1982 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France

The 1982 Kangaroo tour was the fifteenth Kangaroo tour where the Australian national rugby league team played a number of matches against British and French rugby league teams, in addition to the Test matches. The Australia national rugby league team have generally since 1908 barring wartime, toured Great Britain every four years often capping the tour with matches and Tests in France. This regular touring side (and in recent years all Australian representative sides) are known as the Kangaroos.

The 1982 Kangaroos, coached by Frank Stanton dominated, winning both Test series against Great Britain (three Tests) and France (two Tests); winning every match of the tour and earning the nickname The Invincibles. This was the first Kangaroo undefeated touring side winning twenty-two matches played and scoring 1,005 points with 120 against at an average of 45.6 points per game while conceding only 5.4 points per game. The twenty-eight player squad was captained by Max Krilich, with Wally Lewis his deputy. The next Kangaroo Tour was staged in 1986.

Touring party

The team was coached by the tough and single-minded Balmain Tigers coach Frank Stanton who demanded great discipline and focus from his sides and who was making his third tour. Stanton's first tour came as a player in 1963–64, while this was his second consecutive as coach after also coaching the 1978 Kangaroo tour. Manly-Warringah's Max Krilich was making his second Kangaroo tour and was named captain and carried out his duties coolly and with great application.[1] Queensland captain Wally Lewis was named as tour vice-captain.

Interviewed by journalist/author Ian Whiticker in 2004 Krilich said about the talented squad; "The players in that squad were yet to reach their full potential. We were criticised as a weak side, but nobody knew how great a player Wayne Pearce was going to be on the tour. Wally Lewis was still in his early 20s, and many of the Queenslanders were in the early stages of their careers". He also spoke of Stanton (who was his Manly-Warringah club coach when he had won the 1976 and 1978 NSWRFL premierships, the second of which Krilich was captain of the Sea Eagles): "Frank was a mentally tough coach who totally believed in what he told his players. Great credit must go to Stanton who played down the accomplishment and kept our heads straight."[2]

While the pair did not enjoy an easy relationship, mostly due to Stanton not being impressed with his attitude to training or habits on tour which actually caused him to put on weight, Wally Lewis also found respect for Stanton he had not previously experienced after making his test debut under him against France in 1981. After missing selection for the first Test in Hull in favour of Parramatta's 1982 premiership winning Five-eighth Brett Kenny, Stanton challenged Lewis to get back into shape and win his way back into the Test team, something he achieved with selection on the bench for the second Test in Wigan and the third Test in Leeds. Lewis later admitted that early on in the tour his poor attitude did not sit well with Stanton and that it had led to his missing first test selection. Although this was his first Kangaroo Tour, it was not the first tour of Great Britain and France for Lewis who had been a member of the 1977 Australian Schoolboys rugby union tour of Japan, Great Britain and France, a team that included future dual-rugby international Michael O'Connor as well as the Ella brothers Mark, Gary and Glen, cousins of 1982 tourist Steve Ella.

Six players from the 1982 NSWRL premiership winning Parramatta Eels were selected in the squad, a new Kangaroo tour record for the club with all six players playing in at least one test each on the tour. Manly, the team they defeated in the inaugural Winfield Cup Grand Final, also had six players selected. One Manly player considered unlucky not to tour was their Queensland back rower Paul Vautin who had made his test debut earlier in the year against New Zealand and was one of Manly's best in their run to the Grand Final. His non-selection came as a shock to many and rumours started that he had missed out due to the NSW vs Qld selection room politics which prevailed at the time and that he had been a trade-off for a NSW player to be selected (ironically Vautin would be back into the test team for the first test against New Zealand in 1983). 1982 Brisbane premiers Wynnum-Manly had two players selected (Gene Miles and Rod Morris), while the team they defeated in the BRL Grand Final Souths Magpies were represented by Mal Meninga.

One notable absentee was Western Suburbs Five-eighth Terry Lamb who had represented NSW in the 1981 State of Origin game. Lamb was originally selected to tour but declined to do so due to his upcoming wedding to his fiancé Kim.[3]

Tour managers were the Newtown administrator Frank Farrington and Queenslands, Tom Drysdale. Open Rugby magazine claimed the Australians had brought "a new dimension of excitement and adventure" to the game and former England great Alex Murphy, who called each test for the BBC alongside Ray French, called then "men from another planet."[1]

This was the first Kangaroo tour since the introduction of State of Origin and it allowed Queensland to counter New South Wales' long dominance in representative selection with a record-equalling eleven Queenslanders selected for the tour.[4] This was a considerable increase on the Queensland representation in the 1978 Kangaroos when only three players were selected. Two of those players, Kerry Boustead and Rod Morris, were also members of the 1982 Kangaroos.

Despite there being a record number, the selection of only 11 Queenslander's in the 28 man touring squad was controversial. Queensland had won the 1982 State of Origin series despite being comparatively under prepared due to the NSWRFL clubs refusing to release their Queensland players for pre-series training. Among the Queensland Origin representatives to miss selection were Manly-Warringah's Paul Vautin and Chris Close (who had been the Man of the Match in both Origin games in 1980 and 1981), Wynnum-Manly fullback Colin Scott and South Sydney outside back Mitch Brennan.

Future Kangaroos captain Mal Meninga, making the first of his record four consecutive Kangaroo Tours, was the leading point scorer on tour with 166 from 10 tries and 68 goals, including 48 points in the three Tests against Great Britain (2 tries, 21 goals), and 17 points in the two Tests against France (1 try, 7 goals). John Ribot was the leading try scorer on tour with 25 from just 14 games, including a try in the 3rd test against Great Britain. Ribot added 20 goals to his points tally to join Meninga as the only players on tour to score over 100 points.

By club

The touring side was represented by 17 New South Welshmen (N) and 11 Queenslanders (Q).

