Support for ANZAC concept

Both the New Zealand and Australian camps have come away from the Anzacs' 64-12 defeat of Cumbria supporting the concept of the combined trans-Tasman rugby league side.

The one-off Anzacs consisted of mainly fringe players from both tour parties, supplemented by three British-based ring-ins to bring the squad up to 17.

It was coached by Australian assistant coach Craig Bellamy, with help from James Leuluai, his Kiwi counterpart.

Leuluai said the match at Workington last night had achieved the dual purposes of promoting the game in north-west England, and giving players a chance to put their hands up for Tri-Nations selection.

The Kiwis have a bye in the tournament this weekend, with the focus being on the City of Manchester Stadium on Saturday, when the unbeaten Kangaroos will take on Great Britain, who will make their first appearance in the series.

New Zealand, with a draw and a loss in two matches against Australia, are next in action the following weekend, against Great Britain at Huddersfield.

"We're looking at a few positions," Leuluai said.

He listed two uncapped players, winger Shontayne Hape, who scored two tries, and second rower Wairangi Koopu, as having staked claims with strong performances against Cumbria.

Leuluai, who played 11 times against the Kangaroos in a 29-test career, backed the Anzac idea.

"I reckon it's great," he said.

"In the war, we teamed up and the countries fought together. It's good that it's the same thing on the football field."

Many of the Australians in the side hadn't played since a warm-up match against Papua New Guinea almost three weeks ago.

Some of the New Zealanders hadn't seen any action since the National Rugby League regular season ended 7? weeks ago.

Bellamy said the Anzac players couldn't wait to get on the field.

"People were just bursting for a game of footy," Bellamy said.

"It's just good for them to get out there."

Bellamy also gave the Anzac concept his approval, despite a disrupted preparation, which included just one training run and even then not all players were available.

However, he said it could probably be achieved again only in a Tri-Nations scenario.

For Cumbria, the match was their second international in 12 months after an eight-year lull. Last year, they drew 24-24 draw with New Zealand A.

The county doesn't have an English Super League team, but is known as a passionate rugby league region.

Whereas last year, Cumbria had a realistic chance of winning, they were never expected to be in the hunt against the Anzacs, although they still managed three tries to the opposition's 11.

Coach Greg Chambers wasn't unhappy at the scoreline or the effort of his players, who came mainly from England's lower divisions.

"It's good for them to test themselves against top quality opposition," he said.

"It will ultimately make them better players. They didn't disgrace themselves. But they know they can't turn ball over in poor positions and expect to defend, because quality teams don't allow that."