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1979 Great Britain Lions tour

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1979 Great Britain Lions tour
Date25 May 1979 –
13 August 1979
ManagerHarry Womersley
Dick Gemmell
Coach(es)Eric Ashton
Tour captain(s)Doug Laughton
Top point scorer(s)John Woods (171)
Top try scorer(s)Steve Evans (16)
Summary
P W D L
Total
27 21 01 05
Test match
06 02 00 04
Opponent
P W D L
 Australia
3 0 0 3
 New Zealand
3 2 0 1
Tour chronology
Previous tour1974
Next tour1984

The 1979 Great Britain Lions tour was the Great Britain national rugby league team's 16th tour of Australasia and took place from May to August 1979. A total of 27 matches were played against local club and representative sides during the tour, including a three match Test match series against Australia and New Zealand respectively.

Touring squad

[edit]

In March 1979, a 30-man squad was selected for the tour, with Doug Laughton appointed as captain.[1] The squad included Widnes prop Jim Mills, who was banned from playing in New Zealand due to an incident in 1975 when Mills played for Wales against New Zealand.[2] Despite an appeal to overturn the ban, the International Board confirmed the ban would be upheld.[3]

After the squad was selected, John Bevan and Stuart Wright were forced to withdraw due to injury, and were replaced by Roy Mathias and David Barends.[4] Ken Kelly also suffered an injury shortly before the tour departed, and was replaced by John Holmes.[5]

Name Position Club Apps Tests Tries Goals Drop goals Points Notes
Mick Adams Forward Widnes 16 5 0 8 1 17
David Barends Back Bradford Northern 16 2 10 0 0 30
John Burke Forward Wakefield Trinity 9 0 0 0 0 0 [a]
Len Casey Forward Bradford Northern 14 5 4 0 0 12
Steve Evans Back Featherstone Rovers 19 6 16 0 0 48
George Fairbairn Back Wigan 10 5 3 18 1 46 [b]
Peter Glynn Back St Helens 15 0 6 0 0 18
Jeff Grayshon Forward Bradford Northern 14 5 2 0 0 6
Phil Hogan Forward Hull Kingston Rovers 14 4 5 0 0 15
John Holmes Back Leeds 13 6 1 2 0 7
Eric Hughes Back Widnes 17 6 8 0 0 24
Melvyn James Forward St Helens 13 0 3 0 0 9
John Joyner Back Castleford 14 6 6 0 0 18
Doug Laughton (c) Forward Widnes 5 1 0 0 0 0
Graham Liptrot Forward St Helens 11 0 1 0 0 3
Brian Lockwood Forward Hull Kingston Rovers 12 1 1 0 0 3
Tommy Martyn Forward Warrington 5 0 3 0 0 9 [b]
Roy Mathias Back St Helens 17 1 10 0 0 30
Jim Mills Forward Widnes 5 1 2 0 0 6 [a]
Roger Millward Back Hull Kingston Rovers 3 0 0 4 0 8 [c]
Keith Mumby Back Bradford Northern 13 0 1 8 0 19
Steve Nash Back Salford 6 0 2 0 0 6
George Nicholls Forward St Helens 13 6 2 0 0 6
Steve Norton Forward Hull 9 2 0 0 0 0
Alan Redfearn Back Bradford Northern 10 1 1 0 0 3
Trevor Skerrett Forward Wakefield Trinity 12 4 1 0 0 3
Mike Smith Back Hull Kingston Rovers 11 3 4 0 0 12
Gary Stephens Back Castleford 15 5 6 0 0 18
Charlie Stone Forward Hull 12 0 0 0 0 0
David Topliss Back Wakefield Trinity 7 1 2 0 0 6 [c]
David Ward Forward Leeds 11 6 0 0 0 0
David Watkinson Forward Hull Kingston Rovers 12 1 2 0 0 6
John Woods Back Leigh 17 4 12 67 1 171

Results

[edit]

Australia

[edit]
25 May 1979
North Queensland 5 – 29 Great Britain Lions
Tries:
Ron Clark
Goals:
Ron Clark (1)
 Report
 Tries:
John Woods (2)
Eric Hughes
John Joyner
Gary Stephens
David Watkinson
Goals:
John Woods (5)
Drop goals:
John Woods (1)
John Breen Park, Mackay
Attendance: 6,200
Referee: Graham Reed