Papua New Guinea and Western Australia

Before flying to England, half the squad, led by Kangaroos vice-captain Wally Lewis, went to Perth to play Western Australia, while the other half, along with coach Stanton, travelled to Papua New Guinea for Australia's first ever Test match against the Papua New Guinea Kumuls, won 38–2 by the Kangaroos. Nine of the players who travelled to PNG with Stanton would go on to play in the first Test against Great Britain. Winger John Ribot crossed for four tries (though he would be overlooked for the first two Ashes Tests in favour of Eric Grothe), while fullback Greg Brentnall scored twice. Other try scorers for the Kangaroos were Kerry Boustead, Brett Kenny, Mal Meninga and Steve Rogers, while Meninga kicked 4 goals. Peter Sterling, Brett Kenny, Mark Murray and Ray Brown made their test debuts in the match.

Those missing from the 2nd test win over New Zealand earlier in the year at the Sydney Cricket Ground were Michael Cronin who did not tour, and Wally Lewis, Steve Mortimer, Les Boyd and Rod Morris who played in Perth on the same day. Of the quartet that played in Perth, only Boyd would go on to play in the first test against Great Britain.

Saturday, 2 October 1982
Papua New Guinea  2–38  Australia
Tries:






Goals:
Kungas Kuveu (1/2)
[5]
Tries:
John Ribot (4)
Greg Brentnall (2)
Kerry Boustead
Brett Kenny
Mal Meninga
Steve Rogers
Goals:
Mal Meninga (4/10)
Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby
Attendance: 15,000
Referee: Don Wilson New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
Australia
FB1Kungas Kuveu
RW2Alan Rero
CE3Ifiso Segeyaro
CE4James Yip
LW5D. Timi
FE6Jon Joseph (c)
HB7Alfred Kabavas
PR8Tara Gau
HK9Otti Asotau
PR10Joe Tep
SR11Arebo Taumaku
SR12L. Tete
LK13Roy Loitive
Substitutions:
IC14Francis Matmillo
IC15Ekon Togili
Coach:
Papua New Guinea Skerry Palanga
FB1 Greg Brentnall
LW2 John Ribot
CE3 Mal Meninga
CE4 Steve Rogers
RW5 Kerry Boustead
FE6 Brett Kenny
HB7 Peter Sterling
PR8 Craig Young
HK9 Max Krilich (c)
PR10 Rohan Hancock
SR11 John Muggleton
SR12 Rod Reddy
LK13 Ray Price
Substitutions:
IC14 Mark Murray
IC15 Ray Brown
Coach:
Australia Frank Stanton

Saturday, 2 October
Western Australia 5–57 Australia
Tries:
Mick Rasmussen
Goals:
P. Harrison (1)
[6]
Tries:
Eric Grothe (4), Ian Schubert (2), Chris Anderson, Greg Conescu, Steve Ella, Gene Miles, Rod Morris, Paul McCabe, Wayne Pearce
Goals:
Wally Lewis (4)
Steve Ella (3)
Les Boyd (2)
Cannington Raceway, Perth
Attendance: 3,000
Western Australia
Australia
FB1
RW2
CE3
CE4
LW5
FE6
HB7
PR8
HK9
PR10
SR11
SR12
LK13
Substitutions:
IC14
IC15
Coach:
FB1 Ian Schubert
LW2 Eric Grothe
CE3 Steve Ella
CE4 Gene Miles
RW5 Chris Anderson
FE6 Wally Lewis (c)
HB7 Steve Mortimer
PR8 Rod Morris
HK9 Greg Conescu
PR10 Don McKinnon
SR11 Les Boyd
SR12 Paul McCabe
LK13 Wayne Pearce
Substitutions:
IC14
IC15
Coach:

In Perth, the Kangaroos crossed for 13 tries (with Eric Grothe bagging four) and predictably defeated WA 57–5.

Great Britain

Once on English soil controversy surfaced when the incumbent Australian Test halves from the mid-year tests against New Zealand, Steve Mortimer and Wally Lewis (both had played the game against WA in Perth), were incomprehensibly not chosen for the opening match. Instead, Stanton chose to go with the halves from the test against Papua New Guinea, Parramatta's Grand Final winning duo Peter Sterling and Brett Kenny. The Eels pair took the field against Hull Kingston Rovers and, playing alongside nine of the eventual first Test team, set about locking up their positions for the first Test on 30 October.

Leading up to the first Test at the Boothferry Park ground in Hull, the Kangaroos also played a tour international match against Wales at Ninian Park in Cardiff on 24 October. The match was played in heavy rain in front of 5,617 fans and Australia, captained by Wally Lewis, ran in nine tries to one in a 37–7 rout. The game marked the first time Lewis, who would take over the Test captaincy in 1984, captained Australia in an international match.

Fiery forward Les Boyd enhanced his reputation for the rough play when he was sent off twice on tour. He was sent off in the first game of the tour against Hull Kingston Rovers at Craven Park, and in the second Test against the Lions at Central Park in Wigan. He was also sin-binned in the third Ashes Test at Headingley in Leeds.

Test Venues

The three Ashes series tests took place at the following venues.

Hull Wigan Leeds
Boothferry Park Central Park Headingley
Capacity: 26,800 Capacity: 30,000 Capacity: 30,000

Sunday, 10 October
Hull Kingston Rovers 10–30 Australia
Tries:
Steve Hartley, Gary Prohm
Goals:
George Fairbairn (2)
[7]
Tries:
Peter Sterling (2), Wally Lewis, Mal Meninga, Steve Rogers, Craig Young
Goals:
Mal Meninga (6)
Craven Park, Hull
Attendance: 10,742
Referee: Fred Lindop
Player of the Match: Mal Meninga
Hull Kingston Rovers
Australia
FB1George Fairbairn (c)
RW2Steve Hubbard
CE3Mike Smith
CE4Ian Robinson
LW5Garry Clark
SO6Steve Hartley
SH7James Walsh
PR8Roy Holdstock
HK9David Watkinson
PR10Steve Crooks
SR11Andy Kelly
SR12Chris Burton
LF13Gary Prohm
Substitutions:
IC14Phil Lowe
IC15
Coach:
England Roger Millward
FB1 Greg Brentnall
RW2 Eric Grothe
CE3 Mal Meninga
CE4 Steve Rogers
LW5 John Ribot
FE6 Brett Kenny
HB7 Peter Sterling
PR8 Craig Young
HK9 Max Krilich (c)
PR10 Rod Morris
SR11 Les Boyd
SR12 Rod Reddy
LF13 Ray Price
Substitutions:
IC14 Wally Lewis
IC15 John Muggleton
Coach:
Australia Frank Stanton

