{{Short description|Combined rugby union team}} {{Use Australian English|date=March 2024}} The '''ANZAC XV''' was a rugby union team made up of players eligible to represent either Australia or New Zealand, which played against the British Lions in 1989. The name ANZAC comes from Australia and New Zealand's involvement in World War I. In 1989, the team was intended to combine many Wallabies and All Blacks, but most New Zealand players dropped out of the squad before the match.<ref name=BL>{{cite web |url=https://www.lionsrugby.com/2010/06/23/the-lions-down-under-1989/#news-article |title=The Lions Down Under: 1989 |website=lionsrugby.com |publisher=British & Irish Lions |access-date= |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101112203/https://www.lionsrugby.com/2010/06/23/the-lions-down-under-1989/ |archive-date=1 November 2022 }}</ref>
In 2025, a similar team, the '''AUNZ Invitational XV'''. played against the British & Irish Lions in Adelaide during the Lions' 2025 tour of Australia.
==History== ===1989 British Lions tour=== {{See|1989 British Lions tour to Australia{{!}}1989 British Lions tour of Australia}} The team was first established for the 1989 British Lions tour of Australia.<ref name=ABC>{{cite news |date=19 July 2023 |title=Rugby Australia revives Anzac XV for 2025 British and Irish Lions tour |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-19/rugby-australa-revives-anzac-xv-for-lions-tour/102621462 |url-status=live |work=ABC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721224959/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-19/rugby-australa-revives-anzac-xv-for-lions-tour/102621462 |archive-date=21 July 2023 |access-date=22 July 2023 }}</ref> After an initial selection that included seven New Zealand players (Richard Loe, Frano Botica, Wayne Shelford, Michael Brewer, Steve McDowall, John Schuster, John Gallagher),<ref>{{cite news |page=68 |date=12 July 1989 |title=Loe, Botica chosen |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19890712.2.185.1 |work=The Press }}</ref> only two of the announced players were still in the final squad to play the Lions,<ref>{{cite news |page=88 |date=22 July 2023 |title=Chance for Botica |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19890722.2.193.2 |work=The Press }}</ref> with many New Zealanders refusing to play for the team.<ref name=BL/><ref name=SMH>{{cite news |last=Payten |first=Iain |date=2 November 2022 |title=Return of the Anzac XV? RA pitch for Wallabies-All Blacks team to play Lions |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-union/return-of-the-anzac-xv-ra-pitch-for-wallabies-all-blacks-team-to-play-lions-20221102-p5buw9.html |work=The Sydney Morning Herald }}</ref>
====1989 squad==== '''Coaching team:'''<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122283539 |title=Five All Blacks for Anzac match |newspaper=The Canberra Times |volume=63 |issue=19,642 |date=19 July 1989 |page=50 |via=National Library of Australia }}</ref> * '''Head coach:''' {{flagdeco|AUS}} Bob Dwyer * '''Assistant coach:''' {{flagdeco|AUS}} Bob Templeton
{{nat rs start|hidenote=yes}} {{nat rs player|pos=HK|name={{flagdeco|AUS}} Mark McBain|age={{Birth date and age2|1989|7|22|1959|10|30|df=y}}|caps=7|club=Queensland / Brothers|clubnat=AUS}} {{nat rs player|pos=PR|name={{flagdeco|NZL}} Steve McDowall|age={{Birth date and age2|1989|7|22|1961|8|27|df=y}}|caps=20|club=Auckland|clubnat=NZL}} {{nat rs player|pos=PR|name={{flagdeco|AUS}} Andy McIntyre|age={{Birth date and age2|1989|7|22|1955|12|23|df=y}}|caps=37|club=Queensland / University of Queensland|clubnat=AUS}} {{nat rs player|pos=LK|name={{flagdeco|AUS}} Steve Cutler|age={{Birth date and age2|1989|7|22|1960|7|28|df=y}}|caps=38|club=New South Wales / Gordon|clubnat=AUS}} {{nat rs player|pos=LK|name={{flagdeco|AUS}} Bill Campbell|age={{Birth date and age2|1989|7|22|1961|11|28|df=y}}|caps=19|club=Queensland / Wests|clubnat=AUS}} {{nat rs player|pos=BR|name={{flagdeco|AUS}} Simon Poidevin|age={{Birth date and