Rugby League: Classic battles part of folklore

The transtasman league rivalry has produced some remarkable contests. PETER JESSUP looks back on six which stand out from the past 30 years.

1971

The Kiwis scored a famous 24-3 victory at Carlaw Park, scene of many ambush attacks on visiting international sides. The swamp was at its puggy best as the Roy Christian-captained Kiwis ground out the game.

The Kangaroos side, which included well-regarded players such as Graham Langlands, were never in it. Prop Henry Tatana, who went on to the St George Dragons, kicked six goals as the visitors tried to stall the Kiwis' advance with illegalities.

1985

John Ribot killed the Kiwis in two tests, scoring a late try for a 26-20 Kangaroos win at Brisbane after opposing props Kevin Tamati and Greg Dowling had been sin-binned for brawling but couldn't stop, punching their way to the tunnel. Ribot again ran in late for a touchdown that brought a 10-6 win at Carlaw Park when it looked like Graham Lowe's Kiwis were home.

But prior to the third test there was revolt within the Australian team after Australian and New South Wales coach Terry Fearnley and Queensland hero Wally Lewis fell out. Fearnley dropped six Maroons and the Kiwis won 18-0 with Clayton Friend scoring two tries and James Leuluai one.

1988

The Kiwis were deservedly home hosts for the World Cup final after amassing a points lead following a successful tour to England.

And with players like Mark Graham and Dean Bell in the team they were for once considered on level terms with the formidable Australians, including Wally Lewis.

It wasn't to be. In front of 47,363 fans the Kiwis dropped the ball and their bundle, never in the game and never competing. Alfie Langer had two tries, Gavin Miller and Dale Shearer scored as well to the Kiwis' two tries to the Iro brothers Kevin and Tony. Lewis left the field with a broken arm, the fans went home broken-hearted.

1989

The Aussie media gave Kiwi league its most infamous tag when lock Brendon Tuuta was labelled "The Baby-Faced Assassin" after the first test of 1989, lost 26-6 despite Tuuta's constant niggle. A campaign followed from the Australians to have him removed from the arena and/or to put pressure on officials to come down hard on his high tackles and scragging.

He played one more game for the Kiwis, the 8-0 loss at Rotorua in the second test, and had little impact but the Australians never let up about his performance in test one and Tuuta was not chosen for the third test at Mt Smart Stadium that ended in a 22-14 loss.

1991

In 1991 the Kiwis engineered a major boil-over in the first-ever test played between the sides in Melbourne, Gary Freeman chosen from Balmain's reserve grade and playing a blinder. Jarrod McCracken, Clayton Friend, Richie Blackmore and Tawera Nikau scored tries. But Bob Bailey's team made a big mistake in coming home before test two, the reception lulling them into a false sense of security.

In test two referee John Holdsworth sent McCracken and Kangaroo Peter Jackson from the field for fighting. The Kiwis lost more through the incident than did Australia and they won 44-0. The third test went 40-12 to the Kangaroos.

2000

In 2000 the Kiwis suffered their biggest-ever defeat at the hands of the Australians. Numerous players were ruled out through suspension or injury, McCracken and Quentin Pongia pulling out mid-week as the Paul brothers, Henry and Robbie, were arriving from England in what was the worst of all test buildups.

Prop Joe Vagana dived under their posts in the first two minutes but referee Bill Harrigan found something wrong and ruled out the points and the Kiwis never looked likely again. They were carved up 52-0, fullback and captain Ritchie Barnett suffering a serious facial injury when he collided with Wendell Sailor.

* RECORD: Played 100, Australia 73 wins, New Zealand 26, 1 draw.