Hull KR led the Kangaroos 8–5 at half time but that was as good as it got for Roger Millward's men as the Kangaroos piled on 25 points to just 2 in the second half to run out easy 30–10 winners. Man of the Match Mal Meninga lit up Craven Park on his first taste of football on English soil, scoring a try and kicking 6 goals in the win.


Wednesday, 13 October
Wigan 9–13 Australia
Tries:
Henderson Gill
Goals:
Colin Whitfield (3)
[8]
Tries:
Kerry Boustead, John Muggleton, Paul McCabe
Goals:
Steve Ella (2)
Central Park, Wigan
Attendance: 12,158
Referee: Gerry Kershaw
Wigan
Australia
FB1Barry Williams
RW2Dennis Ramsdale
CE3David Stephenson
CE4Colin Whitfield
LW5Henderson Gill
SO6Martin Foy
SH7Gary Stephens (c)
PR8Lee Bamber
HK9Nicky Kiss
PR10Glyn Shaw
SR11Brian Juliff
SR12Mick Scott
LF13John Pendlebury
Substitutions:
IC14Jimmy Fairhurst
IC15Danny Campbell
Coach:
England Alex Murphy
FB1 Ian Schubert
RW2 Chris Anderson
CE3 Steve Ella
CE4 Gene Miles
LW5 Kerry Boustead
FE6 Wally Lewis (c)
HB7 Steve Mortimer
PR8 Don McKinnon
HK9 Ray Brown
PR10 Rohan Hancock
SR11 Paul McCabe
SR12 John Muggleton
LF13 Wayne Pearce
Substitutions:
IC14 Steve Rogers
IC15 Ray Price
Coach:
Australia Frank Stanton

Friday, 15 October
Barrow 2–29 Australia
Tries:

Goals:
Steve Tickle (1)
[9]
Tries:
Ian Schubert (2), Greg Conescu, Steve Ella, Mark Murray, Wayne Pearce, Steve Rogers
Goals:
Wally Lewis (3)
Steve Rogers (1)
Craven Park, Barrow
Attendance: 6,282
Referee: Derek Fox
Barrow
Australia
FB1Steve Tickle
RW2Keith Bentley
CE3Ron O'Regan
CE4Ralph McConnell
LW5Michael James
SO6Mel Mason (c)
SH7David Cairns
PR8Malcolm Flynn
HK9Les Wall
PR10Peter Gee
SR11Eddie Szymala
SR12Mark Gillespie
LF13Derek Hadley
Substitutions:
IC14Steve Herbert
IC15
Coach:
England Frank Foster
FB1 Ian Schubert
RW2 Chris Anderson
CE3 Steve Ella
CE4 Gene Miles
LW5 John Ribot
FE6 Wally Lewis (c)
HB7 Mark Murray
PR8 Rohan Hancock
HK9 Greg Conescu
PR10 Rod Morris
SR11 Les Boyd
SR12 Rod Reddy
LF13 Wayne Pearce
Substitutions:
IC14 Ray Brown
IC15 Steve Rogers
Coach:
Australia Frank Stanton

Sunday, 17 October
St. Helens 0–32 Australia
Tries:

Goals:
[10]
Tries:
Kerry Boustead (2), Les Boyd (2), Eric Grothe (2), Steve Rogers, Peter Sterling
Goals:
Mal Meninga (4/8)
Knowsley Road, St. Helens
Attendance: 8,190
Referee: Robin Whitfield
Player of the Match: Les Boyd Australia
St Helens
Australia
FB1Clive Griffiths
RW2Barry Ledger
CE3Chris Arkwright
CE4David Fairclough
LW5Denis Litherland
SO6Stephen Peters
SH7Neil Holding
PR8Mel James
HK9Michael Glover
PR10Brian Gelling
SR11Roy Mathias (c)
SR12Paul Forber
LF13Andy Platt
Substitutions:
IC14John Smith
IC15Paul Brownbill
Coach:
England Billy Benyon
FB1 Greg Brentnall
RW2 Kerry Boustead
CE3 Mal Meninga
CE4 Steve Rogers
LW5 Eric Grothe
FE6 Brett Kenny
HB7 Peter Sterling
PR8 Craig Young
HK9 Max Krilich (c)
PR10 Les Boyd
SR11 Wayne Pearce
SR12 John Muggleton
LF13 Ray Price
Substitutions:
IC14 Wally Lewis
IC15 Rod Morris
Coach:
Australia Frank Stanton

Wednesday, 20 October
Leeds 4–31 Australia
Tries:

Goals:
Mark Conway (2)
[11]
Tries:
Steve Ella (2), Mal Meninga (2), Kerry Boustead, Eric Grothe, Steve Rogers
Goals:
Mal Meninga (5)
Headingley, Leeds
Attendance: 11,570
Referee: Billy Thompson
Player of the Match: Wayne Pearce Australia
Leeds
Australia
FB1Neil Hague
RW2Alan Smith
CE3Ian Wilkinson
CE4Les Dyl
LW5Andrew Smith
SO6John Holmes
SH7Mark Conway
PR8Roy Dickinson
HK9David Ward (c)
PR10Tony Burke
SR11Keith Rayne
SR12Wayne Heron
LF13David Heron
Substitutions:
IC14Mark Massa
IC15Andrew Sykes
Coach:
England Robin Dewhurst
FB1 Greg Brentnall
RW2 Kerry Boustead
CE3 Mal Meninga
CE4 Steve Rogers
LW5 Eric Grothe
FE6 Brett Kenny
HB7 Peter Sterling
PR8 Craig Young
HK9 Max Krilich (c)
PR10 Les Boyd
SR11 Paul McCabe
SR12 John Muggleton
LF13 Wayne Pearce
Substitutions:
IC14 Steve Ella
IC15 Rod Morris
Coach:
Australia Frank Stanton

Wales

The Kangaroos played an international against Wales at Ninian Park in Cardiff. This was the first time Wally Lewis (playing in the unfamiliar position of centre) would captain Australia against an international team.

