ANZAC Day Test
| Anzac Test | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Sport | Rugby league |
| Inaugural season | 1997 |
| Ceased | 2017 |
| Number of teams | 2 |
| Countries |
 Australia New Zealand
|
| Trophy holders |
Australia (2017)
|
| Most titles |
Australia (16 titles)
|
| Broadcast partner |
Nine Network (Australia) Sky Sport (New Zealand) |
The Anzac Test was an annual rugby league football test match palyed annually between Australia and New Zealand on or around Anzac Day for the Bill Kelly Memorial Trophy from 1997 until 2017.
Australia and New Zealand had competed in Rugby League Tests since 1908. The Anzac Test, played on or around Anzac Day, was introduced by Super League (Australia) in 1997. When New Zealand was defeated 56–0 in 2000 the Australian Rugby League (ARL) was criticised for playing the match before the State of Origin series. The Test was then dropped from the annual schedule in favour of match in mid-July. In 2002 and 2003, Australia defeated Great Britain (64–10) and New Zealand (48–6) in July Test matches, so the test was revived the following year.
The Anzac Test was controversial for its use of the term Anzac (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) and its perceived comparison of professional sportsmen with soldiers. However Super League donated a large sum of money to the RSL, and national RSL President Bruce Ruxton featured in commercials for the inaugural Anzac Test, proclaiming
The word Anzac is protected in Australia by The Protection of Word "ANZAC" Regulations (under the War Precautions Act Repeal Act 1920) and requires permission of the Minister for Veterans' Affairs for use in commercial events. This permission was given for the event from 1997–1999.
From 2004 until 2008 the match was officially called the Bundaberg Rum League Test, after the principal sponsor, Bundaberg Rum. For the 2009 fixture, the principal sponsor was Victoria Bitter and, as such, the match was officially called the VB Test. Despite the official name change, it is still common for the match to be called the Anzac Test. In 2016 it was sponsored by the Downer Group.
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