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1914 Great Britain Lions tour
Manager	J. Clifford and J. H. Houghton
Tour captain(s)	Harold Wagstaff
Top point scorer(s)	Alf Wood (97)
Top try scorer(s)	Stan Moorhouse (19)
Summary	P W D L
Total	18 15 00 03
Test match	04 03 00 01
Opponent	P W D L
Australia	3 2 0 1
New Zealand	1 1 0 0
Tour chronology
Previous tour	1910
Next tour	1920

The 1914 Great Britain Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand was the second ever British national rugby league team or 'Lions' tour of Australasia, where it was winter and matches were played against the Australian and New Zealand national sides, as well as several local teams. The tour repeated the promotional and financial success of the 1910 Great Britain Lions tour of Australasia and became famous for the third and deciding Ashes test, known as the "Rorke's Drift Test" due to a backs-to-the wall British victory against all odds.

Touring squad

At the 1913–14 Northern Rugby Football Union season's conclusion, the following Great Britain squad was assembled by the Northern Rugby Football Union to represent it on the tour of Australasia. The Union's tour manager was John Clifford.

Australia

The first leg of the tour was Australia, where the game of rugby league football was in its seventh year since splitting away from rugby union in 1908. the tourists ventured to Adelaide, Melbourne, Ipswich and Bathurst, as well as Sydney, Brisbane and Newcastle.

The Australian team was captained in all three Ashes Tests by North Sydney skipper Sid Deane.

Test venues

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

Sydney	Sydney
Royal Agricultural Showground	Sydney Cricket Ground
Capacity: 50,000	Capacity: 60,000

Sunday 24 May	South Australia	0 – 101	Northern Union	Hawthorn Oval, Adelaide
	Tries: Goals:		Tries: William Davies (4), Bert Jenkins (4), Frank Williams (4), Percy Coldrick (2), Billy Jarman (2), Jack Robinson (2), James Clampitt, Dave Holland, Arthur Johnson, John Smales, Alf Wood Goals: Alf Wood (15) Jack Robinson (1)	Attendance: 2,500

South Australia: J. Lawson, R. Cooksley, O. Howard, E. Dutton, P. Knowles, W. Oldfield, M. Moran, C. Fincham, J. Sorensen, F. Stewart, J. Carr, A. Shuttleworth, P. Jackson. Res – L. Scott

Northern Union: Alf Wood (c), Jack Robinson, William Davies, Bert Jenkins, Frank Williams, Fred Smith, Jack O'Garra, James Clampitt, Billy Jarman, Arthur Johnson, Dave Holland, Percy Coldrick, John Smales

Saturday 6 June	Metropolis	38 – 10	Northern Union	Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
	Tries: Harold Horder (2), Sid Deane, Arthur Halloway, Bill Kelly, Ray Norman Goals: Wally Messenger (9) Field Goals: Howard Hallett (1)		Tries: Dave Holland, Stuart Prosser Goals: Joseph Guerin (1) Johnny Rogers (1)	Attendance: 50,257 Referee: Tom McMahon Sr.

Metropolis: Howard Hallett, Harold Horder, Sid Deane (c), Bill Kelly, Wally Messenger, Ray Norman, Arthur Halloway, Jack Watkins, Sid Pearce, Con Sullivan, Paddy McCue, Ed Courtney, Frank Burge

Northern Union: Alf Wood, Frank Williams, William Davies (c), Bert Jenkins, Jack Robinson, Stuart Prosser, Johnny Rogers, Joseph Guerin, James Clampitt, Walter Roman, Billy Jarman, Dave Holland, John Smales

Monday 8 June	New South Wales	11 – 3	Northern Union	Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
	Tries: Bill Kelly, Ray Norman Goals: Harold Horder (3) Wally Messenger (1)		Tries: Harold Wagstaff Goals:	Attendance: 49,000 Referee: Tom McMahon Sr.

NSW: Howard Hallett, Harold Horder, Sid Deane (c), Bill Kelly, Wally Messenger, Ray Norman, Arthur Halloway, Jack Watkins, Sid Pearce, Con Sullivan, Paddy McCue, Ed Courtney, Frank Burge. Res – Charles Fraser

Northern Union: Gwyn Thomas, William Davies, Harold Wagstaff (c), Bert Jenkins, Stan Moorhouse, Billy Hall, Johnny Rogers, Percy Coldrick, Douglas Clark, Arthur Johnson, Billy Jarman, Dave Holland, Jack Chilcott

