1992 Great Britain Lions tour of Australasia

The 1992 Great Britain Lions tour of Australasia was a tour by the Great Britain national rugby league team, nicknamed the 'Lions', of Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand which took place between May and July 1992. The tour was the last of such length undertaken by the Great Britain team, and included a test match against Papua New Guinea, a three-test series against Australia for The Ashes, and a two-test series against New Zealand for the Baskerville Shield, all interspersed with matches against local club and representative teams.

Taking place following the conclusion of England's 1991–92 Rugby Football League season and during Australia's 1992 Winfield Cup premiership season, the tour led to friction between the Great Britain team's management and the Australian Rugby League over match scheduling and promotion. For the first time ever, a Lions tour was shown live on television in the United Kingdom through Sky Sports. The commentators for the tour were Eddie Hemmings and former Lions World Cup hooker Mike Stephenson who had a greater insight into the Australian game having spent most of the 1970s and 1980s, playing, coaching and commentating in the Sydney premiership.[1] The Lions finished the tour with thirteen wins and four losses and a profit of £244,645. Unfortunately for the Lions, three of their losses came in the Test matches, two against Australia and one against New Zealand with the other loss coming against Sydney club side Parramatta.[2]

Touring squad

A 32-man squad was selected for the tour, including 13 players from Wigan, setting a record for the number of players supplied by one club.[3] One of the Wigan players selected was Andy Gregory, who had announced his international retirement in 1990, but made himself available for selection after being persuaded to reconsider his decision.[4] From the originally selected squad, Leeds scrum-half Bobbie Goulding was dropped due to suspension,[5] and Widnes' Welsh international Jonathan Davies (who had spent part of 1991 playing with Sydney club Canterbury-Bankstown) withdrew from the squad due to injury.[6] Aston, Hulme, Sampson, McNamara, Myers and Harrison were called up during the tour to replace injured players.[2]

Hull F.C. winger Paul Eastwood was the leading point scorer on tour with 58 from 3 tries and 23 goals (he was also the leading goal kicker on tour). Wigan winger Martin Offiah, who before the tour was the undisputed "fastest player in rugby league", was the leading try scorer with 7.[2]

The coach was former Great Britain international Mal Reilly, marking his fourth Lions tour after appearing as a player on the successful 1970 tour and coaching the 1988 and 1990 touring teams. The assistant coach was Widnes coach and the Rugby Football League's Director of Coaching Phil Larder. The team manager was RFL and Wigan President Maurice Lindsay.[7] Ellery Hanley was the tour captain, but due to injury only played in one game on tour. Garry Schofield was subsequently named the Test captain while Featherstone Rovers halfback Deryck Fox was the team captain when either Hanley or Schofield weren't playing.[2]

Name Club Apps Tests Tries Goals Drop goals Points Notes
Mark AstonSheffield Eagles400000
Denis BettsWigan1162008
Paul BroadbentSheffield Eagles200000
Phil ClarkeWigan9630012
Gary ConnollySt Helens13430012
Neil CowieWigan500000
Lee CrooksCastleford720102
Martin DermottWigan840000
John DevereuxWidnes9121010
Paul EastwoodHull95423062
Shaun EdwardsWigan10640016
Kevin EllisWarrington8030113
Karl FairbankBradford Northern11230012
Deryck FoxFeatherstone Rovers90014028
Andy GregoryWigan510000
Graeme HallasHull Kingston Rovers8021010
Steve HampsonWigan711004
Ellery HanleyLeeds100000
Karl HarrisonHalifax840000
Les HollidayWidnes300000
Paul HulmeWidnes830000
Alan HunteSt Helens9060024
Lee JacksonHull821004
Michael JacksonWakefield Trinity820000
Paul LoughlinSt Helens5207014
Ian LucasWigan310000
Joe LydonWigan11530113
Billy McGintyWigan941004
Steve McNamaraHull401004
David MyersWigan400000
Paul NewloveFeatherstone Rovers12530012
Sonny NickleSt Helens310000
Martin OffiahWigan7670028
Andy PlattWigan962008
Daryl PowellSheffield Eagles960000
Dean SampsonCastleford200000
Garry SchofieldLeeds9630214
Kelvin SkerrettWigan951004
Graham SteadmanCastleford8524016

Papua New Guinea

The first country the touring Lions visited was Papua New Guinea.

