2007 All Golds Tour


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 back 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
BEBESRSR4*1004 New Zealand Warriors
PRPRPRPRPR50000 South Sydney Rabbitohs
WG10000 Cronulla Sharks
BEBE2*0000 Brisbane Broncos
BEBEBE30000 North Queensland Cowboys
HKHKHKHKHK50000 Wests Tigers
BECEWG32008 Bradford Bulls
FEFEBE30102 New Zealand Warriors
FB10000 Parramatta Eels
WG1*1004 Sydney Roosters
BEBE2*0000 New Zealand Warriors
HBHBBE3*1004 Wigan Warriors
BEBEBE30000 Melbourne Storm
SRSRSRLKLK50000 New Zealand Warriors
CE10000 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
PRPRBEBEBE50000 Parramatta Eels
FBFBFBFB4*0000 Sydney Roosters
SRSRSR30000 Penrith Panthers
BEBEPRPRPR50000 New Zealand Warriors
FEFEFE30306 Bulldogs
HBHBHB30000 South Sydney Rabbitohs
LKLKLKSRSR50306 Melbourne Storm
WGWG2*2008 St George Illawarra Dragons
CECECE3*0000 Leeds Rhinos
WGWGWGWG41004 Wests Tigers
WG1*0000 Bradford Bulls
CECECECECE530012 Wests Tigers

*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 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.
DateOpponentVenueCityRes.ScoreAttend.Rep.
13 OctoberWestpacWellingtonLost0–5816,681
21 OctoberNorthern UnionHalliwell JonesWarringtonWon25–186,800
27 OctoberGalpharmHuddersfieldLost14–2016,522
3 NovemberKingstonKingston upon HullLost0–4420,324
10 NovemberJJB StadiumWiganLost22–2821,235
17 NovemberJean-BouinParisWon22–146,781

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.
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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.
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Baskerville Shield

Venues

The three Baskerville Shield tests took place at the following venues.

HuddersfieldKingston upon HullWigan
Kirklees StadiumKC StadiumJJB Stadium
Capacity: 24,500Capacity: 25,400Capacity: 25,133

1st Test

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2nd Test

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3rd Test

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France vs New Zealand

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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 [Rugby League World Cup|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.