2016 Rep Round Venues/Dates Announced (ANZAC/Pacific Test)

[Burns]

The NRL today released the schedule for Representative Round, highlighted by a Test between Australia and New Zealand at Hunter Stadium and a Pacific Double Header at Parramatta's Pirtek Stadium.

The Trans-Tasman Test match at Hunter Stadium, to be played on Friday May 6, will be Mal Meninga's first match as coach of the Kangaroos.

The Australian Jillaroos will also take on the New Zealand Kiwi Ferns in the curtain-raiser to the Trans-Tasman Test.

The Pacific Double Header will feature Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and PNG, and will be held on Saturday May 7. The Junior Kangaroos will play the Junior Kiwis in the curtain-raiser to the Pacific Double Header.

2016 REPRESENTATIVE ROUND
May 6 - Australia v New Zealand, Hunter Stadium, Newcastle
May 6 – Jillaroos v Kiwi Ferns, Hunter Stadium, Newcastle
May 7 – Pacific Double Header, Pirtek Stadium, Parramatta
May 7 – Junior Kangaroos v Junior Kiwis, Pirtek Stadium, Parramatta
May 8 – AAMI Country v City, Scully Park, Tamworth

http://www.nrl.com/representative-round-newcastle-to-host-test/tabid/10874/newsid/91436/default.aspx

We had rumors of this lat year, I had believed it was to be played in Perth. Perhaps Perth will host that end of year test before the Four Nations?

Newcastle will sell out easily, a strong 33,000 crowd. Plus I'll be able to see a Test match finally haha.

Some points for Discussion
--- > This will be Australia's first Test Match in about 18 months.
--- > NZ will be looking for their 4th consecutive win over Australia.
--- > Is Newcastle being 'tested' as a 2017 World Cup Venue?
--- > Is Parramatta a better venue for the Pacific Test?
--- > Excellent to see the continued promotion of Women's League!

 

[yakstorm]

Perth were after the end of season match. Timezones kill any chance of Perth hosting a Friday Test.

Parramatta is an interesting choice for the Pacific Test. Arguably it's quite central to the Polynesian and Melanesian communities in Sydney, so there shouldn't be any less people rocking up. Arguably for showcasing the crowd on TV, Parramatta Stadium is allows for sections to be very easily opened and closed, meaning unlike Penrith, the crowd could be made to sit where the TV cameras are pointing to.

As for Newie getting a World Cup game. They would have to do something horribly wrong not to get one.

 

[thorson1987]

Australia played a test match last year.

Remember the one that was washed out on Friday and played on the Sunday that the Kiwis won

 

[The Partisan]

Basically an International 'Triple Header' at Parramatta on a Saturday arvo / eve.

Hope the powers that be promote the hell out of it ...because it deserves a full house based on last year's games.

Won't be able to get there myself as a previous committment locked in but urge all my fellow International advocates to spread the word.

 

[The Partisan]

FYI.

Believe the annual Residents game is being played in Queensland for a 2nd year in a row. (Guessing Brisbane suburban ground or Gold Coast / Titans ground )

Alledgely being broadcasted by Nine at a civil hour !

 

[deluded pom?]

Are the Pacific Tests automatically set as Fiji v PNG and Tonga v Samoa or will there be different match ups this year?

 

[Burns]

Welp, forgive the mistake about Roos first test in 18 month. It feels like an age since they last played anyway!

But a very interesting tidbit was posted on Facebook by the official Australian Kangaroos account. Someone commented on story re: ANZAC Test and said a match should be held in either Adelaide/Perth.

Kangaroos account replied and said "We might have something to tell you on Wednesday about that"

Perth test confirmed?! Four Nations fixtures inbound?

 

[Nuke]

The Perth test (October 2016 ... just prior to both Australia and NZ heading to the UK for the Four Nations tournament) is, and has been for some time, pretty much locked in. It's happening ... there's just something that needed signing or confirming before it's 100% across the line. It'll be a Saturday afternoon / evening or maybe even a Sunday arvo, but Saturday is the most likely.

At this point in time, the player has crossed the tryline and put the ball down, however it has been sent it upstairs just to make sure the ball was put down cleanly and didn't bobble. It's a try for sure, everyone knows it, but it hasn't been awarded just yet.

 

[The Partisan]

Are the Pacific Tests automatically set as Fiji v PNG and Tonga v Samoa or will there be different match ups this year?

Yeah same match ups as last year - PNG V FIJI for the Melanesian Cup and Tonga v Samoa for the Polynesian (? ...nah not ...but can't think of the name) Cup.

 

[deluded pom?]

Yeah same match ups as last year - PNG V FIJI for the Melanesian Cup and Tonga v Samoa for the Polynesian (? ...nah not ...but can't think of the name) Cup.

Wasn't there supposed to be a play off last year between the two winners?

 

[watcher]

Once again the NRL bullies get all internationals played in Australia. When was the last ANZAC test played in New Zealand?.

My understanding is that the contracts for this game are about to end. I think it is time to end this nonsense and play someone like Samoa in Auckland or Apia so Kiwis and PI's can see their teams live.

 

[yakstorm]

No bullies, it all just came down to money. ATEED didn't make an offer for the mid year matches. Qld & NSW Governments did. NSW offered the better deal, hence why it is being held at two state government run venues.

 

[Last Week]

No bullies, it all just came down to money. ATEED didn't make an offer for the mid year matches. Qld & NSW Governments did. NSW offered the better deal, hence why it is being held at two state government run venues.

Shhh. That doesn't sound as good. The narrative reads better if Australia are seen as trying out hold the game back.

 

[watcher]

surely the application should come from NZRL, not the ATEED. Look at the venues for the ANZAC Tests and then tell me it isn't totally weighted in Australias favour.

 

[deal.with.it]

Destination NSW offered the best deal. Simple.

Channel 9 also has restrictions on this game that will end soon. Then it's up to the NZRL and a nz tourism/events body to make it viable.

 

[thorson1987]

NRL making announcement about end of year test tomorrow.

Announcement happening in Perth.

http://www.triplem.com.au/sydney/sport/nrl/news/2016/1/2016-representative-round-including-city-country-anzac-test/

 

[yakstorm]

surely the application should come from NZRL, not the ATEED. Look at the venues for the ANZAC Tests and then tell me it isn't totally weighted in Australias favour.

The NZRL don't have the money to make such bids (as shown by the financial issues they had with the Schoolboys tour last year); and nor should they be bidding for games, especially against Australian state governments.

If the NZRL were to bid, not only would they need to underwrite a certain value, but they would then have to pay for the ground, promotion of the event and so on.

A Destinations NSW or TEQ will offer the ground at a good rate, a revenue guarantee and then a contra advertising budget to push the event (usually to interstate markets).

As outlined by other posters, the current Friday timeslot isn't really suited to hosting games anywhere except the east coast of Australia. In NZ the game gets played at either a late kick off or on delay (or in the case as a few years ago, it was both).

 

[roughyedspud]

Its ok.....we'll play NZ in NZ every year....sod the aussies

 

[watcher]

My understanding is hat NZ asked for the game to be played in NZ and Channel 9 vetoed it. The annoying thing for Kiwis is that this is the best team probably ever produced by NZ and we have to travel to Aussie to see them play.

I will concede that this wasn't an ARL decision but it sure fits in with their plans. As for the Perth game, how about adding insult to injury. Scrap the ANZAC Test, Channel 9's focus is State of Origin anyway.

 

[deal.with.it]

Its ok.....we'll play NZ in NZ every year....sod the aussies

Will that be England or Great Britain?