Highlands Zone 15 – 24 Great Britain Danny Leahy Oval, Goroka
Tries:
P. Singapar, Gigmai Ongugo
Goals:
Gigmai Ongugo (2)
A.Tete
Tries:
Garry Schofield (2), Paul Eastwood, Denis Betts
Goals:
Paul Loughlin (4)

Attendance: 7,000

Islands Zone 22 – 38 Great Britain Queen Elizabeth Park, Rabaul
Tries:
J. Alunga (2), W. Langa
Goals:
N. Eremas (4)
Tries:
Karl Fairbank (2), Graeme Hallas, Kevin Ellis, Alan Hunte, Joe Lydon, Kelvin Skerrett
Goals:
Graham Steadman (3)
Deryck Fox (2)

Attendance: 5,000

This match saw the most points scored of any match on the tour.[2]


31 May 1992
Papua New Guinea  14 – 20  Great Britain
Tries:
Matthew Elara
Kini Tani
Richard Wagambi
Goals:
Aquila Emil
[8]
Tries:
Martin Offiah (2)
Paul Eastwood
Phil Clarke
Goals:
Paul Loughlin (2)
Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby
Attendance: 7,294
Referee: Eddie Ward Australia
Papua New Guinea
Great Britain
FB1Phillip Boge
RW2Joshua Kouoru
CE3Richard Wagambie
CE4August Joseph
LW5Kini Tani
FE6Aquila Emil
HB7Ngala Lapan (c)
PR8Ben Biri
HK9Michael Matmillo
PR10Kera Ngaffin
SR11Bobby Ako
SR12Joe Gispe
LK13Matthew Elara
Substitutions:
IC14Korul Sinemau
IC15Michael Angara
IC16S Kapan
IC17Nande Yer
Coach:
FB1 Steve Hampson
RW2 Paul Eastwood
CE3 Garry Schofield (c)
CE4 Paul Loughlin
LW5 Martin Offiah
SO6 Daryl Powell
SH7 Shaun Edwards
PR8 Lee Crooks
HK9 Martin Dermott
PR10 Andy Platt
SR11 Denis Betts
SR12 Karl Fairbank
LF13 Phil Clarke
Substitutions:
IC14 Joe Lydon
IC15 Kelvin Skerrett
IC16 Paul Newlove
IC17 Sonny Nickle
Coach:
England Mal Reilly

Australia

The Lions next traveled to Australia to contest The Ashes series. The Ashes series attracted 103,419 fans across the three tests, including the first ever Ashes test played in Melbourne. This was the largest Ashes attendance in Australia since 133,791 had attended the 1974 Ashes series and easily eclipsed the 66,792 of 1979, the 75,480 of 1984 and the 67,554 who attended the 1988 series.

The three Ashes series tests took place at the following venues. For the first time an Ashes test was played outside of the traditional rugby league states of New South Wales and Queensland.

Sydney Melbourne Brisbane
Sydney Football Stadium Princes Park Lang Park
Capacity: 42,500 Capacity: 32,000 Capacity: 32,500

Tuesday, 2 June Queensland Residents 10 – 14 Great Britain Townsville Sports Reserve, Townsville
Tries:
Peter Hamilton (1)
Goals:
Gerard Kerr (3/5)
Tries:
Graeme Hallas (1)
Billy McGinty (1)
Shaun Edwards (1)
Goals:
John Devereux (1/4)
Joe Lydon (0/1)
Shaun Edwards (0/1)

Attendance: 4,181
Referee: John Willey
Queensland
Great Britain
FB1Brett Schultz
RW2Troy White
CE3Peter Hamilton
CE4Ken Robertson
LW5Gerard Kerr
FE6Jason Hetherington
HB7Craig Grauf (c)
PR8Eric Kennedy
HK9Kevin Marty
PR10Bradley Pike
SR11Steele Retchless
SR12Matt Clifford
LK13Craig Spark
Substitutions:
IC14Paul Fisher
IC15Neil Smith
IC16Steve Mills
IC17Steven Bella
Coach:
Ross O'Reilly
FB1 Joe Lydon
RW2 Graeme Hallas
RC3 Gary Connolly
LC4 Kevin Ellis
LW5 Alan Hunte
SO6 Shaun Edwards
SH7 Andy Gregory (c)
PR8 Ian Lucas
HK9 Lee Jackson
PR10 Neil Cowie
SR11 Karl Fairbank
SR12 John Devereux
LF13 Billy McGinty
Substitutions:
IC14 Deryck Fox
IC15 Kelvin Skerrett
IC16 Paul Newlove
IC17 Denis Betts
Coach:
England Mal Reilly

Saturday, 6 June Canberra Raiders 12 – 24 Great Britain Bruce Stadium, Canberra
Tries:
Jason Croker, Michael Spinks
Goals:
Ricky Stuart (1)
Adam Friend (1)
[9] Tries:
Andy Platt (2), Paul Eastwood, Alan Hunte, Paul Newlove
Goals:
Paul Loughlin (1)
Graham Steadman (1)

Attendance: 4,728
Referee: Greg McCallum
Canberra Raiders
Great Britain
FB1Brett Mullins
RW2Sean Hoppe
CE3Brendan Norton
CE4Scott Gale
LW5Jason Croker
FE6Chris O'Sullivan
HB7Ricky Stuart (c)
PR8Darrell McDonald
HK9Steve Stone
PR10David Woods
SR11Ian Graham
SR12Gary Coyne
LK13Craig Bellamy
Substitutions:
IC14Adam Friend
IC15James Hunt
IC16Ken Nagas
IC17Michael Spinks
Coach:
Australia Tim Sheens
FB1 Graham Steadman
RW2 Paul Eastwood
CE3 Paul Newlove
CE4 Paul Loughlin
LW5 Alan Hunte
SO6 Garry Schofield (c)
SH7 Andy Gregory
PR8 Kelvin Skerrett
HK9 Martin Dermott
PR10 Andy Platt
SR11 Denis Betts
SR12 Michael Jackson
LF13 Phil Clarke
Substitutions:
IC14 Les Holliday
IC15 Deryck Fox
IC16
IC17 Gary Connolly
Coach:
England Mal Reilly

