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Virtual Rugby League Hall of Fame |
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Test Matches - Australia - New Zealand - Australia and New Zealand 1979
Details from The Vault and Roland Davis "Great Britain Rugby League Tours"
Widnes' Doug Laughton, a member of the successful 1970 side, was captain after an excellent domestic season. Unfortunately injury restricted him to just five games (including one Test), and along with Steve Nash returned home after the Australian leg. George Nicholls took over as captain. The Ashes series was lost 3-0 for the first time, but the Kiwis were beaten 2-1. The only other defeat on tour was at Toowoomba. The squad of 230 was the largest ever, an this was increased to 33 when replacements John Burke, David Topliss and George Fairbairn were flown out. Original selection included only two wingers, John Bevan and Stuart Wright, who both withdrew through injury. They were replaced by Roy Mathias and David Barends, a South African who became the first non Briton to tour. Another e selection Ken Kelly broke his jaw two days before departure, and was replaced by John Holmes. Steve Evans, the youngest tourist, made the most appearances (19) and was also the leading try scorer (16). John Woods was top points scorer with 68 goals (including one drop goal) and 12 tries for 171. Roger Millward was making his third successive Tour and his sixth visit down under in 11 years, including World Cup and World Championship tournaments. In the first Test 0-35 defeat at Lang Park in Brisbane, the crowd of 23,051 was the lowest for a Lions test since the Second Test of 1910. With the series lost, the Third Test attracted an all-time low of 16,844.
First Test, Saturday 16th June 1979. Back to top Australia 35 Great Britain 0 Australia: Eadie; Boustead (2t), Rogers, Cronin (10g), Corowa (t); Thompson, Raudonikis; Young, Peponis, Morris, Boyd, Reddy, Price. Great Britain: J Woods; D Barends, J Joyner, E Hughes, R Mathias; J Holmes, G Stephens; J Mills, D Ward, T Skerrett, D Laughton, G Nicholls, S Norton. Sub: S Evans for Joyner, P Hogan for Mills Second Test, Saturday 30th June 1979. Back to top Australia 24 Great Britain 16 Australia: Eadie; Boustead, Rogers (t), Cronin (2t,6g), Corowa (t); Thompson, Raudonikis; Young, Peponis, Morris, Boyd, Reddy (t), Price. Great Britain: G Fairbairn; D Barends, J Joyner (t), J Woods (5g), E Hughes; J Holmes, G Stephens; G Nicholls, D Ward, T Skerrett, L Casey, J Grayshon, M Adams. Sub: S Evans for Holmes Third Test, Saturday 14th July 1979. Back to top Australia 28 Great Britain 2 Australia: Eadie (t); Anderson, Rogers, Cronin (8g), Fahey; Thompson, Raudonikis; Young, Peponis, Morris, Boyd (t), Reddy (t), Price (t). Great Britain: G Fairbairn (g); S Evans, J Joyner, J Woods, E Hughes; D Topliss, A Redfearn; G Nicholls, D Ward, L Casey, P Hogan, J Grayshon, S Norton. Sub: J Holmes for Topliss, M Adams for Casey
First New Zealand Test. Back to top New Zealand 8 Great Britain 16 New Zealand: Collicoat (g); Uluave, Leuluai, Filipaina, O'Hara; Ah Kuoi (t), Smith; Broadhurst, H Tamati, D Sorensen, West, K Tamati, Coll. Great Britain: G Fairbairn (t,2g); S Evans (t), J Joyner, M Smith (t), E Hughes (t); J Holmes, G Stephens; G Nicholls, D Ward, L Casey, P Hogan, J Grayshon, M Adams. Sub: B Lockwood for Hogan Second New Zealand Test. Back to top New Zealand 7 Great Britain 22 New Zealand: Leuluai; Uluave, Hudson, Filipaina (t,2g), O'Hara; Ah Kuoi, Smith; Broadhurst, H Tamati, D Sorensen, West, K Tamati, Coll. Great Britain: G Fairbairn (5g); S Evans (t), J Joyner, M Smith, E Hughes (t); J Holmes, G Stephens; G Nicholls, D Ward, T Skerrett, L Casey (t), J Grayshon (t), M Adams. Third New Zealand Test. Back to top New Zealand 18 Great Britain 11 New Zealand: Leuluai; Fisher (t), Hudson, Filipaina (3g), O'Hara (t); Ah Kuoi, Varley; Broadhurst, H Tamati, K Tamati, Edkins, Coll, Graham (t). Great Britain: G Fairbairn (g); S Evans, J Joyner, M Smith (t), E Hughes (t); J Holmes, G Stephens (t); G Nicholls, D Ward, T Skerrett, L Casey, J Grayshon, M Admas. Sub: J Woods for Holmes, P Hogan for Casey |
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