1986 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France
The 1986 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France was the sixteenth
Australia continued its dominance, easily winning both Test series against
The team was coached by 1956/57 Kangaroo tourist
Squad
Of the 28 players selected to go on the tour 23 were from clubs of the
There were a couple of notable omissions from the touring team.
Surprisingly, the
NOTE: Statistics only show games in Great Britain and France and do not include the test against Papua New Guinea
By Club
The touring side was represented by 18
- Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (5): Paul Dunn (N), Steve Folkes (N), Terry Lamb (N), Paul Langmack (N), Chris Mortimer (N)
- Balmain Tigers (4): Ben Elias (N), Garry Jack (N), Steve Roach (N), Paul Sironen (N)
- Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles(4): Noel Cleal (N), Phil Daley (N), Des Halser (N), Dale Shearer (Q)
- Wynnum-Manly Seagulls(4): Wally Lewis (captain) (Q), Greg Dowling (Q), Bob Lindner (Q), Gene Miles (Q)
- Canberra Raiders (2): Gary Belcher (Q), Mal Meninga (Q)
- North Sydney Bears (2): Martin Bella (Q), Les Kiss (Q)
- Parramatta Eels (2): Peter Sterling (N) (vice-captain), Brett Kenny (N)
- Penrith Panthers (2): Greg Alexander (N), Royce Simmons (N)
- Redcliffe Dolphins (1): Bryan Niebling (Q)
- South Sydney Rabbitohs (1): Les Davidson (N)
- St George Dragons(1): Michael O'Connor (N)
Papua New Guinea
Before flying to England, the Kangaroos played their second ever Test against
4 October 1986
|
Papua New Guinea | 12 – 62 | Australia |
---|---|---|
Tries: Bal Numapo (2) Goals: Dairi Kovae (2/2) |
[2] |
Tries: Noel Cleal (2) Les Kiss (2) Michael O'Connor (2) Garry Jack Des Hasler Wally Lewis Bob Lindner Chris Mortimer Steve Roach Goals: Michael O'Connor (7/12) |
Papua New Guinea
|
Australia
|
|
|
Great Britain
The Kangaroos played 13 games in
Test Venues
The three Ashes series tests took place at the following venues.
Manchester | Leeds | Wigan |
---|---|---|
Old Trafford | Elland Road | Central Park |
Capacity: 51,000 | Capacity: 32,500 | Capacity: 30,000 |
Sunday, 12 October
|
Wigan | 18 – 26 | Australia
|
---|---|---|
Tries: Dean Bell, Shaun Edwards, Joe Lydon Goals: Henderson Gill (3/4) |
[3] |
Tries: Goals: Michael O'Connor (3/5) |
Wigan
|
Australia
|
|
|
The Kangaroos led 16–2 at half time in front of 30,622 fans (the record for a Wigan vs Australia match on a Kangaroo Tour) in the tour opener at Wigan (10,000 more than would attend the dead rubber 3rd test at the same ground some 6 weeks later). A fightback in the second half by the home side saw them close the game to just 8 points at full time.[4]
The attendance at this game (30,622) was the largest crowd the Kangaroos had played in front of in England since 30,604 attended the 3rd Ashes Test at
Wednesday, 15 October
|
Hull Kingston Rovers | 10 – 46 | Australia
|
---|---|---|
Tries: Kerry Boustead Goals: John Dorahy (3) |
[5] |
Tries: (2) |
Hull KR
|
Australia
|
|
|
All of Hull KR's points were scored by Australian's. Former
For the match at Craven Park, Kangaroo tour broadcaster
Sunday, 19 October
|
Leeds | 0 – 40 | Australia
|
---|---|---|
Tries: Goals: David Creasser (0/1) |
[7] |
Tries: Michael O'Connor (2), Wally Lewis (2), Garry Jack, Noel Cleal, Greg Dowling, Brett Kenny Goals: Michael O'Connor (4/8) |
Leeds
|
Australia
|
|
|
Leeds were unlucky not to be awarded a try midway through the second half after it appeared that replacement forward Trevor Skerrett had managed to get the ball down after good lead up work by former Great Britain international Jeff Greyshon. However an un-sighted referee Whitfield ruled that Skerrett had been held up in-goal. Leeds only other scoring opportunity came in the first half but young winger David Creasser missed a relatively simple penalty kick from in front of the posts. Leeds' centre pairing for the game were
Tuesday, 21 October
|
Cumbria | 12 – 48 | Australia
|
---|---|---|
Tries: Graeme Cameron, Les Holliday Goals: Graeme Cameron (2) |
[9] |
Tries: Greg Alexander (3), Terry Lamb (3), Dale Shearer (2), Gary Belcher, Mal Meninga Goals: Terry Lamb (3) Michael O'Connor (1) |
Craven Park, Barrow-in-Furness
Attendance: 4,233 Referee: John McDonald Player of the Match: Les Davidson |
Cumbria
|
Australia
|
|
|
The Kangaroos only match against a full county lineup was played in front of the English leg's smallest crowd of just 4,233 at Craven Park in Barrow-in-Furness. As of 2017 this would be the 11th last game the Kangaroos played at the home of the Barrow club.
