Behind the Scenes: Turkey Vs ADF ANZAC Day Clash

Written by Oliver Kellner-Dunk (RL In My Opinion)

On Sunday the 25th of April 2021, Chasing Roos was given exclusive access to the Turkish Rugby League team ahead of their ANZAC Day clash with the Australian Defence Force at the famous Sydney Cricket Ground.

Phill Browne and Oliver Kellner-Dunk represented Chasing Roos on the day, as they met the Turkish side at Rugby League Central the morning of the game.

Anxieties were high for the duration of the warm-up, with most of the players opting to psych themselves up individually.

The boys were soon joined by Nursal, the Mother of Turkish Rugby League front-rower Volkan Isik, who was as nervous as the players in the dressing shed.

Nursal revealed to Chasing Roos that she was born and raised in the Turkish capital of Ankara, further proving that International Rugby League is certainly not just made up of heritage players and supporters.

Turkey’s head coach Scott Hartas gave his thoughts on the upcoming game, before Volkan Isik gave his thoughts on the upcoming game to Chasing Roos, emphasizing the experience of certain players in the side.

Before heading over to the Sydney Cricket Ground, Hartas spoke to his team and got them in the zone.

Once at the SCG, final preparations took place in the Sydney Swans locker room, ahead of a final warmup out on the field.

The Australian Defence Force got off to a hot start and were up 10-0 after the first ten minutes before Turkey managed to hold the ADF at bay for the next 15 minutes and looked impressive until a late try to the ADF meant that Turkey trailed 14-0 at half-time.

Sydney Roosters head coach Trent Robinson looked to give Turkey the boost that they needed with an engaging half-time speech; however, to no avail, as the Australian Defence Force’s momentum would carry over into the second half, with the ADF taking the game 46-0 in the end.

Scott Hartas would then give a speech to his team following the deflating defeat, and revealed to Chasing Roos that Internationals for Turkey against Brazil and Malta are in the works for later this year.

Turkey’s captain Arda Dalcik is looking forward to getting back to the drawing board ahead of those two games.

Chasing Roos would like to thank the Turkish Rugby League Association for giving us full access to the team and the National Rugby League for helping us out on the day.