| Revision as of 02:24, 13 February 2014 editGibson Flying V (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers92,854 editsm →2nd Ashes Test: typo← Previous edit | Revision as of 08:15, 1 April 2014 edit undoOhconfucius (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers328,947 edits Script-assisted fixes per WP:TIES, MOS:NUM, MOS:CAPS, MOS:LINKNext edit → | ||
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| {{EngvarB|date=April 2014}} | |||
| {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2014}} | |||
| The '''1978 Kangaroo tour''' was the ]'s 14th tour of Great Britain and 9th tour of France, and took place from September to December 1978. In Britain the Kangaroos played a match against Wales before contesting the ] against the ], winning the third and deciding ].<ref>{{cite web|last=news.bbc.co.uk|title=Australia v Great Britain: the history|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/2098221.stm|work=]|publisher=]|accessdate=9 February 2014}}</ref> The tourists then moved on to France where they were narrowly beaten in both Tests, the last series the Kangaroos would lose until 2005.<ref>{{cite news|last=AFP|title=Kiwis crush Kangaroos in Tri-Nations final|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2005-11-27/kiwis-crush-kangaroos-in-tri-nations-final/749316|accessdate=9 February 2014|newspaper=]|date=27 November 2005}}</ref> In addition to these six internationals, the Australians played sixteen other matches against local club and representative sides in both countries. | The '''1978 Kangaroo tour''' was the ]'s 14th tour of Great Britain and 9th tour of France, and took place from September to December 1978. In Britain the Kangaroos played a match against Wales before contesting the ] against the ], winning the third and deciding ].<ref>{{cite web|last=news.bbc.co.uk|title=Australia v Great Britain: the history|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/2098221.stm|work=]|publisher=]|accessdate=9 February 2014}}</ref> The tourists then moved on to France where they were narrowly beaten in both Tests, the last series the Kangaroos would lose until 2005.<ref>{{cite news|last=AFP|title=Kiwis crush Kangaroos in Tri-Nations final|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2005-11-27/kiwis-crush-kangaroos-in-tri-nations-final/749316|accessdate=9 February 2014|newspaper=]|date=27 November 2005}}</ref> In addition to these six internationals, the Australians played sixteen other matches against local club and representative sides in both countries. | ||
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| ==Touring squad== | ==Touring squad== | ||
| The Australian team's coach was ], who had already taken the ], ] and the ] teams to victory in all of their respective competitions that year.<ref>{{cite web|title=Frank Stanton|url=http://www.sahof.org.au/hall-of-fame/member-profile/?memberID=209&memberType=athlete|work=]|publisher=sahof.org.au|accessdate=8 February 2014}}</ref> Manly-Warringah's captain ], was selected to be the touring Australian side's skipper.<ref>{{cite book|title=Annual Report|year=2008|publisher=]|location=Australia|page=57|url=https://secure.ausport.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/297489/Australian_Rugby_League_Annual_Report_2008.pdf}}</ref> Another Manly-Warringah grand final winner ] created some controversy when he declined selection for the tour due to personal reasons.<ref name="RLW">{{cite journal | author = Tony Adams | title = Legend Q&A | journal = ] | issue =4 July 2007 |pages = |
The Australian team's coach was ], who had already taken the ], ] and the ] teams to victory in all of their respective competitions that year.<ref>{{cite web|title=Frank Stanton|url=http://www.sahof.org.au/hall-of-fame/member-profile/?memberID=209&memberType=athlete|work=]|publisher=sahof.org.au|accessdate=8 February 2014}}</ref> Manly-Warringah's captain ], was selected to be the touring Australian side's skipper.<ref>{{cite book|title=Annual Report|year=2008|publisher=]|location=Australia|page=57|url=https://secure.ausport.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/297489/Australian_Rugby_League_Annual_Report_2008.pdf}}</ref> Another Manly-Warringah grand final winner ] created some controversy when he declined selection for the tour due to personal reasons.<ref name="RLW">{{cite journal | author = Tony Adams | title = Legend Q&A | journal = ] | issue =4 July 2007 |pages = 22–23 | publisher = PBLMedia | location = Sydney, NSW }}</ref> As a result his Manly-Warringah teammate Bruce Walker was called in as a replacement.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bruce Walker|url=http://www.yesterdayshero.com.au/PlayerProfile_Bruce-Walker_8366.aspx|work=yesterdayshero.com.au|publisher=SmartPack International|accessdate=9 February 2014}}</ref> The tour manager was ], with co-manager Jim Caldwell.<ref>{{cite news|last=Clarkson|first=Alan|title=Kangaroos Brawl with Punk Group|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1301&dat=19781115&id=H59WAAAAIBAJ&sjid=EucDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1419,5015033|accessdate=9 February 2014|newspaper=]|date=14 November 1978}}</ref> | ||
| ] was named 'player of the tour'.<ref>{{cite web|title=Craig Young|url=http://www.jubileeavenue.com.au/history_champ.php|work=Legends|publisher=jubileeavenue.com.au|accessdate=8 February 2014}}</ref> Bob Fulton was the tourists' top try scorer.<ref>{{cite web|first=Alan|last=Whiticker|title=Bob Fulton|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/bob-fulton/summary.html|work=rugbyleagueproject.org|publisher=Shawn Dollin, Andrew Ferguson and Bill Bates|accessdate=9 February 2014}}</ref> | ] was named 'player of the tour'.<ref>{{cite web|title=Craig Young|url=http://www.jubileeavenue.com.au/history_champ.php|work=Legends|publisher=jubileeavenue.com.au|accessdate=8 February 2014}}</ref> Bob Fulton was the tourists' top try scorer.<ref>{{cite web|first=Alan|last=Whiticker|title=Bob Fulton|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/bob-fulton/summary.html|work=rugbyleagueproject.org|publisher=Shawn Dollin, Andrew Ferguson and Bill Bates|accessdate=9 February 2014}}</ref> | ||
