1951 France rugby league tour of Australia and New Zealand

1951 France rugby league tour of Australia and New Zealand
Manager	Antoine Blain
Coach(es)	Robert Samatan
Tour captain(s)	Robert Caillou and Puig Aubert
Top point scorer(s)	Puig Aubert 236
Top try scorer(s)	Vincent Cantoni 17
Top test point scorer(s)	Puig Aubert 42
Top test try scorer(s)	Vincent Cantoni 4
Summary	P W D L
Total	28 21 03 04
Test match	04 02 00 02
Opponent	P W D L
Australia	3 2 0 1
New Zealand	1 0 0 1
Tour chronology
Previous tour	1950 by
Next tour	1952 by to 1955 by

The 1951 French rugby league tour of Australia and New Zealand was the first ever tour of Australasia by any French sports team in history. Puig Aubert captained the France national rugby league team who played 28 matches in total in both Australia and New Zealand, winning 21 of them ^[1] in what is regarded as the high point in the history of rugby league in France. The Australian Test series resulted in a 2–1 victory to France; however, the tourists then lost their match against the New Zealand national rugby league team. Welcoming the team home to Marseille, more than 150,000 people turned out for a street parade. ^[2]

Touring squad

French rugby league tourists at a hotel in Queensland.

The French side was coached by former internationals Robert Samatan and Jean Duhau, and was captained by Puig Aubert. France had just claimed the 1950–51 European Rugby League Championship before embarking on the tour. The squad's average age was 26.5 years. The backs' average weight was 11.1 stone (70 kg) while the forwards' was 14.5 stone (92 kg). ^[3]
Claude Teisseire, half back for Carcassonne and Lucien Barris, a forward, were initially selected in the squad but did not tour.
The Rugby League News published Player Details (Position, Occupation, Age, Height and Weight).

Player	Pos.	Age [nb 1]	Weight	Club	Tests on Tour	Games in Aus	Games in NZ [nb 2]	Tries	Goals	FG	Points
Maurice Andre	Fullback	29	11 st. 11 lb. (75 kg)	Marseille	0	10		10	0	0	30
Jean Audoubert	Hooker	27	14 st. 8 lb. (93 kg)	Lyon	0	11		4	0	0	12
Paul Bartoletti	Hooker	27	13 st. 5 lb. (85 kg)	Carcassonne	4	10		2	1	0	8
Maurice Bellan	Five-eighth	26	11 st. 0 lb. (70 kg)	Lyon	0	10		3	0	0	9
Andre Beraud	Prop	28	13 st. 12 lb. (88 kg)	Marseille	0	13		12	0	0	36
Élie Brousse	Second-row	29	15 st. 1 lb. (96 kg)	Lyon	4	12		9	0	0	27
Robert Caillou	Five-eighth	33	11 st. 9 lb. (74 kg)	Bayonne	0	10		7	12	0	45
Gaston Calixte	Lock	27	13 st. 10 lb. (87 kg)	Villeneuve	1	7		1	2	0	7
Vincent Cantoni	Wing	24	12 st. 3 lb. (78 kg)	Bordeaux	4	12		17	2	0	55
Gaston Comes	Centre	27	11 st. 11 lb. (75 kg)	Perpignan	4	10		7	10	0	41
Raymond Contrastin	Wing	26	12 st. 1 lb. (77 kg)	Bordeaux	4	14		12	1	0	38
Joseph Crespo	Halfback	26	11 st. 4 lb. (72 kg)	Lyon	3	11		11	0	0	33
Guy Delaye	Prop	21	14 st. 4 lb. (91 kg)	Marseille	0	7		2	0	0	6
Jean Dop	Halfback	27	11 st. 11 lb. (75 kg)	Marseille	2	12		3	0	0	9
René Duffort	Utility Back	27	13 st. 5 lb. (85 kg)	Lyon	4	11		1	0	0	3
Charles Galaup	Five-eighth	22	11 st. 8 lb. (73 kg)	Albi	1	11		3	0	0	9
Gabriel Genoud	Hooker	28	12 st. 8 lb. (80 kg)	Villeneuve	3	8		3	0	0	9
Ode Lespes	Wing	27	12 st. 10 lb. (81 kg)	Bordeaux	0	10		4	0	0	12
Michel Lopez	Lock	30	16 st. 0 lb. (102 kg)	Cavaillon	0	9		4	6	0	24
Martin Martin	Hooker	28	12 st. 12 lb. (82 kg)	Carcassonne	1	7		5	0	0	15
Louis Mazon	Prop	29	13 st. 7 lb. (86 kg)	Carcassonne	4	10		1	2	0	7
Jacky Merquey	Centre	21	11 st. 0 lb. (70 kg)	Marseille	4	10		2	0	0	6
François Montrucolis	Second-row	26	14 st. 2 lb. (90 kg)	Lyon	1	9		2	0	0	6
Raoul Perez	Lock	28	14 st. 10 lb. (93 kg)	Toulon	0	3		1	0	0	3
Édouard Ponsinet	Second-row	27	14 st. 6 lb. (92 kg)	Carcassonne	4	11		3	0	0	9
Puig Aubert	Fullback	23	11 st. 0 lb. (70 kg)	Carcassonne	4	17		8	106	0	236
François Rinaldi	Prop	27	13 st. 7 lb. (86 kg)	Marseille	0	8		3	0	0	9

1. Age as given in the Rugby League News for the first match against Sydney
2. Other than the Test Matches, team lists for the tour matches in New Zealand not available to the author at the time of page creation.