North Queensland: Frank Daisy, S. Bax, Michael Windeatt, Ron Clark, Rob Gallagher, M. Aguis, N. Appo, Trevor Deakin, Bob Abbott, Nick Moroko, Vern Daisy, John Kynaston, Peter Luppi (c). Reserves – Bruce Barclay, Greg Dowling. Coach – Peter Luppi

Great Britain: Peter Glynn, Eric Hughes, John Joyner, John Woods, Roy Mathias, Steve Evans, Gary Stephens, Jim Mills, David Watkinson, Brian Lockwood, Trevor Skerrett, George Nicholls, Doug Laughton (c). Reserves – Mike Smith, Mel James

27 May 1979
Central Queensland 11 – 20 Great Britain Lions
Tries:
Jamie Mitchell
Goals:
Lionel Cullen (4)
 Report
 Tries:
Tommy Martyn (2)
Eric Hughes
John Joyner
Goals:
Roger Millward (4/5)
Rockhampton Showgrounds, Rockhampton
Attendance: 3,307
Referee: Noel Smith

Central Queensland: Greg Rehbein, Lionel Cullen, Greg Reynolds, Michael Goode, Chris Downie, Stuart Nobbs, Geoff Cowburn, Alan Cruasaz, Gordon Reid, Terry Farrar, Jamie Mitchell, John Bidgood, Graham Horstman. Reserves – Trevor Johnson. Coach – Paul Barrett

Great Britain: Peter Glynn, Phil Hogan, Eric Hughes, Mike Smith, Roy Mathias, Roger Millward (c), Steve Nash, Mel James, Graham Liptrot, Charlie Stone, Tommy Martyn, Mick Adams, Steve Norton. Reserves – John Joyner, David Watkinson

30 May 1979
Wide Bay 7 – 27 Great Britain Lions
Tries:
Duncan Campbell
Goals:
Doug Kelly (1)
Mike Rosin (1)
 Report
 Tries:
Steve Evans (2)
Roy Mathias
Jim Mills
Goals:
John Woods (6)
Eskdale Park, Maryborough
Attendance: 2,969
Referee: Bert Holland

Wide Bay: Mike Rosin, Dean jeffries, Pat O'Brien, Doug Kelly, Duncan Campbell, Greg Sutton, Ernie Edwards (c), Brian Geary, Bill Foreman, Billy Trevor, Kim McKenna, Bryan Niebling, Butch Cox. Reserves – Greg Henry, John Curran. Coach –

Great Britain: Roger Millward, Roy Mathias, Eric Hughes, John Woods, Peter Glynn, Steve Evans, Gary Stephens, Jim Mills, David Watkinson, Charlie Stone, George Nicholls, Tommy Martyn, Doug Laughton (c). Reserves – Phil Hogan

2 June 1979
North Coast 6 – 33 Great Britain Lions
Tries:
Phil Amidy
Errol Ruprecht
Goals:

Report
 Tries:
Steve Evans (2)
Phil Hogan (2)
Roy Mathias (2)
Trevor Skerrett
Goals:
John Woods (6)
Les Burger Field, Tweed Heads
Attendance: 4,871

North Coast: Garry Chapman, Steve Bartier, Lance Randall, Greg Pensini, Gary Paxton, Phil Amidy, Tony Kennedy, Tony Price, Errol Ruprecht, Gary McQuillan, Rod Pattison, David Clay, Greg Warwick. Reserves – Gary Donnelly, David Welsh. Coach –

Great Britain: John Woods, Mike Smith, John Joyner, Phil Hogan, Roy Mathias, Steve Evans, Steve Nash, Mel James, Graham Liptrot, Mick Adams, Trevor Skerrett, Steve Norton (c). Reserves – Alan Redfearn, Jeff Grayshon

5 June 1979
Northern Division 11 – 20 Great Britain Lions
Tries:
Les Cleal
Goals:
Bernie Briggs (4)
 Report
 Tries:
David Barends
Peter Glynn
Keith Mumby
Goals:
John Woods (5/6)
Drop goals:
Mick Adams
Scully Park, Tamworth
Attendance: 7,600
Referee: Les Ballard