Saturday 13 June	Queensland	10 – 18	Northern Union	Brisbane Exhibition Ground, Brisbane
	Tries: Herbert McCabe, Charles Scott Goals: Henry Bolewski (2)		Tries: Alfred Francis (2), Frank Williams (2) Goals: Gwyn Thomas (1) Joseph Guerin (1)	Attendance: 12,000 Referee: C. Turner

Queensland: Mick Bolewski (c), Herbert McCabe, Walter Bolewski, Henry Bolewski, William Beavis, Daniel Rowley, Evan Lewis, Jack Egan, Thomas Dean, Harold Bawden, Charles Scott, William Pritchard, James Adams

Northern Union: Gwyn Thomas, Frank Williams, Harold Wagstaff (c), William Davies, Alfred Francis, Fred Smith, Jack O'Garra, Joseph Guerin, Douglas Clark, Fred Longstaff, Dick Ramsdale, John Smales, Jack Chilcott

Wednesday 17 June	Ipswich	8 – 45	Northern Union	North Ipswich Reserve, Ipswich
	Tries: Goals:		Tries: Alfred Francis (5), Stan Moorhouse (3), Harold Wagstaff (2), Arthur Johnson Goals: Harold Wagstaff (4) Billy Jarman (1) Arthur Johnson (1)	Attendance: 2,000

Northern Union: Billy Jarman, Stan Moorhouse, Harold Wagstaff (c), Billy Hall, Alfred Francis, Stuart Prosser, Fred Smith, Arthur Johnson, Joseph Guerin, James Clampitt, Walter Roman, Percy Coldrick, Fred Longstaff

Saturday 20 June	Queensland	8 – 22	Northern Union	Brisbane Exhibition Ground, Brisbane
	Tries: Goals: Henry Bolewski (4)		Tries: Stan Moorhouse (2), Percy Coldrick, Billy Hall, Johnny Rogers, Harold Wagstaff Goals: Fred Longstaff (1) Gwyn Thomas (1)	Attendance: 12,000 Referee: Jack Roche

Queensland: Mick Bolewski (c), Herbert McCabe, John Birkett, Henry Bolewski, William Beavis, Thomas Hennessy, Evan Lewis, Jack Egan, Thomas Dean, Peter Olsen, Charles Scott, William Pritchard, Don Jeffrey

Northern Union: Gwyn Thomas, Frank Williams, Harold Wagstaff (c), Bert Jenkins, Stan Moorhouse, Billy Hall, Johnny Rogers, Percy Coldrick, Douglas Clark, Fred Longstaff, Dick Ramsdale, Billy Jarman, Jack Chilcott

Wednesday 24 June	Newcastle	18 – 35	Northern Union	Newcastle Sports Ground, Newcastle
	Tries: Arthur Baber, J. Coleman, W. Coleman, P. Scully Goals: W. Coleman (1) J. Maloney (1) P. Scully (1)		Tries: Harold Wagstaff (2), William Davies, Dave Holland, Arthur Johnson, Jack O'Garra, Jack Robinson, John Smales, Fred Smith Goals: Alf Wood (4)	Attendance: 5,000 Referee: E. Rees

Newcastle: J. Maloney (c), P. Scully, W. Coleman, E. Brien, G. Johns, J. Coleman, F. Bell, F. Grahame, H. Williams, Stan Carpenter, J. Quinn, Arthur Baber, C. Perkins

Northern Union: Alf Wood, Alfred Francis, Harold Wagstaff (c), William Davies, Jack Robinson, Fred Smith, Jack O'Garra, Walter Roman, James Clampitt, Joseph Guerin, Dave Holland, John Smales, Arthur Johnson

First test

Future Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame inductee Harold Horder was selected to make his Test debut for this match. On the other wing was the only Queenslander selected in the home side, Henry Bolewski. Also selected to debut for his adopted country was New Zealander, Bill Kelly, after whom the trophy contested in the ANZAC Test would be named.

Australia	5 – 23	Northern Union
Tries: Ray Norman Goals: Henry Bolewski (1)		Tries: Stan Moorhouse (2) Doug Clark Dave Holland Jack Robinson Goals: Fred Longstaff (2) Jack Robinson (2)

Australia

Northern Union

FB 1 Howard Hallett WG 2 Henry Bolewski CE 3 Sid Deane (c) CE 4 Bill Kelly WG 5 Harold Horder FE 6 Ray Norman HB 7 Arthur Halloway PR 13 Ed Courtney HK 12 Sandy Pearce PR 11 Frank Burge SR 10 Con Sullivan SR 9 Paddy McCue LK 8 Jack Watkins Coach:

FB 1 Billy Jarman WG 2 Jack Robinson CE 3 Bert Jenkins CE 4 Harold Wagstaff (c) WG 5 Stan Moorhouse SO 6 Billy Hall SH 7 Fred Smith PR 13 Dave Holland HK 12 Percy Coldrick PR 11 Dick Ramsdale SR 10 Jack Chilcott SR 9 Fred Longstaff LF 8 Douglas Clark Coach:

The first test of the 1914 Ashes series was played in Sydney before a crowd of around 40,000. Leeds forward Billy Jarman, making his debut for Great Britain missed a conversion attempt from in front of the posts. Henry Bolewski was the only Queensland player selected in the Australian side.