In what can only be described as bad scheduling, the Lions faced the Canberra Raiders on a Saturday night with the Raiders due to play a club game against Parramatta the next afternoon. This saw Raiders coach Tim Sheens not playing the likes of Australian test players Mal Meninga, Bradley Clyde, Steve Walters and Laurie Daley, as well as David Furner, Phil Blake, Darren Fritz, Brett Hetherington and Paul Osborne. It also saw Canberra go into the match with 7 players on the bench, though Sheens would only use the regulation 4. Andy Gregory served notice of his form by leading the Lions to a 20-6 half time lead, though he aggravated a groin injury when he put in a grubber kick for one of Andy Platt's two tries late in the first half and with the first test less than a week away did not return for the second half.


Monday, 8 June Illawarra Steelers 10 – 11 Great Britain Steelers Stadium, Wollongong
Tries:
Ryan Girdler (1)
Aaron Whittaker (1)
Goals:
Ryan Girdler (1/2)
Tries:
Graeme Hallas (1)
Shaun Edwards (1)
Goals:
John Devereux (1/2)
Field Goals:
Kevin Ellis (1/1)
Shaun Edwards (0/1)

Attendance: 10,021
Referee: Graham Annesley
Illawarra Steelers
Great Britain
FB1Brett Docherty
RW2Brendan O'Meara
CE3Ryan Girdler
CE4Paul McGregor
LW14Jonathan Britten
FE6Aaron Whittaker
HB15Mick Neil
PR8Steve Waddell
HK9Dean Schifilliti
PR12Craig Teitzel
SR16Dave Gallagher
SR11John Cross (c)
LK13Ian Russell
Substitutions:
IC10David Walsh
IC17Neil Piccinelli
IC18Bill Dunn
IC19Andrew Pauls
Coach:
Australia Graham Murray
FB1 Steve Hampson
RW2 John Devereux
CE3 Gary Connolly
CE4 Daryl Powell
LW5 Graeme Hallas
SO6 Kevin Ellis
SH7 Shaun Edwards (c)
PR8 Ian Lucas
HK9 Lee Jackson
PR10 Lee Crooks
SR11 Karl Fairbank
SR12 Les Holliday
LF13 Billy McGinty
Substitutions:
IC14 Alan Hunte
IC15 Michael Jackson
IC16 Deryck Fox
IC17 Neil Cowie
Coach:
England Mal Reilly

With the first test only three days after the game, Steelers coach Graham Murray was without the services of goal kicking Australian test winger Rod Wishart. The Steelers, in their first and only game against an international touring side, almost pulled off an upset until a late Kevin Ellis field goal sealed a tense 11–10 win for the tourists.


The Ashes series

The 1992 Ashes series was the final Ashes series to date played in Australia and attracted 103,459 spectators over the three tests. This compared favourably to the 75,480 aggregate of the 1984 Ashes series in Australia and the 67,554 aggregate of the 1988 series in Australia. A large number of English fans followed their team on the tour, but with Great Britain's wins in the final test of 1988 and the first test of the 1990 series, public interest had risen with Australia, although still winning, proving less dominant than during the 1980s.

After 4 of the previous 5 Ashes series had been controlled by French referees (Julien Rascagneres in 1982 and 1986, Francois Desplas in 1988 and Alain Sablayrolles in 1990 – none of whom spoke any English), which had brought numerous complaints from both sides regarding their incompetency, the Rugby League International Federation, ARL and RFL agreed to the use of New Zealand referee Dennis Hale (who had been a touch judge in the 1988 Rugby League World Cup final) for all three tests.

First Test

With Ellery Hanley out injured, Mal Reilly appointed five-eighth Garry Schofield as British captain for the first test. The Australians stuck with most of those who had won the 1991 Trans-Tasman Test series against New Zealand, with only winger Michael Hancock in for an injured Willie Carne, prop Glenn Lazarus (for Craig Salvatori) and second rowers Paul Sironen and Bob Lindner returning to the side with Newcastle Knights prop forward Paul Harragon making his test debut. Peter Jackson was also re-called to the side after Dale Shearer who had been selected in the centres had been ruled out with injury. Shearer, who had been widely tipped never to play test football again after a poor Game 1 against New Zealand the previous year, had starred at fullback for Queensland in the State of Origin series and was selected in the centres for all three tests, but was an injury withdrawal on each occasion. Jackson's recall at five-eighth saw Laurie Daley moved to the centres.