Northern Division: Robert Thomas, Les Cleal, Brian Walden, Bernie Briggs, Noel Cleal, Shane Matthews, Wayne Smith, Len Reardon, Maurice Thompson, Mick Lewis, Ian Kearney, Jim Leis, Tony Dean. Reserves – Gary Whackett, Phil Coleman. Coach – Don Adams

Great Britain: Keith Mumby, David Barends, Steve Evans, John Woods, Peter Glynn, Roger Millward (c), Gary Stephens, Mel James, David Ward, Charlie Stone, Tommy Martyn, Jeff Grayshon, Len Casey. Reserves – Eric Hughes, Mick Adams

8 June 1979
Queensland 19 – 25 Great Britain Lions
Tries:
Colin Scott (2)
Rohan Hancock
Goals:
Ian Dauth (5)
 Report
 Tries:
David Barends
Steve Evans
John Joyner
Jim Mills
George Nicholls
Goals:
John Woods (5/6)
Lang Park, Brisbane
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Joe Ticehurst

Queensland: Colin Scott, Brad Backer, Mark Payne, Chris Close, Ian Dauth, Alan Smith, Larry Brigginshaw, Peter Apps, Jay Hoffman, Rohan Hancock, Greg Platz (c), Bob Cock, Norm Carr. Reserves – Wally Lewis, Wayne Lindenberg. Coach – John McDonald

Great Britain: Keith Mumby, David Barends, John Joyner, Mike Smith, Roy Mathias, John Woods, Alan Redfearn, Jim Mills, David Ward, Trevor Skerrett, George Nicholls, Doug Laughton (c), Steve Norton. Reserves – Steve Evans, Len Casey

10 June 1979
Toowoomba 19 – 16 Great Britain Lions
Tries:
Trevor Dunemann
Goals:
Warren Green (8/11)
 Report
 Tries:
Len Casey
Peter Glynn
Roy Mathias
Steve Nash
Goals:
Keith Mumby (2)
Athletic Oval, Toowoomba
Attendance: 5,500
Referee: Ron Manson

Toowoomba: Cec Docherty, Mike Williams, Alan Smith, Wayne Balderson, Warren Green, Mick Ryan, Greg Robison, Rohan Hancock, Joel Duke, Ian Lindenmeyer, Peter Connell, Greg Platz (c), Trevor Dunemann. Reserves – Willy Weatherall, Scott Barkla, Wayne Jensen, Murray Challinor. Coach – Jeff Gill

Great Britain: Keith Mumby, David Barends, Peter Glynn, Phil Hogan, Roy Mathias, John Holmes, Steve Nash, Mel James, David Watkinson, Brian Lockwood (c), Tommy Martyn, Len Casey, Mick Adams. Reserves – Gary Stephens, Graham Liptrot, Jeff Grayshon

First Test

[edit]
16 June 1979
Australia  35 – 0  Great Britain
Tries:
Kerry Boustead (2)
Ray Price (2)
Larry Corowa
Goals:
Michael Cronin (10/11)
 [8]
 Tries:

Goals:

Lang Park, Brisbane
Attendance: 23,051
Referee: Eddie Ward Australia
Player of the Match: Ray Price
Australia Position Great Britain
Graham Eadie FB John Woods
Larry Corowa WG David Barends
Steve Rogers CE John Joyner
Michael Cronin CE Eric Hughes
Kerry Boustead WG Roy Mathias
Alan Thompson FE/SO John Holmes
Tom Raudonikis HB/SH Gary Stephens
Rod Morris PR Trevor Skerrett
George Peponis (c) HK David Ward
Craig Young PR Jim Mills
Rod Reddy SR Doug Laughton (c)
Les Boyd SR George Nicholls
Ray Price LK/LF Steve Norton
Int. Steve Evans
Int. Phil Hogan
Frank Stanton Coach Eric Ashton
18 June 1979
Brisbane 7 – 10 Great Britain Lions
20 June 1979
Southern Division 10 – 10 Great Britain Lions
24 June 1979
Newcastle 12 – 25 Great Britain Lions
26 June 1979
Riverina 10 – 37 Great Britain Lions