France's captain Puig Aubert had been offered a large contract to play in Sydney but returned to his homeland where he was voted French sportsman of the year. ^[4]

Australian leg

The tour's Australian leg featured games played in every mainland State capital except Adelaide, drawing a total of over 450,000 spectators. ^[5]

Wednesday, 23 May 15:00

Monaro	12 – 37	France
Tries R. Alexander, D. Stewart, Goals M. Preston (3)	Teams [6] Report [7] [8] Database	Tries Gaston Comes (2), Michel Lopez (2), Maurice Andre, Raymond Contrastin, Gabriel Genoud Goals Puig Aubert (7) Michel Lopez (1)

Manuka Oval, Canberra Attendance: 5,000 Referee: Arthur Nichols

Monaro: FB: Max Preston (age 20) ( Queanbeyan), WG: Don Stewart (24) ( Bombala), CE: Doug McRitchie (27) ( , Queanbeyan), CE: Tom Hodges (21) (Adaminaby), WG: Terry Fogarty ( Goulburn), FE: P. Schumack (19) (Bega), HB: Ken Brogan (c) (24) ( Cooma), PR: Ted Schell (19) ( Norths), HK: Ken Fogarty (22) ( Goulburn), PR: K. Barber (21) (Bega), SR: Bruce Grant (21) ( Eden), SR: Bob Alexander (26) ( Canberra), LK: Pat Rankin (20) ( Norths). Jack Melville ( Captain's Flat) was selected as a reserve, but did not play. Jack Southwell (25) ( Canberra) was selected, but withdrew due to injury. ^{[9] [10]}
France: Puig Aubert, Ode Lespes, Gaston Comes, Maurice Andre, Raymond Contrastin, Robert Caillou, Jean Dop, Paul Bartoletti, Gabriel Genoud, Andre Beraud, Michel Lopez, Élie Brousse, Gaston Calixte
The Daily Telegraph included a match report from France's tour manager, Antoine Blain, as well as their chief football writer. ^{[11] [12]}

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Saturday, 26 May 14:30

Newcastle	8 – 12	France
Tries: Brian Carlson, Frank Threlfo Goals: Frank Threlfo (1)	Teams [13] [14] Report [15] [16] Database	Tries: Raoul Perez, Francois Rinaldi Goals: Gaston Comes (3)

Newcastle Sports Ground Attendance: 21,480 Referee: Harold Gillard

Newcastle: FB: Les Milne (age 23) ( Maitland), WG: Jack Bradley (19) ( Souths), CE: Rees Duncan (20) ( Kurri), CE: Frank Threlfo (19) ( Maitland), WG: Brian Carlson (17) ( Norths), FE: Les Brown (27) ( Maitland), HB: Eric Long (23) ( Norths), PR: Charlie Gill (c) (29) ( Norths), HK: Jack Gordon (22) ( Waratah Mayfield), PR: Jim Evans (22) ( Maitland), SR: Albert Paul (23) ( Lakes United), SR: Don Schofield (20) ( Cessnock), LK: Ben Haslam (23) ( Centrals). Coach: Col Maxwell ( Maitland).
Two players were selected as reserves, but did not play: Barry Redding (23) ( Norths) and Pat Donnelly (21) ( Souths).
Newcastle played in red jerseys with a black V, rather than their traditional blue, to avoid a clash with the French jumpers. ^[17]
France: Maurice Andre, Raymond Contrastin, Jacques Merquey, Gaston Comes, Vincent Cantoni, Maurice Bellan, Robert Caillou (c), Francois Rinaldi, Jean Audobert, Louis Mazon, François Montrucolis, Guy Delaye, Raoul Perez

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Wednesday, 30 May 15:05

Western Districts	24 – 26	France
Tries: Rolf Trudgett (3), J Birney Goals: Oriel Kennerson (6)	Teams [18] Report [19] [20] Database	Tries: A Beraud (2), Maurice Andre, Maurice Bellan Goals: Puig Aubert (7)

Spooner Oval, Forbes Attendance: 5,950 Referee: Keith Rowan

Western Districts: FB: Oriel Kennerson ( Bathurst Charlestons), WG: Norm Jacobson (c) ( Condobolin), CE: Leo Nosworthy ( Narromine), CE: Jack Birney ( Coolah), WG: Max Smith ( Wellington), FE: Rolf Trudgett ( Wellington), HB: William Kelly ( Lithgow Arms Factory), PR: J. West (Orange), HK: Ian Walsh ( Condobolin), PR: Frank Hogan (Mendooran), SR: Len Kable ( Coonabarabran), SR: Ron Kelly ( Forbes), LK: Ken Slattery ( Canowindra), Coach: Les Lay ( Wellington).
Two players were selected as reserves, but did not play: John George ( Wellington) and W. Neil ( Cobar).

France: Puig Aubert (c), Raymond Contrastin, Ode Lespes, Maurice Bellan, Maurice Andre, Rene Duffort, Jean Dop, Francois Rinaldi, Jean Audobert, Andre Beraud, Michel Lopez, Édouard Ponsinet, François Montrucolis

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Saturday, 2 June 14:30

Sydney	19 – 19	France
Tries: Gordon Willoughby (2), Noel Mulligan Goals: Johnny Graves (4) Bernie Purcell (1)	Program Report [21] [22] Database	Tries: Élie Brousse, Vincent Cantoni, Joseph Crespo Goals: Puig Aubert (5)

Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney Attendance: 44,522 Referee: George Bishop

Sydney: FB: Clive Churchill (c) (age 24) ( Souths), WG: Johnny Bliss (29) ( Manly), CE: Ray Thomas ( Easts), CE: Gordon Willoughby (24) ( Manly), WG: Johnny Graves (24) ( Souths), FE: Frank Stanmore (21) ( Wests), HB: Keith Holman (23) ( Wests), PR: Denis Donoghue (23) ( Souths), HK: Kevin Schubert (23) ( Manly), PR: Jack Holland (27) ( St George), SR: Bernie Purcell (23) ( Souths), SR: Noel Mulligan (25) ( St George), LK: Les Cowie (26) ( Souths).
Johnny Hawke (26) ( St George) was initially selected but withdrew, his place being taken by Thomas. Noel Pidding (24) ( St George) and Charlie Banks (24) ( Easts) were named as reserves, but did not play.