Second test

Australia	12 – 7	Northern Union
Tries: Frank Burge Charles Fraser Wally Messenger Goals: Wally Messenger (3)		Tries: Percy Coldrick Goals: Johnny Rogers (2)

Australia

Northern Union

FB 1 Howard Hallett WG 2 Dan Frawley CE 3 Sid Deane (c) CE 4 Wally Messenger WG 5 Bob Tidyman FE 6 Charles Fraser HB 7 Arthur Halloway PR 13 Ed Courtney HK 12 Sandy Pearce PR 11 Frank Burge SR 10 Bob Craig SR 9 Con Sullivan LK 8 Billy Cann Coach:

FB 1 Gwyn Thomas WG 2 Frank Williams CE 3 Harold Wagstaff (c) CE 4 Billy Hall WG 5 Jack Robinson SO 6 Johnny Rogers SH 7 Fred Smith PR 13 Billy Jarman HK 12 Dick Ramsdale PR 11 Percy Coldrick SR 10 Dave Holland SR 9 Douglas Clark LF 8 Jack Chilcott Coach:

After being humiliated in the first Test, the Australians bounced back to narrowly win the second 12–7 at the Sydney Cricket Ground with Charles Fraser and Frank Burge scoring and Wally Messenger kicking 3 goals.

Thursday 2 July	Western Districts	3 – 42	Northern Union	Bathurst Showgrounds, Bathurst
	Tries: A. Dawson Goals:		Tries: Billy Hall (3), William Davies (2), Arthur Johnson (2), Jack O'Garra (2) Goals: Joseph Guerin (2) Alf Wood (2)	Attendance: 5,000 Referee: E. Rees

Western Districts: E. Hawke, A. Bassett, A. Dawson, H. Gunn, E. Lockhard, R. Trefrey, Edward Coyne, D. Gander, Arch Moncreiff (c), D. Reece, P. Smith, R. Murphy, D. Haynes

Northern Union: Alf Wood (c), Frank Williams, Billy Hall, William Davies, Jack O'Garra, Stuart Prosser, Johnny Rogers, Walter Roman, James Clampitt, Joseph Guerin, John Smales, Billy Jarman, Arthur Johnson

Third test

The third and deciding Ashes test had originally been scheduled for Melbourne in August, but the New South Wales Rugby Football League unilaterally rescheduled it for Sydney on 4 July to maximise profits. Melbourne had to wait another 78 years until they hosted their first test, in the Ashes Series of 1992. The British protested that it would be their third test match in seven days and several of their first team were out with injuries, but the NSWRFL got its way. The tourists were instructed by the Northern Union officials to play and do their duty for England.

Australia	6 – 14	Northern Union
Tries: Wally Messenger Sid Deane Goals:		Tries: William Davies Arthur Johnson Goals: Alf Wood (4)

Australia

Northern Union

FB 1 Howard Hallett WG 2 Bob Tidyman CE 3 Wally Messenger CE 4 Sid Deane (c) WG 5 Dan Frawley FE 6 Charles Fraser HB 7 Arthur Halloway PR 13 Ed Courtney HK 12 Sandy Pearce PR 11 Frank Burge SR 10 Con Sullivan SR 9 Bob Craig LK 8 Billy Cann Coach:

FB 1 Alf Wood WG 2 Frank Williams CE 3 Harold Wagstaff (c) CE 4 Billy Hall WG 5 William Davies SO 6 Stuart Prosser SH 7 Fred Smith PR 13 Jack Chilcott HK 12 Dick Ramsdale PR 11 Percy Coldrick SR 10 Dave Holland SR 9 Douglas Clark LF 8 Arthur Johnson Coach:

Within the first minutes of the match, Great Britain were down a man due to an injury to Frank Williams. Forward Arthur 'Chick' Johnson, the Widnes club's first international representative, was shifted to the wing to take Williams' place. At half time the British were leading 9–3. Ten minutes into the second half, they had lost Douglas Clark and Billy Hall to injuries so were reduced to ten men. 'Chick' Johnson, playing out of position on the wing, then used the unorthodox method of dribbling the ball ahead with his feet to score a try. This lifted his teammates in defence and the British managed to win 14–6.