Sunday, 24 October 1982
Wales  7–37  Australia
Tries:
Brynmor Williams




Goals:
Steve Fenwick (1)
Lynn Hopkins (1)
[12]
Tries:
Steve Ella (4)
John Ribot (2)
Wally Lewis
Mark Murray
Don McKinnon
Goals:
Wally Lewis (4)
Don McKinnon (1)
Ninian Park, Cardiff
Attendance: 5,617
Referee: Gerry Kershaw England
Player of the Match: Steve Ella
Wales
Australia
FB1 Lynn Hopkins
RW2 Chris Camilleri
CE3 Steve Fenwick
CE4 John Bevan (c)
LW5 Paul Prendiville
SO6 Lynn Hallett
SH7 Brynmor Williams
PR8 Glyn Shaw
HK9 Donald Parry
PR10 Tommy David
SR11 Martin Herdman
SR12 Brian Juliff
LF13 Paul Ringer
Substitutions:
IC14 Mark McJennett
IC15
Coach:
Wales David Watkins
Ninian Park, Cardiff
FB1 Steve Ella
LW2 Chris Anderson
CE3 Gene Miles
CE4 Wally Lewis (c)
RW5 John Ribot
FE6 Mark Murray
HB7 Steve Mortimer
PR8 Rod Morris
HK9 Ray Brown
PR10 Don McKinnon
SR11 Paul McCabe
SR12 Rod Reddy
LK13 Ian Schubert
Substitutions:
IC14 Kerry Boustead
IC15 Greg Conescu
Coach:
Australia Frank Stanton

Playing fullback, Steve Ella pressed for test selection by scoring 4 tries in the game. Only two players from the team, second row forward Rod Reddy and reserve winger Kerry Boustead, were considered certainties for selection in the upcoming 1st Ashes test.


The Ashes series

Due to sponsorship reasons, the 1982 Ashes was known as the "Dominion Insurance Test series".

First Test

While Australia's side for the opening Test was built around the new breed of young players such as Eric Grothe, Wayne Pearce, Mal Meninga, Brett Kenny and Peter Sterling mixing with veterans Craig Young, Les Boyd, Ray Price, Rod Reddy, Kerry Boustead, Steve Rogers and captain Max Krilich, Great Britain chose five players aged over 30. The only player over the age of 30 for the Kangaroos first test team was Krilich who had turned 33 only five days prior to the test. Great Britain were captained by veteran Leeds hooker David Ward. Making his debut for the Lions was Hull F.C. teenager Lee Crooks who was also handed the goal kicking duties in preference to George Fairbairn. Wayne Pearce was awarded the Man of the Match award after throwing the last pass for four tries and scoring a try himself.

Saturday, 30 October 1982
Great Britain  4–40  Australia
Tries








Goals
Lee Crooks (2/2)
[13]
Tries
Mal Meninga
Les Boyd
Eric Grothe
Ray Price
Kerry Boustead
Brett Kenny
Wayne Pearce
Rod Reddy
Goals
Mal Meninga (8/10)
Boothferry Park, Hull
Attendance: 26,771
Referee: Julien Rascagneres France
Player of the Match: Wayne Pearce
Great Britain
Australia
FB1 George Fairbairn
RW2 Des Drummond
CE3 Eric Hughes
CE4 Les Dyl
LW5 Steve Evans
SO6 John Woods
SH7 Steve Nash
PR8 Jeff Grayshon
HK9 David Ward (c)
PR10 Trevor Skerrett
SR11 Lee Crooks
SR12 Les Gorley
LF13 Steve Norton
Substitutions:
IC14
IC15 David Heron
Coach:
England Johnny Whiteley
FB1 Greg Brentnall
LW2 Eric Grothe
CE3 Mal Meninga
CE4 Steve Rogers
RW5 Kerry Boustead
FE6 Brett Kenny
HB7 Peter Sterling
PR8 Craig Young
HK9 Max Krilich (c)
PR10 Les Boyd
SR11 Wayne Pearce
SR12 Rod Reddy
LK13 Ray Price
Substitutions:
IC14 Ray Brown
IC15
Coach:
Australia Frank Stanton

Great Britain did well in the first half to trail by only 10–4 at half time, but the two penalty goals by debutante second rower Lee Crooks was as good as it got for the home side. In the second half the Kangaroos unleashed their skills and fitness, and blazed six tries to leave the British game, and most of the 26,771 strong crowd packed into Hull's Boothferry Park stunned. The game was Australia's 5th straight win over Great Britain, dating back to the final Test of the 1978 Kangaroo Tour and including the 3–0 whitewash of the Lions on their lacklustre 1979 Australasian tour.