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| ==Great Britain leg== | ==Great Britain leg== | ||
| {{rugbyleaguebox | {{rugbyleaguebox | ||
| | date = |
| date = 30 September | ||
| | time = | | time = | ||
| | team1 = ] | | team1 = ] | ||
| | score = |
| score = 1–39 | ||
| | report = | | report = | ||
| | team2 = ] | | team2 = ] | ||
| Line 88: | Line 90: | ||
| | manofmatch= | | manofmatch= | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| ---- | |||
| {{rugbyleaguebox | {{rugbyleaguebox | ||
| | date = |
| date = 1 October | ||
| | time = | | time = | ||
| | team1 = ] | | team1 = ] | ||
| | score = |
| score = 4–47 | ||
| | report = | | report = | ||
| | team2 = ] | | team2 = ] | ||
| Line 103: | Line 104: | ||
| | manofmatch= | | manofmatch= | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| ---- | |||
| {{rugbyleaguebox | {{rugbyleaguebox | ||
| | date = |
| date = 4 October | ||
| | time = | | time = | ||
| | team1 = ] Under 24s | | team1 = ] Under 24s | ||
| | score = |
| score = 8–30 | ||
| | report = | | report = | ||
| | team2 = ] | | team2 = ] | ||
| Line 118: | Line 118: | ||
| | manofmatch= | | manofmatch= | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| ---- | |||
| {{rugbyleaguebox | {{rugbyleaguebox | ||
| | date = |
| date = 8 October | ||
| | time = | | time = | ||
| | team1 = ] | | team1 = ] | ||
| | score = |
| score = 11–21 | ||
| | report = | | report = | ||
| | team2 = ] | | team2 = ] | ||
| Line 133: | Line 132: | ||
| | manofmatch= | | manofmatch= | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| ---- | |||
| {{rugbyleaguebox | {{rugbyleaguebox | ||
| | date = |
| date = 11 October | ||
| | time = | | time = | ||
| | team1 = ] | | team1 = ] | ||
| | score = |
| score = 15–12 | ||
| | report = | | report = | ||
| | team2 = ] | | team2 = ] | ||
| Line 148: | Line 146: | ||
| | manofmatch= | | manofmatch= | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| A controversial late ] try gave ] a |
A controversial late ] try gave ] a 15–12 win over Australia, with ] kicking six goals. In the tourists' first lost match of the tour Warrington's packmen ], ], ] and ] were in superb form, ably supported by replacement half backs Gwilliam and Clark. This was Warrington's eighth win over Australia.<ref>{{cite web|title=Changing Times – 1970 to 1995|url=http://www.warringtonwolves.org/changing-times|work=warringtonwolves.org|publisher=]|accessdate=8 February 2014}}</ref> | ||
| ---- | |||
| ===Wales=== | ===Wales=== | ||
| {{rugbyleaguebox | {{rugbyleaguebox | ||
| | bg = #eeeeee | | bg = #eeeeee | ||
| | date = |
| date = 15 October | ||
| | time = | | time = | ||
| | team1 = ] {{flagicon|WAL}} | | team1 = ] {{flagicon|WAL}} | ||
| | score = |
| score = 3–8 | ||
| | report = | | report = | ||
| | team2 = {{flagicon|AUS}} ] | | team2 = {{flagicon|AUS}} ] | ||
| Line 207: | Line 204: | ||
| The Kangaroos' vice captain Pierce injured his knee in this match and made no more appearances on the tour.<ref>{{cite web|last=Whiticker|first=Alan|title=Greg Pierce|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/greg-pierce/summary.html|work=rugbyleagueproject.org|publisher=Shawn Dollin, Andrew Ferguson and Bill Bates|accessdate=9 February 2014}}</ref> | The Kangaroos' vice captain Pierce injured his knee in this match and made no more appearances on the tour.<ref>{{cite web|last=Whiticker|first=Alan|title=Greg Pierce|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/greg-pierce/summary.html|work=rugbyleagueproject.org|publisher=Shawn Dollin, Andrew Ferguson and Bill Bates|accessdate=9 February 2014}}</ref> | ||
| {{-}} | {{-}} | ||
| ---- | |||
| {{rugbyleaguebox | {{rugbyleaguebox | ||
| | date = |
| date = 17 October | ||
| | time = | | time = | ||
| | team1 = ] | | team1 = ] | ||
| | score = |
| score = 19–25 | ||
| | report = | | report = | ||
| | team2 = ] | | team2 = ] | ||
| Line 222: | Line 218: | ||
| | manofmatch= | | manofmatch= | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| ---- | |||
| ===1st Ashes Test=== | ===1st Ashes Test=== | ||
| Line 228: | Line 223: | ||
| {{rugbyleaguebox | {{rugbyleaguebox | ||
| | bg = #eeeeee | | bg = #eeeeee | ||
| | date = |
| date = 21 October | ||
| | time = | | time = | ||
| | team1 = ] {{flagicon|GBR}} | | team1 = ] {{flagicon|GBR}} | ||
| | score = |
| score = 9–15 | ||
| | report = | | report = | ||
| | team2 = {{flagicon|AUS}} ] | | team2 = {{flagicon|AUS}} ] | ||
| Line 279: | Line 274: | ||
| |align="center"|]||align="center" style="background: #eeeeee"|Coach||align="center"|] | |align="center"|]||align="center" style="background: #eeeeee"|Coach||align="center"|] | ||
| |} | |} | ||
| Great Britain were trailing 6 |
Great Britain were trailing 6 – 7 with fifteen minutes remaining when an Australian pass went to ground and Welsh winger John Bevan kicked the ball ahead. It was then a foot race between him and the Australian fullback to reach the ball which was slowing within Australia's in-goal area. Both players stumbled and dived, with Bevan getting a hand on the ball and claiming the try which was awarded, giving the home side a 9 – 7 lead. The Kangaroos then worked their way up to the other end of the field and moved the ball through the hands out to the right wing where Kerry Boustead crossed for a try, regaining his side the lead 9 – 10. In the final minutes Australian captain Bob Fulton forced his way over for a try which was also converted, so the match ended with the scoreline at 9 – 15. | ||
| {{-}} | {{-}} | ||
| ---- | |||
| {{rugbyleaguebox | {{rugbyleaguebox | ||
| | date = |
| date = 25 October | ||
| | time = 19:00 | | time = 19:00 | ||
| | team1 = ] | | team1 = ] | ||
| | score = |
| score = 11–10 | ||
