You have skipped the navigation, tab for page content

On a day when New Zealanders and Australians have bonded to remember those who went before them, the Vodafone Warriors and Melbourne Storm reflect the Anzac Day flavour with the make-up of their squads for tonight’s traditional encounter.

When both clubs named their initial 24-man squads on Tuesday, they combined to provide an even representation of players with links to each the Anzac partners.

Indeed, the Vodafone Warriors named a starting line-up which neatly reflected the partnership the two nations forged more than 100 years.

Their forward pack comprised six players born in Australia albeit one of them – Addin Fonua-Blake – who has represented both New Zealand and Tonga.

In the backline they counted six New Zealand-born players while fullback Reece Walsh, although Australian-born, has New Zealand links through his Māori heritage  

Melbourne included six New Zealand-born or New Zealand-eligible players in their expanded squad while another two – Felise Kaufusi and Alec MacDonald – were born in Auckland.

ANZAC BREAKDOWN

Australia:

Melbourne: Ryan Papenhuyzen, Nick Meaney, Xavier Coates, Cameron Munster, Harry Grant, Felise Kaufusi (Auckland-born), Josh King, Tyran Wishart, Trent Loiero, Chris Lewis, Jordan Grant, Jack Howarth, Bronson Garlick, Cooper Johns, Alec MacDonald (Auckland-born).

Vodafone Warriors: Reece Walsh (Māori heritage), Wayde Egan, Matt Lodge, Euan Aitken, Bayley Sironen, Josh Curran, Aaron Pene, Garrett Smith.

New Zealand:

Melbourne: Reimis Smith (Sydney-born), Jahrome Hughes, Jesse Bromwich, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Kenny Bromwich, Brandon Smith.

New Zealand: Dallin Watene Zelezniak, Jesse Arthars, Adam Pompey, Edward Kosi, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Shaun Johnson, Bunty Afoa, Kodi Nikorima, Jazz Tevaga, Rocco Berry, Valingi Kepu.  

Others:

Tonga: Addin Fonua-Blake (Sydney-born, also played for New Zealand), Eliesa Katoa, Taniela Otukolo, Viliami Valiela.

Papua New Guinea: Justin Olam.

Cook Islands: Tepai Moeroa.

Samoa: Marion Seve (Australian-born).

Fiji: Junior Ratuva.