In his test debut for Australia, back row forward Wayne Pearce was judged as the Man of the Match thanks to his defensive work and having a hand in a number of tries as well as backing up a break by Max Krilich and Craig Young to race away and score a 45-metre try with only French referee Julien Rascagneres anywhere near him. Centre Mal Meninga, playing his 4th test and the first of what would eventually be a record 17 Ashes tests against Great Britain, scored the opening try of the game after good lead up work by Peter Sterling and Pearce, then easily palming off Les Dyl and outpacing fullback George Fairbairn to score in the corner. Meninga also kicked 8 of 10 goals for a personal haul of 19 points. His 8 goals also broke the record number of goals for an Australian in a test in England, the old record of 7 had been set by Graeme Langlands in the second test of the 1963–64 Kangaroo tour (the famous "Swinton Massacre" test). It also equaled the most goals for an Australian in an Ashes test, the record was previously the sole property of Noel Pidding who kicked 8 in the first test of the 1954 series at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

In commentary for the BBC, former Great Britain and England dual-rugby international forward Ray French stated after the final siren "Well, I've got to eat a little humble pie. I thought Great Britain could do something, but with only those two penalty goals from Lee Crooks its back to the drawing board for the Great Britain selectors I'm afraid", while his commentary partner, Wigan coach, former Lions halfback and Kangaroos tormentor Alex Murphy said during the first half "We need something to combat this lot."


Wednesday, 3 November
Leigh 4–44 Australia
Tries:

Goals:
John Woods (2)
[14]
Tries:
Chris Anderson (3), Paul McCabe (3), John Ribot (3), John Muggleton (2), Wally Lewis
Goals:
Mal Meninga (3/11)
Wally Lewis (1/2)
Hilton Park, Leigh
Attendance: 7,680
Referee: Trevor Court
Leigh
Australia
FB1Mick Hogan
RW2Des Drummond
CE3John Henderson
CE4Steve Donlan
LW5Graham Worgan
SO6John Woods (c)
SH7Ken Green
PR8Alf Wilkinson
HK9Ray Tabern
PR10Derek Pyke
SR11Eric Chisnall
SR12Geoff Clarkson
LF13Ian Potter
Substitutions:
IC14Steve Tomlinson
IC15Edwin Hunter
Coach:
England Colin Clarke
FB1 Steve Ella
RW2 Chris Anderson
CE3 Mal Meninga
CE4 Gene Miles
LW5 John Ribot
FE6 Wally Lewis (c)
HB7 Steve Mortimer
PR8 Don McKinnon
HK9 Ray Brown
PR10 Rod Morris
SR11 Paul McCabe
SR12 John Muggleton
LF13 Ian Schubert
Substitutions:
IC14
IC15
Coach:
Australia Frank Stanton

Sunday, 7 November
Bradford Northern 6–13 Australia
Tries:

Goals:
Keith Mumby (3)
[15]
Tries:
Greg Brentnall, Gene Miles, Paul McCabe
Goals:
Steve Rogers (2)
Odsal, Bradford
Attendance: 10,506
Referee: Mick Beaumont
Player of the Match: Jeff Grayshon
Bradford Northern
Australia
FB1John Green
RW2David Barends
CE3Keith Mumby
CE4Richard Davies
LW5Steve Pullen
SO6Bill Kells
SH7Alan Redfearn
PR8Jeff Grayshon (c)
HK9Brian Noble
PR10Gary Van Bellen
SR11Graham Idle
SR12Dick Jasiewicz
LF13Alan Rathbone
Substitutions:
IC14Dean Carroll
IC15Chris Parrott
Coach:
England Peter Fox
FB1 Greg Brentnall
RW2 Chris Anderson
CE3 Gene Miles
CE4 Steve Rogers (c)
LW5 Eric Grothe
FE6 Brett Kenny
HB7 Mark Murray
PR8 Craig Young
HK9 Greg Conescu
PR10 Rohan Hancock
SR11 John Muggleton
SR12 Paul McCabe
LF13 Ray Price
Substitutions:
IC14 Ray Brown
IC15
Coach:
Australia Frank Stanton

Tuesday, 9 November
Cumbria Cumbria 2–41 Australia
Tries:

Goals:
Lyn Hopkins (1)
[16]
Tries:
Mal Meninga (2), Kerry Boustead, Steve Ella, Don McKinnon, Wayne Pearce, John Ribot, Steve Rogers, Peter Sterling
Goals:
Mal Meninga (7)
Brunton Park, Carlisle
Attendance: 5,748
Referee: Stan Wall
Cumbria
Australia
FB1 Lyn Hopkins
RW2 Bob Mackie
CE3 Dean Bell
CE4 Ralph McConnell
LW5 Terry Moore
SO6 Mel Mason
SH7 David Cairns
PR8 Steve Herbert
HK9 Alan McCurrie
PR10 Malcolm Flynn
SR11 Bill Pattison
SR12 Peter Gorley (c)
LF13 Derek Hadley
Substitutions:
IC14 David Beck
IC15 Ian Hartley
Coach:
FB1 Greg Brentnall
RW2 Kerry Boustead
CE3 Mal Meninga
CE4 Steve Ella
LW5 John Ribot
FE6 Wally Lewis
HB7 Peter Sterling
PR8 Don McKinnon
HK9 Max Krilich (c)
PR10 Rohan Hancock
SR11 John Muggleton
SR12 Ian Schubert
LF13 Wayne Pearce
Substitutions:
IC14 Steve Rogers
IC15 Ray Price
Coach:
Australia Frank Stanton

This was the first time that future Australian test halves pair Wally Lewis and Peter Sterling played alongside each other as Australia's five-eighth and halfback.


Sunday, 14 November
Fulham 5–22 Australia
Tries:
Hussein M'Barki
Goals:
Steve Diamond (1)
[17]
Tries:
Steve Ella, John Muggleton, Mark Murray, Paul McCabe, Don McKinnon, John Ribot
Goals:
Steve Ella (1/4)
Wally Lewis (1/4)
Craven Cottage, London
Attendance: 10,432
Referee: Billy Thompson
Fulham
Australia
FB1David Eckersley
RW2Adrian Cambriani
CE3David "Dave" Allen
CE4Steve Diamond
LW5Hussein M'Barki
SO6John Crossley, Jr.
SH7Reg Bowden (c)
PR8Harry Beverley
HK9John Dalgreen
PR10Tony Gourley
SR11Martin Herdman
SR12Peter Souto
LF13Joe Doherty
Substitutions:
IC14Neil Tuffs
IC15
Coach:
England Reg Bowden
FB1 Steve Ella
LW2 Chris Anderson
CE3 Gene Miles
CE4 Wally Lewis (c)
RW5 John Ribot
FE6 Mark Murray
HB7 Steve Mortimer
PR8 Don McKinnon
HK9 Ray Brown
PR10 Les Boyd
SR11 Paul McCabe
SR12 John Muggleton
LK13 Ian Schubert
Substitutions:
IC14 Greg Conescu
IC15
Coach:
Australia Frank Stanton

