1979 Great Britain Lions tour
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13 August 1979
Dick Gemmell
| 1979 Great Britain Lions tour | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | 25 May 1979 – 13 August 1979 | ||||
| Manager | Harry 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 |
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| Total |
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| Test match |
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| Opponent |
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 Australia |
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 New Zealand |
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| Tour chronology | |||||
| Previous tour | 1974 | ||||
| Next tour | 1984 | ||||
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.
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]
Results
Australia
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) |
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) |
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) |
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 |
NSW North Coast  |
6 – 33 | Great Britain Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Phil Amidy, Errol Ruprecht |
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 |
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 Firsts  |
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) |
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) |
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
Greek born Canterbury-Bankstown hooker George Peponis became just the second player to captain the Australian team despite not being born in Australia, taking over from the first player to do so, the recently retired Warrington born 1978 Kangaroo tour captain Bob Fulton.
16 June 1979 |
| Australia |
35 – 0 |  Great Britain |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Kerry Boustead (2) Ray Price (2) Larry Corowa Goals: Michael Cronin (10/11) |
[8] |
18 June 1979 |
Brisbane Firsts  |
7 – 10 | Great Britain Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Chris Close Goals: John Barber (2) |
Report |
Tries: David Barends, Tommy Martyn Goals: John Holmes (2) |
Brisbane Firsts: Peter Dutton, Terry Garside, Chris Close, Mal Meninga, Bligh Davidson, Mark Murray, Ross Strudwick, Dave Brown, John Lang, John Barber, J. McLoud, Des Morris (c), Norm Carr. Reserves – Mick Neill, Wally Lewis. Coach – Henry Holloway
Great Britain: Keith Mumby, David Barends, Steve Evans, Eric Hughes, Peter Glynn, John Holmes, Alan Redfearn (c), Mel James, Graham Liptrot, Charlie Stone, Tommy Martyn, Len Casey. Reserves – Trevor Skerrett
20 June 1979 |
NSW Southern Division  |
0 – 10 | Great Britain Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: John Burke, Peter Hall Goals: Jim Hindmarsh (2) |
Report |
Tries: Steve Evans, Roy Mathias Goals: Keith Mumby (2) |
Southern Division: Les Williams, Wayne Sharpe, Peter Hall, Peter Benny, Glen Fitzgibbon, Greg Martin, Les Hannah, John Burke, Connell Byrne, Ron Warren (c), Peter Jirgens, Steve Gilligan, Jim Hindmarsh. Reserves – Brad Murray, Daryl Warwick. Coach – John Armstrong
Great Britain: Keith Mumby, David Barends, Steve Evans, Eric Hughes, Roy Mathias, Peter Glynn, Steve Nash, Mel James, David Watkinson, Brian Lockwood (c), Trevor Skerrett, George Nicholls, Len Casey. Reserves – Jeff Grayshon
24 June 1979 |
Newcastle Firsts  |
