driving this. I spoke to Leo Williams about it 10 years after it and he pretty much confirmed that. He also said the concept had never been thrashed after that game, just put in deep storage.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Great read and good memories, Jim. That the idea hasn’t taken root, should tell us something. In a single test, Barbarian style, maybe but I can’t see getting behind a team of 12 Kiwis against any opposition
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
Then remind me again why Jacinda rated as Australia's most popular politician in an Australian poll she wasn't even part of -- again?
Ben
Guest
You onky have to look at the fact Botica, an out and out 1st 5, whom i had never seen play midfield before or since was put at 2nd 5. I actually re watched the game on utube before last nights game and Gordon Bray even makes mention of the Aussies wanting to try out combinations, in his pre match pre amble.
Just a fan
Guest
He walks into toilets really well. The bloke is getting towards pensioner age. At lest 2 other 9s who need a go. Aaron needs to go to the European All Black pensioners home for millionaires.
Carlin
Roar Rookie
Based on form and the parameters of the trying to pick a team with a fairly even split between NZ and Australia. Aaron Smith would walk into any ANZAC team I would pick without limitations. At the moment though I wouldn’t consider him the form halfback of the competition.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Good team.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Ardie over hooper every day of the week.