2002 New Zealand rugby league tour

2002 Kiwi tour 12 October 2002 – 30 November 2002 9 5 1 2 5 2 1 2 AUS 1 0 0 1 ENG England A 1 1 0 0 WAL 1 1 0 0 GBR 3 1 1 1 FRA 1 1 0 0 1998 2007 The 2002 New Zealand rugby league tour of Great Britain and France was a tour by the New Zealand national rugby league team. The New Zealand national rugby league team drew the series 1.5-1.5 against Great Britain and also defeated Wales and France. Background This was the Kiwis first tour of Great Britain since the 2000 World Cup, the Kangaroos having toured Great Britain the previous year. The original squad named in September included Nathan Cayless, Craig Smith and Tevita Vaikona who all later had to withdraw from the final squad.In-form Smith wins Kiwi call-up BBC Sport, 21 September 2002NZ player profiles BBC Sport, 21 October 2002 Before the tour started the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark, held an official reception for the team at the Beehive. It was the first New Zealand rugby league tour to receive an official farewell from a Prime Minister in Parliament.http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=2998849 Kiwi players let their hair down at Clark bash Jessup, Peter 12 October 2002 The New Zealand Herald 14 September 2011 The tour was opened against Hull F.C. at The Boulevard, the same ground had hosted the first Test matched played by the 1907 New Zealand team. This match was the last international played at the ground, while the 1907 team had played in the first.New Zealand Rugby League Annual 2002, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 2002. p.35 Motu Tony broke his hand in the match against England A and was ruled out of the rest of the tour. Steve Clark refereed all three Test matches against Great Britain. Former Kiwis player Sean Hoppe, who had not represented his country since 1999, was given the honour of captaining St Helens R.F.C. in a tour match against the Kiwis.Hoppe's last stand; Sean's set to skipper St Helens The Daily Post, 25 October 2002SAINTS STARS' LAST GOODBYE One hell of a bargain for Blues; Knowsley Road favourites bow out against Kiwis Liverpool Echo, 25 October 2002 The match was meant to be his last before retirement however he was later called into the touring squad due to injuries and his final two matches were test matches against Great Britain and France. Hoppe was called up over Lesley Vainikolo who was also considered as a replacement after injuries to several backs including Motu Tony and Clinton Toopi.Freeman eyes Vainikolo to replace injured Tony New Zealand Herald, 1 November 2002 In the end Great Britain tied the series, taking the inaugural Baskerville Shield as hosts.Lions edge Kiwis in thriller BBC Sport, 23 November 2002 The third test match was Great Britain's first win over New Zealand since 1993. Squad Kiwis captain Nathan Cayless withdrew due to suspension and was replaced by Andrew Lomu while Willie Talau required surgery and was unavailable. After the Australia Test both Lomu and Matt Utai were withdrawn by their clubs for off-season surgery. On arriving in England, English based players Craig Smith and Tevita Vaikona were ruled out due to injury.New Zealand Rugby League Annual 2002, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 2002. p.34 Later Motu Tony and Robbie Paul were sidelined with injuries and in France Richard Swain left to sign a deal with the Broncos and Stephen Kearney flew home due to a family