| | report = | | report = | ||
| | team2 = ] | | team2 = ] | ||
| Line 308: | Line 302: | ||
| Coach: ]</small> | Coach: ]</small> | ||
| {{col-end}} | {{col-end}} | ||
| By half time Widnes were leading 7 |
By half time Widnes were leading 7 – 2. | ||
| ---- | |||
| {{rugbyleaguebox | {{rugbyleaguebox | ||
| | date = |
| date = 29 October | ||
| | time = | | time = | ||
| | team1 = ] | | team1 = ] | ||
| | score = |
| score = 2–34 | ||
| | report = | | report = | ||
| | team2 = ] | | team2 = ] | ||
| Line 324: | Line 317: | ||
| | manofmatch= | | manofmatch= | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| ---- | |||
| {{rugbyleaguebox | {{rugbyleaguebox | ||
| | date = |
| date = 1 November | ||
| | time = | | time = | ||
| | team1 = ] | | team1 = ] | ||
| | score = |
| score = 2–14 | ||
| | report = | | report = | ||
| | team2 = ] | | team2 = ] | ||
| Line 339: | Line 331: | ||
| | manofmatch= | | manofmatch= | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| ---- | |||
| ===2nd Ashes Test=== | ===2nd Ashes Test=== | ||
| Line 345: | Line 336: | ||
| {{rugbyleaguebox | {{rugbyleaguebox | ||
| | bg = #eeeeee | | bg = #eeeeee | ||
| | date = |
| date = 5 November | ||
| | time = | | time = | ||
| | team1 = ] {{flagicon|GBR}} | | team1 = ] {{flagicon|GBR}} | ||
| | score = |
| score = 18–14 | ||
| | report = | | report = | ||
| | team2 = {{flagicon|AUS}} ] | | team2 = {{flagicon|AUS}} ] | ||
| Line 396: | Line 387: | ||
| |align="center"|]||align="center" style="background: #eeeeee"|Coach||align="center"|] | |align="center"|]||align="center" style="background: #eeeeee"|Coach||align="center"|] | ||
| |} | |} | ||
| In the final minutes of the first half the British had just made their way into Australia's half of the field when they made a break up the middle through Roger Millward. He then kicked the ball ahead as he was being tackled and his winger Stuart Wright was chasing through to get a hand on it and score. The try was converted so the home side led at the break 11 |
In the final minutes of the first half the British had just made their way into Australia's half of the field when they made a break up the middle through Roger Millward. He then kicked the ball ahead as he was being tackled and his winger Stuart Wright was chasing through to get a hand on it and score. The try was converted so the home side led at the break 11 – 4. | ||
| In the second half Britain's right centre John Joyner made a break and popped a pass over to his winger Stuart Wright to cross once again. They won the match |
In the second half Britain's right centre John Joyner made a break and popped a pass over to his winger Stuart Wright to cross once again. They won the match 18–14 to bring the series to 1-all. | ||
| This would be the last time Great Britain beat Australia in a Test match for another ten years.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ashes battles of the past|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/ashes_series/1526730.stm|work=news.bbc.co.uk|publisher=]|accessdate=9 February 2014}}</ref> | This would be the last time Great Britain beat Australia in a Test match for another ten years.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ashes battles of the past|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/ashes_series/1526730.stm|work=news.bbc.co.uk|publisher=]|accessdate=9 February 2014}}</ref> | ||
| {{-}} | {{-}} | ||
| ---- | |||
| {{rugbyleaguebox | {{rugbyleaguebox | ||
| | date = |
| date = 8 November | ||
| | time = 19:30 | | time = 19:30 | ||
| | team1 = ] | | team1 = ] | ||
| | score = |
| score = 2–28 | ||
| | report = | | report = | ||
| | team2 = ] | | team2 = ] | ||
| Line 422: | Line 412: | ||
| 1. ], 2. ], 3. ], 4. ], 5. ], 6. ], 7. ]<br /> | 1. ], 2. ], 3. ], 4. ], 5. ], 6. ], 7. ]<br /> | ||
| 8. ], 9. ], 10. ], 11. ], 12. ], 13. ]<br /> | 8. ], 9. ], 10. ], 11. ], 12. ], 13. ]<br /> | ||
| 14. ] (replaced Willicombe |
14. ] (replaced Willicombe – 9th Minute), 15. ] (replaced Wood – 19th Minute)<br /> | ||
| Coach: ]</small> | Coach: ]</small> | ||
| {{col-2}} | {{col-2}} | ||
| Line 430: | Line 420: | ||
| Coach: ]</small> | Coach: ]</small> | ||
| {{col-end}} | {{col-end}} | ||
| At half time Wigan trailed Australia 2 |
At half time Wigan trailed Australia 2 – 5.<ref>{{cite web|title=8th November 1978: Wigan 2 Australia 28|url=http://wigan.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=2273|work=Cherry & White|publisher=wigan.rlfans.com|accessdate=9 February 2014}}</ref> | ||
| ---- | |||
| {{rugbyleaguebox | {{rugbyleaguebox | ||
| | date = |
| date = 12 November | ||
| | time = | | time = | ||
| | team1 = ] | | team1 = ] | ||
| | score = |
| score = 4–26 | ||
| | report = | | report = | ||
| | team2 = ] | | team2 = ] | ||
| Line 446: | Line 435: | ||
| | manofmatch= | | manofmatch= | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| ---- | |||
| In a Leeds bar, a member of Surry rock band ], ], glassed the face of Jim Caldwell, the team manager from Queensland.<ref>{{cite news|last=Malone|first=Paul|title=Recent Billy Slater and Josh Papalii incidents far from the tip of the iceberg for Kangaroos|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/recent-billy-slater-and-josh-papalii-incidents-far-from-the-tip-of-the-iceberg-for-kangaroos/story-fni2flhh-1226758544470|accessdate=8 February 2014|newspaper=]|date=13 November 2013}}</ref> Australian player ] ran to defend the bloodied Caldwell, was punched from behind himself and raced into a nearby bar to get teammates to provide reinforcements for the brawl that ensued. One member of The Jam landed in hospital with broken ribs and another was reported at the time to have been charged with assault. The official police statement cleared the Australians of any wrongdoing.