France: Puig Aubert (c), Raymond Contrastin, Jacques Merquey, Gaston Comes, Vincent Cantoni, Rene Duffort, Joseph Crespo, Paul Bartoletti, Gabriel Genoud, Louis Mazon, Édouard Ponsinet, Élie Brousse, Gaston Calixte

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Wednesday, 6 June 15:10

Riverina	20 – 10	France
Tries: J. Biscaya, P O'Connor Goals: Les Koch (7/11)	Team [23] Report [24] [25] Database	Tries: Maurice Andre (2) Goals: Puig Aubert (2)

Albury Sports Ground, Albury Attendance: 4,129 Referee: Noel Hedditch

Riverina: FB: Les Koch ( Gundagai), WG: Neil Kingsmill ( Albury Blues), CE: Bruce (Powderly, Powderley) Powdery (Boorowa), CE: Noel Bruce ( Junee), WG: John Biscaya ( Lockhart), FE: Rowley (Roley) McDonnell ( Cootamundra), HB: John Scott ( Young), PR: Don Milton ( Temora), HK: Peter Coupland ( Albury Blues), PR: Nevyl Hand (c) ( Gundagai), SR: Doug Piper ( Young), SR: Ray Green ( Cowra), LK: Peter O'Connor ( Harden).
Two players were selected as reserves, but did not play: J. (Buster) Harvey ( Young), Alan Glover (Boorowa). ^[26]

France: Puig Aubert, Maurice Andre, Maurice Bellan, Jacques Merquey, Ode Lespes, Robert Caillou (c), Jean Dop, Francois Rinaldi, Jean Audobert, Andre Beraud, Guy Delaye, Michel Lopez, François Montrucolis

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1st Test

After five matches against New South Welsh teams, the French side played the tour's first Test match against Australia in Sydney. The two countries had played four Tests against each other previously, with Australia winning all of them.

Monday, 11 June 14:00

Australia	15 – 26	France
Tries: Harold Crocker Johnny Graves Gordon Willoughby Goals: Johnny Graves (3/9)	Database [27] Program	Tries: Vincent Cantoni (2) Raymond Contrastin Gabriel Genoud Goals: Puig Aubert (7/9)

Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney Attendance: 60,160 Referee: Tom McMahon

Australia	Posit.	France
Clive Churchill (c)	FB	Puig Aubert (c)
Johnny Bliss	WG	Vincent Cantoni
Gordon Willoughby	CE	Gaston Comes
Noel Hazzard	CE	Joseph Crespo
Johnny Graves	WG	Raymond Contrastin
Frank Stanmore	FE	Charles Galaup
Keith Holman	HB	Jean Dop
Duncan Hall	PR	Paul Bartoletti
Kevin Schubert	HK	Gabriel Genoud
Denis Donoghue	PR	Louis Mazon
Brian Davies	SR	Elie Brousse
Harold Crocker	SR	Edouard Ponsinet
Noel Mulligan	LK	Rene Duffort
Vic Hey	Coach	Bob Samatan

All of the French players selected for the Test had played in at least one tour match so far except their five-eighth, Charles Galaup who had only recently arrived in the country. The Australian team featured nine players from the Sydney team that drew with France nine days prior, in addition to four Queenslanders.

Puig-Aubert opened the scoring with a Penalty kick. At one point France led 16–0, but Australia came back, starting with a penalty kick by Graves. The half time score was 16–2.

Australia came back strongly in the second half. However, the game ended with the French celebrating their first ever rugby league victory against Australia. France's captain Puig Aubert was presented the Commonwealth Jubilee Cup after the match by the Governor General of Australia, William McKell. ^[28]

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Wednesday, 13 June

Northern Division	12 – 29	France
Tries: Ron Madden, Morrie Murphy Goals: Eric Fraser (3)	Team [29] Report [30] [31] Database	Tries: Élie Brousse (2), Guy Delaye, Joseph Crespo, François Rinaldi, Ode Lespes, Michel Lopez Goals: Robert Caillou (4)

Rugby League Park, Armidale Attendance: 6,000 Referee: R. Campbell

Northern Division: FB: Ken McCrohon ( Armidale), WG: Morrie Murphy ( Inverell), CE: Norman Young ( West Tamworth), CE: Jack Goldman ( Uralla), WG: N. (Coogan) Thornton ( Uralla), FE: Ron Madden ( Inverell), HB: Eric Fraser ( Moree), PR: B. Carlton ( Walcha), HK: Alf Hardman ( Moree), PR: Arthur Henderson ( Moree), SR: Les Gilmore ( Scone), SR: Barry Jackson ( Moree), LK: Cecil Bull ( Manilla).
Four players were selected as reserves, but did not play: P. Starr ( Guyra), Trevor Hong ( Armidale), R. Partridge ( West Tamworth), Neville Harrison ( Scone).

France: FB: Maurice Andre, WG: Ode Lespes, CE: Robert Caillou, CE: Joseph Crespo, WG: Maurice Bellan, FE: Charles Galaup, HB: Jean Dop, PR: François Rinaldi, HK: Jean Audoubert, PR: Andre Beraud, SR: Michel Lopez, SR: Guy Delaye, LK: Élie Brousse.

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Saturday, 16 June

Queensland	22 – 22	France
Tries: Des McGovern, Denis Flannery, Alan Thompson, Harold Crocker Goals: Nev Linde (5)	Team [32] [33] Report [34] [35] Database	Tries: Joseph Crespo, Vincent Cantoni, Gabriel Genoud, Raymond Contrastin Goals: Puig Aubert (5)

Brisbane Cricket Ground, Brisbane Attendance: 25,867 Referee: J. Hoffman

Queensland: FB: Nev Linde (age 24) ( Tivoli), WG: Denis Flannery (22) ( Ipswich CYM), CE: Noel Hazzard (26) (Bundaberg), CE: Rex McGlynn (24) (Bundaberg), WG: Des McGovern (25) ( Toowoomba All Whites), FE: Harry Griffiths (25) ( Booval Swifts), HB: Ken McCaffery (21) ( Toowoomba Souths), PR: Duncan Hall (23) ( Toowoomba Newtown), HK: Ron Davis ( Sarina), PR: Alan Thompson (28) ( Souths), SR: Bernie Drew (23) (Bundaberg), SR: Brian Davies (21) ( Brisbane Brothers), LK: Harold 'Mick' Crocker (24) ( Souths).
Two players were selected as reserves, but did not play: Alex Watson (18) ( Wests), Gordon Teys ( Toowoomba Valleys).
This match was Ron Davis' only appearance for the Maroons.