Friday, 12 June
Australia  22 – 6  Great Britain
Tries:
Mal Meninga (2)
Paul Sironen
Michael Hancock
Goals:
Rod Wishart (3/6)
[10]
Tries:
Joe Lydon


Goals:
Lee Crooks (1/2)
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 40,141
Referee: Dennis Hale New Zealand
Player of the Match: Bradley Clyde
Australia Position Great Britain
Andrew EttingshausenFBGraham Steadman
Rod WishartWGPaul Newlove
Mal Meninga (c)CEDaryl Powell
Laurie DaleyCEPaul Loughlin
Michael HancockWGMartin Offiah
Peter JacksonFE/SOGarry Schofield (c)
Allan LangerHB/SHAndy Gregory
Paul HarragonPRKelvin Skerrett
Steve WaltersHKMartin Dermott
Glenn LazarusPRLee Crooks
Paul SironenSRDenis Betts
Bob LindnerSRAndy Platt
Bradley ClydeLFPhil Clarke
David GillespieRes.Joe Lydon
Brad MackayRes.Shaun Edwards
Brad FittlerRes.Ian Lucas
Kevin WaltersRes.Michael Jackson
Bob FultonCoachMal Reilly

Lions winger Martin Offiah made two clean breaks down his left wing in the first half after poor Australian kicks and defence had given him two opportunities to showcase his speed, but he was put into touch by Australian fullback Andrew Ettingshausen on both occasions when only about 15 metres from scoring (despite being probably the quickest player in the Australian team, ET later admitted that had he needed to chase him, Offiah would have had too much pace). The first break came from a sweeping backline movement which saw Offiah into open space. He easily outpaced Allan Langer, but Ettingshausen's desperate push was enough for him to put a foot into touch. On the second occasion, a poor mid-field kick from Langer and poor defence from both Mal Meninga and Rod Wishart who attempted a two-man tackle on Offiah, only to collide with each other and fall off. This again saw him into open space with again only Ettinghausen to beat, but the Australian fullback was equal to the task and easily bundled the flying winger into touch.

Man of the match Bradley Clyde and Kangaroos captain Mal Meninga, with two tries, had a night to remember, leading the home side to a 22-6 win. The Lions only try came midway through the second half to replacement back Joe Lydon who put in a clever grubber behind Hancock who couldn't turn and chase in time which saw Lydon score in the corner.[11]

The attendance of 40,141 at the Football Stadium was the largest crowd for an Australia vs Great Britain test in Sydney since 55,505 saw the final test of the 1974 Ashes series at the Sydney Cricket Ground. It was also the first test match played since Australia defeated France in front of 50,077 at the Sydney Cricket Ground during 1977 Rugby League World Cup to attract a crowd of over 40,000 in Sydney.


Tuesday 16 June NSW Country 6 – 24 Great Britain Pioneer Oval, Parkes
Tries:
John Connolly
Goals:
Brian Quinton (1)
Tries:
Gary Connolly, Paul Eastwood, Graham Steadman
Goals:
Paul Eastwood (6)

Attendance: 8,014
Referee: Steve Albert
NSW Country
Great Britain
FB1Paul Beath
RW2Scott Roskell
CE3John Connelly
CE4David Krause
LW5Brian Quinton
FE6Michael Twigg
HB7Tony Price
PR8Troy Wilson
HK9Trevor Crow (c)
PR10Kevin Marr
SR11Graeme Tutt
SR12Andrew Stephan
LK13Alex Corvo
Substitutions:
IC14John Crooks
IC15Steve Linnane
IC16Craig Breen
IC17Mark Oldfield
Coach:
Australia Frank Fish
FB1 Steve Hampson
RW2 Paul Eastwood
CE3 John Devereux
CE4 Gary Connolly
LW5 Alan Hunte
SO6 Kevin Ellis
SH7 Deryck Fox (c)
PR8 Neil Cowie
HK9 Lee Jackson
PR10 Karl Fairbank
SR11 Les Holliday
SR12 Paul Hulme
LF13 Billy McGinty
Substitutions:
IC14 Graham Steadman
IC15 Paul Loughlin
IC16 Andy Gregory
IC17 Joe Lydon
Coach:
England Mal Reilly

Friday, 19 June Parramatta Eels 22 – 16 Great Britain Parramatta Stadium, Parramatta
Tries:
Mark Laurie (1)
Michael Buettner (1)
Scott Mahon (1)
Stu Galbraith (1)
Goals:
Michael Buettner (3/4)
Tries:
Martin Offiah (2)
Shaun Edwards (1)
Goals:
Paul Eastwood (2/3)
Sin Bin:
Shaun Edwards (1)