illness.http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11530876 Rugby League: Kiwis tours build up special magic New Zealand Herald nzherald.co.nz 2015-11-04 2015-11-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20151117144920/http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11530876 dead Clinton Toopi broke his hand in a scuffle with Nigel Vagana during a team drinking session after the second test. Freeman and team management initially tried to cover up the incident, claiming the injury occurred during the match, before media found out and had a field day. Name Club Australia Wales GB GB GB France Games Tries Goals FGs PointsMonty Betham New Zealand 16 New Zealand Warriors BE BE BE LK 4 0 0 0 0Jason Cayless Easts 16 Sydney Roosters PR 1 0 0 0 0Henry Fa'afili New Zealand 16 New Zealand Warriors WG WG WG WG WG WG 6 3 0 0 12Awen Guttenbeil New Zealand 16 New Zealand Warriors BE SR LK LK SR BE 6 0 0 0 0Lance Hohaia New Zealand 16 New Zealand Warriors FE FE FE FE FE FE 6 1 7 0 18Sean Hoppe St Helens 16 St Helens R.F.C. WG CE 2 0 0 0 0Stacey Jones (c) New Zealand 16 New Zealand Warriors HB HB HB HB HB HB 6 6 1 0 26Stephen Kearney Melbourne 16 Melbourne Storm LK LK SR SR 4 1 0 0 4Ali Lauitiiti New Zealand 16 New Zealand Warriors SR SR SR BE BE SR 6 1 0 0 4Andrew Lomu Easts 16 Sydney Roosters BE 1 0 0 0 0Francis Meli New Zealand 16 New Zealand Warriors WG WG WG CE WG 5 4 0 0 16Robbie Paul Bradford 16 Bradford Bulls FB FB FB HK 4 1 0 0 4Tony Puletua Penrith 16 Penrith Panthers BE BE BE BE 4 0 0 0 0Paul Rauhihi Bulldogs 16 Bulldogs RLFC PR PR PR PR PR PR 6 0 0 0 0Jerry Seuseu New Zealand 16 New Zealand Warriors PR PR PR PR PR BE 6 1 0 0 4Michael Smith Michael Smith (rugby league born 1977) Castleford 16 Castleford Tigers SR 1 0 0 0 0David Solomona Parramatta 16 Parramatta Eels BE BE BE BE BE 5 0 0 0 0Richard Swain Melbourne 16 Melbourne Storm HK HK HK HK HK 5 2 14 0 36Logan Swann New Zealand 16 New Zealand Warriors BE BE BE BE BE 5 2 0 0 8Motu Tony New Zealand 16 New Zealand Warriors BE 1 0 0 0 0Clinton Toopi New Zealand 16 New Zealand Warriors CE CE CE 3 1 0 0 4Matt Utai Bulldogs 16 Bulldogs RLFC WG 1 1 0 0 4David Vaealiki Parramatta 16 Parramatta Eels FB FB FB 3 1 0 0 4Nigel Vagana Bulldogs 16 Bulldogs RLFC CE CE CE CE CE CE 6 4 0 0 16Ruben Wiki Canberra 16 Canberra Raiders SR CE SR SR LK 5 1 0 0 4 Coach: Gary Freeman Fixtures The New Zealand side played five test matches while on their European tour and one test in New Zealand before leaving. New Zealand vs Australia #eeeeee NZL AUS 24–32 New Zealand vs Australia test Tries: Stacey Jones Richard Swain Clinton Toopi Matt Utai Goals: Richard Swain (4/5) Tries: Matthew Gidley (2) Scott Hill Ben Kennedy Willie Mason Timana Tahu Goals: Hazem El Masri (4/7) 12 October 2002 Westpac Stadium, Wellington 25,015 Bill Harrigan (Australia) Scott Hill (Australia) _whiteshoulders _whiteV _whiteshoulders _band_white 000000 000000 000000 000000 000000 New Zealand _goldborder_2 _kangaroos1 _goldborder _thingoldsides _hoops_gold 023E00 023E00 023E00 023E00 023E00 Australia FB 1 David VaealikiLW 2 Henry Fa'afiliRC 3 Nigel VaganaLC 4 Clinton ToopiRW 5 Matt UtaiFE 6 Lance HohaiaHB 7 Stacey Jones (c)PR 8 Jerry SeuseuHK 9 Richard SwainPR 10 Paul RauhihiSR 11 Ali Lauiti'itiSR 12 Ruben WikiLK 13 Stephen KearneySubstitutions:IC 14 Motu TonyIC 15 Andrew LomuIC 16 Awen GuttenbeilIC 17 David SolomonaCoach:NZL Gary Freeman250px FB 1 Darren LockyerLW 2 Timana TahuRC 