Tuesday, 16 November
Hull F.C. 7–13 Australia
Tries:
David Topliss
Goals:
Lee Crooks (2)
[18]
Tries:
Eric Grothe (2), Kerry Boustead
Goals:
Mal Meninga (2)
The Boulevard, Hull
Attendance: 16,049
Referee: John Holdsworth
Hull
Australia
FB1Gary Kemble
RW2Dane O'Hara
CE3Steve Evans
CE4James Leuluai
LW5Paul Prendiville
SO6David Topliss (c)
SH7Tony Dean
PR8Mick Harrison
HK9Keith Bridges
PR10Paul Rose
SR11Wayne Proctor
SR12Lee Crooks
LF13Mick Crane
Substitutions:
IC14Barry Banks
IC15Mick Sutton
Coach:
England Arthur Bunting
FB1 Greg Brentnall
RW2 Kerry Boustead
CE3 Mal Meninga
CE4 Steve Rogers
LW5 Eric Grothe
FE6 Brett Kenny
HB7 Peter Sterling
PR8 Craig Young
HK9 Max Krilich (c)
PR10 Les Boyd
SR11 Wayne Pearce
SR12 Rod Reddy
LF13 Ray Price
Substitutions:
IC14 Wally Lewis
IC15
Coach:
Australia Frank Stanton

Emulating what cross-town rivals Hull Kingston Rovers had done in the opening game of the tour, Hull led the Kangaroos at half time, this time 7–0. It would not be until Leeds led Australia 10–6 at Headingley during the 1990 Kangaroo tour that an English club side would lead the Kangaroos at half time of a tour match. However, a double to Eric Grothe and another to Kerry Boustead, with Meninga kicking 2 goals, along with Australia keeping Hull scoreless in the second saw the Kangaroos keep their undefeated record alive with a 13–7 win in front of 16,049 fans. This was the largest tour match attendance at The Boulevard since Australia defeated a combined Hull / Hull KR XIII 37–14 during the 1956–57 Kangaroo tour. It was also the Kangaroos 9th win in a row over Hull since 1911–12 and the largest tour match attendance of the 1982 tour.

Australia played the game with the same team that would line up in the second test at Wigan just 4 days later.


Second Test

Despite ten changes to the Lions' side, with only winger Des Drummond and props Trevor Skerrett and Jeff Grayshon (who also took over the captaincy) retained from the first Test thrashing, the second Test was scarcely a contest and the Kangaroos won by 27–6. The only change to the Kangaroos was tour vice-captain Wally Lewis' inclusion on the bench. With captain Max Krilich in some doubt with a niggling neck injury, hooker forward Ray Brown was also selected on the Kangaroos bench.

Prior to the second test, Phil Larder, the Coaching Director of the British Amateur Rugby League Association (BARLA) spent a week in camp with Frank Stanton and the Kangaroos to observe their training and tactics. After Great Britain's first test humiliation, Larder (who was not actually connected to the Great Britain team in any way) had taken it upon himself to contact Stanton and request the opportunity. English football had begun to fall well behind Australia in recent years and Larder's initiative was rewarded by being made the Coaching Director of the Rugby Football League in 1983. He would also become the assistant coach of the Great Britain side in 1983.[19]

Saturday, 20 November 1982
Great Britain  6–27  Australia
Tries





Goals
Keith Mumby (3/3)
[20]
Tries
Ray Price
Peter Sterling
Eric Grothe
Mal Meninga
Steve Rogers
Goals
Mal Meninga (6/8)
Central Park, Wigan
Attendance: 23,126
Referee: Julien Rascagneres France
Player of the Match: Ray Price
Great Britain
Australia
FB1 Keith Mumby
RW2 Des Drummond
CE3 Mike Smith
CE4 David Stephenson
LW5 Henderson Gill
SO6 John Holmes
SH7 Ken Kelly
PR8 Jeff Grayshon (c)
HK9 John Dalgreen
PR10 Trevor Skerrett
SR11 Bob Eccles
SR12 Chris Burton
LF13 David Heron
Substitutions:
IC14 John Woods
IC15 Alan Rathbone
Coach:
England Johnny Whiteley
FB1 Greg Brentnall
LW2 Eric Grothe
CE3 Mal Meninga
CE4 Steve Rogers
RW5 Kerry Boustead
FE6 Brett Kenny
HB7 Peter Sterling
PR8 Craig Young
HK9 Max Krilich (c)
PR10 Les Boyd
SR11 Wayne Pearce
SR12 Rod Reddy
LK13 Ray Price
Substitutions:
IC14 Wally Lewis
IC15 Ray Brown
Coach:
Australia Frank Stanton

Australia's fiery forward Les Boyd was sent off late in the first half for kicking a tackled player on the ground. The touch judge, only seeing Boyd's kick and not that it was in reaction to tackled Lions hooker John Dalgreen lashing out with a boot at Boyd while he was on the ground, came on with his flag up and French referee Julien Rascagneres, who did not actually see the incident, did not hesitate in sending Boyd off, leaving the Kangaroos to play out the remaining 46 minutes with twelve men.

Eric Grothe suffered a knee injury while scoring a try late in the first half and was replaced at half time by Wally Lewis. The injury would see Grothe miss the third Test, played a week later in Leeds. Lewis came straight in to the five-eighth position while Brett Kenny moved to the centres and Mal Meninga out to the wing. Half-way through the second half Lewis showed the 23,126 crowd at Central Park what the British game was missing when he sent a bullet like 20 metre pass to Meninga to score in the corner. The pass did psychological damage to the Lions, who wondered just how good the Kangaroos really were if a player who could pass like Lewis did could not even make the starting XIII.


