The 2007 All Golds Tour was a tour by the New Zealand national rugby league team, the Kiwis, of Great Britain and France. The Kiwis played five test matches, winning one against France, but losing the game against Australia and the series against Great Britain 3–0, failing to win the Baskerville Shield.
The 2007 All Golds tour marked the centenary of the inaugural rugby league tour – the 1907-1908 New Zealand rugby tour of Great Britain. New Zealand, then nicknamed "The All Golds" reverted to this name for the tour in celebration of the anniversary. A special game for retired players, labeled the "All Golds vs Northern Union game" was also played.
The tour involved a reception with Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace for the squad.
Squad
NameAustraliaGBGBGBFranceGamesTriesGoalsFGsPointsClub BE BE SR SR 4* 1 0 0 4 New Zealand Warriors (C) PR PR PR PR PR 5 0 0 0 0 South Sydney Rabbitohs WG 1 0 0 0 0 Cronulla Sharks BE BE 2* 0 0 0 0 Brisbane Broncos BE BE BE 3 0 0 0 0 North Queensland Cowboys HK HK HK HK HK 5 0 0 0 0 Wests Tigers BE CE WG 3 2 0 0 8 Bradford Bulls FE FE BE 3 0 1 0 2 New Zealand Warriors FB 1 0 0 0 0 Parramatta Eels WG 1* 1 0 0 4 Sydney Roosters BE BE 2* 0 0 0 0 New Zealand Warriors HB HB BE 3* 1 0 0 4 Wigan Warriors BE BE BE 3 0 0 0 0 Melbourne Storm SR SR SR LK LK 5 0 0 0 0 New Zealand Warriors CE 1 0 0 0 0 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles PR PR BE BE BE 5 0 0 0 0 Parramatta Eels FB FB FB FB 4* 0 0 0 0 Sydney Roosters SR SR SR 3 0 0 0 0 Penrith Panthers BE BE PR PR PR 5 0 0 0 0 New Zealand Warriors FE FE FE 3 0 3 0 6 Bulldogs HB HB HB 3 0 0 0 0 South Sydney Rabbitohs LK LK LK SR SR 5 0 3 0 6 Melbourne Storm WG WG 2* 2 0 0 8 St George Illawarra Dragons CE CE CE 3* 0 0 0 0 Leeds Rhinos WG WG WG WG 4 1 0 0 4 Wests Tigers WG 1* 0 0 0 0 Bradford Bulls CE CE CE CE CE 5 3 0 0 12 Wests Tigers Coach: Gary Kemble *Also played in All Golds match.
Australian representative To celebrate the inclusion of Australia's Dally Messenger in the original All Golds tour, New Zealand Warriors captain and Queensland front rower Steve Price was invited to join the New Zealand team for the match against the Northern Union. The Australian test prop said it was "mind-blowing" to be invited on the tour.
Andrew Johns had initially been invited, but due to a career-ending neck injury, he was unable to play with the squad. Australian captain Darren Lockyer was then set to take Johns' place until he too was ruled out after suffering a season-ending knee injury. Trent Barrett was also linked with the stand-off role in the side.
All Blacks and former Kiwi Test players The NZRL expressed interest in including recently retired New Zealand rugby league stars Nigel Vagana, Ruben Wiki, and Stacey Jones in test matches. All three came out of international retirement to play in the match against the Northern Union.
Several current and former All Blacks (New Zealand rugby union players) were also considered for the match against the Northern Union. Players who grew up playing rugby league such as Carlos Spencer, Piri Weepu and Ma'a Nonu were approached by the NZRL however none were available due to rugby union commitments. Jonah Lomu was also considered but was effectively ruled out due to media and personal appearance commitments at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
Coach Brisbane Broncos' Australian coach Wayne Bennett accepted the invitation from the New Zealand Rugby League to join the All Golds for their commemorative match against the Northern Union in England in October. The former Queensland and Australia coach stated "This is a great honour and it's unique in the game."
Fixtures The New Zealand side played a total of five matches while on their European tour and one test in New Zealand before leaving.
Date Opponent Venue City Res. Score Attend. Rep.13 October Westpac WellingtonLost0–5816,68121 October Northern Union Halliwell Jones WarringtonWon25–186,800BBC SPORT Rugby League Northern Union 18-25 All Golds27 October Galpharm HuddersfieldLost14–2016,522Great Britain vs New Zealand 2007 Series - Game 1 3 November Kingston Kingston upon HullLost0–4420,324Great Britain vs New Zealand 2007 Series - Game 2 10 November JJB Stadium WiganLost22–2821,235Great Britain vs New Zealand 2007 Series - Game 3 17 November Jean-Bouin ParisWon22–146,781France vs New Zealand 2007
Italics indicates the Northern Union vs All Golds game which was contested by retired players
New Zealand vs Australia There was a pre-tour test between Australia and New Zealand in Wellington.
