NRL TEAMS - 2024 Round 3
8 hours ago | LeagueUnlimited Media
Australian halfback Brett Kimmorley will skipper the Anzac rugby league team in their one-off match against county side Cumbria at Workington on Wednesday night.
Kimmorley got the nod after Australian management won a toss to see who would lead the first combined squad of Kiwis and Kangaroos.
New Zealand will provide the vice-captain in Paul Rauhihi, who has been named in the second row instead of his usual position of prop.
The Anzacs are made up mainly of players who did not play in either of the first two Tri-Nations tests, the exceptions being Rauhihi, and Australians Shaun Timmins and Ben Kennedy.
The squad of 17 comprises eight Kangaroos, eight Kiwis and New Zealand A representative Lusi Sione, formerly a member of the Canterbury Bulls and now with Workington Town.
One feature of the team named tonight is that the lack of a hooker among the personnel available means uncapped Kiwis tourist Dene Halatau gets the No 9 jersey.
To mark the occasion, the players will sport a specially designed top that is half the Kiwis and half the Kangaroos jersey. They will wear the shorts and socks of their own country.
The side will be coached by Kangaroos assistant coach Craig Bellamy, who will be aided by James Leuluai, from the Kiwis coaching staff.
The referee will be New Zealander Glen Black, who is also expected to find out tomorrow whether he will referee the Tri-Nations test between Great Britain and Australia in Manchester on Saturday.
Black, who is involved in the European Nations Cup being staged at the same time, was set to control the test until Kangaroo coach Wayne Bennett last week questioned whether he was experienced enough.
English Rugby Football League match officials director Stuart Cummings said a decision on the appointment was expected to be made tomorrow.
Anzac rugby league team: Matt Bowen, Matt Cooper, Shaun Timmins, Shontayne Hape, Jamaal Lolesi, Scott Hill, Brett Kimmorley (captain), Mark O'Meley, Dene Halatau, Alex Chan, Paul Rauhihi, Wairangi Koopu, Brent Tate. Interchange: Lusi Sione, Ben Kennedy, Clinton Toopi, Henry Fa'afili.