age2|1989|7|22|1958|10|31|df=y}}|caps=50|club=New South Wales / Randwick|clubnat=AUS}} {{nat rs player|pos=BR|name={{flagdeco|AUS}} Tim Gavin|age={{Birth date and age2|1989|7|22|1963|11|20|df=y}}|caps=4|club=New South Wales / Eastern Suburbs|clubnat=AUS}} {{nat rs player|pos=BR|name={{flagdeco|AUS}} Jeff Miller|age={{Birth date and age2|1989|7|22|1962|7|4|df=y}}|caps=20|club=Queensland / University of Queensland|clubnat=AUS}} {{nat rs player|pos=SH|name={{flagdeco|AUS}} Nick Farr-Jones|age={{Birth date and age2|1989|7|22|1962|4|18|df=y}}|caps=35|club=New South Wales / Sydney University|clubnat=AUS}} {{nat rs player|pos=FH|name={{flagdeco|AUS}} Michael Lynagh|age={{Birth date and age2|1989|7|22|1962|10|25|df=y}}|caps=11|club=Queensland / University of Queensland|clubnat=AUS}} {{nat rs player|pos=CE|name={{flagdeco|NZL}} Frano Botica|age={{Birth date and age2|1989|7|22|1963|8|3|df=y}}|caps=7|club=North Harbour|clubnat=NZL}} {{nat rs player|pos=CE|name={{flagdeco|AUS}} Dominic Maguire|age={{Birth date and age2|1989|7|22|1964|7|2|df=y}}|caps=3|club=Queensland / Brothers|clubnat=AUS}} {{nat rs player|pos=WG|name={{flagdeco|AUS}} David Campese|age={{Birth date and age2|1989|7|22|1962|10|21|df=y}}|caps=45|club=New South Wales / Randwick|clubnat=AUS}} {{nat rs player|pos=FB|name={{flagdeco|AUS}} Ian Williams|age={{Birth date and age2|1989|7|22|1962|9|23|df=y}}|caps=10|club=New South Wales / Eastwood|clubnat=AUS}} {{nat rs player|pos=WG|name={{flagdeco|NZL}} Kieran Crowley|age={{Birth date and age2|1989|7|22|1961|8|31|df=y}}|caps=9|club=Taranaki|clubnat=NZL}} |}
===2025 British & Irish Lions tour=== {{See|2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia{{!}}2025 British & Irish Lions tour of Australia}} In July 2023, following the announcement of the Lions' schedule for the 2025 tour, it was confirmed that a combined team would play against the Lions again.<ref name=ABC/><ref name=NFJ>{{cite news |last=Payten |first=Iain |date=19 July 2023 |title=Farr-Jones backs return of Anzac XV for Lions tour, but Eddie unconvinced |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-union/anzac-xv-revived-as-part-of-nine-game-british-and-irish-lions-tour-20230719-p5dpi6.html |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=22 July 2023 }}</ref><ref name=Jones>{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Chris |date=19 July 2023 |title=British and Irish Lions to play combined New Zealand-Australia XV on 2025 tour |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/66240886 |work=BBC Sport }}</ref> As France would be on a three-test tour of New Zealand at the same time as the Lions tour, ''ESPN'' wrote: "it is expected that All Blacks who are instead playing in Japanese rugby or elsewhere, and therefore not eligible for Test selection, will instead be targeted to join the invitational team."<ref>{{cite news |last=Bruce |first=Sam |date=19 July 2023 |title=Invitational Aus-NZ green lit as 2025 Lions Tour confirmed |url=https://www.espn.com.au/rugby/story/_/id/38032592/australia-new-zealand-combined-rugby-team-face-british-irish-lions-2025 |url-status=live |work=ESPN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008013744/https://www.espn.com.au/rugby/story/_/id/38032592/australia-new-zealand-combined-rugby-team-face-british-irish-lions-2025 |archive-date=8 October 2024 }}</ref> In March 2025, Rugby Australia (RA) announced that former New Zealand head coach (2020–2023) Ian Foster would be a part of the ANZAC XV coaching staff.