2002 New Zealand rugby league tour

The 2002 New Zealand rugby league tour of Great Britain and France was a tour by the New Zealand national rugby league team. The New Zealand national rugby league team drew the series 1-all against Great Britain and also defeated Wales and France.

Background

This was the Kiwis first tour of Great Britain since the 2000 World Cup, the Kangaroos having toured Great Britain the previous year.

The original squad named in September included Nathan Cayless, Craig Smith and Tevita Vaikona who all later had to withdraw from the final squad.[1][2]

Before the tour started the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark, held an official reception for the team at the Beehive. It was the first New Zealand rugby league tour to receive an official farewell from a Prime Minister in Parliament.[3]

The tour was opened against Hull F.C. at The Boulevard, the same ground had hosted the first Test matched played by the 1907 New Zealand team. This match was the last international played at the ground, while the 1907 team had played in the first.[4]

Motu Tony broke his hand in the match against England A and was ruled out of the rest of the tour. Steve Clark refereed all three Test matches against Great Britain.

Former Kiwis player Sean Hoppe, who had not represented his country since 1999, was given the honour of captaining St Helens R.F.C. in a tour match against the Kiwis.[5][6] The match was meant to be his last before retirement however he was later called into the touring squad due to injuries and his final two matches were test matches against Great Britain and France. Hoppe was called up over Lesley Vainikolo who was also considered as a replacement after injuries to several backs including Motu Tony and Clinton Toopi.[7]

In the end Great Britain tied the series, taking the inaugural Baskerville Shield as hosts.[8] The third test match was Great Britain's first win over New Zealand since 1993.

Squad

Kiwis captain Nathan Cayless withdrew due to suspension and was replaced by Andrew Lomu while Willie Talau required surgery and was unavailable. After the Australia Test both Lomu and Matt Utai were withdrawn by their clubs for off-season surgery. On arriving in England, English based players Craig Smith and Tevita Vaikona were ruled out due to injury.[9] Later Motu Tony and Robbie Paul were sidelined with injuries and in France Richard Swain left to sign a deal with the Broncos and Stephen Kearney flew home due to a family illness.[10]

Clinton Toopi broke his hand in a scuffle with Nigel Vagana during a team drinking session after the second test. Freeman and team management initially tried to cover up the incident, claiming the injury occurred during the match, before media found out and had a field day.[10]

NameClubAustraliaWalesGBGBGBFranceGamesTriesGoalsFGsPoints
Monty Betham New Zealand WarriorsBEBEBELK40000
Jason Cayless Sydney RoostersPR10000
Henry Fa'afili New Zealand WarriorsWGWGWGWGWGWG630012
Awen Guttenbeil New Zealand WarriorsBESRLKLKSRBE60000
Lance Hohaia New Zealand WarriorsFEFEFEFEFEFE617018
Sean Hoppe St Helens R.F.C.WGCE20000
Stacey Jones (c) New Zealand WarriorsHBHBHBHBHBHB661026
Stephen Kearney Melbourne StormLKLKSRSR41004
Ali Lauitiiti New Zealand WarriorsSRSRSRBEBESR61004
Andrew Lomu Sydney RoostersBE10000
Francis Meli New Zealand WarriorsWGWGWGCEWG540016
Robbie Paul Bradford BullsFBFBFBHK41004
Tony Puletua Penrith PanthersBEBEBEBE40000
Paul Rauhihi Bulldogs RLFCPRPRPRPRPRPR60000
Jerry Seuseu New Zealand WarriorsPRPRPRPRPRBE61004
Michael Smith Castleford TigersSR10000
David Solomona Parramatta EelsBEBEBEBEBE50000
Richard Swain Melbourne StormHKHKHKHKHK5214036
Logan Swann New Zealand WarriorsBEBEBEBEBE52008
Motu Tony New Zealand WarriorsBE10000
Clinton Toopi New Zealand WarriorsCECECE31004
Matt Utai Bulldogs RLFCWG11004
David Vaealiki Parramatta EelsFBFBFB31004
Nigel Vagana Bulldogs RLFCCECECECECECE640016
Ruben Wiki Canberra RaidersSRCESRSRLK51004