Tuesday, 23 November
Widnes 6–19 Australia
Tries:

Goals:
Mick Burke (3)
[21]
Tries:
Steve Mortimer (2), Paul McCabe, John Ribot, Steve Rogers
Goals:
Mal Meninga (2/6)
Naughton Park, Widnes
Attendance: 9,790
Referee: John McDonald
Widnes
Australia
FB1Mick Burke
RW2John Basnett
CE3Joe Lydon
CE4Keiron O'Loughlin
LW5Chris Camilleri
SO6Andy Gregory
SH7David Hulme
PR8Kevin Tamati
HK9Keith Elwell
PR10Steve O'Neill
SR11Keith Newton
SR12Eric Prescott
LF13Tony Myler (c)
Substitutions:
IC14John Myler
IC15
Coach:
England Doug Laughton
FB1 Steve Ella
RW2 Chris Anderson
CE3 Mal Meninga
CE4 Steve Rogers
LW5 John Ribot
FE6 Wally Lewis (c)
HB7 Steve Mortimer
PR8 Craig Young
HK9 Ray Brown
PR10 Rod Morris
SR11 Les Boyd
SR12 Paul McCabe
LF13 Ian Schubert
Substitutions:
IC14 Mark Murray
IC15 John Muggleton
Coach:
Australia Frank Stanton

Third Test

Injuries forced Frank Stanton to make three changes to the Kangaroos for the final Test. Eric Grothe's knee injury in the second Test kept him out with the tour's leading try scorer John Ribot re-claiming his test spot on the wing; Rod Morris replaced Craig Young in the front row; while second test man of the match Ray Price was also ruled out with a knee injury and was replaced by Paul McCabe in the second row allowing Wayne Pearce to move to his favoured position at lock forward.

Sunday, 28 November 1982
Great Britain  8–32  Australia
Tries
Steve Evans





Goals
Lee Crooks (2/3)
Field Goals
Lee Crooks
[22]
Tries
Kerry Boustead
John Ribot
Steve Rogers
Brett Kenny
Max Krilich
Wayne Pearce
Goals
Mal Meninga (7/10)
Headingley, Leeds
Attendance: 17,318
Referee: Julien Rascagneres France
Player of the Match: Brett Kenny
Great Britain
Australia
FB1 George Fairbairn
RW2 Des Drummond
CE3 David Stephenson
CE4 Mike Smith
LW5 Steve Evans
SO6 David Topliss (c)
SH7 Andy Gregory
PR8 Mike O'Neill
HK9 Brian Noble
PR10 Paul Rose
SR11 Peter Smith
SR12 Lee Crooks
LF13 Mick Crane
Substitutions:
IC14 Neil Courtney
IC15
Coach:
England Johnny Whiteley
FB1 Greg Brentnall
LW2 John Ribot
CE3 Mal Meninga
CE4 Steve Rogers
RW5 Kerry Boustead
FE6 Brett Kenny
HB7 Peter Sterling
PR8 Les Boyd
HK9 Max Krilich (c)
PR10 Rod Morris
SR11 Paul McCabe
SR12 Rod Reddy
LK13 Wayne Pearce
Substitutions:
IC14 Wally Lewis
IC15 Ray Brown
Coach:
Australia Frank Stanton

Kangaroos coach Frank Stanton predicted that the third Test would be the best contested of the three, and he was proved correct until the final ten minutes of play. Recalled Widnes halfback Andy Gregory, and Bradford Northern hooker Brian Noble (making his Test debut), led the way for the Lions and provided a service to their speedy outside backs that Britain had lacked in the first two Tests. The Lions made more line breaks in the third Test at Headingley than they had in the previous two Tests combined. The Australian's ran with a very strong breeze in the first half and used this to their advantage, keeping much of the play in Great Britain's half, though they were unable to cross the British try line. Mal Meninga kicked three goals (two from near half-way) while Hull youngster Lee Crooks kicked two long range penalties into the breeze to keep the Lions in the game at 6–4 at half time. Lions winger Des Drummond brought the crowd to its feet mid-way through the half with a 40-metre run from near his own line before he was brought down on half-way by Greg Brentnall and Steve Rogers in cover.

The first try of the game came with just on 50 minutes gone. From deep in his own half, Brentnall made a break down the right wing after breaking a tackle. The play looked like breaking down when he didn't pass to an un-marked Kerry Boustead on his outside and was tackled from behind by a desperate David Stephenson. From there the Kangaroos spread the ball to the opposite wing where Ribot was tackled. Wayne Pearce then broke the British line before passing to Rod Reddy who gave the ball to Ribot flying on his outside. Ribot crashed over in the corner with Lions fullback George Fairbairn clinging to his legs. Pearce then made another break and sent captain Max Krilich on a 30-metre run for his first try of the tour. Krilich scored under the posts giving Meninga an easy conversion and Australia held a 14–4 lead. With just over 10 minutes left to play the Aussies were holding-off Great Britain by 14–8 and an intense finish loomed after Hull F.C. winger Steve Evans had scored the Lions only try of the series (it was also the first try the Australians had conceded in all 11 Tests they'd played since the second Ashes Test of 1979 against the Lions in Brisbane). It seemed Britain had not been so far behind Australia's standard after all, but in the final 10 minutes the Kangaroos superior fitness told and they ripped the home side apart with 4 tries to Boustead, Pearce, Steve Rogers and Man of the Match Brett Kenny to run out win 32–8 winners and become the first touring side to go through Britain undefeated.

Right on half-time there was a set-to between forwards Les Boyd and Mick Crane which resulted in an all-in brawl. Boyd had hit Lions captain David Topliss (their third captain in as many tests) with a shoulder charge on the half-way line and Topliss had lashed out with his feet at Boyd who then punched Topliss as he lay on the ground, with Crane then coming in and began trading punches with the Australian front rower. As the teams lined up for the second half, referee Rascagneres called out both Boyd and Crane and sent both to the sin-bin for 10 minutes.