3 Matthew GidleyLC 4 Brent TateRW 5 Hazem El MasriFE 6 Trent BarrettHB 7 Brett KimmorleyPR 8 Shane WebckeHK 9 Danny BuderusPR 10 Jason StevensSR 11 Gorden Tallis (c)SR 12 Ben KennedyLF 13 Scott HillSubstitutions:IC 14 Craig WingIC 15 Craig FitzgibbonIC 16 Steve MenziesIC 17 Willie MasonCoach:AUS Chris Anderson British leg 22 October Hull F.C. Hull 16 11–28 http://rugby-league-world.com/2002/Internationals/Hull-NZ.html Hull F.C vs New Zealand 2017-06-16 2008-11-14 https://web.archive.org/web/20081114090452/http://www.rugby-league-world.com/2002/Internationals/Hull-NZ.html dead NZL Tries: Richard Horne, Paul Parker Goals: Matt Crowther (1) Field Goals: Graham Mackay (1) Tries: Henry Fa'afili (2), David Vaealiki, Nigel Vagana, Francis Meli Goals: Lance Hohaia (4) The Boulevard, Kingston upon Hull 12,092 Robert Connolly Hull: Steve Prescott, Paul Parker, Richard Horne, Graham Mackay, Matt Crowther, Jason Smith (c), Tony Smith, Craig Greenhill, Lee Jackson, Scott Logan, Adam Maher, Sean Ryan, Chris Chester. Res: Craig Poucher, Paul Cooke, Richard Fletcher, Paul King. Coach: Shaun McRae New Zealand: David Vaealiki, Francis Meli, Nigel Vagana, Clinton Toopi, Henry Fa'afili, Motu Tony, Lance Hohaia, Jason Cayless, Monty Betham, Paul Rauhihi, Tony Puletua, Ruben Wiki, Logan Swann. Res: Michael Smith, Richard Swain, Awen Guttenbeil, Stephen Kearney 25 October St Helens St Helens 16 26–38 NZL Knowsley Road, St. Helens 30 October England A England 16 12–34 Kiwi tour schedule BBC Sport, 23 October 2002 NZL Griffin Park, London Wales vs New Zealand #eeeeee WAL NZL 22–50 Wales vs New Zealand Tries: Paul Atcheson Hefin O'Hare Kris Tassell Goals: Lee Briers (5) Tries: Francis Meli (3) Logan Swann (2) Lance Hohaia Stacey Jones Robbie Paul Goals: Richard Swain (6) Lance Hohaia (1) 3 November 2002 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff 8,746 Steve Ganson (England) Stacey Jones (New Zealand) _white_hoops _redwhitehorizontal _white_hoops FF0000 008000 FF0000 FF0000 FF0000 Wales _whiteshoulders _whiteV _whiteshoulders _band_white 000000 000000 000000 000000 000000 New Zealand FB 1 Damian GibsonRW 2 Hefin O'HareRC 3 Kris TassellLC 4 Adam HughesLW 5 Chris SmithSO 6 Lee Briers (c)SH 7 Mark LennonPR 8 Keith MasonHK 9 Ian WatsonPR 10 Dave WhittleSR 11 Justin MorganSR 12 David MillsLK 13 Paul HightonSubstitutions:IC 14 Paul AtchesonIC 15 Gareth DeanIC 16 Gareth PriceIC 17 Rob RobertsCoach:ENG Neil Kelly250px FB 1 Robbie PaulLW 2 Henry Fa'afiliRC 3 Nigel VaganaLC 4 Ruben WikiRW 5 Francis MeliFE 6 Lance HohaiaHB 7 Stacey Jones (c)PR 8 Jerry SeuseuHK 9 Richard SwainPR 10 Paul RauhihiSR 11 Ali Lauiti'itiSR 12 Awen GuttenbeilLK 13 Stephen KearneySubstitutions:IC 14 Monty BethamIC 15 David SolomonaIC 16 Logan SwannIC 17 Tony PuletuaCoach:NZL Gary Freeman Baskerville Shield After 30 New Zealand vs England / Great Britain test series since 1907, the Baskerville Shield was inaugurated for series between New Zealand and England / Great Britain. The shield is named in honour of Albert Henry Baskerville who organised New Zealand's first ever tour of Great Britain in 1907. Venues The three Baskerville Shield tests took place at the following venues. Blackburn Huddersfield Wigan Ewood Park McAlpine Stadium JJB Stadium Capacity: 31,000 Capacity: 24,500 Capacity: 25,133 200px 200px 200px 1st Test #eeeeee GBR NZL 16–30 Dollin Shawn 2002 Baskerville Shield Series - Game 1 - Great Britain 16 lost to New Zealand 30 