Fixtures

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

New Zealand vs Australia

12 October 2002
New Zealand  24–32  Australia
Tries:
Stacey Jones
Richard Swain
Clinton Toopi
Matt Utai

Goals:
Richard Swain (4/5)
[11] Tries:
Matthew Gidley (2)
Scott Hill
Ben Kennedy
Willie Mason
Timana Tahu
Goals:
Hazem El Masri (4/7)
Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Attendance: 25,015
Referee: Bill Harrigan (Australia)
Man of the Match: Scott Hill (Australia)
New Zealand
Australia
FB1 David Vaealiki
LW2 Henry Fa'afili
RC3 Nigel Vagana
LC4 Clinton Toopi
RW5 Matt Utai
FE6 Lance Hohaia
HB7 Stacey Jones (c)
PR8 Jerry Seuseu
HK9 Richard Swain
PR10 Paul Rauhihi
SR11 Ali Lauiti'iti
SR12 Ruben Wiki
LK13 Stephen Kearney
Substitutions:
IC14 Motu Tony
IC15 Andrew Lomu
IC16 Awen Guttenbeil
IC17 David Solomona
Coach:
Gary Freeman
FB1 Darren Lockyer
LW2 Timana Tahu
RC3 Matthew Gidley
LC4 Brent Tate
RW5 Hazem El Masri
FE6 Trent Barrett
HB7 Brett Kimmorley
PR8 Shane Webcke
HK9 Danny Buderus
PR10 Jason Stevens
SR11 Gorden Tallis (c)
SR12 Ben Kennedy
LF13 Scott Hill
Substitutions:
IC14 Craig Wing
IC15 Craig Fitzgibbon
IC16 Steve Menzies
IC17 Willie Mason
Coach:
Chris Anderson

British leg

22 October
Hull F.C. 11–28  New Zealand
Tries:
Richard Horne, Paul Parker
Goals:
Matt Crowther (1)
Field Goals:
Graham Mackay (1)
[12] Tries:
Henry Fa'afili (2), David Vaealiki, Nigel Vagana, Francis Meli
Goals:
Lance Hohaia (4)
The Boulevard, Kingston upon Hull
Attendance: 12,092
Referee: Robert Connolly

Hull: Steve Prescott, Paul Parker, Richard Horne, Graham Mackay, Matt Crowther, Jason Smith (c), Tony Smith, Craig Greenhill, Lee Jackson, Scott Logan, Adam Maher, Sean Ryan, Chris Chester. Res: Craig Poucher, Paul Cooke, Richard Fletcher, Paul King. Coach: Shaun McRae

New Zealand: David Vaealiki, Francis Meli, Nigel Vagana, Clinton Toopi, Henry Fa'afili, Motu Tony, Lance Hohaia, Jason Cayless, Monty Betham, Paul Rauhihi, Tony Puletua, Ruben Wiki, Logan Swann. Res: Michael Smith, Richard Swain, Awen Guttenbeil, Stephen Kearney



30 October
England A 12–34  New Zealand
[13]

Wales vs New Zealand

3 November 2002
Wales  22–50  New Zealand
Tries:
Paul Atcheson
Hefin O'Hare
Kris Tassell


Goals:
Lee Briers (5)
[14] Tries:
Francis Meli (3)
Logan Swann (2)
Lance Hohaia
Stacey Jones
Robbie Paul
Goals:
Richard Swain (6)
Lance Hohaia (1)
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Attendance: 8,746
Referee: Steve Ganson (England)
Man of the Match: Stacey Jones (New Zealand)
Wales
New Zealand
FB1 Damian Gibson
RW2 Hefin O'Hare
RC3 Kris Tassell
LC4 Adam Hughes
LW5 Chris Smith
SO6 Lee Briers (c)
SH7 Mark Lennon
PR8 Keith Mason
HK9 Ian Watson
PR10 Dave Whittle
SR11 Justin Morgan
SR12 David Mills
LK13 Paul Highton
Substitutions:
IC14 Paul Atcheson
IC15 Gareth Dean
IC16 Gareth Price
IC17 Rob Roberts
Coach:
Neil Kelly
FB1 Robbie Paul
LW2 Henry Fa'afili
RC3 Nigel Vagana
LC4 Ruben Wiki
RW5 Francis Meli
FE6 Lance Hohaia
HB7 Stacey Jones (c)
PR8 Jerry Seuseu
HK9 Richard Swain
PR10 Paul Rauhihi
SR11 Ali Lauiti'iti
SR12 Awen Guttenbeil
LK13 Stephen Kearney
Substitutions:
IC14 Monty Betham
IC15 David Solomona
IC16 Logan Swann
IC17 Tony Puletua
Coach:
Gary Freeman

Baskerville Shield

After 30 New Zealand vs England / Great Britain test series since 1907, the Baskerville Shield was inaugurated for series between New Zealand and England / Great Britain. The shield is named in honour of Albert Henry Baskerville who organised New Zealand's first ever tour of Great Britain in 1907.

