1989 British Lions tour to Australia

In 1989, the British Lions toured Australia for the first time since 1971. Unlike previous tours to Australia, the Lions did not play any matches in New Zealand, this being the first Australia-only tour since 1899. The side was captained by Finlay Calder.

1989 British Lions tour to Australia
Date15 May  – 16 July
Coach(es)Scotland Ian McGeechan
Tour captain(s)Scotland Finlay Calder
Test series winnersBritish Lions (2–1)
Top test point scorer(s)Scotland Gavin Hastings (28)
1989 British Lions tour to Australia
Summary
P W D L
Total
12 11 00 01
Test match
03 02 00 01
Opponent
P W D L
 Australia
3 2 0 1

The Lions suffered a 30–12 defeat in the first test in Sydney on 1 July, then their heaviest defeat by Australia.[1] In this first test, Australia scored four tries, and flyhalf Michael Lynagh kicked 5 from 6. For the second and third tests, changes included Mike Teague, recovered from injury, at blindside flanker; Rob Andrew replacing Craig Chalmers at fly-half; and Jeremy Guscott and Scott Hastings coming into the centre positions. The team became the only Lions team ever to come from 1–0 down to win a series, winning the second test in Brisbane 19–12 and the third test in Sydney 19–18.[2][3] The Lions completed their tour with a victory of a combined ANZAC team. Teague was named player of the series.

Results
Scores and results list Bristish Lions' points tally first.
OpponentScoreDateVenueStatusReports
ResultForAgainstPreviewMatch
Western AustraliaWon440Jun 1989PerthTour match
Australia BWon23814 Jun 1989MelbourneTour match[4][5]
QueenslandWon191519 Jun 1989Ballymore, BrisbaneTour match[6]
Queensland BWon30621 Jun 1989CairnsTour match[7]
New South WalesWon232124 Jun 1989North Sydney OvalTour match[8]
New South Wales BWon391927 Jun 1989Apex Oval, DubboTour match[9]
AustraliaLost12301 Jul 1989Sydney Football StadiumTest match[10][11][12][1]
ACTWon41254 Jul 1989Seiffert Oval, QueanbeyanTour match[13][14][15]
AustraliaWon19128 Jul 1989Ballymore, BrisbaneTest match[16][17][2]
AustraliaWon191815 Jul 1989Sydney Football StadiumTest match[18][19][3]
NSW CountryWon721319 Jul 1989NewcastleTour match[20]
ANZAC XVWon191523 Jul 1989Ballymore, BrisbaneTour match[21][22][23]

Squad

Backs
Name Home country Club Notes
Rob Andrew England England Wasps
Gary Armstrong Scotland Scotland Jedforest
Craig Chalmers Scotland Scotland Melrose
Tony Clement Wales Wales Swansea
Paul Dean Ireland Ireland St Mary's College
John Devereux Wales Wales Bridgend
Peter Dods Scotland Scotland Gala
Ieuan Evans Wales Wales Llanelli
Jeremy Guscott England England Bath replaced injured Will Carling[24]
Mike Hall Wales Wales Bridgend
Gavin Hastings Scotland Scotland London Scottish
Scott Hastings Scotland Scotland Watsonians
Robert Jones Wales Wales Swansea
Brendan Mullin Ireland Ireland London Irish
Chris Oti England England Wasps
Will Carling England England Harlequins Selected but withdrew due to injury[24]
Rory Underwood England England Leicester and RAF

Forwards
Name Home country Club Notes
Paul Ackford England England Harlequins
Finlay Calder (capt) Scotland Scotland Stewart's Melville FP
Gareth Chilcott England England Bath
Wade Dooley England England Preston Grasshoppers
Mike Griffiths Wales Wales Bridgend
John Jeffrey Scotland Scotland Kelso
Donal Lenihan Ireland Ireland Cork Constitution
Brian Moore England England Nottingham
Bob Norster Wales Wales Cardiff
Dean Richards England England Leicester
Andy Robinson England England Bath
Steve Smith Ireland Ireland Ballymena
David Sole Scotland Scotland Edinburgh Academicals
Mike Teague England England Gloucester
Derek White Scotland Scotland London Scottish
Dai Young Wales Wales Cardiff

References
  1. McMurtrie, Bill (3 July 1989). "Lack of quality in crucial areas proves costly". The Glasgow Herald. p. 20). Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  2. McMurtrie, Bill (10 July 1989). "Lions manage to regain pride". The Glasgow Herald. p. 18. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  3. McMurtrie, Bill (17 July 1989). "Campese's error ensures that the Lions get their just reward. Australia 18 British Isles 19". The Glasgow Herald. p. 18. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  4. "Nine test players to take on Lions". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 6 June 1989. p. 24. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  5. "Sluggish Lions sneak home". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 15 June 1989. p. 18. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  6. "Qld no match for tourists in front-line duel". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 18 June 1989. p. 16. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  7. "Lions promise fast, open game". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 21 June 1989. p. 46. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  8. "Calm Chalmers saves battered Lions' pride". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 25 June 1989. p. 18. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  9. "Aussies will wilt under Lions' fire". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 28 June 1989. p. 47. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  10. "Hall in Lions line-up". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 29 June 1989. p. 20. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  11. "Dwyer admits to 'rough side'". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 30 June 1989. p. 18. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  12. "Australia 20 Lions 12". ESPN. 1 July 1989. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  13. Foster, Michael (29 June 1989). "Intense training as Lions approach". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. p. 20. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  14. Foster, Michael (4 July 1989). "Times Sport - ACT prode, record to test Lions". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. p. 26. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  15. Foster, Michael (5 July 1989). "Stupid errors cost ACT prized scalp". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. p. 44. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  16. "Lions claw their way to victory". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 9 July 1989. p. 16. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  17. "Lions re-find their roar". ESPN. 8 July 1989. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  18. "Times Sport - ARU condemns violence on Test eve". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 15 July 1989. p. 40. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  19. "Australia 18 Lions 19". ESPN. 15 July 1989. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  20. "Long takes charge for Lions". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 19 July 1989. p. 50. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  21. "Injury woes beset Anzac rugby team". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 18 July 1989. p. 26. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  22. "Lions' final match against Anzacs 'no anti-climax'". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 23 July 1989. p. 16. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  23. "Worries continue as Lions beat Anzacs". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 24 July 1989. p. 22. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  24. Rugby Football Union, "Official programme of 1990 Four Home Unions vs Rest of Europe programme, 1990, Rugby Football Union
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