League: Kiwis lose chance to host Anzac test

Shaun Johnson and the Kiwis look set to play the next Anzac test in Australia. Photo / Getty Images

The Anzac spirit appears lacking in league after the revelation Australia has stolen away hosting rights for April's test against New Zealand.

The Kiwis seemed set to enjoy rare home advantage for the annual Anzac test against the Kangaroos but that situation has suddenly reversed.

Instead, the 2015 edition - commemorating the 100th anniversary of the two countries' combined Gallipoli campaign - will be played on the other side of the ditch, most likely Brisbane.

While questions still surround the exact cause of the flip-flop, it appears the almighty television dollar has again proved decisive, with New Zealand Rugby League chief executive Phil Holden indicating a broadcasting issue has seen the game shifted.

"I genuinely did believe that [New Zealand would be hosts] but we've now become aware that the broadcast arrangements the NRL has with Channel 9 have basically seen that fixture end up being probably played in Brisbane," he told Newstalk ZB. "We've been making it clear for 12 to 18 months - at least the length of time I've been in the seat - that we wanted to host that game. We're disappointed but we're just going to have to move on."

The late change will leave league fans on this side of the Tasman equally upset, considering only two of the 14 annual fixtures have been played in New Zealand since the concept was initiated in 1997. Canberra and Sydney have hosted the last two games, with the NZRL happy to cede the rights last year on the proviso the centenary clash would be here.

But, with that agreement seemingly ignored, the unbalanced relationship between the NZRL and Australian Rugby League has again been elucidated.

"It's a mammoth organisation," Holden said. "It's large. It's got a big footprint and it owns a lot of emotional space in Australia.

"We're a lot smaller but the Four Nations demonstrated that we do have capability, that there is a significant interest in international football in this country, and the commercial dynamics can work.

"We've got to strengthen our relationship with the Australians to such a point there's a lot more visibility of their draws and their schedules and the things they're doing, so the two countries are a lot more aligned strategically."

Former Kiwi Hugh McGahan was dismayed the NZRL failed to put up a bigger fight for the match.

"It just proves further how much the Australians control the game without much thought at all of other countries," he said. "To allow it to be changed is crazy. I'm surprised New Zealand Rugby League haven't jumped up and down, or taken it to the international federation to prevent that from happening."

McGahan thought the fixture would have been another important step in growing the game on this side of the Tasman, with the swap creating doubts about Australia's motivations.

"I thought the NRL and Australian Rugby League would have wanted to capitalise on [the Four Nations], to promote the game more in this country. Without trying to sound like a conspiracy theorist, after they lost in Wellington, maybe the Australians didn't like that and they've pushed hard to get the venue changed."