The Ashes
1st Ashes Test
The crowd of 50,583 for the first Test at the Old Trafford ground in Manchester, set a record for an international match on British soil, beating the previous record of 42,685 for an England vs New Zealand test at the Odsal Stadium in Bradford in 1947.[10][11] The Ashes series against Great Britain saw an aggregate Ashes series crowd of 101,560 attending the three Tests, though this fell short of the record aggregate attendance of 114,883 set during the 1948–49 Kangaroo tour.[12][13]
Saturday, 25 October 1986
|
Great Britain | 16 – 38 | Australia |
---|---|---|
Tries: Garry Schofield Joe Lydon Tony Marchant Goals: Lee Crooks (1/3) Henderson Gill (1/1) |
[14] |
Tries: Gene Miles (3) Michael O'Connor (3) Garry Jack Goals: Michael O'Connor (5/9) |
Old Trafford, Manchester
Attendance: 50,583 Referee: Julien Rascagneres Player of the Match: Wally Lewis |
Great Britain
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Australia
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|
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The Kangaroos began their Ashes defence in a blaze of glory. Wet and windy conditions were the order of the day at Old Trafford as Gene Miles (who completely out-played Ellery Hanley) and Michael O'Connor crossed for 3 tries each. O'Connor also contributed 5 goals in the tricky conditions for a personal haul of 22 points as the Australian's took a 1–0 series lead with a convincing 38–16 win. Although soundly beaten, the Lions gave their fans something to cheer in the second half by providing something of a fightback, culminating in Joe Lydon sprinting 60 metres and out-pacing Garry Jack to score in the corner. Lydon's try created Ashes history as it was the first time in 97 tests between the two sides that a British fullback had scored a try.
Wednesday, 29 October
|
2 – 36 | Australia
| |
---|---|---|
Tries: Goals: Colin Whitfield (1/3) |
[15] |
Tries: Greg Alexander (2), Terry Lamb (2), Gary Belcher, Brett Kenny, Mal Meninga Goals: Terry Lamb (4/7) |
Halifax
|
Australia
|
|
|
This game saw Don Furner play a couple of players out of position with Brett Kenny and Noel Cleal on the wings.
Sunday, 2 November
|
St. Helens | 8 – 32 | Australia
|
---|---|---|
Tries: Goals: Paul Loughlin (4) |
[16] |
Tries: Dale Shearer (2), Noel Cleal, Mal Meninga, Gene Miles, Bryan Niebling Goals: Mal Meninga (3) Terry Lamb (1) |
St Helens
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Australia
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|
With the exception of Mal Meninga on the wing in place of a resting Michael O'Connor (Meninga had played for St Helens in 1984–85 and remained a crowd favourite at Knowsley Road), the Kangaroos played with the expected 2nd Test line up. Dale Shearer had replaced the injured Les Kiss on the wing and highlighted his return to the top side with a 70-metre intercept try in the first half that in effect gave a clean bill of health to a previously injured groin muscle.
Steve Roach's tour effectively ended after dislocating his elbow during the match which would see Don Furner use Paul Dunn in the front row for the second test.
Tuesday, 4 November
|
Oldham | 16 – 22 | Australia
|
---|---|---|
Tries: Colin Hawkyard, Des Foy Goals: Mick Worrall (3/5) David Hobbs (1/1) |
[17] |
Tries: (0/1) |
Oldham
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Australia
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Oldham put up a spirited display against the Kangaroos before going down by the closest score of the tour, 22–16. This would be the last time the touring Kangaroos would play Oldham.
