1980 New Zealand rugby league tour of Great Britain and France

The 1980 New Zealand rugby league tour of Great Britain and France was a tour by the New Zealand national rugby league team. The test series between the New Zealand national rugby league team and Great Britain was drawn one all, as was the test series between New Zealand and France.

The Test series was broadcast across the United Kingdom via the BBC with chief commentator Eddie Waring and his co-commentator, former Great Britain halfback and then Salford coach Alex Murphy. The series was broadcast in New Zealand via Television New Zealand with former Kiwi fullback Des White providing the commentary. ^[1]

Squad

The touring squad was selected in September 1980. ^[2] The squad was almost entirely domestic based, with captain Mark Graham the only overseas player. The team was coached by Ces Mountford.

Although not part of the original squad, Wigan prop forward Danny Campbell was selected to play in the match against Leigh due to the number of injuries suffered during the tour. ^[3]

Player	Club	Position(s)	Tests	Matches	Tries	Goals	F/Goals	Points
Fred Ah Kuoi (vc)	Auckland	Five-eighth, Centre	5	9	1	0	0	3
Ray Baxendale	West Coast	Second-row, Lock	3	8	1	0	0	3
Mark Broadhurst	Canterbury	Prop	5	9	0	0	0	0
Danny Campbell	Wigan	Second-row	0	1	0	0	0	0
Tony Coll	West Coast	Second-row	3	6	4	0	0	12
Bruce Dickison	Canterbury	Centre	4	8	2	0	0	6
Barry Edkins	Canterbury	Second-row, Lock	1	7	0	9	0	18
Kevin Fisher	Waikato	Wing	1	7	0	0	0	0
Bruce Gall	Taranaki	Second-row	0	8	3	0	0	9
Mark Graham (c)	Brisbane Norths	Lock	5	6	4	0	0	12
Bernie Green	West Coast	Centre	0	5	2	0	0	6
Bill Kells	Waikato	Five-eighth, Halfback	0	4	0	0	0	0
Gary Kemble	Auckland	Fullback, Wing	1	7	2	9	0	24
James Leuluai	Auckland	Fullback, Centre, Five-eighth	3	9	3	0	0	9
Rick Muru	Waikato	Prop	0	5	1	0	0	3
Michael O'Donnell	Canterbury	Fullback, Centre	5	8	1	5	0	13
Dane O'Hara	Auckland	Wing, Centre	5	10	6	0	0	18
Gary Prohm	Auckland	Second-row, Wing	4	9	0	0	0	0
Alan Rushton	Canterbury	Prop, Hooker	4	8	1	0	0	3
Gordon Smith	West Coast	Halfback	4	7	1	15	0	33
Howie Tamati	Taranaki	Hooker	1	9	1	0	0	3
Kevin Tamati	Wellington	Prop	5	8	1	0	0	3
Paul Te Ariki	Wellington	Prop, Second-row	0	6	0	0	0	0
Nolan Tupaea	Wellington	Five-eighth, Centre	0	6	3	0	0	9
Shane Varley	Auckland	Halfback	0	7	1	0	0	3
Graeme West	Taranaki	Second-row	5	9	2	0	0	6
John Whittaker	Wellington	Centre	4	9	2	0	0	6

Great Britain

Test Venues

The three tests took place at the following venues.

Wigan	Bradford	Leeds
Central Park	Odsal Stadium	Elland Road
Capacity: 35,000	Capacity: 40,000	Capacity: 32,500

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Sunday 28 September

Blackpool Borough	5 – 23	New Zealand
Tries: Michael Chester Goals: William Oxley (1)	[4]	Tries: James Leuluai (2), Bruce Dickison, Rick Muru, Nolan Tupaea Goals: Gary Kemble (4)

Borough Park, Blackpool Attendance: 1,312 Referee: Ron Moore

Blackpool Borough: Ron Oldham, Michael Chester, Steve Tilly, John Heritage, William Oxley, James Arnold, James Green, Paul Gamble, Don Parry, John Waterworth, Peter Frodsham, Philip Holmes, John Corcoran. Res – Kevin Hanley. Coach – Geoff Lyon