Attendance: 18,220
Referee: Eddie Ward
Parramatta Eels
Great Britain
FB2Danny Crnkovich
RW15Michael Erickson
CE14Scott Mahon
CE4Michael Buettner
LW5Lee Oudenryn
FE6Brett Kenny (c)
HB7Stu Galbraith
PR8John Fearnley
HK9Shane Flanagan
PR10Greg Drake
SR11Cameron Blair
SR12Chris King
LK13Mark Laurie
Substitutions:
IC16Mark Horo
IC17Phil Tiernan
IC18Ryan Schofield
IC19Robert Muchmore
Coach:
Australia Mick Cronin
FB1 Gary Connolly
RW2 Paul Eastwood
CE3 Daryl Powell
CE4 Paul Newlove
LW5 Martin Offiah
SO6 Garry Schofield (c)
SH7 Shaun Edwards
PR8 Karl Harrison
HK9 Martin Dermott
PR10 Andy Platt
SR11 Denis Betts
SR12 Paul Hulme
LF13 Phil Clarke
Substitutions:
IC15 Lee Crooks
IC17 Karl Fairbank
IC
IC
Coach:
England Mal Reilly

Lions winger Martin Offiah, generally regarded at the time as the fastest player in rugby league, participated in a highly publicised 100 metre foot race with Parramatta Eels speedster Lee Oudenryn before the tour match against the Eels. With both players decked out in their full football gear, including boots, Offiah's fastest player standing took a beating when Oudenryn (a former soccer player who had only played 5 games of first grade before the Lions game) won by a yard. Rumours soon surfaced (allegedly started by former Kangaroos hooker Benny Elias) that with Offiah the odds-on favourite, a few of his Lions teammates had heavily backed the Eels flyer to win and that Offiah had tanked so they could collect. Offiah would get his revenge later in the night with 2 tries, one a long range try where Oudenryn failed to make ground on him in a 50-metre chase.[12] The match against Parramatta also saw the largest non-test crowd of the Lions tour with 18,220 in attendance. In what was another piece of bad scheduling, this game on a Friday night was played only two days before the Eels were due to play a club game against Manly Warringah.


Tuesday, 23 June Newcastle Knights 0 – 22 Great Britain Marathon Stadium, Newcastle
Tries:
Goals:
Tries:
Alan Hunte (2)
Joe Lydon (1)
Karl Fairbank (1)
Goals:
Deryck Fox (3/3)
John Devereux (0/2)

Attendance: 9,758
Referee: Bill Harrigan
Newcastle Knights
Great Britain
FB1Robbie O'Davis
RW2Tony Herman
CE3John Schuster
CE4David Smith
LW5Shane Mackley
FE6Michael Hagan (c)
HB7Matthew Rodwell
PR8Mark Sargeant
HK9Max Chapman
PR10Sam Stewart
SR11Glenn Miller
SR12David Mullane
LK13Marc Glanville
Substitutions:
IC14Robbie McCormack
IC15Steve Fulmer
IC16Wayne Richards
IC17Steve Crowe
Coach:
Australia David Waite
FB1 Joe Lydon
LW2 Alan Hunte
CE3 Gary Connolly
CE4 John Devereux
RW5 Graeme Hallas
SO6 Kevin Ellis
SH7 Deryck Fox
PR8 Karl Harrison
HK9 Lee Jackson
PR10 Paul Broadbent
SR11 Michael Jackson
SR12 Steve McNamara
LF13 Ellery Hanley (c)
Substitutions:
IC14 Mark Aston
IC15 Paul Hulme
IC16 David Myers
IC17 Karl Fairbank
Coach:
England Mal Reilly

Against a strong Newcastle side that was missing only Australian test front rower Paul Harragon, the Lions achieved their only clean sheet of the tour with a 22–0 win at the Marathon Stadium. Winger Alan Hunte, reportedly the second fastest player in the squad behind only Martin Offiah, grabbed 2 tries in the win.


Second Test

For the second test Britain fielded an all-Wigan forward pack,[13] and with Andy Gregory injured, Shaun Edwards came in at scrum half-back for his first start against the Australians in test football. The Australians went in with an almost unchanged side, though David Gillespie came into the front row with Glenn Lazarus moving to the bench and Chris Johns came into the side for Brad Fittler who was unavailable for personal reasons (Fittler's Penrith Panthers teammate Ben Alexander, the younger brother of Penrith captain and former Australian test halfback Greg Alexander, was killed in a motor vehicle accident 5 days prior to the test).

The match, played at the Princes Park Australian rules football ground under temporary lighting, was the first ever Ashes test in Australia played in Melbourne. The cold, wet conditions suited the Lions who levelled the series with a resounding 33-10 win after going into half-time with a 22-0 lead in front of 31,005 fans.

Friday, 26 June
Australia  10 – 33  Great Britain
Tries:
Bob Lindner
Chris Johns



Goal:
Mal Meninga (1)
[14]
Tries:
Phil Clarke
Paul Newlove
Garry Schofield
Graham Steadman
Martin Offiah
Goals:
Paul Eastwood (6/7)
Field goal:
Garry Schofield
Princes Park, Melbourne
Attendance: 31,005
Referee: Dennis Hale New Zealand
Player of the Match: Garry Schofield
Australia Position Great Britain
Andrew EttingshausenFBGraham Steadman
Rod WishartWGPaul Eastwood
Laurie DaleyCEDaryl Powell
Mal Meninga (c)CEPaul Newlove
Michael HancockWGMartin Offiah
Peter JacksonFE/SOGarry Schofield (c)
Allan LangerHB/SHShaun Edwards
David GillespiePRKelvin Skerrett
Steve WaltersHKMartin Dermott
Paul HarragonPRAndy Platt
Paul SironenSRDenis Betts
Bob LindnerSRBilly McGinty
Bradley ClydeLFPhil Clarke
Brad MackayRes.Joe Lydon
Glenn LazarusRes.Paul Hulme
Kevin WaltersRes.Gary Connolly
Chris JohnsRes.Karl Harrison
Bob FultonCoachMal Reilly