https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/baskerville-shield-2002/game-1/great-britain-vs-new-zealand/summary.html Rugby League Project 25 July 2026 en https://web.archive.org/web/20260725100029/https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/baskerville-shield-2002/game_1/great-britain-vs-new-zealand/summary.html 25 July 2026 live Tries: Jamie Peacock Leon Pryce Goals: Andy Farrell (4) Tries: Henry Fa'afili (3) Nigel Vagana (2) Stacey Jones Goals: Richard Swain (3) 9 November 2002 Ewood Park, Blackburn 16,654 Steve Clark (Australia) _GBRL _GBRL _blue_stripes2 _red_stripes2 _bluehorizontal FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF Great Britain _whiteshoulders _whiteV _whiteshoulders _band_white 000000 000000 000000 000000 000000 New Zealand FB 1 Gary ConnollyRW 2 Leon PryceRC 3 Martin GleesonLC 4 Keith SeniorLW 5 Karl PrattSO 6 Kevin SinfieldSH 7 Paul DeaconPR 8 Stuart FieldenHK 9 Keiron CunninghamPR 10 Barrie McDermottSR 11 Andy Farrell (c)SR 12 Adrian MorleyLK 13 Mike ForshawSubstitutions:IC 14 Lee GilmourIC 15 Chris JoyntIC 16 Paul AndersonIC 17 Jamie PeacockCoach:AUS David Waite FB 1 Robbie PaulLW 2 Henry Fa'afiliRC 3 Nigel VaganaLC 4 Clinton ToopiRW 5 Francis MeliFE 6 Lance HohaiaHB 7 Stacey Jones (c)PR 8 Jerry SeuseuHK 9 Richard SwainPR 10 Paul RauhihiSR 11 Ali Lauiti'itiSR 12 Stephen KearneyLK 13 Awen GuttenbeilSubstitutions:IC 14 Monty BethamIC 15 David SolomonaIC 16 Logan SwannIC 17 Tony PuletuaCoach:NZL Gary Freeman Henry Fa'afili scored three tries in the 30–16 first test win over Great Britain at Ewood Park, the first Kiwis hat-trick against the Lions in 97 matches dating back to 1907. His tries all came in the second half as the Kiwis rallied from a 10–6 halftime deficit to win comfortably. 2nd Test #eeeeee GBR NZL 14–14 Dollin Shawn 2002 Baskerville Shield Series - Game 2 - Great Britain 14 drew with New Zealand 14 https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/baskerville-shield-2002/game_2/great-britain-vs-new-zealand/summary.html Rugby League Project 25 July 2026 en https://web.archive.org/web/20260725095732/https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/baskerville-shield-2002/game_2/great-britain-vs-new-zealand/summary.html 25 July 2026 live Tries: Martin Gleeson Leon Pryce Goals: Andy Farrell (3) Tries: Stephen Kearney Francis Meli Ruben Wiki Goals: Richard Swain (1) 16 November 2002 Alfred McAlpine Stadium, Huddersfield 23,604 Steve Clark (Australia) _GBRL _GBRL _blue_stripes2 _red_stripes2 _bluehorizontal FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF Great Britain _whiteshoulders _whiteV _whiteshoulders _band_white 000000 000000 000000 000000 000000 New Zealand FB 1 Gary ConnollyRW 2 Lee GilmourRC 3 Martin GleesonLC 4 Keith SeniorLW 5 Leon PryceSO 6 Paul SculthorpeSH 7 Paul DeaconPR 8 Terry O'ConnorHK 9 James LowesPR 10 Stuart FieldenSR 11 Jamie PeacockSR 12 Andy Farrell (c)LK 13 Mike ForshawSubstitutions:IC 14 Kevin SinfieldIC 15 Richard HorneIC 16 Paul AndersonIC 17 Danny OrrCoach:AUS David Waite FB 1 Robbie PaulLW 2 Henry Fa'afiliRC 3 Nigel VaganaLC 4 Clinton ToopiRW 5 Francis MeliFE 6 Lance HohaiaHB 7 Stacey Jones (c)PR 8 Jerry SeuseuHK 9 Richard SwainPR 10 Paul RauhihiSR 11 Ruben WikiSR 12 Stephen KearneyLK 13 Awen GuttenbeilSubstitutions:IC 14 Tony PuletuaIC 15 Ali Lauiti'itiIC 16 Monty BethamIC 17 Logan SwannCoach:NZL Gary Freeman 3rd Test #eeeeee GBR NZL 16–10 Dollin Shawn 2002 Baskerville Shield Series - Game 3 - Great