<ref>{{cite news|last=Walshaw|first=Nick|title=Josh Papalii robbing just the latest in long list of tour mishaps for Kangaroos in UK|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/josh-papalii-robbing-just-the-latest-in-long-list-of-tour-mishaps-for-kangaroos-in-uk/story-fni3fbgz-1226742639037|accessdate=8 February 2014|newspaper=]|date=19 October 2013}}</ref> | In a Leeds bar, a member of Surry rock band ], ], glassed the face of Jim Caldwell, the team manager from Queensland.<ref>{{cite news|last=Malone|first=Paul|title=Recent Billy Slater and Josh Papalii incidents far from the tip of the iceberg for Kangaroos|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/recent-billy-slater-and-josh-papalii-incidents-far-from-the-tip-of-the-iceberg-for-kangaroos/story-fni2flhh-1226758544470|accessdate=8 February 2014|newspaper=]|date=13 November 2013}}</ref> Australian player ] ran to defend the bloodied Caldwell, was punched from behind himself and raced into a nearby bar to get teammates to provide reinforcements for the brawl that ensued. One member of The Jam landed in hospital with broken ribs and another was reported at the time to have been charged with assault. The official police statement cleared the Australians of any wrongdoing.<ref>{{cite news|last=Walshaw|first=Nick|title=Josh Papalii robbing just the latest in long list of tour mishaps for Kangaroos in UK|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/josh-papalii-robbing-just-the-latest-in-long-list-of-tour-mishaps-for-kangaroos-in-uk/story-fni3fbgz-1226742639037|accessdate=8 February 2014|newspaper=]|date=19 October 2013}}</ref> | ||
| ---- | |||
| {{rugbyleaguebox | {{rugbyleaguebox | ||
| | date = |
| date = 14 November | ||
| | time = | | time = | ||
| | team1 = ] | | team1 = ] | ||
| | score = |
| score = 2–29 | ||
| | report = | | report = | ||
| | team2 = ] | | team2 = ] | ||
| Line 463: | Line 450: | ||
| | manofmatch= | | manofmatch= | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| ---- | |||
| ===3rd Ashes Test=== | ===3rd Ashes Test=== | ||
| Line 470: | Line 456: | ||
| {{rugbyleaguebox | {{rugbyleaguebox | ||
| | bg = #eeeeee | | bg = #eeeeee | ||
| | date = |
| date = 18 November | ||
| | time = 15:00 | | time = 15:00 | ||
| | team1 = ] {{flagicon|GBR}} | | team1 = ] {{flagicon|GBR}} | ||
| | score = |
| score = 6–23 | ||
| | report = | | report = | ||
| | team2 = {{flagicon|AUS}} ] | | team2 = {{flagicon|AUS}} ] | ||
| Line 521: | Line 507: | ||
| |align="center"|]||align="center" style="background: #eeeeee"|Coach||align="center"|] | |align="center"|]||align="center" style="background: #eeeeee"|Coach||align="center"|] | ||
| |} | |} | ||
| The deciding test attracted the largest attendance of any match on the tour. After two penalty goals by Mick Cronin Australia led by 4 points to nil. The Kangaroos then got the first try of the match with a close-range dive from George Peponis at dummy-half. The conversion by Cronin was successful so Australia led 9 |
The deciding test attracted the largest attendance of any match on the tour. After two penalty goals by Mick Cronin Australia led by 4 points to nil. The Kangaroos then got the first try of the match with a close-range dive from George Peponis at dummy-half. The conversion by Cronin was successful so Australia led 9 – 0. The visitors scored another try when the ball was passed from dummy-half to a steamrolling Les Boyd who raced through to score under the goal posts, bringing the lead to 12 – 0. Later, after making a break and crossing the half-way line Raudonikis passed to Geoff Gerard who ran the remaining metres to score untouched, making the score 17 – 0. | ||
| Australian fullback Graham Eadie crossed early in the second half but the try was controversially disallowed for a forward pass. Bob Fulton took the Australians' lead out to |
Australian fullback Graham Eadie crossed early in the second half but the try was controversially disallowed for a forward pass. Bob Fulton took the Australians' lead out to 20–0 with a drop-goal early in the second half.<ref>{{cite news|last=de la Riviere|first=Richard|title=On this day|url=http://www.totalrl.com/web/18th-november-lions-bow-tri-nations-brisbane/|accessdate=9 February 2014|newspaper=totalrl.com|date=18 November 1978}}</ref> Great Britain scored the first try of the second half when 31-year-old Roger Millward, captaining Great Britain for the last time,<ref>{{cite news|title=Should he stay or should he go?|url=http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/jan/13/rugbyunion|accessdate=9 February 2014|newspaper=]|date=13 January 2004}}</ref> reached out of a tackle and bounced the ball off the turf of the Australian in-goal area. The home side scored again when they moved the ball through the hands out to the left wing where Bevan dived over in the corner. The Kangaroos scored next when Raudonikis, directly from a scrum win, ran through and put the ball down. | ||
| Australia therefore retained the Ashes with the first of a fourteen-year winning streak between these two sides that would last until 1988.<ref>{{cite news|last=Baker|first=Andrew|title=100 years of rugby league: From the great divide to the Super era|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/100-years-of-rugby-league-from-the-great-divide-to-the-super-era-1597130.html|accessdate=9 February 2014|newspaper=]|date=20 August 1995}}</ref> | Australia therefore retained the Ashes with the first of a fourteen-year winning streak between these two sides that would last until 1988.<ref>{{cite news|last=Baker|first=Andrew|title=100 years of rugby league: From the great divide to the Super era|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/100-years-of-rugby-league-from-the-great-divide-to-the-super-era-1597130.html|accessdate=9 February 2014|newspaper=]|date=20 August 1995}}</ref> | ||
| {{-}} | {{-}} | ||
| ---- | |||
| ==France leg== | ==France leg== | ||
| {{rugbyleaguebox | {{rugbyleaguebox | ||
| | date = |
| date = 22 November | ||
| | time = | | time = | ||
| | team1 = ] | | team1 = ] | ||
| | score = |
| score = 15–26 | ||
| | report = | | report = | ||
| | team2 = ] | | team2 = ] | ||