12 – 25 | Great Britain Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Doug Lucas, Ziggy Niszczot Goals: Pat Smith (3) |
Report |
Tries: David Barends, Peter Glynn, Eric Hughes, John Joyner, Gary Stephens Goals: Mick Adams (5/7) |
Newcastle Firsts: Jim Batey, Tony Filipuzzi, Neville Elwin, Owen Wallace, Ziggy Niszczot, Pat Smith (c), Rick Griffith, Dave Stafford, Allan Dagwell, Doug Lucas, Dave Edwards, Terry Donnelly, Peter Howlett. Reserves – Chris Lawler, Bob Everson. Coach – Allan Thomson
Great Britain:Keith Mumby, David Barends, John Joyner, Peter Glynn, Eric Hughes, John Holmes, Gary Stephens, Charlie Stone, David Ward, Brian Lockwood (c), Jeff Grayshon, Mick Adams, Steve Norton. Reserves – Steve Nash, Len Casey
26 June 1979 |
Riverina  |
10 – 37 | Great Britain Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Phil Bishop (2) Goals: Robert Styles (2) |
Report |
Tries: Len Casey, Steve Evans, George Fairbairn, John Holmes, Steve Nash, David Watkinson, John Woods Goals: George Fairbairn (5/5) John Woods (3) |
Riverina: Robert Styles, Scott Hargrave, Anthony Wealand, Peter Rands (c), Brian Rosetto, Ernie Benton, Phil Bishop, Len Bertoldo, Larry Dimistrovsky, Brendon Lindsay, Greg Longhurst, Steve MacDonald, Ian O'Connell. Reserves – Greg Watt, Kerry Hemsley. Coach – Ron Crowe
Great Britain: George Fairbairn, David Barends, Steve Evans, John Woods, Eric Hughes (c), John Holmes, Steve Nash, John Burke, David Watkinson, Trevor Skerrett, George Nicholls, Phil Hogan, Mick Adams. Reserves – Roy Mathias, Len Casey
Second Test
30 June 1979 |
| Australia |
24 – 16 | Great Britain |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Michael Cronin (2) Rod Reddy Steve Rogers Goals: Michael Cronin (6/9) |
[9] |
Tries: Eric Hughes John Joyner Goals: John Woods (5/5) |
1 July 1979 |
| Illawarra Firsts |
13 – 18 | Great Britain Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: John Penno, Tony Quirk, Kim Patrick (PT) Goals: Tony Quirk (2/7) |
Report |
Tries: Steve Evans, Peter Glynn, Jeff Grayshon, Roy Mathias Goals: George Fairbairn (3/7) |
Illawarra Firsts: Tony Quirk, John Penno, Noel Sunaklis, Tim Edwards, Shane McKellar, Terry Westblade, Rick Patrick, Allan Fallah, Michael Prest, Chris De Leva, Steve Calder (c), Kon Demos. Reserves – Kim Patrick, Tim McLaren. Coach – Johnny Greaves
Great Britain: Keith Mumby, George Fairbairn, Steve Evans, Peter Glynn, Roy Mathias, Alan Redfearn (c), Gary Stephens, John Burke, David Watkinson, Charlie Stone, Graham Liptrot, Jeff Grayshon, Len Casey. Reserves – David Barends, Doug Laughton
4 July 1979 |
Western Division NSW  |
12 – 19 | Great Britain Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Brian Johnston, John O'Connor Goals: Steve McWhirter (3) |
Report |
Tries: Phil Hogan, Gary Stephens, John Woods Goals: John Woods (5/5) |
Western Division: John O'Connor, David Michael, Brian Johnston, Brian Godfrey, Tom Bunsworth, Steve Hall, Steve McWhirter, Ross Gibson, Col Dennis, Roger Beetson, Ross McDermott, Gary Taylor (c), Luke Rosser. Reserves – Mike Fish, Marshall Peachey. Coach – Bob Weir
Great Britain: Keith Mumby, David Barends, John Woods, Peter Glynn, Eric Hughes, David Topliss, Gary Stephens, John Burke, Graham Liptrot, Mel James, Brian Lockwood (c), Phil Hogan, Mick Adams. Reserves – Roy Mathias, David Watkinson
7 July 1979 |
NSW Firsts  |
17 – 19 | Great Britain Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Geoff Gerard (2), Terry Fahey Goals: John Dorahy (4) |