2nd Ashes Test
Great Britain coach Maurice Bamford surprisingly made only one change to the team that had lost heavily in Manchester. Centre Ellery Hanley was ruled out through injury and replaced by St. Helens winger Barry Ledger, with Tony Marchant moving from the wing to partner Garry Schofield in the centres. Bamford came in for heavy criticism from former Great Britain and England internationals for his selections. For the Kangaroos, Dale Shearer made his return to the Test team replacing the injured Les Kiss on the wing, while Canterbury-Bankstown forward Paul Dunn returned to the team in the front row replacing Steve Roach who had dislocated his elbow in the win over St. Helens.
Saturday, 8 November 1986
|
Great Britain | 4 – 34 | Australia |
---|---|---|
Tries: Garry Schofield Goals: Lee Crooks (0/1) |
[18] |
Tries: Garry Jack (2) Bob Lindner Michael O'Connor Wally Lewis Brett Kenny Goals: Michael O'Connor (5/8) |
Great Britain
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Australia
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After an even start, during which the Lions had made a couple of line breaks that had the Australian defence scrambling, the Kangaroos ran riot in the second Test, wrapping up The Ashes with a six tries to one, 34–4 win in front of 30,808 at Elland Road. The Lions only try came late in the game. Australia led 34-0 when Kangaroos fullback Garry Jack, who had scored two tries, pushed a pass 10 metres from his line to Michael O'Connor. The Aussie winger dropped the ball (which was bullet like and at his knees) and it was pounced upon by Schofield who scored only 15 metres wide of the posts. Lee Crooks missed the relatively easy conversion of his team's only try, summing up the Lions day. Such was the Kangaroos dominance that this was the only kick at goal the Lions managed throughout the match.
In his television commentary of the game, former Australian
Wednesday, 12 November
|
Widnes | 4 – 20 | Australia
|
---|---|---|
Tries: Goals: Mick Burke (2) |
[19] |
Tries: Greg Alexander, Martin Bella, Chris Mortimer Goals: Terry Lamb (2) Mal Meninga (2) |
Widnes
|
Australia
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|
Hull F.C.
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Australia
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Kangaroos second rower Noel Cleal broke his arm in the game against Hull which ended his tour. Peter Sterling, who had played for Hull during the 1984–85 English season and led them to the Challenge Cup Final, was given the honour of captaining the Kangaroos against his former club. After breaking his thumb during the first half of the second tour game against Hull Kingston Rovers at Craven Park, Des Hasler returned to the side off the bench and scored two tries.
Tuesday, 18 November
|
0 – 38 | Australia
| |
---|---|---|
Tries: Goals: |
[21] |
Tries: Bob Lindner, Greg Alexander, Chris Mortimer, Wally Lewis, Mal Meninga, Terry Lamb, Brett Kenny Goals: Greg Alexander (5) |
Bradford Northern
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Australia
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This match was played in heavy rain and fog. The match saw the most even spread of Australia's "Kangaroos" and "Emu's" (midweek) teams on the tour with 7 non-test and 8 test players in the selected XV.
3rd Ashes Test
This match also counted as part of the
The only Australian team change from the second Test win was Mal Meninga coming off the bench into the second row to replace the injured Noel Cleal (broken arm) with South Sydney forward Les Davidson named on the bench in his Test debut. With the loss of Cleal, Australian coach Don Furner was mulling over whom to replace him with when team captain Wally Lewis suggested moving Meninga to the back row, reasoning that there would be little disruption to the team as both Mal and "Crusher" Cleal were roughly the same size and were fast, skilled players who played a similar style of game. After heavy criticism of his selections for the first two tests from a number of former Great Britain internationals, Maurice Bamford made five changes to the Lions with the recall of halfback Andy Gregory, centre David Stephenson, winger John Basnett and back rowers Chris Burton and Harry Pinner.