New Zealand: James Leuluai, Bernie Green, John Whittaker, Bruce Dickison, Gary Kemble, Nolan Tupaea, Shane Varley, Rick Muru, Howie Tamati, Kevin Tamati, Ray Baxendale, Bruce Gall, Barry Edkins. Res – Gary Prohm

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Sunday 5 October

Hull F.C.	10 – 33	New Zealand
Tries: Vince Farrar, Tim Wilby Goals: Sammy Lloyd (2)	[5]	Tries: Tony Coll (2), Mark Graham (2), Dane O'Hara (2), Alan Rushton, Gordon Smith, Kevin Tamati Goals: Michael O'Donnell (3)

Boothferry Park, Kingston upon Hull Attendance: 15,945 Referee: Billy Thompson

Hull F.C.: George Robinson, Graham Walters, Chris Harrison, Tim Wilby, Paul Prendiville, Ian Wilson, Clive Pickerill, Keith Tindall, Ian Crowther, Vince Farrar, Charles Birdsall, Keith Boxall, Sammy Lloyd. Res – Robert Gaitley, Charlie Stone. Coach – Arthur Bunting

New Zealand: Michael O'Donnell, Kevin Fisher, James Leuluai, Bruce Dickison, Dane O'Hara, Fred Ah Kuoi, Gordon Smith, Mark Broadhurst, Alan Rushton, Kevin Tamati, Graeme West, Tony Coll, Mark Graham (c). Res – John Whittaker, Paul Te Ariki

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Wednesday 8 October

Cumbria	9 – 3	New Zealand
Tries: Arnie Walker Goals: Ian Ball (3)	[6]	Tries: Graeme West Goals:

Recreation Ground, Whitehaven Attendance: 4,070 Referee: Harry Hunt

Cumbria: Steve Tickle, John Bulman, Peter Stoddart, Ian Ball, Chris Camilleri, Ian Rudd, Arnie Walker, Terry Bowman, Alan McCurrie, John Cunningham, Vince Fox, Les Gorley, Bill Pattinson

New Zealand: Gary Kemble, Kevin Fisher, James Leuluai, Bruce Dickison, Dane O'Hara, Fred Ah Kuoi, Shane Varley, Rick Muru, Howie Tamati, Alan Rushton, Graeme West, Tony Coll, Mark Graham (c)

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Sunday 12 October

St Helens	11 – 6	New Zealand
Tries: Les Jones Goals: Clive Griffiths (4)	[7]	Tries: Bernie Green, Nolan Tupaea Goals:

Knowsley Road, St. Helens Attendance: 6,000 Referee: John McDonald

St Helens: Clive Griffiths, Les Jones, Denis Litherland, Roy Haggerty, Roy Mathias, Brian Parkes, Neil Holding, Mel James, Dennis Nulty, Michael Hope, Eric Chisnall, George Nicholls, Harry Pinner. Res – John Smith, Keiron Pickavance. Coach – Kel Coslett

New Zealand: James Leuluai, Bernie Green, John Whittaker, Fred Ah Kuoi, Nolan Tupaea, Bill Kells, Gordon Smith, Mark Broadhurst, Howie Tamati, Kevin Tamati, Paul Te Ariki, Bruce Gall, Gary Prohm

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Tuesday 14 October

Bradford Northern	15 – 10	New Zealand
Tries: David Barends (2), Alan Parker (2) Goals: Alan Redfearn (3)	[8]	Tries: Bruce Dickison, Howie Tamati Goals: Michael O'Donnell (2)

Odsal Stadium, Bradford Attendance: 4,553 Referee: John McDonald

Bradford Northern: John Green, David Barends, Les Gant, Derek Parker, Alan Parker, Nigel Stephenson, Alan Redfearn, Jim Fiddler, Brian Noble, Phil Sanderson, Dennis Trotter, Gary Van Bellen, Graham Idle. Res – Stephen Ferres, Gary Hale. Coach – Peter Fox