The second test, played on a cold and wet night at Melbourne's Princes Park, saw Australian captain Mal Meninga equal Reg Gasnier's record of 36 tests for Australia.[15] It turned out that the conditions (as well as the slippery surface), suited the Lions with many claiming it was more like English weather than Australian.

The British got off to a 4 - 0 lead after some penalties kicked by Paul Eastwood early in the first half. A brawl started by Australian forward Paul Harragon got the Lions another penalty and they decided to attack the Kangaroos' line. From the resulting good field position, first receiver Philip Clarke was able to throw a dummy and make a break through the defensive line to dive over for the first try of the match. It was then converted by Eastwood, so the visitors led 10 - 0. The next try for Great Britain came when replacement half Shaun Edwards got the ball mid-field and made a break before kicking it ahead into Australia's in-goal area. Several players from both sides came racing through to dive on the ball but the Lions' Paul Newlove was the only one who got his hand on it.[16] Next, Garry Schofield scored a brilliant individual try when he chipped ahead from about fifteen metres out and after running into Australian second rower Paul Sironon, then beat the Australian defence to dive on it after Andrew Ettingshausen went what television commentator Graeme Hughes called "ice skating" on the slippery in-goal surface. Great Britain thus went into the break leading 22 - 0.[17]

Schofield kicked a drop goal to open the scoring in the second half, making it 23 nil. Australia then got their first try fifteen minutes into the second half when Bob Lindner got the ball at first receiver close to the line and reached out from the tackle to touch the ball down. The next try came from Chris Johns (who had come on to the wing to replace an injured Rod Wishart) who ran onto replacement half Kevin Walters' pass from about fifteen metres out through a gap in the defence to score. Back in Australia's half, British fullback Graham Steadman got the ball at first receiver about twenty metres out and outpaced Andrew Ettingshausen down the right sideline to score in the corner, sealing the match for the tourists.[18] The British then added to their score when Schofield got the ball around mid-field, chipped it over the defence and regarthered it. He found Martin Offiah in support, the speedy winger beating Australian fullback Ettingshausen in a race for the left corner. This left the final score at 33 - 10, equalling Great Britain's largest ever winning margin[19] and Australia's second-largest ever losing margin[20]


Tuesday, 30 June Gold Coast Seagulls 10 – 28 Great Britain Seagulls Stadium, Tweed Heads
Tries:
Ray Herring (2)
Goals:
Wayne Bartrim (1/2)
Tries:
Gary Connolly (2)
John Devereux (1)
Steve McNamara (1)
Steve Hampson (1)
Goals:
Deryck Fox (4/6)

Attendance: 9,753
Referee: David Manson
Gold Coast Seagulls
Great Britain
FB1Danny Peacock
RW2Clinton Mohr
CE3Terry Cook
CE16Adrian Vowles
LW5David Bouveng
FE4Mathew Donovan
HB7Ali Davys
PR8Ian Stains
HK9Ray Herring (c)
PR10Keith Neller
SR11Paul Galea
SR12Mike McLean
LK13Wayne Bartrim
Substitutions:
IC14Kevin Campion
IC15Robin Thorne
IC17Scott Sattler
IC19Jamie Goddard
Coach:
Australia Wally Lewis
FB1 Steve Hampson
LW2 Alan Hunte
CE3 John Devereux
CE4 Gary Connolly
RW5 Graeme Hallas
SO6 Kevin Ellis
SH7 Deryck Fox (c)
PR8 Lee Crooks
HK9 Lee Jackson
PR10 Karl Fairbank
SR11 Steve McNamara
SR12 Paul Hulme
LF13 Mark Aston
Substitutions:
IC14 David Myers
IC15 Karl Harrison
IC16 Michael Jackson
IC17 Paul Broadbent
Coach:
England Mal Reilly

Former Australian test skipper, Gold Coast captain/coach Wally Lewis, was a late withdrawal for the Seagulls with a hamstring injury.[21]


Third Test

The third and final test was allocated points for the 1989–1992 Rugby League World Cup.

By playing in this, his 37th test match, Australian captain Mal Meninga became his country's most-capped test player, breaking the record of former Australian captain Reg Gasnier who was on hand to congratulate Meninga on his achievement. Meninga also equalled Keith Holman's record for most tests against Great Britain (11).[22] His try and four goals also brought his total of points scored in Anglo-Australian test matches to 108, overtaking Neil Fox's record.