Report |
Tries: Steve Evans (2), George Fairbairn, John Woods Goals: John Woods (3) Drop goals: George Fairbairn (1) |
New South Wales: Allan McMahon, Neville Glover, John Dorahy, Peter Mortimer, Terry Fahey, Tony Trudgett, Steve Mortimer, Bruce Starkey, Ray Brown, Ron Hilditch, Steve Kneen, Geoff Gerard, Greg Pierce (c). Reserves – Steve Morris, Greg Cook. Coach – Frank Stanton
Great Britain: George Fairbairn, Eric Hughes, John Joyner, John Woods, Roy Mathias, David Topliss, Alan Redfearn, Trevor Skerrett, David Watkinson, George Nicholls (c), Jeff Grayshon, Phil Hogan, Mick Adams. Reserves – Steve Evans, David Ward
8 July 1979 |
| Monaro |
7 – 21 | Great Britain Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Stan Jurd Goals: Wayne Brownlie (1) Peter McGrath (1) |
Report |
Tries: John Woods (2), Gary Stephens Goals: John Woods (6/6) |
Monaro: Sam Vucago, Ross Knox, Simon Brockwell, Peter McGrath, David Hegarty, John Ballesty (c), Mick Schell, Stan Jurd, John Purcell, Doug Cameron, Ian Freeman, Wayne Brownlie, Colin Clarke. Reserves – Mike McCarthy, David Reid. Coach – Don Furner
Great Britain: Keith Mumby, Steve Evans, Peter Glynn, John Woods, Mike Smith, John Holmes, Gary Stephens, Jim Mills, Graham Liptrot, Charlie Stone, Brian Lockwood (c), Mick Adams, Steve Norton. Reserves –
Third Test
14 July 1979 |
| Australia |
28 – 2 | Great Britain |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Les Boyd Graham Eadie Ray Price Rod Reddy Goals: Michael Cronin (8/13) |
[10] |
Goals: George Fairbairn (1/1) |
New Zealand
17 July 1979 |
Māori  |
13 – 15 | Great Britain Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Toa Fepuleai (2), Dennis Williams Goals: Nick Wright (2) |
Report |
Tries: David Barends, Mel James, Graham Liptrot Goals: Mick Adams (3) |
New Zealand Māori: Nick Wright, Toa Fepuleai, Tariana Wharekura, Dennis Williams, John Heremaia, Ray Harris, Dennis Key, Rick Muru, Murray Netzler (c), Pat Poasa, Warren Rangi, Ian Bell, Kevin Jenkinson. Reserves – , . Coach –
Great Britain: Keith Mumby, David Barends, Mike Smith, Peter Glynn, Roy Mathias, John Holmes, Gary Stephens, John Burke, Graham Liptrot, Mel James, Charlie Stone, Brian Lockwood (c), Mick Adams. Reserves –
First Test
21 July 1979 |
| New Zealand |
8 – 16 | Great Britain |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Fred Ah Kuoi Dick Uluave Goals: Warren Collicoat (1) |
[11] |
Tries: Steve Evans George Fairbairn Eric Hughes Mike Smith Goals: George Fairbairn (2) |
22 July 1979 |
| Northern Districts |
5 – 58 | Great Britain Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Bill Kells Goals: Steve Dunston (1) |
Report |
Tries: David Barends (3), Steve Evans (3), Mel James (2), Roy Mathias (2), John Woods (2), Peter Glynn, David Topliss Goals: Keith Mumby (4) John Woods (4) |
Davies Park, Huntly Attendance: 2,000 |
Northern Districts: Michael Tahu, John Heremaia, Charles Morgan, George Samuels, Kevin Fisher (c), Bill Kells, Dave Barlow, Pat Poasa, Paul Ravlich, Paddy Mathews, Warren Rangi, Trevor Bayley, Steve Dunston. Reserves – Philip Hetet, Jack Tahuri. Coach –
Great Britain: Keith Mumby, David Barends, Steve Evans, Peter Glynn, Roy Mathias, David Topliss, Alan Redfearn, John Burke, Graham Liptrot, Mel James, Brian Lockwood (c), Charlie Stone, Steve Norton. Reserves – John Woods, David Watkinson
25 July 1979 |
Central Districts  |
5 – 14 | Great Britain Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Brent Peri Goals: Bill Rona (1) |