France: FB: Puig Aubert, WG: Raymond Contrastin, CE: Jacky Merquey, CE: Charles Galaup, WG: Vincent Cantoni, FE: René Duffort, HB: Joseph Crespo, PR: Paul Bartoletti, HK: Gabriel Genoud, PR: Andre Beraud, SR: Guy Delaye, SR: Édouard Ponsinet, LK: Louis Mazon.

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Tuesday, 19 June

Central Queensland	14 – 38	France
Tries: C. Harkin, Sid Irvine Goals: Wal Gill (2), Reg Beath Field Goals: Bernie Johnson	Database Report [36]	Tries: Gaston Comes (2), Jean Audoubert, Ode Lespes, Vincent Cantoni, René Duffort, Andre Beraud, Puig Aubert Goals: Puig Aubert (5), Gaston Comes Field Goals: Puig Aubert

Murray Street Grounds, Rockhampton Attendance: 4,598 Referee: Herb Gilbert

Central Queensland: FB: Alan Poole ( Brothers), WG: Sid Irvine ( Blackall), CE: Mick Hauff ( Blackall), CE: Wal Gill ( Barcaldine), WG: Leo (Jeffcoat) Jeffcoot ( Brothers), FE: Vivian (Mick) Irwin ( Blackall), HB: Bernie Johnson ( Longreach), PR: Mick Turnbull ( Blackall), HK: H. Johnson ( Railways), PR: C (Bow) Harkin ( Brothers), SR: Reg Beath ( Railways), SR: Norm Elliott ( Winton), LK: Trevor Whitehead ( Brothers).
France: FB: Puig Aubert, WG: Vincent Cantoni, CE: Maurice Andre, CE: Gaston Comes, WG: Ode Lespes, FE: Maurice Bellan, HB: René Duffort, PR: Andre Beraud, HK: Jean Audoubert, PR: François Rinaldi, SR: François Montrucolis, SR: Michel Lopez, LK: Gaston Calixte.

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Sunday, 24 June

North Queensland	17 – 50	France
Tries: Max Short (2), Jack Horrigan Goals: Gordon Farrelly (4)	Teams [37] Report [38] [39] Database	Tries: Raymond Contrastin (3), Vincent Cantoni (2), François Montrucolis (2), Gaston Comes, Joseph Crespo, Charles Galaup, Paul Bartoletti Goals: Puig Aubert (6), Gaston Comes

Townsville Sports Ground, [40] Townsville Attendance: 11,000 Referee: W. Morrison

North Queensland: FB: John Jabore (age 21) ( Bucas), WG: Terry Boland (24) ( Brothers), CE: Jack Horrigan (26) ( Ayr), CE: Frank Power (23) ( Brothers), WG: Gordon Farrelly ( Kangaroos), FE: Bob Banks (21) (Charters Towers), HB: Max Short (21) ( Souths), PR: Charlie Woods (29) ( Ayr), HK: Jim (Tom) Wedesweiler (24) ( Bucas), PR: Hume Ronald (21) ( Carltons), SR: Maurice Robertson (21) ( Brothers), SR: Roy (Blondi) Greenwood (23) ( Sarina), LK: Ron McLennan (26) ( Ayr).
Pat Harvey (Herbert River) was selected as a reserve, but did not play.
France: FB: Puig Aubert, WG: Raymond Contrastin, CE: Gaston Comes, CE: Joseph Crespo, WG: Vincent Cantoni, FE: Jacky Merquey, HB: Charles Galaup, PR: Paul Bartoletti, HK: Gabriel Genoud, PR: Louis Mazon, SR: François Montrucolis, SR: Édouard Ponsinet, LK: René Duffort.

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Wednesday, 27 June 2.30pm

Wide Bay	19 – 44	France
Tries: Ivan Lloyd-Jones, Tom Hooper, Dennis Jackwitz, N. Adsett, D. Nixon Goals: Ivan Lloyd-Jones (2)	Report [41] [42] Database	Tries: Maurice Andre (3), Martin Martin (2), Maurice Bellan, Robert Caillou, Jean Audoubert, Jean Dop, François Rinaldi Goals: Robert Caillou (7)

Attendance: 4,500 Referee: Stan Chambers

Wide Bay: FB: Ken Kennedy (Wallaroos), WG: M. Tickle (Gympie), CE: E. Barnes (Bundaberg), CE: Rex McGlynn (Bundaberg), WG: Ken Gayton (Bundaberg), FE: D. Nixon (Bundaberg), HB: N. (Tubby) Adsett ( Nambour), PR: Ivan Lloyd-Jones (Bundaberg), HK: Dennis Jackwitz (Bundaberg), PR: M. Kasmer (Bundaberg), SR: B. Long (Gympie), SR: Tom Hooper ( Nambour), LK: Keith Kendrick (Wallaroos).
France: FB: Charles Galaup, WG: Maurice Andre, CE: Maurice Bellan, CE: François Montrucolis, WG: Ode Lespes, FE: Robert Caillou, HB: Jean Dop, PR: Martin Martin, HK: Jean Audoubert, PR: Andre Beraud, SR: Guy Delaye, SR: François Rinaldi, LK: Michel Lopez

2nd Test

After five matches against Queensland teams, the French side played the tour's second Test match against Australia in Brisbane.

