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Rugby League

All Golds claim centenary match win

20/10/2007

New Zealand All Golds claimed a well deserved 25-18 win over the Northern Union in the Centenary International at the Halliwell Jones Stadium this evening.

In a game which reverted to old rugby league rules of tries equating to three points and conversions two points, the All Golds scored five tries with Stacey Jones, who retired after the game, converting all five kicks. Leeds star Danny McGuire scored two of the Northern Union's four tries.

It was McGuire who gave the Northern Union an early lead, managing to just keep hold of the ball after juggling it a few times before going over the try line. Jamie Rooney added the two points.

The All Golds hit back in fantastic style with two quick tries from Leeds forward Ali Lauitiiti. Thomas Leuluai brilliantly broke through the Northern Union defence and set up Lauitiiti for his first try. But Lauitiiti's second try was all his own work as he barged four players out of the way to crash over.

Poor defending again from the Northern Union allowed the All Golds to extend the lead as Greg Eastwood bounced off to defenders to score a try.

The Northern Union started the second half as the better side and McGuire scored his second try as he grabbed a brilliant inside ball from Kirk Yeaman to score the try. And when Yeaman himself scored a try after good work from Terry Newton, the Northern Union were right back in the game at 18-15 down.

But the All Golds upped their game and secured the game with two late tries from Louis Anderson and Clinton Toopi.

There was bad news for Northern Union and Great Britain coach Tony Smith ahead of the upcoming test series against New Zealand. Yeaman went off an ankle injury and both Adrian Morley and Danny Tickle were both placed on report for alleged high tackles.