Venues

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

Blackburn Huddersfield Wigan
Ewood Park McAlpine Stadium JJB Stadium
Capacity: 31,000 Capacity: 24,500 Capacity: 25,133

1st Test

9 November 2002
Great Britain  16–30  New Zealand
Tries:
Jamie Peacock
Leon Pryce

Goals:
Andy Farrell (4)
[15] Tries:
Henry Fa'afili (3)
Nigel Vagana (2)
Stacey Jones
Goals:
Richard Swain (3)
Ewood Park, Blackburn
Attendance: 16,654
Referee: Steve Clark (Australia)
Great Britain
New Zealand
FB1 Gary Connolly
RW2 Leon Pryce
RC3 Martin Gleeson
LC4 Keith Senior
LW5 Karl Pratt
SO6 Kevin Sinfield
SH7 Paul Deacon
PR8 Stuart Fielden
HK9 Keiron Cunningham
PR10 Barrie McDermott
SR11 Andy Farrell (c)
SR12 Adrian Morley
LK13 Mike Forshaw
Substitutions:
IC14 Lee Gilmour
IC15 Chris Joynt
IC16 Paul Anderson
IC17 Jamie Peacock
Coach:
David Waite
FB1 Robbie Paul
LW2 Henry Fa'afili
RC3 Nigel Vagana
LC4 Clinton Toopi
RW5 Francis Meli
FE6 Lance Hohaia
HB7 Stacey Jones (c)
PR8 Jerry Seuseu
HK9 Richard Swain
PR10 Paul Rauhihi
SR11 Ali Lauiti'iti
SR12 Stephen Kearney
LK13 Awen Guttenbeil
Substitutions:
IC14 Monty Betham
IC15 David Solomona
IC16 Logan Swann
IC17 Tony Puletua
Coach:
Gary Freeman

Henry Fa'afili scored three tries in the 30–16 first test win over Great Britain at Ewood Park, the first Kiwis hat-trick against the Lions in 97 matches dating back to 1907. His tries all came in the second half as the Kiwis rallied from a 10–6 halftime deficit to win comfortably.[10]


2nd Test

Great Britain
New Zealand
FB1 Gary Connolly
RW2 Lee Gilmour
RC3 Martin Gleeson
LC4 Keith Senior
LW5 Leon Pryce
SO6 Paul Sculthorpe
SH7 Paul Deacon
PR8 Terry O'Connor
HK9 James Lowes
PR10 Stuart Fielden
SR11 Jamie Peacock
SR12 Andy Farrell (c)
LK13 Mike Forshaw
Substitutions:
IC14 Kevin Sinfield
IC15 Richard Horne
IC16 Paul Anderson
IC17 Danny Orr
Coach:
David Waite
FB1 Robbie Paul
LW2 Henry Fa'afili
RC3 Nigel Vagana
LC4 Clinton Toopi
RW5 Francis Meli
FE6 Lance Hohaia
HB7 Stacey Jones (c)
PR8 Jerry Seuseu
HK9 Richard Swain
PR10 Paul Rauhihi
SR11 Ruben Wiki
SR12 Stephen Kearney
LK13 Awen Guttenbeil
Substitutions:
IC14 Tony Puletua
IC15 Ali Lauiti'iti
IC16 Monty Betham
IC17 Logan Swann
Coach:
Gary Freeman

3rd Test

23 November 2002
Great Britain  16–10  New Zealand
Tries:
Martin Gleeson
Paul Sculthorpe
Keith Senior
Goals:
Andy Farrell (2)
[17] Tries:
Stacey Jones
Ali Lauiti'iti