Saturday, 30 June 14:30

Australia	23 – 11	France
Tries: Denis Flannery Duncan Hall Keith Holman Goals: Noel Pidding (6) Clive Churchill (1)	report	Tries: Jacques Merquey Goals: Puig Aubert (4)

Brisbane Cricket Ground, Brisbane Attendance: 35,000 Referee: Tom McMahon

Australia	Posit.	France
Clive Churchill (c)	FB	Puig Aubert (c)
Noel Pidding	WG	Vincent Cantoni
Col Geelan	CE	Gaston Comes
Noel Hazzard	CE	Joseph Crespo
Denis Flannery	WG	Raymond Contrastin
Frank Stanmore	FE	Jacques Merquey
Keith Holman	HB	Jean Dop
Alan Thompson	PR	Paul Bartoletti
Ernie Hammerton	HK	Gabriel Genoud
Duncan Hall	PR	Louis Mazon
Brian Davies	SR	Edouard Ponsinet
Bernie Drew	SR	Elie Brousse
Harold Crocker	LK	Rene Duffort
Vic Hey	Coach	Bob Samatan

Only one change was made to the French team for the second Test: five-eighth Charles Galaup was replaced by Jacques Merquey. This time The Australian test team included six Queenslanders and returned to its winning ways with a 23–11 victory. ^[43] Following a head clash with French prop forward Louis Mazon in the second half, Australian captain Clive Churchill was assisted from the field. ^[44]

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Tuesday, 3 July

Brisbane	16 – 17	France
Tries: Wally McDonald, George Atherdon Goals: Norm Pope (5)	Teams [45] [46] Report [47] [48] Database	Tries: Puig-Aubert, Ode Lespes, Charles Galaup Goals: Puig-Aubert (4)

Brisbane Cricket Ground, Brisbane Attendance: 11,800 [49] Referee: Vic Lynagh

Brisbane forward Bill Sims being tackled by French forwards Andrew Deraud and Guy Delaye.

France were leading 12–7 at half time. However, in the second half Brisbane captain and five-eighth, George Atherdon scored a try and his side was leading 16–15 with seven minutes remaining. France were awarded a penalty near the half-way line and Puig-Aubert scored a drop-goal from about 53 yards out two minutes from full-time. ^[50] Aubert reached a points total for the tour of 112, thus passing Briton Ernest Ward's total of 106 the previous year. ^[51]

Brisbane: FB: Norm Pope ( Valleys), WG: Wally McDonald ( Wests), CE: Alex Watson ( Wests), CE: Nev Wilson ( Souths), WG: Robert Kille ( Easts), FE: George Atherden ( Norths), HB: Ron Stanton ( Easts), PR: William Sims ( Wests), HK: Terry Coman ( Brothers), PR: Keith Blackford ( Wynnum), SR: Jack Fallon ( Brothers), SR: Brian Davies ( Brothers), LK: Harold (Mick) Crocker ( Souths).
The following were selected as reserves, but did not play: Doug Anderson ( Valleys), Len Blaik ( Easts) and Col McAllister ( Wests).
Alan Thompson ( Souths) was initially selected to captain the Brisbane side, but withdrew after acquiring an injury in the Second Test.
France: FB: Puig Aubert, WG: Maurice Andre, CE: Michel Lopez, CE: Maurice Bellan, WG: Ode Lespes, FE: Charles Galaup, HB: Robert Caillou, PR: Andre Beraud, HK: Jean Audoubert, PR: Martin Martin, SR: François Rinaldi, SR: Guy Delaye LK: François Montrucolis.

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July 7	Toowoomba	17–20	France	Toowoomba
2.30pm	Tries: 3 Gordon Teys Pat McMahon Max Higgins Goals: 4 Ken McCaffery (4)	Team [52] Report [53] Database	Tries: 4 Joseph Crespo Vincent Cantoni Jacky Merquey Goals: 4 Puig Aubert (4)	Attendance: 10,939 Gate: AU£ 2,197 Referee: H. Reithmuller

Toowoomba: FB: William Sullivan ( All Whites), WG: Pat McMahon ( Souths), CE: Athol Halpin ( All Whites), CE: Sammy Hunter ( Souths), WG: Max Higgins ( Valleys), FE: Jim Heidke ( Valleys), HB: Ken McCaffery ( Souths), PR: Duncan Hall ( Newtown), HK: Kev Boshammer ( All Whites), PR: Jack Rooney ( All Whites), SR: Bill Beardsworth ( Valleys), SR: Gordon Teys ( Valleys), LK: Ron (Roy) Teys ( Valleys). Coach: Duncan Thompson (Toowoomba ).
Bill Callinan ( Newtown) was originally selected, but withdrew. He was replaced in the line-up by Hunter.
The following players were also selected as reserves, but did not play: Des McGovern ( All Whites), W. Hookway ( Souths) and Neil Teys ( Valleys).
France: FB: Puig Aubert, WG: Ode Lespes, CE: Jacky Merquey, CE: René Duffort, WG: Vincent Cantoni, FE: Charles Galaup, HB: Joseph Crespo, PR: Gabriel Genoud, HK: Martin Martin, PR: Paul Bartoletti, SR: François Rinaldi, SR: Élie Brousse, LK: François Montrucolis.

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July 11	North Coast	9–33	France	Oakes Oval; Lismore
3.5pm	Tries: 1 Basil Cook Goals: 3 Allan Lawson Austin White	Team [54] Report [55] [56] Database	Tries: 7 Élie Brousse (2) Robert Caillou (2) Puig Aubert Maurice Bellan Michel Lopez Goals: 5 Puig Aubert (5) Field Goals: 1 Puig Aubert	Attendance: 8,710 Gate: AU£ 1,142 Referee: Frank McGuigan

North Coast: FB: Allan Lawson (Coffs), WG: Ken McDonald (Taree-Old Bar), CE: Colin Sherwood (Murwillumbah), CE: Alby Duncan ( Bowraville), WG: Ron Algie (Taree-Old Bar), FE: Austin White (Taree Brown's Creek Taree), HB: Eric Carney ( Wauchope), PR: Basil Cook (Taree-Old Bar), HK: Kevin McKiernan (Kempsey CYM), PR: Bob Campbell ( Bowraville), SR: Rex Chaffer (Macksville), SR: George Alaban (Macksville), LK: K. Killett (Macksville).
J. McNamara (Bonalbo) was selected in the team to play South Sydney and France, but played only in the match against Souths on June 16. N. Walsham ( Grafton All Blacks) was selected as a reserve for both matches, but did not play against France.
North Coast played in black and white jerseys in both matches. ^[57]
France: FB: Puig Aubert, WG: Raymond Contrastin, CE: Robert Caillou, CE: Maurice Bellan, WG: Ode Lespes, FE: Charles Galaup, HB: Jean Dop, PR: Andre Beraud, HK: Jean Audoubert, PR: Louis Mazon, SR: Michel Lopez, SR: Élie Brousse, LK: Raoul Perez.