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bruce |first=Sam |date=20 March 2025 |title=Foster to face Lions on Au/NZ staff, targets Mo'unga and Smith |url=https://www.espn.com.au/rugby/story/_/id/44323296/ian-foster-joins-australia-new-zealand-invitational-team-staff-british-irish-lions-clash-adelaide |url-status=live |work=ESPN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250320190229/https://www.espn.com.au/rugby/story/_/id/44323296/ian-foster-joins-australia-new-zealand-invitational-team-staff-british-irish-lions-clash-adelaide |archive-date=20 March 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=21 March 2025 |title=Former All Blacks coach Ian Foster to battle British and Irish Lions |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/545454/former-all-blacks-coach-ian-foster-to-battle-british-and-irish-lions |url-status=live |work=Radio New Zealand |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250322204634/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/545454/former-all-blacks-coach-ian-foster-to-battle-british-and-irish-lions |archive-date=22 March 2025 }}</ref> In the following months (May 2025), the full coaching staff was announced, with Queensland Reds head coach Les Kiss leading the team,<ref>{{cite web |title=Kiss unveiled as AUNZ coach, Kefu to steer First Nations & Pasifika XV |url=https://www.rugby.com.au/news/kiss-unveiled-as-aunz-coach-kefu-to-steer-fnpasifika-xv-2025519 |last=Grey |first=Lachie |date=19 May 2025 |website=Rugby.com.au |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250526235414/https://www.rugby.com.au/news/kiss-unveiled-as-aunz-coach-kefu-to-steer-fnpasifika-xv-2025519 |archive-date=26 May 2025 }}</ref> alongside his assistant Zane Hilton, aforementioned former New Zealand coach Ian Foster, and Western Force coach Simon Cron.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cron, Hilton added to AUNZ Invitational XV coaching staff for Lions match |url=https://www.rugby.com.au/news/cron-hilton-added-to-aunz-invitational-xv-coaching-staff-for-lions-match-2025527 |last=Williamson |first=Nathan |date=28 May 2025 |website=Rugby.com.au |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250528105326/https://www.rugby.com.au/news/cron-hilton-added-to-aunz-invitational-xv-coaching-staff-for-lions-match-2025527 |archive-date=28 May 2025 }}</ref>
====2025 squad==== On 1 July 2025, the first set of players selected were confirmed.<ref>{{cite news |date=1 July 2025 |title=Four New Zealanders confirmed in Invitational side to take on Lions |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/565591/four-new-zealanders-confirmed-in-invitational-side-to-take-on-lions |url-status=live |work=Radio New Zealand |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250701024358/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/565591/four-new-zealanders-confirmed-in-invitational-side-to-take-on-lions |archive-date=1 July 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=30 June 2025 |title=All Black Frizell among first names for Aus/NZ combined side |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/articles/cwyxxenld1lo |url-status=live |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250707154730/https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/articles/cwyxxenld1lo |archive-date=7 July 2025 }}</ref> The players' selection, all from New Zealand, came {{ayd|23 June 2025|1 July 2025}} after New Zealand had selected their squad to face France in their international tour.<ref>{{cite web |title=All Blacks squad named to face France |url=https://www.allblacks.com/news/all-blacks-squad-named-to-face-france |date=23 June 2025 |website=allblacks.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250624061000/https://www.allblacks.com/news/all-blacks-squad-named-to-face-france |archive-date=24 June 2025 }}</ref> New Zealand centre Ngani Laumape was later confirmed as an additional member of the squad.<ref>{{cite news |date=1 July 2025 |title=FIFTH All Blacks star revealed in AUNZ Invitational side to take on British and Irish Lions |url=https://www.theroar.com.au/2025/07/01/four-all-blacks-revealed-in-aunz-invitational-side-to-take-on-british-and-irish-lions/ |url-status=live |work=The Roar |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250701062056/https://www.theroar.com.au/2025/07/01/four-all-blacks-revealed-in-aunz-invitational-side-to-take-on-british-and-irish-lions/ |archive-date=1 July 2025 }}</ref> More players were revealed for selection days later, including flanker Pete Samu, hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa,<ref>{{cite news |date=3 July 2025 |title=British and Irish Lions: Three Wallabies added to AUNZ Invitational squad |url=https://www.espn.com.au/rugby/story/_/id/45651132/british-irish-lions-three-wallabies-added-aunz-invitational-squad |url-status=live |work=ESPN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250703032426/https://www.espn.com.au/rugby/story/_/id/45651132/british-irish-lions-three-wallabies-added-aunz-invitational-squad |archive-date=3 July 2025 |access-date=8 July 2025 }}</ref> and winger Marika Koroibete.