Friday, 3 July
Australia  16 – 10  Great Britain
Tries:
Laurie Daley
Mal Meninga
Goals:
Mal Meninga (4)
[23]
Tries:
Martin Offiah

Goals:
Paul Eastwood (3)
Lang Park, Brisbane
Attendance: 32,313
Referee: Dennis Hale New Zealand
Player of the Match: Paul Sironen
Australia Position Great Britain
Andrew EttingshausenFBGraham Steadman
Willie CarneWGPaul Eastwood
Mal Meninga (c)CEDaryl Powell
Brad FittlerCEPaul Newlove
Michael HancockWGMartin Offiah
Laurie DaleyFE/SOGarry Schofield (c)
Allan LangerHB/SHShaun Edwards
Paul HarragonPRKelvin Skerrett
Steve WaltersHKMartin Dermott
Glenn LazarusPRAndy Platt
Paul SironenSRDenis Betts
Bob LindnerSRBilly McGinty
Bradley ClydeLFPhil Clarke
David GillespieRes.Paul Hulme
Kevin WaltersRes.Karl Harrison
Chris JohnsRes.Gary Connolly
John CartwrightRes.Joe Lydon
Bob FultonCoachMal Reilly

The third test at Lang Park in Brisbane was played in warm, dry conditions in total contrast to the second test. Mal Meninga (4) and Paul Eastwood (2) traded goals for the only scores in the first half. Lions captain Garry Schofield had the best scoring opportunity of the first half when put into a gap only 10 metres out from the Australian line, but the pass from Paul Newlove was called forward by referee Dennis Hale. Late in the half a fight erupted with rival hookers Steve Walters (Aust) and Martin Dermott (GB) trading blows. Meninga then kicked a penalty goal to give the home side an 8-4 lead at half time.

Laurie Daley scored the first try of the game midway through the second half. Andrew Ettingshausen played the ball only 5 metres out from the Lions line and Brad Fittler, back in the side after missing the Melbourne test, ran infield from dummy half. He stepped back inside and popped a pass to Daley who juggled the ball, but managed to get through the tackle of Schofield and Shaun Edwards to get it down for a try amidst howls of protests from Phil Clarke who was claiming a knock on. Meninga missed the difficult conversion but the Aussies led 12-4. Then with 15 minutes remaining, Meninga put the Aussies further ahead with a try from a Laurie Daley kick. Meninga won the race to the ball despite a number of Lions converging before powering through the tackle of Edwards and Denis Betts to plant the ball down and give the Aussies a match winning 16-4 lead. Martin Offiah finally showed his speed to give the Lions some hope in the last 5 minutes, After Dermott hit Meninga in a side on tackle which caused the Australian captain to spill the ball, Offiah toed ahead a loose ball 30 metres out from his line before regathering and racing 50 metres to score under the posts with only Kevin Walters in pursuit. Eastwood converted to see the Lions trim the lead to 16-10, but that was as close as they got as the Australian's held out Great Britain to retain The Ashes that they had held since 1974.

Australian forward Brad Clyde was awarded with the Harry Sunderland Medal for the Player of the Series.[24]

The Ashes series was televised in Australia by Seven Network with commentary provided by Graeme Hughes, Pat Welsh and former Australian captain Wally Lewis.

New Zealand

Wednesday, 8 July Auckland 8 – 14 Great Britain Carlaw Park, Auckland
Tries:
D. Macintosh
Goals:
D. Macintosh (2)
Tries:
Alan Hunte, Kevin Ellis
Goals:
Deryck Fox (3)

Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Jim Stokes

This was Great Britain's first win over the Auckland representative side since 1979, Auckland had played five with three wins, one loss and one draw against both Great Britain and Australian touring sides since then.[2]


First Test

Sunday, 12 July
New Zealand  15 – 14  Great Britain
Tries:
Tony Kemp
Richie Blackmore
Goals:
Matthew Ridge (2/3)
Gavin Hill (1/1)
Field goals:
Daryl Halligan (1)
[25]
Tries:
Shaun Edwards
Phil Clarke
Goals:
Paul Eastwood (3/3)
Palmerston North Showgrounds, Palmerston North
Attendance: 11,548
Referee: Bill Harrigan Australia
Player of the Match: Gary Freeman
New Zealand
Great Britain
FB1 Matthew Ridge
RW2 Sean Hoppe
RC3 Kevin Iro
LC4 Tony Kemp
LW5 Ritchie Blackmore
FE6 Dean Clark
HB7 Gary Freeman (c)
PR8 Brent Stuart
HK9 Duane Mann
PR10 Brent Todd
SR11 Gavin Hill
SR12 Quentin Pongia
LF13 Brendon Tuuta
Substitutions:
IC14 Daryl Halligan
IC15 Mike Kuiti
IC16 Tea Ropati
IC17 Mark Woods
Coach:
New Zealand Howie Tamati
FB1 Graham Steadman
RW2 Paul Eastwood
RC3 Daryl Powell
LC4 Gary Connolly
LW5 Martin Offiah
SO6 Garry Schofield (c)
SH7 Shaun Edwards
PR8 Kelvin Skerrett
HK9 Lee Jackson
PR10 Andy Platt
SR11 Denis Betts
SR12 Billy McGinty
LK13 Phil Clarke
Substitutions:
IC14 Joe Lydon
IC15 Paul Hulme
IC16 Karl Harrison
IC17
Coach:
England Mal Reilly

Canterbury 6 – 17 Great Britain Addington Showgrounds, Christchurch
Tries:
Maea David
Goals:
Mike Culley
Tries:
Paul Newlove, Kevin Ellis, Alan Hunte
Goals:
Deryck Fox (3)
Field Goals:
Joe Lydon (1)

Attendance: 4,000
Referee: Des O'Sullivan

Second Test

Great Britain's victory in Auckland ensured that they would face Australia in the World Cup Final in October later in the year.