| Line 544: | Line 529: | ||
| | manofmatch= | | manofmatch= | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| ---- | |||
| ===1st Test=== | ===1st Test=== | ||
| Line 551: | Line 535: | ||
| {{rugbyleaguebox | {{rugbyleaguebox | ||
| | bg = #eeeeee | | bg = #eeeeee | ||
| | date = |
| date = 26 November | ||
| | time = | | time = | ||
| | team1 = ] {{flagicon|FRA}} | | team1 = ] {{flagicon|FRA}} | ||
| | score = |
| score = 13–10 | ||
| | report = | | report = | ||
| | team2 = {{flagicon|AUS}} ] | | team2 = {{flagicon|AUS}} ] | ||
| Line 598: | Line 582: | ||
| |align="center"| ||align="center" style="background: #eeeeee"|Coach||align="center"|] | |align="center"| ||align="center" style="background: #eeeeee"|Coach||align="center"|] | ||
| |} | |} | ||
| France won the first Test |
France won the first Test 13–10 at Stade Albert Domec in Carcassonne. | ||
| {{-}} | {{-}} | ||
| ---- | |||
| {{rugbyleaguebox | {{rugbyleaguebox | ||
| | date = |
| date = 29 November | ||
| | time = | | time = | ||
| | team1 = Cote d'Azur | | team1 = Cote d'Azur | ||
| | score = |
| score = 7–29 | ||
| | report = | | report = | ||
| | team2 = ] | | team2 = ] | ||
| Line 615: | Line 598: | ||
| | manofmatch= | | manofmatch= | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| ---- | |||
| {{rugbyleaguebox | {{rugbyleaguebox | ||
| | date = |
| date = 3 December | ||
| | time = | | time = | ||
| | team1 = Les Espoirs (Colts) | | team1 = Les Espoirs (Colts) | ||
| | score = |
| score = 20–5 | ||
| | report = | | report = | ||
| | team2 = ] | | team2 = ] | ||
| Line 630: | Line 612: | ||
| | manofmatch= | | manofmatch= | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| ---- | |||
| {{rugbyleaguebox | {{rugbyleaguebox | ||
| | date = |
| date = 6 December | ||
| | time = | | time = | ||
| | team1 = ] XIII | | team1 = ] XIII | ||
| | score = |
| score = 7–36 | ||
| | report = | | report = | ||
| | team2 = ] | | team2 = ] | ||
| Line 645: | Line 626: | ||
| | manofmatch= | | manofmatch= | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| ---- | |||
| ===2nd Test=== | ===2nd Test=== | ||
| {{rugbyleaguebox | {{rugbyleaguebox | ||
| | bg = #eeeeee | | bg = #eeeeee | ||
| | date = |
| date = 10 December | ||
| | time = | | time = | ||
| | team1 = ] {{flagicon|FRA}} | | team1 = ] {{flagicon|FRA}} | ||
| | score = |
| score = 11–10 | ||
| | report = | | report = | ||
| | team2 = {{flagicon|AUS}} ] | | team2 = {{flagicon|AUS}} ] | ||
| Line 703: | Line 683: | ||
| The referee was Mr Laverny from Bordeaux. France were coached by ]. | The referee was Mr Laverny from Bordeaux. France were coached by ]. | ||
| Their line-up included world class players, lock, ]<ref>{{cite web|title=FLASHBACK: December 1978|url=http://stevericketts.com.au/2013/12/12/flashback-december-1988/|work=stevericketts.com.au|publisher=Steve Ricketts|accessdate=8 February 2014}}</ref> and prop, ] from Villeneuve-Sur-Lot, and ] in the centres. Ron Hilditch played at hooker in place of Max Krilich who was injured.<ref>{{cite web|last=Whiticker|first=Alan|title=Ron Hilditch|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/ron-hilditch/summary.html|work=rugbyleagueproject.org|publisher=Shawn Dollin, Andrew Ferguson and Bill Bates|accessdate=9 February 2014}}</ref> | Their line-up included world class players, lock, ]<ref>{{cite web|title=FLASHBACK: December 1978|url=http://stevericketts.com.au/2013/12/12/flashback-december-1988/|work=stevericketts.com.au|publisher=Steve Ricketts|accessdate=8 February 2014}}</ref> and prop, ] from Villeneuve-Sur-Lot, and ] in the centres. Ron Hilditch played at hooker in place of Max Krilich who was injured.<ref>{{cite web|last=Whiticker|first=Alan|title=Ron Hilditch|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/ron-hilditch/summary.html|work=rugbyleagueproject.org|publisher=Shawn Dollin, Andrew Ferguson and Bill Bates|accessdate=9 February 2014}}</ref> | ||
| France claimed a |
France claimed a 2–0 series win over the touring Kangaroos with a 11–10 result at the Stade Municipal, Toulouse in front of 6,500 spectators. | ||
| France thus became the last team to record successive victories against Australia.<ref>{{cite news|last=Koch|first=Dan|title=Britain to face Roos backlash|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/britain-to-face-roos-backlash/story-e6frf3ou-1111112536315|accessdate=9 February 2014|newspaper=]|date=17 November 2006}}</ref> This would be the last time the Kangaroos failed to win a series or tournament until the ].<ref>{{cite news|title=On this day|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/onthisday/sport/story/360.html|accessdate=9 February 2014|newspaper=] |
France thus became the last team to record successive victories against Australia.<ref>{{cite news|last=Koch|first=Dan|title=Britain to face Roos backlash|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/britain-to-face-roos-backlash/story-e6frf3ou-1111112536315|accessdate=9 February 2014|newspaper=]|date=17 November 2006}}</ref> This would be the last time the Kangaroos failed to win a series or tournament until the ].<ref>{{cite news|title=On this day|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/onthisday/sport/story/360.html|accessdate=9 February 2014|newspaper=]|date=10 December 1978}}</ref> | ||
| {{-}} | {{-}} | ||
Revision as of 08:15, 1 April 2014
The 1978 Kangaroo tour was the Australia national rugby league team's 14th tour of Great Britain and 9th tour of France, and took place from September to December 1978. In Britain the Kangaroos played a match against Wales before contesting the Ashes series against the Great Britain Lions, winning the third and deciding Test match. The tourists then moved on to France where they were narrowly beaten in both Tests, the last series the Kangaroos would lose until 2005. In addition to these six internationals, the Australians played sixteen other matches against local club and representative sides in both countries.