New Zealand: Michael O'Donnell, Bernie Green, John Whittaker, Bruce Dickison, Gary Kemble, Nolan Tupaea, Bill Kells, Paul Te Ariki, Howie Tamati, Ray Baxendale, Bruce Gall, Gary Prohm, Barry Edkins

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First Test

Saturday 18 October

Great Britain	14 – 14	New Zealand
Tries: Chris Camilleri Mike Smith Goals: George Fairbairn (4)	[9]	Tries: Fred Ah Kuoi Tony Coll Goals: Gordon Smith (4/5)

Central Park, Wigan Attendance: 7,031 Referee: Billy Thompson Player of the Match: Fred Ah Kuoi

Great Britain

New Zealand

FB 1 George Fairbairn (c) RW 2 Chris Camilleri RC 3 John Joyner LC 4 Mike Smith LW 5 Keith Bentley SO 6 Steve Hartley SH 7 Kevin Dick PR 8 Roy Holdstock HK 9 David Watkinson PR 10 Trevor Skerrett SR 11 Jeff Grayshon SR 12 Les Gorley LF 13 Len Casey Substitutions: IC 14 IC 15 Harry Pinner Coach: Johnny Whiteley

FB 1 Michael O'Donnell RW 2 Kevin Fisher RC 3 James Leuluai LC 4 Bruce Dickison LW 5 Dane O'Hara FE 6 Fred Ah Kuoi HB 7 Gordon Smith PR 8 Mark Broadhurst HK 9 Alan Rushton PR 10 Kevin Tamati SR 11 Graeme West SR 12 Tony Coll LK 13 Mark Graham (c) Substitutions: IC 14 Ray Baxendale IC 15 Coach: Ces Mountford

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Wednesday 22 October

Hull Kingston Rovers	12 – 20	New Zealand
Tries: Paul Harkin, Phil Lowe Goals: Phil Hogan (2) Steve Hubbard (1)	[10]	Tries: Bruce Gall (3), John Whittaker Goals: Barry Edkins (3) Gary Kemble (1)

Craven Park, Kingston upon Hull Attendance: 9,516 Referee: Fred Lindop

Hull Kingston Rovers: Dave Hall, Steve Hubbard, Mike Smith, Phil Hogan, Wally Youngman, Steve Hartley, Paul Harkin, Roy Holdstock, Raymond Price, David Watkinson, Phil Lowe, Len Casey, Mick Crane. Res – Ian Robinson, Graham Douglas. Coach – Roger Millward

New Zealand: Gary Kemble, Gary Prohm, John Whittaker, James Leuluai, Dane O'Hara, Nolan Tupaea, Shane Varley, Mark Broadhurst, Howie Tamati, Bruce Gall, Graeme West, Ray Baxendale, Barry Edkins. Res – Paul Te Ariki

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Sunday 26 October

Leeds	5 – 25	New Zealand
Tries: David Smith Goals: Kevin Dick (1)	[11]	Tries: Mark Graham (2), Tony Coll, James Leuluai, John Whittaker Goals: Gordon Smith (5)

Headingley, Leeds Attendance: 5,662 Referee: Ron Campbell

Leeds: Willie Oulton, Alan Smith, David Smith, Neil Hague, John Atkinson, John Holmes, Kevin Dick, Neil Lean, David Ward, Steve Pitchford, Graham Eccles, John Carroll, David Heron. Res – Gary Hetherington, Roy Dickinson. Coach – Robin Dewhurst

New Zealand: Michael O'Donnell, Kevin Fisher, John Whittaker, James Leuluai, Dane O'Hara, Fred Ah Kuoi, Gordon Smith, Mark Broadhurst, Alan Rushton, Kevin Tamati, Graeme West, Tony Coll, Mark Graham (c). Res – Rick Muru