Report |
Tries: Eric Hughes, Roy Mathias, Mike Smith, Gary Stephens Goals: Roy Mathias (1) |
Central Districts: P. Truuts, P. Tippens, Paul Christensen, Gary Butler, Dick Uluave, Bill Rona, Jack Knuckey, Paul Te Ariki, Howie Tamati, Kerry White, Graeme West (c), N. Pekopo, Mike Butler. Reserves – J. Mitchell, Brent Peri. Coach –
Great Britain: George Fairbairn, Eric Hughes, John Joyner, Mike Smith, Roy Mathias, John Holmes, Gary Stephens, Mel James, David Ward, Charlie Stone, Jeff Grayshon, Steve Norton (c). Reserves – John Burke
29 July 1979 |
Wellington  |
3 – 39 | Great Britain Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Mark Petersen |
Report |
Tries: David Barends Len Casey, Steve Evans, John Joyner, Alan Redfearn, Mike Smith, John Woods Goals: John Joyner (9) |
Wellington: Warren Collicoat, Alan Brooks, Tariana Wharekura, Arlan Taylor, Mark Petersen, Nolan Tupaea, Gary Campbell, Whetu Henry, Kevin Tamati (c), Steve Brewster, Whare Henry, Tamu Tua, John Whittaker. Reserves – Wayne Rutene, James Porter, Bruce Tatnell, Lawrence Tekahiki. Coach – Clarke Tarawati
Great Britain: Keith Mumby, David Barends, Steve Evans, Mike Smith, John Woods, David Topliss, Alan Redfearn, John Burke, Graham Liptrot, Trevor Skerrett, George Nicholls (c), Len Casey, Phil Hogan. Reserves – John Joyner, David Watkinson
This match was cancelled due to flooding causing the Showgrounds to be under-water.[12]
The Showgrounds would be clear for the Second Test 4 days later.
Second Test
5 August 1979 |
| New Zealand |
7 – 22 | Great Britain |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Olsen Filipaina Goals: Olsen Filipaina (2) |
[13] |
Tries: Len Casey Steve Evans Jeff Grayshon Eric Hughes Goals: George Fairbairn (5) |
7 August 1979 |
| West Coast |
0 – 19 | Great Britain Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Goals: Wayne Dwyer (0/1) Peter O'Neill (0/3) |
Report |
Tries: Phil Hogan (2), John Woods (2), Roy Mathias Goals: John Woods (2) |
West Coast: Peter O'Neill, Stephen Low, Mike McEwen, Bernard Green, Greg Mooney, Chris Menzies, Gordon Smith, Peter Harris, John Griffin, Wayne Dwyer, Tony Coll (c), Ray Baxendale, Michael Whitehead. Reserves – Alan Atkinson. Coach –
Great Britain: George Fairbairn, David Barends, Peter Glynn, John Woods, Roy Mathias, David Topliss, Alan Redfearn, John Burke, Graham Liptrot, Mel James, Charlie Stone, Brian Lockwood (c), Phil Hogan. Reserves –
Third Test
11 August 1979 |
| New Zealand |
18 – 11 | Great Britain |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Kevin Fisher Mark Graham James Leuluai Dane O'Hara Goals: Olsen Filipaina (3) |
[14] |
Tries: Eric Hughes Mike Smith Gary Stephens Goals: George Fairbairn (1) |
13 August 1979 |
| Auckland |
10 – 18 | Great Britain Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Toa Fepuleai, Olsen Filipaina Goals: Olsen Filipaina (2) |
Report |
Tries: David Barends, Peter Glynn, Brian Lockwood, David Topliss Goals: John Woods (3) |
Auckland: Gary Kemble, Toa Fepuleai, Olsen Filipaina, Ken Anderson, James Leuluai, Fred Ah Kuoi (c), Shane Varley, Wayne Robertson, Murray Netzler, Doug Gailey, Owen Wright, Alan McCarthy, Gary Prohm. Reserves – John Smith, Ian Bell. Coach – Don Hammond
Great Britain: Keith Mumby, David Barends, John Woods, Peter Glynn, Roy Mathias, David Topliss, Alan Redfearn, John Burke, David Watkinson, Mel James, Brian Lockwood (c), Charlie Stone, Phil Hogan. Reserves –