Saturday 15 August	New South Wales	15 – 21	Northern Union	Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
	Tries: Arthur Halloway, Sid Pearce, Bob Tidyman Goals: Albert Burge (3)		Tries: Percy Coldrick, Bert Jenkins, Stan Moorhouse Goals: Alf Wood (6)	Attendance: 13,000 Referee: Tom McMahon Sr.

NSW: George Challis, Tom Leggo, Bob Tidyman, Charles Fraser, George Bain, Les Cubitt, Arthur Halloway (c), Bob Williams, Sid Pearce, Ed Courtney, Bob Craig, Albert Burge, Frank Burge. Res –

Northern Union: Alf Wood, Stan Moorhouse, Harold Wagstaff (c), Bert Jenkins, William Davies, Billy Hall, Johnny Rogers, Percy Coldrick, James Clampitt, Dick Ramsdale, Fred Longstaff, Jack Chilcott, Arthur Johnson

This game was played on the return leg from New Zealand

New Zealand

Originally scheduled to take place during the Ashes series, the New Zealand leg was postponed until afterwards.

Saturday 11 July	Wellington	7 – 14	Northern Union	Newtown Park, Wellington
	Tries: Goals:		Tries: Jack Chilcott, Billy Hall, Joseph Houghton, Gwyn Thomas Goals: Joseph Guerin (1)	Attendance: 5,000

Northern Union: Gwyn Thomas, Joseph Houghton, Billy Hall, William Davies, Jack O'Garra, Stuart Prosser, Fred Smith, Joseph Guerin, Billy Jarman, Jack Chilcott, John Smales, Walter Roman, James Clampitt

Saturday 18 July	Hawke's Bay	7 – 30	Northern Union	Nelson Park, Napier
	Tries: Goals:		Tries: Goals:	Attendance: 4,000

Thursday 23 July	Taranaki	11 – 43	Northern Union	Taumata Park, Eltham
	Tries: Goals:		Tries: Goals:	Attendance: 2,000

Saturday 25 July	Auckland	12 – 34	Northern Union	Auckland Domain, Auckland
	Tries: Goals:		Tries: Dave Holland (2), Stan Moorhouse (2), Percy Coldrick, Billy Hall, Dick Ramsdale, Johnny Rogers Goals: Alf Wood (5)	Attendance: 13,000

Auckland: Tom Cross, Charles Woolley, Karl Ifwersen, Edward Fox, Thomas McClymont, Arthur Hardgrave, Charles Webb, Charlie Savory, Joe Bennett, Stan Walters, Bob Mitchell, Harold Hayward, Jim Clark

Northern Union: Alf Wood, Stan Moorhouse, Billy Hall, Bert Jenkins, William Davies, Johnny Rogers, Fred Smith, Dick Ramsdale, Arthur Johnson, Jack Chilcott, Fred Longstaff, Percy Coldrick, Dave Holland

Northern Union defeated Auckland 34–12 in front of 13,000 fans. The gate earned the Auckland Rugby League NZ£650.

Thursday 30 July	Wanganui	12 – 57	Northern Union	Cooks Gardens, Whanganui
	Tries: Goals:		Tries: Bert Jenkins (3), Fred Longstaff (2), Stan Moorhouse (2), Stuart Prosser (2), Harold Wagstaff (2), James Clampitt, Joseph Guerin Goals: Alf Wood (9)	Attendance: 3,000

Northern Union: Alf Wood, Stan Moorhouse, Harold Wagstaff (c), Bert Jenkins, William Davies, Jack O'Garra, Stuart Prosser, Dick Ramsdale, Joseph Guerin, James Clampitt, Fred Longstaff, Percy Coldrick, Walter Roman

New Zealand	13 – 16	Northern Union
Tries: Billy Wilson (2) Vic Banks Goals: Karl Ifwersen (2)		Tries: Stan Moorhouse (2) Arthur Johnson William Davies Goals: Alf Wood (2)

Auckland Domain, Auckland Attendance: 15,000 Referee: A. Ferguson

New Zealand

Northern Union

FB 1 Arthur Hardgrave WG 2 Karl Ifwersen CE 3 Stan Weston CE 4 George Bradley (c) WG 5 Billy Wilson FE 6 Frank Barclay HB 7 Bill Bussell PR 13 Charles Savory HK 12 Ernest Button PR 11 James Parker SR 10 Vic Banks SR 9 Bob Mitchell LK 8 Stan Walters Coach:

FB 1 Alf Wood WG 2 William Davies CE 3 Bert Jenkins CE 4 Harold Wagstaff (c) WG 5 Stan Moorhouse SO 6 Billy Hall SH 7 Fred Smith PR 13 Dave Holland HK 12 Percy Coldrick PR 11 Dick Ramsdale SR 10 Fred Longstaff SR 9 Arthur Johnson LF 8 James Clampitt Coach:

New Zealand lost the sole Test match 13–16. Billy Wilson scored two tries, Vic Banks scored one and Karl Ifwersen kicked two goals.