Sunday, 19 July
New Zealand  16 – 19  Great Britain
Tries:
Gary Freeman
Sean Hoppe
Brent Todd
Goals:
Matthew Ridge (2)
[26]
Tries:
Lee Jackson
Denis Betts
Martin Offiah
Goals:
Paul Eastwood (3)
Field Goals:
Garry Schofield (1)
Carlaw Park, Auckland
Attendance: 10,233
Referee: Bill Harrigan Australia
Player of the Match: Garry Schofield
New Zealand
Great Britain
FB1 Matthew Ridge
RW2 Sean Hoppe
RC3 Kevin Iro
LC4 Tony Kemp
LW5 Ritchie Blackmore
FE6 Dean Clark
HB7 Gary Freeman (c)
PR8 Brent Stuart
HK9 Duane Mann
PR10 Brent Todd
SR11 Gavin Hill
SR12 Quentin Pongia
LF13 Brendon Tuuta
Substitutions:
IC14 Daryl Halligan
IC15 Mike Kuiti
IC16 Tea Ropati
IC17 Mark Woods
Coach:
New Zealand Howie Tamati
FB1 Graham Steadman
RW2 Paul Eastwood
RC3 Daryl Powell
LC4 Gary Connolly
LW5 Martin Offiah
SO6 Garry Schofield (c)
SH7 Shaun Edwards
PR8 Karl Harrison
HK9 Lee Jackson
PR10 Andy Platt
SR11 Denis Betts
SR12 Billy McGinty
LK13 Phil Clarke
Substitutions:
IC14 Paul Newlove
IC15 Michael Jackson
IC16 John Devereux
IC17 Karl Fairbank
Coach:
England Mal Reilly

References

  1. Great Britain's 1992 Tour Of Australasia
  2. Lion Red Rugby League Annual 1992 New Zealand Rugby League, 1992. p.p.52-73
  3. Fitzpatrick, Paul (7 April 1992). "Wigan dominate tour party". The Guardian. p. 19 via ProQuest.
  4. Fitzpatrick, Paul (31 March 1992). "Gregory set to tell Reilly he will tour". The Guardian. p. 19 via ProQuest.
  5. "Goulding dropped from GB tour after being sent off and suspended". The Guardian. 18 May 1992. p. 15 via ProQuest.
  6. Fitzpatrick, Paul (25 April 1992). "Monie thinking positive before Wigan's final". The Guardian. p. 15 via ProQuest.
  7. Pramberg, Bernie (27 June 1992). "Roos 'relented'". The Sun-Herald. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
  8. Papua New Guinea vs Great Britain
  9. Sarno, Tony (7 June 1992). "Copycat Lions shot Mettle in Canberra". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
  10. 1st Ashes Test
  11. Australia vs Great Britain, First Test 1992
  12. Proszenko, Adrian (16 May 2010). "Race lines up NRL's quick men". The Sydney Morning Herald. Australia: Fairfax. Archived from the original on 18 May 2010. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
  13. French, Ray (24 April 2003). "Greatest upsets". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
  14. 2nd Ashes Test
  15. Clarkson, Alan (27 June 1992). "2 Test Changes likely". The Sun-Herald. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
  16. John, MacDonald (26 June 1992). "Lions shock Australia to level series". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
  17. "Lions even the score". The Sydney Morning Herald. 26 June 1992. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
  18. de la Rivière, Richard. "1992 Australia v Great Britain, 2nd Test". Thirteen. richarddelariviere.co.uk. Archived from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  19. "Ashes battles of the past". BBC Sport. 16 October 2001. Retrieved 26 March 2011.
  20. "Australian Rugby League ("Kangaroos") Records". RL1908.com. Sean Fagan. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
  21. AFP (1 July 1992). "British Lions clinch tenth Victory". New Straits Times. Retrieved 10 April 2011.
  22. Gallaway, Jack (2003). Origin: Rugby League's Greatest Contest 1980 - 2002. Australia: University of Queensland Press. pp. 177–78. ISBN 0-7022-3383-8. Retrieved 28 March 2011.
  23. 3rd Ashes Test
  24. "ACT Sport Hall of Fame Inductees". actsport.com.au. ACT Sport. Archived from the original on 1 May 2011. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
  25. 1st Test - New Zealand vs Great Britain
  26. 2nd Test - New Zealand vs Great Britain
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.