League: NZ likely to host historic Anzac test

Scott Carter. Photo / Martin Sykes

New Zealand looks set to host the 2015 Anzac test, which will take on added significance given it is 100 years since the Gallipoli landings at Anzac Cove.

The New Zealand Rugby League gave up their right to host this year's instalment - it will be played in Sydney on May 2 - in the belief they would stage next year's Anzac test. This still has to be confirmed later in the year but NZRL chairman Scott Carter has no reason to believe Australia will compete to host the match.

"There are sound reasons for this year's match to be played in Sydney and the tradeoff is that next year's Anzac test will be played in New Zealand," Carter said. "I'm not expecting there to be any discussions about whether New Zealand gets it or not. There shouldn't be. We agreed that the tests should be alternated between the two countries."

The NZRL were happy to give up hosting rights because they could make more money from the game being staged in Australia and have hosted it only twice since the fixture's inception in 1997. But the NZRL have become increasingly willing to stage alternate games.

Next year's clash will be a significant event and various ideas were floated about how to mark the occasion.

There had been initial discussions about staging it in Turkey, with the two sides playing a game on April 24 and then attending the dawn service at Anzac Cove the next morning. While it would have received good support from expatriates living in London, it was seen as too difficult logistically to arrange.

"We were delighted with how New Zealanders embraced the nines [last weekend's tournament in Auckland] and it showcases that more major rugby league events should be staged in New Zealand in the future," NRL head of commercial operations Paul Kind said.

Eden Park is the most likely venue for the game.

• An exhibition nines tournament will be played at this year's Glasgow Commonwealth Games but New Zealand won't take part because of costs.

The Rugby League International Federation are hoping for nines to be included as a full sport for the 2018 Games in Gold Coast and won approval for a nines tournament to be played in Glasgow. This year's tournament will involve eight teams, but not New Zealand - Australia will play.

"New Zealand declined the opportunity to compete," Carter said. "We are stretched at the moment and have to make decisions on what our priorities are. There's not enough money to do everything."

• A late conclusion to the UK Super League season has caused headaches for this year's Four Nations and one solution could see England send out a weakened side for the first game of the competition.

The Super League grand final is one week after the NRL grand final which is playing havoc with scheduling for the tournament involving New Zealand, Australia, England and the winner of a playoff between Fiji and Samoa.

The Four Nations final was originally due to be played at Suncorp Stadium but moving it back a week would see it clash with the G-20 summit in Brisbane when Suncorp is unavailable.

Eden Park could host the final but that would probably mean shifting the opening-round double header to Australia. "If we were to host the final, I doubt the other parties would be keen on us hosting the double header," NZRL chief executive Phil Holden said.