Team details FB 1 Krisnan InuLW 2 Luke CovellRC 3 Steve MataiLC 4 Paul WhatuiraRW 5 Taniela TuiakiFE 6 Ben RobertsHB 7 Jeremy James SmithPR 8 Roy Asotasi (c)HK 9 Dene HalatauPR 10 Fuifui MoimoiSR 11 Simon ManneringSR 12 Frank PritchardLK 13 Jeremy Jon Oscar SmithSubstitutions:IC 14 David FaiumuIC 15 Shontayne HapeIC 16 Sam RapiraIC 17 Jeff LimaCoach: Gary Kemble FB 1 Brett StewartLW 2 Israel FolauRC 3 Mark GasnierLC 4 Greg InglisRW 5 Jarryd HayneFE 6 Greg BirdHB 7 Cooper CronkPR 8 Steve PriceHK 9 Cameron Smith (c)PR 10 Petero CivonicevaSR 11 Nathan HindmarshSR 12 Ryan HoffmanLF 13 Dallas JohnsonSubstitutions:IC 14 Brent KiteIC 15 Kurt GidleyIC 16 Willie MasonIC 17 Michael CrockerCoach: Ricky Stuart
All Golds v Northern Union This was an exhibition match played under 1907 scoring rules with tries worth 3 points and goals / field goals worth 2 points each.
Team details FB 1 Michael PlattLW 2 David HodgsonRC 3 Martin GleesonLC 4 Kirk YeamanRW 5 Gareth RaynorSO 6 Danny McGuireSH 7 Jamie RooneyPR 8 Adrian Morley (c)HK 9 Terry NewtonPR 10 Andy LynchSR 11 Danny TickleSR 12 Stephen WildLK 13 Sam BurgessSubstitutions:IC 14 Jon ClarkeIC 15 Richard MooreIC 16 Paul SykesIC 17 Andy ColeyCoach: Tony Smith FB 1 Sam PerrettLW 2 Shaun Kenny-DowallRC 3 Nigel VaganaLC 4 Clinton ToopiRW 5 Tame TupouFE 6 Thomas LeuluaiHB 7 Stacey JonesPR 8 Steve PriceHK 9 David FaiumuPR 10 Ruben Wiki (c)SR 11 Ali LauitiitiSR 12 David KidwellLK 13 Louis AndersonSubstitutions:IC 14 Greg EastwoodIC 15 Epalahame LauakiIC 16 Awen GuttenbeilIC 17 Chase StanleyCoach: Wayne Bennett
Steve Price was the Australian guest player emulating Dally Messenger's role with the original All Golds. 19 year old Bradford forward Sam Burgess was awarded the Man of the Match and his performance saw his inclusion in the Great Britain squad for the upcoming Baskerville Shield series against the Kiwis.
Stacey Jones in his last international match kicked 5 goals from 5 attempts.
Baskerville Shield Venues The three Baskerville Shield tests took place at the following venues.
