New Zealand v Australia 2005 Sydney Tri-Nations Rugby League Test

This is the opening game of the 2005 Tri-Nations rugby league competition at Telstra Stadium, Sydney. The Kiwis entered the match after a disappointing 2004 campaign, under the stewardship of inexperienced coach Brian McClennan and weakened by injuries to upcoming stars like Benji Marshall and Sonny Bill Williams. Stacey Jones was playing in what he planned to be his second-to-last test match and the side was captained by Ruben Wiki. The Kangaroos were looking to build on their 2004 Tri-Nations triumph and 2005 Anzac test success, buoyed by the legendary pairing of Lockyer and Johns in the halves, and Golden Boot winner Anthony Minichiello at fullback.
Teams:
New Zealand: 1 Brent Webb, 2 Jake Webster, 3 Paul Whatuira, 4 Clinton Toopi, 5 Manu Vatuvei, 6 Nigel Vagana, 7 Stacey Jones, 8 Paul Rauhihi, 9 Lance Hohaia, 10 Ruben Wiki (c), 11 David Kidwell, 12 Frank Pritchard, 13 Louis Anderson
Interchange: 14 David Faiumu, 15 Roy Asotasi, 16 Nathan Cayless, 17 David Solomona, Coach: Brian McClennan
Australia: 1 Anthony Minichiello, 2 Timana Tahu, 3 Brent Tate, 4 Mark Gasnier, 5 Matt King, 6 Darren Lockyer (c), 7 Andrew Johns, 8 Petero Civoniceva, 9 Danny Buderus, 10 Steve Price, 11 Luke O'Donnell, 12 Craig Fitzgibbon, 13 Ben Kennedy
Interchange: 14 Jason Ryles, 15 Andrew Ryan, 16 Trent Waterhouse, 17 Craig Gower, Coach: Wayne Bennett
Referee: Steve Ganson (England)