The Serve

Put the Anzac test on Anzac Day

Brett Kimmorley nailed it when he said the Anzac test should be played on April 25 each year. When the match was instituted in the Super League days, it was created for ANZAC day. That it happened to be a Friday in 1997 appeared to be coincidental. Then television got in the way and the sentiment was lost. Yeah, we’ll play the game, just make sure we get the ratings too.

The Dragons and the Roosters was created as rugby league’s answer to Collingwood and Essendon. It was never going to have the drawing power of the AFL’s wonderful contest, but given both sides had been high flyers for several years and had some sort of geographical proximity, it was a nice fit.

Until this year.

ANZAC Day should not be about league and AFL pulling out their collective egos, but a celebration. Down south they are sorted. AFL can get away with looking after just two clubs. League needs something more all encompassing. What better than a contest between Australia and New Zealand, at the old time of three o’clock, in a true celebration of the sport? Critics will point to the day representing Australia and New Zealand as one, with a sporting contest between the two nations defeating the purpose. Rubbish. It is a celebration of sport, a celebration of a way of life made possible by the sacrifice of the ANZAC’s. Competitor’s on the field, compatriot’s off it. Have the diggers fill the stands. Now that would be far more symbolic than a bugle drowned out by a fighter jet, as happened last week at Aussie Stadium.

Funny thing is ANZAC day next year happens to fall on a Friday. Problem solved. For now.