Rugby League Test Australia v New Zealand 1st Test 1991

This is the first rugby league Test match of the 1991 series between Australia and New Zealand. The Australians were in a transition phase following their wafer-thin series victory over Great Britain at the end of 1990, while the Kiwis were yet again rebuilding following their poor run in internationals over the last few years. Exacerbating the Kiwis' troubles were injuries to experienced brothers Kevin and Tony Iro, and the fact that Australian clubs refused to release rugby converts Matthew Ridge, John Schuster, Kurt Sherlock and Daryl Halligan. This turned out to be Wally Lewis's last Test match. Watch out for the 'Lonergan shuffle', a dance craze of 1991. And this match, played at Olympic Park on July 3, 1991, was the first Test ever played in Melbourne. Teams New Zealand: 1. Frano Botica; 2. Richie Blackmore; 3. Jarrod McCracken; 4. Dave Watson; 5. Jason Williams; 6. Tony Kemp; 7. Gary Freeman, 8. Brent Todd; 9. Duane Mann; 10. Peter Brown; 11. Emosi Koloto; 12. Dean Lonergan; 13. Tawrea Nikau. Reserves: 14. Clayton Friend; 15. George Mann; 16. Mike Patton; 17. Gary Mercer. Australia: 1. Paul Hauff; 2. Andrew Ettingshausen; 3. Mal Meninga; 4. Chris Johns; 5. Dale Shearer; 6. Wally Lewis; 7. Allan Langer; 8. Steve Roach; 9. Steve Walters; 10. Martin Bella; 11. Ian Roberts; 12. Bob Lindner; 13. Bradley Clyde.