July 14	New South Wales	14–14	France	Sydney Cricket Ground
2.30pm	Tries: 2 Wally O'Connell Fred Brown Goals: 4 Noel Pidding (4)	Program Report [58] Database	Tries: 0 nil Goals: 7 Puig Aubert (7)	Attendance: 45,579 Gate: AU£ 5,928 Referee: J. O'Brien

New South Wales: FB: Clive Churchill (24) ( Souths), WG: Noel Pidding (24) ( St George), CE: Johnny Hawke (25) ( St George), CE: Col Cooper (25) ( Canterbury), WG: Ron Roberts (23) ( St George), FE: Wally O'Connell (28) ( Manly), HB: Keith Holman (23) ( Wests), PR: Fred Brown (25) ( Manly), HK: Kevin Schubert (23) ( Manly), PR: Denis Donoghue (23) ( Souths), SR: Noel Mulligan (25) ( St George), SR: Charlie Banks (24) ( Easts), LK: Les Cowie (26) ( Souths).
The following players were selected as reserves, but didi not play: Harry Wells (19) ( Souths), and Bernie Purcell (23) ( Souths).
France: FB: Puig Aubert, WG: Raymond Contrastin, CE: Jacky Merquey, CE: Gaston Comes, WG: Vincent Cantoni, FE: Charles Galaup, HB: Joseph Crespo, PR: Paul Bartoletti, HK: Martin Martin, PR: Louis Mazon, SR: Élie Brousse, SR: Édouard Ponsinet, LK: René Duffort

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July 15	Southern Division	13–24	France	Wollongong Showground
2.45pm	Tries: 1 Jack Seymour Goals: 5 Bruce Smith (3) Jack McDonald (2)	Teams [59] [60] Report [61] [62]	Tries: 4 Robert Caillou Jean Audoubert Andre Beraud Guy Delaye Goals: 6 Michel Lopez (3) Gaston Comes (3)	Attendance: 11,334 Gate: AU£ 1,585 Referee: Alf Grew

Southern Division: FB: Ross Thomas ( Wollongong), WG: Terry Cook ( C.B.C.), CE: Jack (Johnny) Seymour ( Bowral), CE: Len Torpy ( Wollongong), WG: Arthur Thompson ( Nowra), FE: Johnny Rouse ( Nowra), HB: Jack McDonald ( Kiama), PR: Bill Burgess ( Wollongong), HK: Bill Bolt ( C.B.C.), PR: Jim Ralston ( Port Kembla), SR: Angus Miller ( Berry), SR: Bruce Smith ( Thirroul), LK: Don Townsend ( Port Kembla), Coach: Harry Nolan ( Wests).
Ian Moir ( Port Kembla) was originally selected in the team, but did not play. He was replaced on the wing by Arthur Thompson.
Les Gillard ( Picton) and Keith Clark ( Camden) were selected as reserves, but did not play.
France: FB: Gaston Comes, WG: Raoul Perez, CE: Maurice Bellan, CE: René Duffort, WG: Ode Lespes, FE: Robert Caillou, HB: Jean Dop, PR: Paul Bartoletti, HK: Jean Audoubert, PR: Andre Beraud, SR: Guy Delaye, SR: Michel Lopez, LK: François Montrucolis.

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3rd Test

The French team travelled back from Queensland to Sydney for the third and deciding Test match of the series. The Australians were slight favourites to win the match. People began to queue up in bitterly cold winds the night before the match. ^[63]

Saturday, 21 July 24:45

Australia	14 – 35	France
Tries: Brian Davies Duncan Hall Goals: Noel Pidding (4)	Database Program	Tries: Joseph Crespo (3) Raymond Contrastin (2) Elie Brousse Gaston Comes Goals: Puig Aubert (7)

Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney Attendance: 67,009 [64] Referee: Tom McMahon

Australia	Posit.	France
Clive Churchill (c)	FB	Puig Aubert (c)
Noel Pidding	WG	Raymond Contrastin
Noel Hazzard	CE	Gaston Comes
Norman Hawke	CE	Jacques Merquey
Denis Flannery	WG	Vincent Cantoni
Wally O'Connell	FE	Rene Duffort
Keith Holman	HB	Joseph Crespo
Denis Donoghue	PR	Paul Bartoletti
Kevin Schubert	HK	Gabriel Genoud
Duncan Hall	PR	Louis Mazon
Brian Davies	SR	Elie Brousse
Bernie Drew	SR	Edouard Ponsinet
Harold Crocker	LK	Gabriel Calixte
Vic Hey	Coach	Bob Samatan

French captain and fullback Puig Aubert kicked 7 goals and his half back Joseph Crespo scored three tries as the tourists overpowered Australia to claim the Test series. This was the last test match for Australian five-eighth Wally O'Connell. ^[65]

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New Zealand leg

See also: 1951 New Zealand rugby league season

25 July	West Coast	2 – 5	France	Greymouth
	Tries: nil Goals: 1 Nuttall	Team [66] Report [67] Database [68]	Tries: 1 Gaston Comes Goals: 1 Robert Caillou	Attendance: 3,667 Referee: Jim Griffin

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28 July	Canterbury	7 – 13	France	Addington Showground, Christchurch
	Tries: 1 Stapley Goals: 2 Bond (2)	Report [69] Database [70]	Tries: 3 Robert Caillou Andre Beraud Raymond Contrastin Goals: 2 Gaston Comes (2)	Attendance: 13,000

France defeated Canterbury 13–7 in front of 13,000 at the Show Grounds. ^[71]

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30 July	Wellington	13 – 26	France	Basin Reserve, Wellington
	Tries: 1 English Goals: 5 Mott (3) Church (2)	Result [72] [73] Database [74]	Tries: 6 Andre Beraud (2) Vincent Cantoni Jean Dop Ode Lespes Louis Mazon Goals: 4 Michel Lopez (2) Louis Mazon (2)	Attendance: 8,602