Second Test

[edit]
30 June 1979
Australia 24 – 16 Great Britain
Tries: Cronin (2), Reddy, Rogers
Goals: Cronin (6)
 [9]
 Tries: Hughes, Joyner
Goals: Woods (5)
Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Attendance: 26,857
Referee: Greg Hartley
Player of the Match: Rod Reddy
1 July 1979
Illawarra 13 – 18 Great Britain Lions
4 July 1979
Western Division 12 – 19 Great Britain Lions
7 July 1979
New South Wales 17 – 19 Great Britain Lions
8 July 1979
Monaro 7 – 21 Great Britain Lions

Third Test

[edit]
14 July 1979
Australia 28 – 2 Great Britain
Tries: Boyd, Eadie, Price, Reddy
Goals: Cronin (8)
 [10]
 Goals: Fairbairn
Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Attendance: 16,844
Referee: Eddie Ward
Player of the Match: Ray Price

New Zealand

[edit]
17 July 1979
Maoris 13 – 15 Great Britain Lions

First Test

[edit]
21 July 1979
New Zealand 8 – 16 Great Britain
Tries: Ah Kuoi, Uluave
Goals: Collicoat
 [11]
 Tries: Evans, Fairbairn, Hughes, Smith
Goals: Fairbairn (2)
Carlaw Park, Auckland
Attendance: 9,000
Referee: John Percival
22 July 1979
Northern District 5 – 58 Great Britain Lions
25 July 1979
Central District 5 – 14 Great Britain Lions
29 July 1979
Wellington 3 – 39 Great Britain Lions

Second Test

[edit]
5 August 1979
New Zealand 7 – 22 Great Britain
Tries: Filipaina
Goals: Filipaina (2)
 [12]
 Tries: Casey, Evans, Grayshon, Hughes
Goals: Fairbairn (5)
Addington Showgrounds, Christchurch
Attendance: 8,500
Referee: John Percival
7 August 1979
West Coast 0 – 19 Great Britain Lions

Third Test

[edit]
11 August 1979
New Zealand 18 – 11 Great Britain
Tries: Fisher, Graham, Leuluai, O'Hara
Goals: Filipaina (3)
 [13]
 Tries: Hughes, Smith, Stephens
Goals: Fairbairn
Carlaw Park, Auckland
Attendance: 7,000
Referee: Kevin Steel
13 August 1979
Auckland 10 – 18 Great Britain Lions

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b John Burke was called up as a replacement for Jim Mills due to injury.[6]
  2. ^ a b George Fairbairn was called up as a replacement for Tommy Martyn due to injury.[6]
  3. ^ a b David Topliss was called up as a replacement for Roger Millward due to injury.[7]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Fitzpatrick, Paul (28 March 1979). "Dyl left out of overseas tour". The Guardian. London. p. 27. ProQuest 186084158.
  2. ^ Fitzpatrick, Paul (29 March 1979). "New Zealand adamant on Mills ban". The Guardian. London. p. 27.
  3. ^ Fitzpatrick, Paul (14 June 1979). "Mills tour ban stands". The Guardian. London. p. 24. ProQuest 186063885.
  4. ^ Fitzpatrick, Paul (11 May 1979). "Replacements have right credentials". The Guardian. London. p. 26. ProQuest 186162353.
  5. ^ "Holmes called up for tour". The Guardian. London. 21 May 1979. p. 28. ProQuest 186186261.
  6. ^ a b "Burke and Fairbairn face instant action on tour". The Guardian. London. 22 June 1979. p. 25. ProQuest 186129790.
  7. ^ Kennedy, Edward (28 June 1979). "Hogan is out". The Guardian. London. p. 22. ProQuest 186193946.
  8. ^ "Ashes Series 1979 Series - Game 1". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  9. ^ "Ashes Series 1979 Series - Game 2". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  10. ^ "Ashes Series 1979 Series - Game 3". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  11. ^ "New Zealand vs Great Britain 1979 Series - Game 1". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  12. ^ "New Zealand vs Great Britain 1979 Series - Game 2". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  13. ^ "New Zealand vs Great Britain 1984 Series - Game 3". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
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