| Year: | 2016 |
| Anzac Test | |
| Home: | Australia |
| Away: | New Zealand |
| Home Abbr: | AUS |
| Away Abbr: | NZL |
| Home Half1: | 10 |
| Home Half2: | 6 |
| Home Total: | 16 |
| Away Half1: | 0 |
| Away Half2: | 0 |
| Away Total: | 0 |
| Date: | 6 May 2016 |
| Stadium: | Hunter Stadium |
| Location: | Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia |
| Mom Title: | Charles Savory Medal |
| Referee: | Gerard Sutton |
| Attendance: | 27,724 |
| Network: | Nine Network Sky Sport |
| Commentators: | Ray Warren Phil Gould Peter Sterling |
| Tournaments: | Anzac Test |
| Last: | 2015 |
| Next: | 2017 |
The 2016 Anzac Test (known as the Downer Anzac Test due to sponsorship) was a rugby league test match played between Australia and New Zealand at Hunter Stadium in Newcastle.[1] It was the 17th Anzac Test played between the two nations since the first was played under the Super League banner in 1997.
The game marked the international coaching debut of Mal Meninga for Australia since taking over the position from Tim Sheens in late 2015. Meninga, a 4 time Kangaroo Tourist (the only player ever to do so), a World Cup winning captain and a veteran of 46 tests for Australia between 1982–94, has previously coached Queensland to 9 State of Origin series wins in 10 years (including a record 8 series wins in succession from 2006-2013) in the years prior to taking over as Kangaroos coach.
This was the first of two matches between Australia and New Zealand before the 2016 Rugby League Four Nations in late October and November. The second match will be played at the nib Stadium in Perth, Western Australia on 15 October.
Meninga broke tradition and named the Australian team a few days early, which included 4 debutants; Blake Ferguson, Josh McGuire, Michael Morgan and Fijian-born Semi Radradra.[2]
The New Zealand team was named on 1 May.[3]
Russ Walker - New Zealand National Anthem Adrian Li Donni - Australian National Anthem| Australia | Position | New Zealand | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Darius Boyd | Fullback | ||
| Semi Radradra | Wing | ||
| Greg Inglis | Centre | Tohu Harris2 | |
| Josh Dugan | Centre | Gerard Beale1 | |
| Blake Ferguson | Wing | ||
| Johnathan Thurston | Five-Eighth | ||
| Cooper Cronk | Halfback | ||
| Matt Scott | Prop | Jesse Bromwich (c) | |
| Cameron Smith (c) | Hooker | ||
| Paul Gallen | Prop | ||
| Josh Papalii | 2nd Row | ||
| Matt Gillett | 2nd Row | ||
| Corey Parker | Lock | ||
| Josh McGuire | Interchange | ||
| Michael Morgan | Interchange | ||
| James Tamou | Interchange | ||
| Sam Thaiday | Interchange | ||
| Mal Meninga | Coach |
1 - Peta Hiku was originally selected to play but withdrew due to injury. He was replaced by Gerard Beale.
2 - Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Brad Takairangi were originally selected to play but both players withdrew. Tohu Harris was shifted from five-eighth to centre and Kodi Nikorima was shifted from the bench to five-eighth as a result.
Notes:
| Year: | 2016 |
| Women's Anzac Test | |
| Home: | Australia |
| Away: | New Zealand |
| Home Abbr: | AUS |
| Away Abbr: | NZL |
| Home Half1: | 6 |
| Home Half2: | 10 |
| Home Total: | 16 |
| Away Half1: | 12 |
| Away Half2: | 14 |
| Away Total: | 26 |
| Date: | 6 May 2016 |
| Stadium: | Hunter Stadium |
| Location: | Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia |
| Network: | Nine Network Sky Sport |
| Commentators: | Mathew Thompson Darren Lockyer Jo Barrett |
| Last: | 2015 |
| Next: | 2017 |
A Women's rugby league match between the Australian Jillaroos and New Zealand Kiwi Ferns will serve as the curtain-raiser for the main game.
New Zealand coach Alan Jackson named an 18-strong squad in preparation for the Trans-Tasman Test.[5]
A few days later, Australian coach Steve Folkes announced his 18-strong squad for the Trans-Tasman Test.[6]
| Australia | Position | New Zealand | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samantha Bremner | Fullback | Sarina Fiso (c) | |
| Chelsea Baker | Wing | ||
| Corban McGregor | Centre | Maitua Feterika | |
| Annette Brander | Centre | ||
| Karina Brown | Wing | ||
| Allana Ferguson | Five-Eighth | ||
| Maddie Studdon | Halfback | ||
| Simaima Taufa | Prop | Lilietta Maumau | |
| Brittany Breayley | Hooker | ||
| Heather Ballinger | Prop | ||
| Kezie Apps | 2nd Row | ||
| Vanessa Foliaki | 2nd Row | ||
| Ruan Sims (c) | Lock | ||
| Libby Cook-Black | Interchange | ||
| Kody House | Interchange | ||
| Casey Karklis | Interchange | Krystal Murray | |
| Emma Young | Interchange | Charmaine McMenamin | |
| Steve Folkes | Coach | ||
| Caitlyn Moran | 18th Woman |