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Test Match

4 August

New Zealand	16 – 15	France
2 Tries: Tommy Baxter George Menzies Goals: Des White (5)	Report [75] [76] Database [77]	3 Tries: Vincent Cantoni (2) Edouard Ponsinet Goals: Puig Aubert (3)

Carlaw Park, Auckland Attendance: 19,229 Referee: Jim Griffin

New Zealand	Posit.	France
Desmond White	FB	Puig Aubert (c)
Bevin Hough	WG	Raymond Contrastin
Tommy Baxter	C	Gaston Comes
Maurie Robertson	CE	Jacques Merquey
Jack Forrest	WG	Vincent Cantoni
George Menzies	FE	Rene Duffort
Jim Haig (c)	HB	Joseph Crespo
Ken English	PR	Paul Bartoletti
George Davidson	HK	Martin Martin
Cliff Johnson	PR	Louis Mazon
Douglas Richards-Jolley	SR	Elie Brousse
Charlie McBride	SR	Edouard Ponsinet
Travers Hardwick	LK	François Montrucolis
Thomas McClymont	Coach	Bob Samatan

New Zealand defeated France 16–15 in a "brutal match" at Carlaw Park. Des White kicked the winning penalty goal after the full-time siren had sounded to seal victory in "one of the most dramatic and dirtiest games ever played by the Kiwis".

First it was West Coast five-eighth George "Geordie" Menzies forced off with a cheekbone broken by a French head-butt. Then it was Otago's 1946 All Black halfback, Jimmy Haig with a broken jaw. Also Charlie McBride was bitten. ^[78]

In the mid-second half, a brawl erupted amongst the forwards. French prop and national middleweight champion, Louis Mazon, was heavily involved. It took referee J. Griffen three minutes to separate the combatants. Ten minutes later, when the touch judges and officials intervened and things finally settled down, Griffen sent France's hooker Martin Martin from the field for throwing mud at him, ^[77] but the Frenchman refused to go. The president of the French Rugby League, Anton Blain, and his New Zealand counterpart, Jack Redwood, came on and eventually persuaded Martin to leave the field. ^[79]

No replacements were allowed so the game wound down with 11 Kiwis on the field against 12 Frenchmen. There was no ground clock or siren in those days and the players had to listen for the chimes from the nearby University of Auckland wedding-cake tower to get an indication of time remaining. They knew that it was usually all over by 4 pm, but this game went well past four. ^[79]

In the final seconds of the match New Zealand wing Bevin Hough, a 1950 British Empire Games silver medal-winning sprinter, was heading for the Domain Stand corner and a certain try when he was taken out by a high shot from Cantoni. White was then called to kick. He backed up against the white picket fence sideline on the domain side, and sent the ball sailing between the posts, the crowd roaring before it got there. ^[79]

The bitterness continued. One of the Frenchmen attacked Maurie Robertson, leaping onto his back as he left the field, and a touch judge was knocked to the ground. As the crowd gathered to congratulate the Kiwis, the French spat at them. Later however, at the after-match dinner the French were gentlemen, conceding victory to the better side. Puig Aubert shook White's hand and congratulated him on the match-winning goal. ^[79]

The 50th anniversary of this match was commemorated during the 2001 French rugby league tour of New Zealand and Papua New Guinea with another Test between New Zealand and France in Auckland.

---

6 August	Auckland	10 – 15	France	Carlaw Park, Auckland
	Tries: 2 Cliff Johnson Bevan Hough Goals: 2 Des White (2)	Report [80] Database [81]	Tries: 3 Élie Brousse Puig Aubert Martin Martin Goals: 3 Puig Aubert (3)	Attendance: 30,000

Two days after the one-off Test match France returned to Carlaw Park to play Auckland. France won 15–10 in front of 30,000 spectators. Auckland included Des White, Jimmy Edwards, Tommy Baxter, Cyril Eastlake, Bevin Hough, Bruce Robertson, captain Des Barchard, Cliff Johnson, George Davidson, Graham Burgoyne, Doug Richards-Jolley, Clarence Hurndell and Allan Wiles. ^[82]

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9 August	South Auckland	7 – 25	France
	Tries: 1 Smith Goals: 2 Travers Hardwick (2)	Report [83] Database [84]	Tries: 5 Vincent Cantoni Raymond Contrastin Élie Brousse Charles Galaup Joseph Crespo Goals: 5 Puig Aubert (3) Paul Bartoletti Vincent Cantoni	Attendance: 7,480 Referee: Roly Avery

During this match, French half-back Jean Dop was running for the ball when he was struck by a spectator, prompting police to move the crowd from the area. ^[85]

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11 August	Taranaki	7 – 23	France	New Plymouth
	Tries: 1 Casperson Goals: 2 Kay Mucculloch	[86]	Tries: 7 Puig Aubert Maurice Andre Martin Martin Paul Bartoletti Jean Dop Vincent Cantoni Andre Beraud Goals: 1 Puig Aubert	Attendance: 6,473

Australian return leg

Following the New Zealand leg of the tour, the French returned to Australia for another 3 matches before heading home.

Wednesday, 15 August	New South Wales XIII	29–11	France	Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
3.30pm	Tries: 5 Bryan Orrock Nev Charlton Ferris Ashton Gordon Willoughby Jack Lumsden Goals: 7 Ron Willey (6) Jack Lumsden	Program Report [87]	Tries: 1 Vincent Cantoni Goals: 4 Puig Aubert (4)	Attendance: 29,304 Gate: AU£ 4,037 Referee: Jack O'Brien

A New South Wales XIII: FB: Ron Willey ( Canterbury), WG: Jack Lumsden ( Manly), CE: Gordon Willoughby ( Manly), CE: Matt McCoy ( St George), WG: John McClean ( Norths), FE: Greg Hawick ( Souths), HB: Col Donohoe ( Easts), PR: Bryan Orrock ( Souths), HK: Kevin Schubert ( Manly), PR: Fred Brown ( Manly), SR: Ferris Ashton ( Easts), SR: Jack Rayner ( Souths), LK: Nev Charlton ( Canterbury).
Kevin Woolfe ( Souths) and Tom Tyrrell ( Balmain) were selected as reserves, but did not play.
France: FB: Puig Aubert, WG: Raymond Contrastin, CE: Joseph Crespo, CE: Maurice Bellan, WG: Vincent Cantoni, FE: Charles Galaup, HB: Jean Dop, PR: Andre Beraud, HK: Martin Martin, PR: Louis Mazon, SR: Élie Brousse, SR: Édouard Ponsinet, LK: Gaston Calixte.