Huddersfield Kingston upon Hull Wigan Kirklees Stadium KC Stadium JJB Stadium Capacity: 24,500 Capacity: 25,400 Capacity: 25,133
1st Test
Team details FB 1 Paul WellensLW 2 Ade GardnerRC 3 Martin GleesonLC 4 Keith SeniorRW 5 Gareth RaynorSO 6 Leon PryceSH 7 Rob BurrowPR 8 Adrian MorleyHK 9 Jon ClarkePR 10 Jamie Peacock (c)SR 11 Gareth EllisSR 12 Sean O'LoughlinLK 13 Kevin SinfieldSubstitutions:IC 14 Maurie Fa'asavaluIC 15 James GrahamIC 16 Sam BurgessIC 17 Danny McGuireCoach: Tony Smith FB 1 Sam PerrettLW 2 Tame TupouRC 3 Clinton ToopiLC 4 Paul WhatuiraRW 5 Taniela TuiakiFE 6 Lance HohaiaHB 7 Thomas LeuluaiPR 8 Roy Asotasi (c)HK 9 Dene HalatauPR 10 Fuifui MoimoiSR 11 Simon ManneringSR 12 Frank PritchardLK 13 Jeremy Jon Oscar SmithSubstitutions:IC 14 Greg EastwoodIC 15 Louis AndersonIC 16 Sam RapiraIC 17 Epalahame LauakiCoach: Gary Kemble
2nd Test
Team details FB 1 Paul WellensLW 2 Ade GardnerRC 3 Martin GleesonLC 4 Keith SeniorRW 5 Gareth RaynorSO 6 Leon PryceSH 7 Rob BurrowPR 8 Adrian MorleyHK 9 Jon ClarkePR 10 Jamie Peacock (c)SR 11 Gareth EllisSR 12 Sean O'LoughlinLK 13 Kevin SinfieldSubstitutions:IC 14 Maurie Fa'asavaluIC 15 James GrahamIC 16 Sam BurgessIC 17 Danny McGuireCoach: Tony Smith FB 1 Sam PerrettLW 2 Taniela TuiakiRC 3 Clinton ToopiLC 4 Paul WhatuiraRW 5 Tame TupouFE 6 Lance HohaiaHB 7 Thomas LeuluaiPR 8 Sam RapiraHK 9 Dene HalatauPR 10 Roy Asotasi (c)SR 11 Simon ManneringSR 12 Frank PritchardLK 13 Jeremy Jon Oscar SmithSubstitutions:IC 14 Fuifui MoimoiIC 15 David FaiumuIC 16 Louis AndersonIC 17 Greg EastwoodCoach: Gary Kemble
3rd Test
Team details FB 1 Paul WellensLW 2 Ade GardnerRC 3 Martin GleesonLC 4 Keith SeniorRW 5 David HodgsonSO 6 Danny McGuireSH 7 Rob BurrowPR 8 Adrian MorleyHK 9 Jon ClarkePR 10 Jamie Peacock (c)SR 11 Gareth EllisSR 12 Sean O'LoughlinLK 13 Jon WilkinSubstitutions:IC 14 James GrahamIC 15 Jamie Jones-BuchananIC 16 James RobyIC 17 Kirk YeamanCoach: Tony Smith FB 1 Sam PerrettLW 2 Chase StanleyRC 3 Clinton ToopiLC 4 Paul WhatuiraRW 5 Taniela TuiakiFE 6 Lance HohaiaHB 7 Jeremy James SmithPR 8 Sam RapiraHK 9 Dene HalatauPR 10 Roy Asotasi (c)SR 11 Louis AndersonSR 12 Jeremy Jon Oscar SmithLK 13 Simon ManneringSubstitutions:IC 14 Lance HohaiaIC 15 Fuifui MoimoiIC 16 Epalahame LauakiIC 17 Jeff LimaCoach: Gary Kemble
France vs New Zealand
Team details FB 1 Thomas BoscLW 2 Justin MurphyRC 3 Sébastien PlanasLC 4 Sébastien RaguinRW 5 Cyril StaculSO 6 Christophe MolySH 7 Maxime GrésèquePR 8 David FerriolHK 9 Julien Rinaldi (c)PR 10 Adel FellousSR 11 Cyrille GossardSR 12 Éric AnselmeLK 13 Laurent CarrascoSubstitutions:IC 14 Jean-Christophe BorlinIC 15 Rémi CastyIC 16 Teddy SadaouiIC 17 James WynneCoach: John Monie FB 1 Sam PerrettLW 2 Chase StanleyRC 3 Clinton ToopiLC 4 Paul WhatuiraRW 5 Shaun Kenny-DowallFE 6 Ben RobertsHB 7 Jeremy James SmithPR 8 Sam RapiraHK 9 Dene HalatauPR 10 Roy Asotasi (c)SR 11 Louis AndersonSR 12 Jeremy Jon Oscar SmithLK 13 Simon ManneringSubstitutions:IC 14 Thomas LeuluaiIC 15 Jeff LimaIC 16 David FaiumuIC 17 Fuifui MoimoiCoach: Gary Kemble
Aftermath Great Britain's scrum half back, Rob Burrow was awarded the George Smith Medal as player of the series which he finished as top points scorer with 26 from two tries and nine goals. Coach Gary Kemble was fired after the tour losses, with Roy Asotasi and David Kidwell leading a public campaign to replace him. Kemble was replaced by Stephen Kearney as head coach and Wayne Bennett assistant coach, a combination which took the Kiwis to win the 2008 World Cup. The All Golds played another match, against the New Zealand Māori in New Plymouth, in 2008 as part of the lead up to the Rugby League World Cup.
See also New Zealand Rugby League Rugby league in New Zealand
References
External links "NZ League To Take Hard Line With NRL", xtraMSN website, retrieved 27 July 2006. "States the wish for Wiki, Vagana and Jones to play in the Tour, retrieved 20 May 2007