<ref>{{cite news |last=Worthington |first=Sam |date=3 July 2025 |title=Marika Koroibete gets call in plan to 'soften the Lions up' as star-studded Anzac team starts to take shape |url=https://www.nine.com.au/sport/rugby/british-irish-lions-tour-2025-aunz-invitational-xv-team-news-marika-koroibete-wallaroos-squad-for-black-ferns-20250703-p5mcbq.html |url-status=live |work=Nine.com.au |publisher=Nine Entertainment |archive-date=3 July 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250703105926/https://www.nine.com.au/sport/rugby/british-irish-lions-tour-2025-aunz-invitational-xv-team-news-marika-koroibete-wallaroos-squad-for-black-ferns-20250703-p5mcbq.html |access-date=8 July 2025 }}</ref>
The squad was confirmed on 7 July 2025, {{ayd|7 July 2025|12 July 2025}} ahead of their match against the British & Irish Lions.<ref>{{cite web |title=AUNZ Invitational XV full squad confirmed ahead of historic Lions clash |url=https://www.rugby.com.au/news/full-aunz-invitational-xv-full-squad-confirmed-ahead-of-historic-lions-clash-202576 |last=Wasiliev |first=Nick |date=7 July 2025 |website=Rugby.com.au |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250707160915/https://www.rugby.com.au/news/full-aunz-invitational-xv-full-squad-confirmed-ahead-of-historic-lions-clash-202576 |archive-date=7 July 2025 |access-date=8 July 2025 }}</ref>
'''Coaching team:''' * '''Head coach:''' {{flagdeco|AUS}} Les Kiss * '''Assistant coach:''' {{flagdeco|NZL}} Ian Foster * '''Assistant coach:''' {{flagdeco|NZL}} Simon Cron * '''Assistant coach:''' {{flagdeco|AUS}} Zane Hilton
{{nat rs start|hidenote=yes}} {{nat rs player|pos=HK|name={{flagdeco|AUS}} Richie Asiata|age={{Birth date and age2|2025|7|11|1996|5|3|df=y}}|caps=0|club=Queensland Reds|clubnat=AUS}} {{nat rs player|pos=HK|name={{flagdeco|NZL}} Kurt Eklund|age={{Birth date and age2|2025|7|11|1992|1|5|df=y}}|caps=0|club=Blues / Bay of Plenty|clubnat=NZL}} {{nat rs player|pos=HK|name={{flagdeco|AUS}} Brandon Paenga-Amosa|age={{Birth date and age2|2025|7|11|1995|12|25|df=y}}|caps=20|club=Western Force|clubnat=AUS}} {{nat rs player|pos=PR|name={{flagdeco|AUS}} Daniel Botha|age={{Birth date and age2|2025|7|11|2001|12|16|df=y}}|caps=0|club=New South Wales Waratahs|clubnat=AUS}} {{nat rs player|pos=PR|name={{flagdeco|NZL}} George Dyer|age={{Birth date and age2|2025|7|11|1999|10|22|df=y}}|caps=0|club=Chiefs / Waikato|clubnat=NZL}} {{nat rs player|pos=PR|name={{flagdeco|NZL}} Josh Fusitua|age={{Birth date and age2|2025|7|11|2001|5|1|df=y}}|caps=0|club=Blues / Auckland|clubnat=NZL}} {{nat rs player|pos=PR|name={{flagdeco|NZL}} Aidan Ross|age={{Birth date and age2|2025|7|11|1995|10|25|df=y}}|caps=2|club=Queensland Reds|clubnat=AUS}} {{nat rs player|pos=PR|name={{flagdeco|NZL}} Jeffery Toomaga-Allen{{efn|Whilst Toomaga-Allen is a current Samoan international, he had previously played for New Zealand before changing international allegiance in 2022.