Background
The 1978 Kangaroo tour was the first since 1973 and took place in the wake of Australia's rugby league season. Sydney's 1978 NSWRFL season went longer than usual as it involved a grand final replay. For the English the tour was conducted during the first half of the 1978–79 Rugby Football League season.
Touring squad
The Australian team's coach was Frank Stanton, who had already taken the City, New South Wales and the Manly-Warringah teams to victory in all of their respective competitions that year. Manly-Warringah's captain Bob Fulton, was selected to be the touring Australian side's skipper. Another Manly-Warringah grand final winner John Harvey created some controversy when he declined selection for the tour due to personal reasons. As a result his Manly-Warringah teammate Bruce Walker was called in as a replacement. The tour manager was Peter Moore, with co-manager Jim Caldwell.
Craig Young was named 'player of the tour'. Bob Fulton was the tourists' top try scorer.
| Name | Position | Club | Date of birth | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Anderson | Wing | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | (1952-05-02)2 May 1952 | 5 |
| Kerry Boustead | Wing | Souths (Innisfail) | (1959-08-12)12 August 1959 | 5 |
| Les Boyd | Second-row forward | Western Suburbs Magpies | (1956-11-17)17 November 1956 | 3 |
| Larry Corowa | Wing | Balmain Tigers | (1957-08-05)5 August 1957 | 0 |
| Michael Cronin | Centre | Parramatta Eels | (1951-06-28)28 June 1951 | 5 |
| Graham Eadie | Fullback | Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles | (1953-11-25)25 November 1953 | 5 |
| Bob Fulton (c) | Stand-off half back | Eastern Suburbs Roosters | (1947-12-01)1 December 1947 | 5 |
| Geoff Gerard | Second-row forward | Parramatta Eels | (1955-07-10)10 July 1955 | 5 |
| John Gibbs | Scrum half back | Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles | (1956-05-16)16 May 1956 | 0 |
| Ron Hilditch | Hooker | Parramatta Eels | (1953-08-13)13 August 1953 | 1 |
| Steve Kneen | Second-row forward | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | (1953-06-04)4 June 1953 | 0 |
| Max Krilich | Hooker | Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles | (1949-10-25)25 October 1949 | 2 |
| Steve Martin | Centre | Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles | (1957-01-07)7 January 1957 | 1 |
| Allan McMahon | Wing | Balmain Tigers | (1954-08-09)9 August 1954 | 0 |
| Rod Morris | Prop forward | Eastern Suburbs Tigers | (1950-06-12)12 June 1950 | 2 |
| Greg Oliphant | Scrum half back | Redcliffe Dolphins | (1950-06-22)22 June 1950 | 0 |
| Graeme Olling | Prop forward | Parramatta Eels | (1948-07-19)19 July 1948 | 3 |
| George Peponis | Hooker | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | (1953-09-03)3 September 1953 | 2 |
| Greg Pierce (vc) | Second-row forward | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | (1950-03-04)4 March 1950 | 0 |
| Ray Price | Loose forward | Parramatta Eels | (1953-03-04)4 March 1953 | 5 |
| Tom Raudonikis | Scrum half back | Western Suburbs Magpies | (1950-04-13)13 April 1950 | 5 |
| Rod Reddy | Second-row forward | St. George Dragons | (1954-03-01)1 March 1954 | 3 |
| Steve Rogers | Centre | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | (1954-11-24)24 November 1954 | 4 |
| Ian Schubert | Wing | Eastern Suburbs Roosters | (1956-08-22)22 August 1956 | 0 |
| Alan Thompson | Stand-off half back | Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles | (1953-10-10)10 October 1953 | 3 |
| Ian Thomson | Prop forward | Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles | (1956-05-16)16 May 1956 | 2 |
| Bruce Walker | Second-row forward | Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles | (1952-06-08)8 June 1952 | 0 |
| Craig Young | Prop forward | St. George Dragons | (1956-06-25)25 June 1956 | 5 |
Great Britain leg
| 30 September |
| Blackpool Borough | 1–39 | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Borough Park (Blackpool) Attendance: 2,700 |
| 1 October |
| Cumbria | 4–47 | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Craven Park, Barrow-in-Furness Attendance: 5,964 |
| 4 October |
| Great Britain Under 24s | 8–30 | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Craven Park, Hull Attendance: 6,418 |
| 8 October |
| Bradford | 11–21 | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Odsal (Bradford) Attendance: 15,755 |
| 11 October |
| Warrington | 15–12 | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Wilderspool (Warrington) Attendance: 10,143 |
A controversial late Alan Gwilliam try gave Warrington a 15–12 win over Australia, with Steve Hesford kicking six goals. In the tourists' first lost match of the tour Warrington's packmen Tommy Martyn, Mike Nicholas, Tommy Cunningham and Roy Lester were in superb form, ably supported by replacement half backs Gwilliam and Clark. This was Warrington's eighth win over Australia.