---

Saturday, 18 August	Australian XIII	17–34	France	RAS Showground, Melbourne
3pm	Tries: 3 Ken McCaffery Brian Davies J. Balmain Goals: 4 Ken McCaffery (2) Clive Churchill Kevin Woolfe	Team Report [88] [89]	Tries: 6 Andre Beraud (2) Raymond Contrastin Maurice Andre Robert Caillou Puig Aubert Goals: 8 Puig Aubert (8)	Attendance: 4,460 Gate: AU£ 856 Referee: Jack Davies

An Australian XIII: FB: Clive Churchill ( Souths), WG: Bill Dickason ( Victoria), CE: Kevin Woolfe ( Souths), CE: Noel Hazzard (Bundaberg), WG: John McClean ( Norths), FE: Greg Hawick ( Souths), HB: Ken McCaffery ( Souths), PR: Jack Balmain ( Victoria), HK: Ernie Hammerton ( Souths), PR: Gordon Teys ( Valleys), SR: Brian Davies ( Brothers), SR: Jack Rayner ( Souths), LK: Harold Crocker ( Souths).
Barry Pease ( Victoria) and Ray Jackson ( Victoria) were selected as reserves, but did not play. ^{[90] [91]}
France: FB: Puig Aubert, WG: Maurice Andre, CE: Joseph Crespo, CE: Robert Caillou, WG: Raymond Contrastin, FE: Charles Galaup, HB: Jean Dop, PR: Andre Beraud, HK: Martin Martin, PR: Jean Audoubert, SR: Édouard Ponsinet, SR: Élie Brousse, LK: Gaston Calixte.

---

Sunday, 26 August	Western Australia	23–70	France	Claremont Showground, Perth
3.20pm	Tries: 3 R. Quinlan (2) Joe Stewart Goals: 7 Bob Sampson (7)	Teams [92] [93] Report [94] [95]	Tries: 16 Vincent Cantoni (3) Andre Beraud (2) Puig Aubert (2) Robert Caillou Raymond Contrastin Maurice Andre Jean Audoubert Élie Brousse Édouard Ponsinet Martin Martin Gaston Calixte Joseph Crespo Goals: 11 Puig Aubert (7) Gaston Calixte Raymond Contrastin Vincent Cantoni	Attendance: 14,500 Gate: AU£ 1,070 Referee: Herbert Fisher

Western Australia: FB: Joe McGuiness ( Fremantle), WG: Bob Sampson (20) (Nedlands), CE: Norm Plester (18) ( South Perth), CE: W. Nicholson (Perth), WG: R. Quinlan ( South Perth), FE: Stan Saxon (20) ( South Perth), HB: L. Leavy ( South Perth), PR: G. Vooles ( South Perth), HK: K. Allen ( Fremantle), PR: R. Robinson (Eastern Suburbs), SR: Joe Stewart ( South Perth), SR: Bob Patching (19) ( South Perth), LK: Terry Sullivan (32) ( Fremantle), Coach: Arthur Folwell.
The following were included in an initial, extended squad, but did not play: M. Hawthorn ( Victoria Park), P. Hobart ( Cottesloe), K. Hodges ( Applecross), D. McDonald ( Fremantle), J. McDonald ( Fremantle), T. Myles ( Cottesloe).
France: FB: Puig Aubert, WG: Vincent Cantoni, CE: Joseph Crespo, CE: Maurice Andre, WG: Raymond Contrastin, FE: Robert Caillou, HB: Jean Dop, PR: Andre Beraud, HK: Martin Martin, PR: Jean Audoubert, SR: Élie Brousse, SR: Édouard Ponsinet, LK: Gaston Calixte.

---

Sources

Acronym	Item	Years	Database App	Notes
Direct Online Access
RLN	Rugby League News	1920-1973	Trove	Match Program in Sydney, Team Lists, Team Photos, Articles
RLP	Rugby League Project	1907–present	RLP Website	Test Match teams & scorers.
Sun	The Sun (Sydney)	1910-1954	Trove	Match Reports, Articles.
DT	The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)	1931-1954	Trove	Match Reports, Articles.
CM	The Courier-Mail	1933-1954	Trove	Match Reports, Articles.
-	Various Australian Regional Newspapers	up to 1954	Trove	Match Reports, Given Names of Players
Offline Resources
EECYB	E.E. Christensen's Official Rugby League Year Book	1946-1978	Copies at State Library of NSW	Teams, Point Scorers, Report. 1952 Yearbook covers the 1951 tour.
QRLG	Queensland Rugby League Gazette	1950-1955	Copies at State Library of Qld	Program for matches in Brisbane.
RRLG	Rockhampton Rugby League Gazette	1951-1968	Copies at State Library of Qld	Program for matches in Rockhampton. This collection includes a Souvenir of the First Visit of the French Rugby League Team to Central Queensland - Tuesday, 19th June, 1951.
TRL	Toowoomba Rugby League Souvenir Programme	1951	Copies at State Library of Qld	Program for the 1951 Toowoomba v France match.
-	Ipswich Versus International Teams [96]	1913-1975	Copies at SLQ & NLA	Match Report, Given Names & Club of Ipswich Players
-	A History of Mackay Rugby League [97]	1919-2015	Author's Website	Given Names & Club of Ipswich Players
-	More Than The Foley Shield [98]	1908-2014	Author's Website	Match report, team photos. Given Names & Club of North Queensland Players

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