References

1. ^ Saxton, Irvin (ed.). History of Rugby League: No.19 1913–1914. League Publications. p. 14.
2. Hadfield, David (11 July 2009). "Great Sporting Moments: Australia 18 Great Britain 25, Brisbane, 1958". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2022-05-01. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
3. "The English Team". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 31 December 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
4. "ENGLAND v. METROPOLIS—NORTHERN UNION RULES". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 31 December 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
5. "Touring Teams". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 31 December 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
6. Saxton, Irvin (ed.). History of Rugby League: No.19 1913–1914. League Publications.
7. "Cheapening the Jumper". stevericketts.com.au. Stve Ricketts. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
8. "Sid Deane". rugbyleagueproject.org. Shawn Dollin, Andrew Ferguson and Bill Bates. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
9. South Australia vs Northern Union
10. Metropolis vs Northern Union
11. New South Wales vs Northern Union
12. Queensland vs Northern Union
13. Ipswich vs Northern Union
14. Queensland vs Northern Union
15. Newcastle vs Northern Union
16. Cunneen, Chris (1983). "Harold Norman Horder (1894–1978)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Vol. 9. Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISBN 978-0-522-84459-7. ISSN 1833-7538. OCLC 70677943. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
17. "FOOTBALL: "Australian" League Team". The Brisbane Courier. trove.nla.gov.au. 24 June 1914. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
18. "Bill Kelly". rugbyleagueproject.org. Shawn Dollin, Andrew Ferguson and Bill Bates. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
19. 1st Ashes Test
20. On this day Archived 2011-11-25 at the Wayback Machine at therhinos.co.uk
21. 2nd Ashes Test
22. "sportsmem.com.au". 1914 Australian RL Jersey Maroon & Blue Hoops. Michael Fahey – Sports Memorabilia Australia. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
23. Western Districts vs Northern Union
24. "The Legend of Rorke's Drift". Sports Post. rl1895.com. Archived from the original on 13 February 2004. Retrieved 19 November 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
25. Collins, Tony (2006). Rugby League in Twentieth Century Britain. UK: Routledge. p. 8. ISBN 0-415-39614-X.
26. "Player Profile – Wally Messenger". yesterdayshero.com.au. SmartPack International. Archived from the original on 2012-08-27. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
27. 3rd Ashes Test
28. rugby.widnes.tv. "Arthur Johnson". Hall of Fame. Widnes Vikings. Retrieved 11 May 2012.
29. Headon, David (2001). The best ever Australian sports writing: a 200 year collection. Australia: Back Inc. p. 367. ISBN 1-86395-266-7.
30. "Arthur Johnson". Hall of Fame. Widnes RLFC. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
31. New South Wales vs Northern Union
32. Wellington vs Northern Union
33. Hawke's Bay vs Northern Union
34. Taranaki vs Northern Union
35. Auckland vs Northern Union
36. Coffey, John and Bernie Wood Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909–2009, 2009. ISBN 978-1-86969-366-4.
37. Wanganui vs Northern Union
38. New Zealand vs Northern Union
39. New Zealand vs England 1914 rugbyleagueproject.org

v t e Rugby league Ashes /
Teams	Original Australia Australasia Great Britain Modern Australia England Women's Australia England †Great Britain
Men's original series	1908–09 1910 1911–12 1914 1920 1921–22 1924 1928 1929–30 1932 1933 1936 1937 1946 1948 1950 1952 1954 1956 1958 1959 1962 1963 1966 1967 1970 1973 1974 1978 1979 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 2001 2003
Men's modern series	2025 2028
Women's series	1996† 2002† 2025

• Great Britain national rugby league team tours
• 1914 in Australian rugby league
• 1914 in New Zealand rugby league
• 1914 in rugby league
• Rugby league tours of Australia
• Rugby league tours of New Zealand
• Australia–United Kingdom sports relations
• New Zealand–United Kingdom sports relations