Wales
| 15 October |
Wales 
|
3–8 |  Australia
|
|---|---|---|
1 Goal: David Watkins Field goal: David Watkins |
2 Tries: Bob Fulton Tom Raudonikis 1 Goal: Mick Cronin |
| St Helen's (Swansea) Attendance: 4,250 Referee: Ron Campbell |
The Kangaroos' vice captain Pierce injured his knee in this match and made no more appearances on the tour.
| 17 October |
| Leeds | 19–25 | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Headingley (Leeds) Attendance: 9,781 |
1st Ashes Test
The Ashes series was styled the Forward Chemicals Test series due for sponsorship reasons. Great Britain had the opportunity to re-gain the title on home soil.
| 21 October |
Great Britain 
|
9–15 | Australia
|
|---|---|---|
| 1 Try: John Bevan 3 Goals: George Fairbairn |
2 Tries: Kerry Boustead Bob Fulton 4 Goals: Mick Cronin Field goal: Bob Fulton |
| Central Park (Wigan) Attendance: 17,644 Referee: Ron Campbell |
Great Britain were trailing 6 – 7 with fifteen minutes remaining when an Australian pass went to ground and Welsh winger John Bevan kicked the ball ahead. It was then a foot race between him and the Australian fullback to reach the ball which was slowing within Australia's in-goal area. Both players stumbled and dived, with Bevan getting a hand on the ball and claiming the try which was awarded, giving the home side a 9 – 7 lead. The Kangaroos then worked their way up to the other end of the field and moved the ball through the hands out to the right wing where Kerry Boustead crossed for a try, regaining his side the lead 9 – 10. In the final minutes Australian captain Bob Fulton forced his way over for a try which was also converted, so the match ended with the scoreline at 9 – 15.
| 25 October 19:00 |
| Widnes | 11–10 | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Try: Stuart Wright 4 Goals: Mick Burke |
2 Tries: Ian Schubert Bruce Walker 2 Goals: Michael Cronin |
| Naughton Park (Widnes) Attendance: 12,202 Referee: Ron Moore |
|
Widnes |
Australia |
By half time Widnes were leading 7 – 2.
| 29 October |
| Hull | 2–34 | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| The Boulevard (Hull) Attendance: 10,723 |
| 1 November |
| Salford | 2–14 | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| The Willows, Salford Attendance: 6,155 |
2nd Ashes Test
Several changes were made to the Great Britain team, including a completely new front row. This match was broadcast live.
| 5 November |
| Great Britain
|
18–14 | Australia
|
|---|---|---|
| 2 Tries: Stuart Wright 6 Goals: George Fairbairn |
2 Tries: Ray Price Steve Rogers 4 Goals: Steve Rogers |
| Odsal (Bradford) Attendance: 26,761 Referee: Mick Naughton |
In the final minutes of the first half the British had just made their way into Australia's half of the field when they made a break up the middle through Roger Millward. He then kicked the ball ahead as he was being tackled and his winger Stuart Wright was chasing through to get a hand on it and score. The try was converted so the home side led at the break 11 – 4.
In the second half Britain's right centre John Joyner made a break and popped a pass over to his winger Stuart Wright to cross once again. They won the match 18–14 to bring the series to 1-all.
This would be the last time Great Britain beat Australia in a Test match for another ten years.
| 8 November 19:30 |
| Wigan | 2–28 | Australia |
|---|---|---|
1 Goal: George Fairbairn |
6 Tries: Larry Corowa (2) Steve Rogers (2) Bruce Walker Allan McMahon 5 Goals: Michael Cronin |
| Central Park (Wigan) Attendance: 10,645 Referee: Peter Massey |
|
Wigan |
Australia |
At half time Wigan trailed Australia 2 – 5.
| 12 November |
| St Helens | 4–26 | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Knowsley Road (St Helens) Attendance: 16,352 |
In a Leeds bar, a member of Surry rock band The Jam, Paul Weller, glassed the face of Jim Caldwell, the team manager from Queensland. Australian player Larry Corowa ran to defend the bloodied Caldwell, was punched from behind himself and raced into a nearby bar to get teammates to provide reinforcements for the brawl that ensued. One member of The Jam landed in hospital with broken ribs and another was reported at the time to have been charged with assault. The official police statement cleared the Australians of any wrongdoing.
| 14 November |
| York | 2–29 | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Wigginton Road (York) Attendance: 5,155 |
3rd Ashes Test
Warrington's John Bevan came into the centres for Leeds star Les Dyl, while Hull prop Vince Farrar made his Great Britain debut in place of Hull Kingston Rovers' Brian Lockwood. The Kangaroos maintained the same backline from the 2nd Test, but brought George Peponis, Rod Morris and Les Boyd into their forward pack.
| 18 November 15:00 |
| Great Britain
|
6–23 | Australia
|
|---|---|---|
| 2 Tries: John Bevan Roger Millward |
4 Tries: Les Boyd Geoff Gerard George Peponis Tom Raudonikis 5 Goals: Mick Cronin (5/6) 1 Field goal: Bob Fulton |
| Headingley (Leeds) Attendance: 30,604 Referee: Mick Naughton Player of the Match: Tommy Raudonikis |
The deciding test attracted the largest attendance of any match on the tour. After two penalty goals by Mick Cronin Australia led by 4 points to nil. The Kangaroos then got the first try of the match with a close-range dive from George Peponis at dummy-half. The conversion by Cronin was successful so Australia led 9 – 0. The visitors scored another try when the ball was passed from dummy-half to a steamrolling Les Boyd who raced through to score under the goal posts, bringing the lead to 12 – 0. Later, after making a break and crossing the half-way line Raudonikis passed to Geoff Gerard who ran the remaining metres to score untouched, making the score 17 – 0.