Saturday, 22 November 1986
|
Great Britain | 15 – 24 | Australia |
---|---|---|
Tries: Garry Schofield (2) Goals: Joe Lydon (2/3) Henderson Gill (1/1) Field Goals: Garry Schofield (1) |
[22] |
Tries: Gene Miles Bob Lindner Dale Shearer Wally Lewis Goals: Michael O'Connor (4/5) |
Great Britain
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Australia
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As with the 1982 Ashes series, the third Test was the most genuinely contested of the Tests played, with the Lions putting in a much improved performance. Centre Gene Miles opened the scoring in the early minutes of the game, with lock forward Bob Lindner also scoring soon after. Successful conversions by Michael O'Connor saw the Kangaroos lead 12-0 after just 15 minutes and another rout looked on the cards. However, the Lions dug deep and tries to Garry Schofield either side of half time saw the game tied at 12-all with the Lions looking like winners for the first time in the series. The game was in the balance until French referee Julien Rascagneres awarded a penalty try to Australian winger Dale Shearer after he was illegally tackled by his opposite John Basnett when both were chasing the ball which Shearer had kicked downfield. A penalty goal to Joe Lydon and a field goal by Schofield reduced the deficit to 18–15, but Wally Lewis then put the result beyond doubt with a try after bamboozling the Lions defence with two dummies near the sideline before racing around to score beside the posts.
France
First Test
Sunday, 30 November 1986
|
France | 2 – 44 | Australia |
---|---|---|
Tries: Goals: Gilles Dumas (1/2) |
[23] |
Tries: Michael O'Connor (3) Bob Lindner (2) Gene Miles (2) Garry Jack Goals: Michael O'Connor (4/9) |
Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan
Attendance: 6,000 Referee: Fred Lindop Player of the Match: Michael O'Connor |
France
|
Australia
|
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|
Second Test
Australia's win over France in the final match of the tour, which counted as part of the ongoing
Saturday, 13 December
|
France | 0 – 52 | Australia |
---|---|---|
Tries: Goals: |
[30] |
Tries: Dale Shearer (4) Garry Jack (3) Steve Folkes Bryan Niebling Michael O'Connor Goals: Michael O'Connor (6/10) |
Stade d'Albert Domec, Carcassonne Attendance: 5,000 Referee: Fred Lindop Player of the Match: Dale Shearer |
France
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Australia
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Statistics
Leading Try Scorer
- 19 by Terry Lamb
Leading Point Scorer
- 170 by Michael O'Connor (13 tries, 59 goals)
Largest Attendance
- 50,583 - First test vs Great Britain at Old Trafford
Largest Club Game Attendance
- 30,662 - Australia vs Wigan at Central Park
References
- ISBN 9780702233838.
- ^ 1986 Papua New Guinea vs Australia
- ^ Wigan vs Australia
- ^ 1986 Kangaroo Tour - Wigan vs Australia (full game)
- ^ Hull KR vs Australia
- ^ 1986 Kangaroo Tour - Hull KR vs Australia (full game)
- ^ Leeds vs Australia
- ^ 1986 Leeds vs Australia highlights
- ^ Cumbria vs Australia
- ^ 1947 England vs New Zealand at Rugby League Project
- ^ Rugby league
- ISBN 0-7022-2370-0.
- ^ 1948/49 Ashes series at Rugby League Project
- ^ 1st Test - Great Britain vs Australia
- ^ Halifax vs Australia
- ^ St Helens vs Australia
- ^ Oldham vs Australia
- ^ 2nd Test - Great Britain vs Australia
- ^ Widnes vs Australia
- ^ Hull vs Australia
- ^ Bradford Northern vs Australia
- ^ 3rd Test - Great Britain vs Australia
- ^ 1st Test - France vs Australia
- ^ Le Pontet XIII vs Australia
- ^ Midi-Pyrénées vs Australia
- ^ France B vs Australia
- ^ Aquitaine vs Australia
- ^ "Unbeaten Kangaroos the 'Best Ever'". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Digital. 1986-12-15. p. 39. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
- ^ 1986 Kangaroo tour results at Rugby League Project
- ^ 2nd Test - France vs Australia
External links
- 1986 Kangaroo Tour of Great Britain and France at rl1908.com
- 1986 Kangaroo Tour of Great Britain and France at rlhalloffame.org.uk
- Ashes Series 1986 at rugbyleagueproject.com
- 1986 Kangaroos at the Sport Australia Hall of Fame
- Invincibles Again: 1986 Kangaroo Tour highlights Pt.1
- Invincibles Again: 1986 Kangaroo Tour highlights Pt.2