The Ashes series win was Australia's 4th straight over the Lions dating back to 1974, and their second straight 3–0 Ashes series win. It also continued the streak started by the 1963–64 Kangaroos of successfully defending The Ashes in England. As of 2017, this was also the last test Australia played at Headingley. Starting with the 1986 Kangaroo tour, all test matches Australia has played in Leeds have been played at the Elland Road stadium, home of the Leeds United soccer club, due to its greater spectator capacity (Elland Road currently holds 37,890 while Headingley has a capacity of 21,062).

France

Wednesday, 1 December
Racing Club Roanne XIII 0–65 Australia
[23]
Stade Malleval, Roanne
Attendance: 2,000

First Test

The tourists found the French Tests more of a challenge than the British, but in the end the Kangaroos prevailed and finished their tour unbeaten.

Sunday, 5 December 1982
France  4–15  Australia
Tries


Goals
André Perez (2/2)
[24]
Tries
Eric Grothe (2)
Wayne Pearce
Goals
Mal Meninga (3/5)
Parc des Sports, Avignon
Attendance: 8,000
Referee: Robin Whitfield England
France
Australia
FB1André Perez
RW2Patrick Solal
CE3Guy Delaunay
CE4Jacques Guigue
LW5Philippe Fourcade
SO6Hervé Guiraud
SH7Ivan Grésèque
PR8Henri Daniel
HK9Christian Macalli
PR10Max Chantal
SR11Guy Laforgue
SR12Marc Ambert
LF13Joël Roosebrouck (c)
Substitutions:
IC14Christian Laumond
IC15Manuel Caravaca
Coach:
France Michel Maïque
FB1 Greg Brentnall
RW2 Kerry Boustead
CE3 Steve Rogers
CE4 Brett Kenny
LW5 Mal Meninga
FE6 Wally Lewis
HB7 Peter Sterling
PR8 Craig Young
HK9 Max Krilich (c)
PR10 Rod Morris
SR11 Paul McCabe
SR12 Les Boyd
LK13 Wayne Pearce
Substitutions:
IC14 Eric Grothe
IC15 Ray Brown
Coach:
Australia Frank Stanton

During the first half, Wally Lewis dislocated his shoulder while attempting to tackle a French player which ended his tour, though as there were only 2 weeks remaining he remained with the squad until they returned to Australia (the injury was a recurrence of a similar injury he had suffered while touring Great Britain and France with the Australian Schoolboys rugby union team in 1977). He was replaced by Eric Grothe who went to the wing, Mal Meninga moved to his preferred centre with Brett Kenny moving to 5/8. Within 12 minutes of being on the field, Grothe had scored two tries.


Tuesday, 7 December
Aquitaine Aquitaine 2–67 Australia
[25]
Stade de la Myre Mory, Villeneuve
Attendance: 3,579
Referee: H. Martinez

Thursday, 9 December
Les Espoirs (Colts) 3–42 Australia
[26]
Stade des Minimes, Toulouse
Attendance: 2,000

Sunday, 12 December
XIII Catalan 2–53 Australia
[27]
Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan
Attendance: 4,676
Referee: J. Rascagneres

Tuesday, 14 December
Midi-Pyrénées XIII Midi-Pyrénées 0–26 Australia
[28]
Stade Municipal, Pamiers
Attendance: 1,000

Second Test

Saturday, 18 December 1982
France  9–23  Australia
Tries
Ivan Grésèque



Goals
Étienne Kaminski (3/3)
[29]
Tries
Eric Grothe (2)
Brett Kenny
Rod Reddy
Mal Meninga
Goals
Mal Meninga (4/5)
Stade de l'Egassiarial, Narbonne
Attendance: 7,000
Referee: Robin Whitfield England
France
Australia
FB1Jacques Guigue
RW2Patrick Solal
CE3Guy Delaunay
CE4Christian Laumond
LW5Étienne Kaminski
SO6Hervé Guiraud
SH7Ivan Grésèque
PR8Charles Zalduendo
HK9Christian Macalli
PR10Max Chantal
SR11Jean-Jacques Cologni
SR12Guy Laforgue
LF13Joël Roosebrouck (c)
Substitutions:
IC14Michel Laville
IC15Manuel Caravaca
Coach:
France Michel Maïque
FB1 Greg Brentnall
RW2 Kerry Boustead
CE3 Mal Meninga
CE4 Steve Rogers
LW5 Eric Grothe
FE6 Brett Kenny
HB7 Peter Sterling
PR8 Craig Young
HK9 Max Krilich (c)
PR10 Les Boyd
SR11 Rod Reddy
SR12 Paul McCabe
LK13 Wayne Pearce
Substitutions:
IC14 Steve Ella
IC15 Ray Brown
Coach:
Australia Frank Stanton

Statistics

Largest Attendance

Largest Club Game Attendance

Leading Point Scorer

Leading Try Scorer

The tally of 25 tries by Eric Grothe includes 4 tries scored in the match against Western Australia.
The leading try scorer in Great Britain and France was Steve Ella, with 22. Ella also scored one try against Papua New Guinea.

LocationPoint ScorerLeading Try Scorers
Mal MeningaSteve EllaEric GrotheJohn Ribot
TriesGoalsPointsTriesTriesTries
 Papua New Guinea1411dnpdnp4
Western Australia Western Australiadnp14dnp
 Great Britain750121979
 France31437131410
Total1168169232523

Aftermath

Following the most successful Kangaroo Tour in history, a number of Australians were targeted by English clubs. Over the next 3 years players such as Peter Sterling (Hull F.C.), Brett Kenny and Steve Ella (Wigan), Eric Grothe (Leeds), Wally Lewis (Wakefield Trinity) and Mal Meninga (St Helens) would have short, but successful stints in England.

See also

References

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.