Goal kicking Wigan-based utility back Frano Botica, who had made his Kiwi debut in the first test against France, was preferred to Manly-Warringah goal kicking fullback Matthew Ridge for the three tests, while the only Kiwi on debut in Melbourne was Christchurch-born, South Sydney Rabbitohs winger Jason Williams, playing the first of 12 career tests.
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The ex-rugby union players playing in the Winfield Cup, John Schuster, Matthew Ridge, Daryl Halligan and Kurt Sherlock, were unavailable due to a dispute between the clubs and the NZRL.
Gospel of Matthew | Matthew | Matthew Flinders | Matthew McConaughey | Blue Ridge Mountains | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | Oak Ridge, Tennessee | Matthew Broderick | St Matthew Passion | Matthew Barney | Matthew Fox | Matthew Prior | Tom Ridge | Matthew Arnold | Matthew Sweet | Matthew Perry | Matthew C. Perry | Matthew the Apostle | Matthew Herbert | Oak Ridge | Matthew Prior (cricketer) | Matthew Wolfenden | Matthew Shipp | Matthew Pearl | Matthew Fox (actor) | Matthew Boulton | Matthew Shepard | Matthew Pinsent | Matthew Parker | Matthew of Ajello |
Botica joined the Wigan rugby league club in British league in 1990 in what was an exodus of All Black backs to rugby league including Matthew Ridge (Manly-Warringah), John Gallagher (Leeds) and John Schuster Newcastle).
In 1990, Gallagher was one of the first of a succession of All Blacks to switch codes to rugby league, following from his understudy Matthew Ridge, who signed with the NSWRL's Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles only a week before.