Australian fullback Graham Eadie crossed early in the second half but the try was controversially disallowed for a forward pass. Bob Fulton took the Australians' lead out to 20–0 with a drop-goal early in the second half. Great Britain scored the first try of the second half when 31-year-old Roger Millward, captaining Great Britain for the last time, reached out of a tackle and bounced the ball off the turf of the Australian in-goal area. The home side scored again when they moved the ball through the hands out to the left wing where Bevan dived over in the corner. The Kangaroos scored next when Raudonikis, directly from a scrum win, ran through and put the ball down.
Australia therefore retained the Ashes with the first of a fourteen-year winning streak between these two sides that would last until 1988.
France leg
| 22 November |
| Catalan XIII | 15–26 | Australia |
|---|---|---|
Attendance: 2,270 |
1st Test
Steve Martin was selected to make his Test debut.
| 26 November |
France 
|
13–10 | Australia
|
|---|---|---|
| 1 Try: Michel Naudo 5 Goals: Jose Moya |
2 Tries: Michael Cronin Graham Eadie 2 Goals: Michael Cronin |
| Stade d'Albert Domec (Carcassonne) Attendance: 7,000 Referee: Andre Breysse |
France won the first Test 13–10 at Stade Albert Domec in Carcassonne.
| 29 November |
| Cote d'Azur | 7–29 | Australia |
|---|---|---|
Attendance: 645 |
| 3 December |
| Les Espoirs (Colts) | 20–5 | Australia |
|---|---|---|
Attendance: 1,600 |
| 6 December |
| Midi-Pyrénées XIII | 7–36 | Australia |
|---|---|---|
Attendance: 1,627 |
2nd Test
| 10 December |
| France
|
11–10 | Australia
|
|---|---|---|
| 1 Try: Michel Naudo 3 Goals: Jose Moya 2 Field goals: Gerard Borreil Eric Waligunda |
2 Tries: Kerry Boustead Steve Rogers 2 Goals: Michael Cronin |
| Stade des Minimes (Toulouse) Attendance: 6,500 Referee: P Laverny |
The referee was Mr Laverny from Bordeaux. France were coached by Roger Garrigue. Their line-up included world class players, lock, Joel Roosebrouck and prop, Didier Hermet from Villeneuve-Sur-Lot, and Jean Marc Bourret in the centres. Ron Hilditch played at hooker in place of Max Krilich who was injured. France claimed a 2–0 series win over the touring Kangaroos with a 11–10 result at the Stade Municipal, Toulouse in front of 6,500 spectators.
France thus became the last team to record successive victories against Australia. This would be the last time the Kangaroos failed to win a series or tournament until the 2005 Tri-Nations.
References
- news.bbc.co.uk. "Australia v Great Britain: the history". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
- AFP (27 November 2005). "Kiwis crush Kangaroos in Tri-Nations final". ABC News. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
- "Frank Stanton". Sport Australia Hall of Fame. sahof.org.au. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
- Annual Report (PDF). Australia: Australian Rugby Football League. 2008. p. 57.
- Tony Adams. "Legend Q&A". Rugby League Week (4 July 2007). Sydney, NSW: PBLMedia: 22–23.
- "Bruce Walker". yesterdayshero.com.au. SmartPack International. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
- Clarkson, Alan (14 November 1978). "Kangaroos Brawl with Punk Group". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
- "Craig Young". Legends. jubileeavenue.com.au. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
- Whiticker, Alan. "Bob Fulton". rugbyleagueproject.org. Shawn Dollin, Andrew Ferguson and Bill Bates. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
- "Changing Times – 1970 to 1995". warringtonwolves.org. Warrington Wolves. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
- Whiticker, Alan. "Greg Pierce". rugbyleagueproject.org. Shawn Dollin, Andrew Ferguson and Bill Bates. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
- "Kangaroos will play in London on 1982 tour". The Sydney Morning Herald. 12 November 1981. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
- "Ashes battles of the past". news.bbc.co.uk. BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
- "8th November 1978: Wigan 2 Australia 28". Cherry & White. wigan.rlfans.com. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
- Malone, Paul (13 November 2013). "Recent Billy Slater and Josh Papalii incidents far from the tip of the iceberg for Kangaroos". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
- Walshaw, Nick (19 October 2013). "Josh Papalii robbing just the latest in long list of tour mishaps for Kangaroos in UK". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
- de la Riviere, Richard (18 November 1978). "On this day". totalrl.com. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
- "Should he stay or should he go?". The Guardian. 13 January 2004. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
- Baker, Andrew (20 August 1995). "100 years of rugby league: From the great divide to the Super era". The Independent. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
- wagga.nsw.gov.au. "Steve Martin". Sporting Hall of Fame. Museum of the Riverina. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
- "FLASHBACK: December 1978". stevericketts.com.au. Steve Ricketts. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
- Whiticker, Alan. "Ron Hilditch". rugbyleagueproject.org. Shawn Dollin, Andrew Ferguson and Bill Bates. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
- Koch, Dan (17 November 2006). "Britain to face Roos backlash". The Australian. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
- "On this day". espn. 10 December 1978. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
| Kangaroo Tours | |
|---|---|
| Great Britain and France | |
| New Zealand | |
| Papua New Guinea | |
| World Cup | |
| Tri-Nations | |
| Four Nations | |
| Related | |
Rugby league Ashes /  | |
|---|---|
| Teams |
|
| Men's original series | |
| Men's modern series | |
| Women's series | |