}}|age={{Birth date and age2|2025|7|11|1990|11|19|df=y}}|caps=1|club=Queensland Reds|clubnat=AUS}} {{nat rs player|pos=LK|name={{flagdeco|AUS}} Angus Blyth|age={{Birth date and age2|2025|7|11|1998|3|4|df=y}}|caps=4|club=Queensland Reds / Bond University|clubnat=AUS}} {{nat rs player|pos=LK|name={{flagdeco|AUS}} Lukhan Salakaia-Loto|age={{Birth date and age2|2025|7|11|1996|9|19|df=y}}|caps=41|club=Queensland Reds|clubnat=AUS}} {{nat rs player|pos=LK|name={{flagdeco|AUS}} Matt Philip|age={{Birth date and age2|2025|7|11|1994|3|7|df=y}}|caps=31|club=New South Wales Waratahs|clubnat=AUS}} {{nat rs player|pos=BR|name={{flagdeco|AUS}} Joe Brial|age={{Birth date and age2|2025|7|11|2002|1|7|df=y}}|caps=0|club=Queensland Reds|clubnat=AUS}} {{nat rs player|pos=BR|name={{flagdeco|NZL}} Shannon Frizell|age={{Birth date and age2|2025|7|11|1994|2|11|df=y}}|caps=33|club=Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo|clubnat=JPN}} {{nat rs player|pos=BR|name={{flagdeco|AUS}} Pete Samu|age={{Birth date and age2|2025|7|11|1991|12|17|df=y}}|caps=33|club=Bordeaux Bègles|clubnat=FRA}} {{nat rs player|pos=BR|name={{flagdeco|NZL}} Hoskins Sotutu|age={{Birth date and age2|2025|7|11|1998|7|12|df=y}}|caps=14|club=Blues / Counties Manukau|clubnat=NZL}} {{nat rs player|pos=BR|name={{flagdeco|AUS}} Seru Uru|age={{Birth date and age2|2025|7|11|1997|1|3|df=y}}|caps=2|club=Queensland Reds|clubnat=AUS}} {{nat rs player|pos=SH|name={{flagdeco|NZL}} Folau Fakatava|age={{Birth date and age2|2025|7|11|1999|12|16|df=y}}|caps=2|club=Highlanders / Hawke's Bay|clubnat=NZL}} {{nat rs player|pos=SH|name={{flagdeco|AUS}} Kalani Thomas|age={{Birth date and age2|2025|7|11|2002|4|18|df=y}}|caps=0|club=Queensland Reds|clubnat=AUS}} {{nat rs player|pos=FH|name={{flagdeco|AUS}} Tane Edmed|age={{Birth date and age2|2025|7|11|2000|8|16|df=y}}|caps=1|club=New South Wales Waratahs|clubnat=AUS}} {{nat rs player|pos=FH|name={{flagdeco|AUS}} Harry McLaughlin-Phillips|age={{Birth date and age2|2025|7|11|2004|4|13|df=y}}|caps=0|club=Queensland Reds|clubnat=AUS}} {{nat rs player|pos=CE|name={{flagdeco|NZL}} David Havili|age={{Birth date and age2|2025|7|11|1994|12|23|df=y}}|caps=30|club=Crusaders / Tasman|clubnat=NZL}} {{nat rs player|pos=CE|name={{flagdeco|NZL}} Ngani Laumape|age={{Birth date and age2|2025|7|11|1993|4|22|df=y}}|caps=15|club=Kobelco Kobe Steelers|clubnat=JPN}} {{nat rs player|pos=CE|name={{flagdeco|AUS}} Joey Walton|age={{Birth date and age2|2025|7|11|2000|5|27|df=y}}|caps=0|club=New South Wales Waratahs|clubnat=AUS}} {{nat rs player|pos=WG|name={{flagdeco|AUS}} Lachie Anderson|age={{Birth date and age2|2025|7|11|1997|8|27|df=y}}|caps=0|club=Queensland Reds|clubnat=AUS}} {{nat rs player|pos=WG|name={{flagdeco|AUS}} Mac Grealy|age={{Birth date and age2|2025|7|11|2002|3|6|df=y}}|caps=0|club=Western Force|clubnat=AUS}} {{nat rs player|pos=WG|name={{flagdeco|AUS}} Marika Koroibete|age={{Birth date and age2|2025|7|11|1992|7|26|df=y}}|caps=63|club=Saitama Wild Knights|clubnat=JPN}} {{nat rs player|pos=WG|name={{flagdeco|NZL}} AJ Lam|age={{Birth date and age2|2025|7|11|1998|7|29|df=y}}|caps=0|club=Blues / Auckland|clubnat=NZL}} {{nat rs player|pos=WG|name={{flagdeco|AUS}} Darby Lancaster|age={{Birth date and age2|2025|7|11|2003|4|23|df=y}}|caps=1|club=New South Wales Waratahs|clubnat=AUS}} {{nat rs player|pos=FB|name={{flagdeco|AUS}} Jock Campbell|age={{Birth date and age2|2025|7|11|1995|5|17|df=y}}|caps=4|club=Queensland Reds|clubnat=AUS}} {{nat rs player|pos=FB|name={{flagdeco|NZL}} Shaun Stevenson|age={{Birth date and age2|2025|7|11|1996|11|14|df=y}}|caps=1|club=Kubota Spears|clubnat=JPN}} |}
==Statistics== {| class="wikitable" |+List of try-scorers ! No. ! width=145px|Player ! width=90px|Tour ! Position ! width=70px|Tries |- |align=center|1 |{{flagdeco|AUS}} Ian Williams |align=center|1989 |Wing |align=center|1 |} {| class="wikitable" |+List of point-scorers ! No. ! width=145px|Player ! width=90px|Tour ! Position ! width=70px|Points |- |align=center|1 |{{flagdeco|AUS}} Michael Lynagh |align=center|1989 |Fly-half |align=center|11 |}
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{ANZAC XV}} {{Australia national rugby union team}} {{New Zealand national rugby union team}} {{National rugby union teams}} {{National sports teams of Australia}} {{National sports teams of New Zealand}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Anzac XV}} Category:Multinational rugby union teams Category:1989 establishments in Australia Category:1989 establishments in New Zealand Category:ANZAC Category:1989 disestablishments in New Zealand Category:1989 disestablishments in Australia