Australia and New Zealand had competed in rugby league Tests since 1908. The ANZAC Test, played on or around ANZAC Day, was introduced by Super League (Australia) in 1997. When New Zealand was defeated 56 - 0 in 2000 the Australian Rugby League (ARL) was criticised for playing the match before the State of Origin series. The Test was then dropped from the annual schedule in favour of match in mid-July. In 2002 and 2003 Australia defeated Great Britain (64 - 10) and New Zealand (48 - 6) in July Test matches, so the Bundaberg Rum Test (as it became known for sponsorship reasons) was revived the following year. 

Naming controversy 

The ANZAC Test was controversial for its use of the term 'ANZAC' (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) and its comparison of professional sportsmen with soldiers. However Super League donated a large sum of money to the RSL, and Bruce Ruxton featured in commercials for the inaugural Anzac Test, proclaiming "Mark my words, Australia is still in grave danger from one of our so-called neighbours. The Kiwis were once our allies and now they’re on the other side - at least for 80 minutes". The word Anzac is protected in Australia by the The Protection of Word "Anzac" Regulations (under the War Precautions Act Repeal Act 1920) and requires permission of the Minister for Veterans' Affairs for use in commercial events. This permission was given for the event from 1997-1999.[3] Since 2004 it has been officially called the Bundaberg Rum League Test, after the principal sponsor, Bundaberg Rum. Media outlets sometimes still describe the game using its original name. 

Trophy 

Two different trophies have been awarded for the winner of this Test. For the 1997-1999 ANZAC Tests, the winner was awarded the ANZAC Trophy, which depicted an Australian slouch hat and New Zealand lemon squeezer hat. Since 2004, the winner of the Bundaberg Rum League Test has been awarded the Bill Kelly Memorial Trophy (pictured here). This trophy was donated in 1996 by Gerald Ryan ONZM, a past president of the New Zealand Rugby League. It is named after Bill Kelly, a New Zealand Rugby League player in the early 20th century. The Bill Kelly Memorial Trophy was briefly stolen by three 25 year old New Zealand men after Australia's victory in the 2006 Test. It was found several hours later on the awning of a nearby building. The trophy currently resides at the Australian Rugby League headquarters in Sydney.