Britain 16 def. New Zealand 10 https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/baskerville-shield-2002/game_3/great-britain-vs-new-zealand/summary.html Rugby League Project 25 July 2026 en https://web.archive.org/web/20260725100258/https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/baskerville-shield-2002/game_3/great-britain-vs-new-zealand/summary.html 25 July 2026 live Tries: Martin Gleeson Paul Sculthorpe Keith Senior Goals: Andy Farrell (2) Tries: Stacey Jones Ali Lauiti'iti Goals: Stacey Jones (1) 23 November 2002 JJB Stadium, Wigan 22,247 Steve Clark (Australia) _GBRL _GBRL _blue_stripes2 _red_stripes2 _bluehorizontal FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF Great Britain _whiteshoulders _whiteV _whiteshoulders _band_white 000000 000000 000000 000000 000000 New Zealand FB 1 Gary ConnollyRW 2 Leon PryceRC 3 Martin GleesonLC 4 Keith SeniorLW 5 Lee GilmourSO 6 Paul SculthorpeSH 7 Paul DeaconPR 8 Stuart FieldenHK 9 James LowesPR 10 Barrie McDermottSR 11 Adrian MorleySR 12 Andy Farrell (c)LK 13 Mike ForshawSubstitutions:IC 14 Danny OrrIC 15 Jamie PeacockIC 16 Paul AndersonIC 17 Richard HorneCoach:AUS David Waite FB 1 David VaealikiLW 2 Henry Fa'afiliRC 3 Nigel VaganaLC 4 Sean HoppeRW 5 Francis MeliFE 6 Lance HohaiaHB 7 Stacey Jones (c)PR 8 Jerry SeuseuHK 9 Richard SwainPR 10 Paul RauhihiSR 11 Ruben WikiSR 12 Awen GuttenbeilLK 13 Monty BethamSubstitutions:IC 14 Tony PuletuaIC 15 David SolomonaIC 16 Ali Lauiti'itiIC 17 Logan SwannCoach:NZL Gary Freeman France vs New Zealand #eeeeee FRA NZL 10–36 France vs New Zealand Tries: Jérôme Guisset Claude Sirvent Goals: Laurent Frayssinous (2) Tries: Stacey Jones (2) Nigel Vagana (2) Jerry Seuseu David Vaealiki Goals: Lance Hohaia (6) 30 November 2002 Stade Aimé Giral, Perpignan 6,500 Robert Connolly (England) _white_hoops _white_vtop _white_hoops _2 white stripes 0000CD 0000CD 0000CD 0000CD FF0000 France _whiteshoulders _whiteV _whiteshoulders _band_white 000000 000000 000000 000000 000000 New Zealand FB 1 Michael Van SnickRW 2 Renaud GuigueRC 3 Claude SirventLC 4 Arnaud DulacLW 5 Fourcade AbasseSO 6 Laurent FrayssinousSH 7 Julien RinaldiPR 8 Jérôme GuissetHK 9 David BerthezènePR 10 Romain GagliazzoSR 11 Pascal Jampy (c)SR 12 Sébastien RaguinLK 13 Laurent CarrascoSubstitutions:IC 14 Olivier PramilIC 15 Jamal FakirIC 16 Jean-Christophe BorlinIC 17 Julien GerinCoach:FRA Gilles Dumas250px FB 1 David VaealikiLW 2 Henry Fa'afiliRC 3 Nigel VaganaLC 4 Sean HoppeRW 5 Francis MeliFE 6 Lance HohaiaHB 7 Stacey Jones (c)PR 8 Jason CaylessHK 9 Richard SwainPR 10 Paul RauhihiSR 11 Ali Lauiti'itiSR 12 Michael SmithLK 13 Ruben WikiSubstitutions:IC 14 Awen GuttenbeilIC 15 David SolomonaIC 16 Jerry SeuseuIC 17 Logan SwannCoach:NZL Gary Freeman Aftermath New Zealand halfback Stacey Jones won the George Smith Medal as player of the series against Great Britain.Jones voted world's best https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/2590671.stm 20 August 2014 BBC Sport BBC 19 December 2002 The tour was Freeman's last as head coach. In 2003 Daniel Anderson was named as the new Kiwis coach. References 30em Category:New Zealand national rugby league team tours Category:Rugby league tours of Great Britain Category:Rugby league tours of France Tour of Great Britain and France New Zealand rugby league tour of Great Britain and France New Zealand rugby league tour of Great Britain and France New Zealand rugby league tour of Great Britain and France