Maths proves Test is at home in Brisbane

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COREY Parker is adamant the trans-Tasman Test in the year of the Anzac centenary can have no better home than Brisbane.

The ARL Commission brought the May 1 Test against New Zealand to Suncorp Stadium knowing that Queenslanders rally to Test football with more devotion than Sydneysiders.

Last October's Four Nations double-header, in which the main event was a trans-Tasman game which New Zealand won 30-12, drew 47,813, while 25,429 went to the May, 2014 Test won 30-18 by Australia.

Corey Parker knows Brisbane will get behind the trans-Tasman Test. Pictures: Jack Tran Source: News Corp Australia

Crowds when New Zealand previously played at Suncorp Stadium were 36,299 (2010), 37,152 (2009) and 50,559 (2008). The Kiwis won in 2010 in the final of a Tri-Nations tournament and in the 2008 World Cup final.

None of the past 17 Australia-New Zealand Tests in Sydney have drawn more than 35,000 people. The last to do was in 1963, when 45,567 rolled up to the Sydney Cricket Ground.

"I think it's rugby league in general, not just the Test. It's the vibe which gets around the whole city when there's a big game of football,'' said Parker, while admitting he is as biased on the subject as any other Queenslander.

"With this Test, there is an extra purpose behind it, being the 100th (year since the Anzac campaign in Gallipoli). I couldn't think of a better place to have it and not just because it's my home town.''

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Seven of the 17 Australians who played in May last year did not play in the Four Nations final in Wellington between two injury-hit sides.

Of the 10 players who were unavailable for the Four Nations, already winger Brett Morris is out of the running for next month's Test with a knee injury which will sideline him for at least two months, while Darius Boyd is recovering from an Achilles injury.

Fullback Billy Slater showed he was a quick healer when a knee injury did not stop him from starring in the 2013 World Cup final, but his current shoulder injury is rated a four-week injury and he is at long odds to play.

"You would think most of the guys who played in the Anzac Test last year, if they are injury-free, would be looking at a run,'' said Parker, who played five of his 11 career Tests last year.

Darius Boyd is recovering from an Achilles injury. Source: News Corp Australia

"There were so many good players who weren't available for the Four Nations. Having those players unavailable gave a host of other guys a start and we fell short at the last hurdle.''

Slater, Johnathan Thurston, Nate Myles and Paul Gallen were among the players who played in the May Test and could not play in the Four Nations.

Having waited until the age of 29 to make his debut, Parker says he values each of his 11 Tests for Australia.

"Origin is what we tend to hang our hat on in rugby league but Test football is something special,'' he said.

"The Kiwis have a talent pool to choose from and their side has some of the stars of our game.

"In the Test team, you are playing alongside guys you tried to bash in that (Origin) game. The best experience I've had with it is on tours where you are a world way from home and been there for weeks and have a good bond with the guys off the field.

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"You're united as an Australian side on those tours. There's no Queensland, no blue jersey, you're in an Australian side and you see that in how the team plays.''

Parker played in the 2013 World Cup final in Manchester in which Australia beat New Zealand 34-2.

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