Goals:
Stacey Jones (1)
JJB Stadium, Wigan
Attendance: 22,247
Referee: Steve Clark (Australia)
Great Britain
New Zealand
FB1 Gary Connolly
RW2 Leon Pryce
RC3 Martin Gleeson
LC4 Keith Senior
LW5 Lee Gilmour
SO6 Paul Sculthorpe
SH7 Paul Deacon
PR8 Stuart Fielden
HK9 James Lowes
PR10 Barrie McDermott
SR11 Adrian Morley
SR12 Andy Farrell (c)
LK13 Mike Forshaw
Substitutions:
IC14 Danny Orr
IC15 Jamie Peacock
IC16 Paul Anderson
IC17 Richard Horne
Coach:
David Waite
FB1 David Vaealiki
LW2 Henry Fa'afili
RC3 Nigel Vagana
LC4 Sean Hoppe
RW5 Francis Meli
FE6 Lance Hohaia
HB7 Stacey Jones (c)
PR8 Jerry Seuseu
HK9 Richard Swain
PR10 Paul Rauhihi
SR11 Ruben Wiki
SR12 Awen Guttenbeil
LK13 Monty Betham
Substitutions:
IC14 Tony Puletua
IC15 David Solomona
IC16 Ali Lauiti'iti
IC17 Logan Swann
Coach:
Gary Freeman

France vs New Zealand

30 November 2002
France  10–36  New Zealand
Tries:
Jérôme Guisset
Claude Sirvent


Goals:
Laurent Frayssinous (2)
[18] Tries:
Stacey Jones (2)
Nigel Vagana (2)
Jerry Seuseu
David Vaealiki
Goals:
Lance Hohaia (6)
Stade Aimé Giral, Perpignan
Attendance: 6,500
Referee: Robert Connolly (England)
France
New Zealand
FB1 Michael Van Snick
RW2 Renaud Guigue
RC3 Claude Sirvent
LC4 Arnaud Dulac
LW5 Fourcade Abasse
SO6 Laurent Frayssinous
SH7 Julien Rinaldi
PR8 Jérôme Guisset
HK9 David Berthezène
PR10 Romain Gagliazzo
SR11 Pascal Jampy (c)
SR12 Sébastien Raguin
LK13 Laurent Carrasco
Substitutions:
IC14 Olivier Pramil
IC15 Jamal Fakir
IC16 Jean-Christophe Borlin
IC17 Julien Gerin
Coach:
Gilles Dumas
FB1 David Vaealiki
LW2 Henry Fa'afili
RC3 Nigel Vagana
LC4 Sean Hoppe
RW5 Francis Meli
FE6 Lance Hohaia
HB7 Stacey Jones (c)
PR8 Jason Cayless
HK9 Richard Swain
PR10 Paul Rauhihi
SR11 Ali Lauiti'iti
SR12 Michael Smith
LK13 Ruben Wiki
Substitutions:
IC14 Awen Guttenbeil
IC15 David Solomona
IC16 Jerry Seuseu
IC17 Logan Swann
Coach:
Gary Freeman

Aftermath

New Zealand halfback Stacey Jones won the George Smith Medal as player of the series against Great Britain.[19] The tour was Freeman's last as head coach. In 2003 Daniel Anderson was named as the new Kiwis coach.

References

  1. In-form Smith wins Kiwi call-up BBC Sport, 21 September 2002
  2. NZ player profiles BBC Sport, 21 October 2002
  3. Jessup, Peter (12 October 2002). "Kiwi players let their hair down at Clark bash". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 14 September 2011.
  4. New Zealand Rugby League Annual 2002, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 2002. p.35
  5. Hoppe's last stand; Sean's set to skipper St Helens The Daily Post, 25 October 2002
  6. SAINTS STARS' LAST GOODBYE One hell of a bargain for Blues; Knowsley Road favourites bow out against Kiwis Liverpool Echo, 25 October 2002
  7. Freeman eyes Vainikolo to replace injured Tony New Zealand Herald, 1 November 2002
  8. Lions edge Kiwis in thriller BBC Sport, 23 November 2002
  9. New Zealand Rugby League Annual 2002, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 2002. p.34
  10. New Zealand Herald. "Rugby League: Kiwis tours build up special magic". nzherald.co.nz.
  11. New Zealand vs Australia test
  12. Hull F.C vs New Zealand
  13. Kiwi tour schedule BBC Sport, 23 October 2002
  14. Wales vs New Zealand
  15. 1st Test - Great Britain vs New Zealand
  16. 2nd Test - Great Britain vs New Zealand
  17. 3rd Test - Great Britain vs New Zealand
  18. France vs New Zealand
  19. "Jones voted world's best". BBC Sport. BBC. 19 December 2002. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
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