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Wednesday 29 October

Warrington	11 – 7	New Zealand
Tries: Edwin Hunter, Tommy Martyn Goals: Steve Hesford (2) Field Goals: Anthony Waller (1)	[12]	Tries: Shane Varley Goals: Barry Edkins (1) Gary Kemble (1)

Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington Attendance: 5,680 Referee: Vince Moss

Warrington: Derek Finnegan, Richard Thackray, Ian Duane, John Bevan, Steve Hesford, Jimmy Fairhurst, Alan Gwilliam, Neil Courtney, Anthony Waller, Brian Case, Tommy Martyn, Ian Potter, Edwin Hunter. Res – Billy Benyon, Bob Eccles. Coach – Billy Benyon

New Zealand: Gary Kemble, Bernie Green, Nolan Tupaea, Bruce Dickison, Gary Prohm, Bill Kells, Shane Varley, Rick Muru, Howie Tamati, Bruce Gall, Paul Te Ariki, Ray Baxendale, Barry Edkins. Res – Dane O'Hara

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Second Test

Sunday 2 November

Great Britain	8 – 12	New Zealand
Tries: Goals: George Fairbairn (4/5)	[13]	Tries: Michael O'Donnell Dane O'Hara Goals: Gordon Smith (3/4) Michael O'Donnell (0/2)

Odsal Stadium, Bradford Attendance: 10,946 Referee: Fred Lindop Player of the Match: Mark Broadhurst

Great Britain

New Zealand

FB 1 George Fairbairn (c) RW 2 Des Drummond RC 3 John Joyner LC 4 Mike Smith LW 5 Chris Camilleri SO 6 Ken Kelly SH 7 Kevin Dick PR 8 Roy Holdstock HK 9 Keith Elwell PR 10 Glyn Shaw SR 11 Jeff Grayshon SR 12 Len Casey LF 13 Harry Pinner Substitutions: IC 14 Steve Evans IC 15 Les Gorley Coach: Johnny Whiteley

FB 1 Michael O'Donnell RW 2 Gary Prohm RC 3 James Leuluai LC 4 John Whittaker LW 5 Dane O'Hara FE 6 Fred Ah Kuoi HB 7 Gordon Smith PR 8 Mark Broadhurst HK 9 Alan Rushton PR 10 Kevin Tamati SR 11 Graeme West SR 12 Tony Coll LK 13 Mark Graham (c) Substitutions: IC 14 Ray Baxendale IC 15 Kevin Fisher Coach: Ces Mountford

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Wednesday 5 November

Great Britain U/24	14 – 18	New Zealand
Tries: Steve Evans, Neil Holding Goals: Mick Burke (4)	[14]	Tries: Dane O'Hara (2), Ray Baxendale, Graeme West Goals: Gary Kemble (2) Barry Edkins (1)

Craven Cottage, London Attendance: 2,397 Referee: Stan Wall

Great Britain U/24: Mick Burke, Richard Thackray, David Stephenson, Gary Hyde, Steve Fenton, Steve Evans (c), Neil Holding, Gary Van Bellen, Paul O'Neill, Brian Case, Kevin Ward, Vince Fox, Terry Flanagan. Res – Keith Bentley, Mike O'Neill. Coach – Johnny Whiteley

New Zealand: Michael O'Donnell, Gary Kemble, Gary Prohm, Dane O'Hara, Kevin Fisher, Fred Ah Kuoi, Shane Varley, Mark Broadhurst, Howie Tamati, Bruce Gall, Graeme West, Ray Baxendale, Barry Edkins. Res – Dane O'Hara

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Sunday 9 November

Widnes	14 – 7	New Zealand
Tries: Keith Elwell, Mick George Goals: Mick Burke (4)	[15]	Tries: Dane O'Hara Goals: Gordon Smith (2)

Naughton Park, Widnes Attendance: 6,416 Referee: Stan Wall

Widnes: Mick Burke, Stuart Wright, Mick George, Eddie Cunningham, Keith Bentley, Eric Hughes, Tony Myler, Brian Hogan, Keith Elwell, Glyn Shaw, Mike O'Neill, Eric Prescott, Mick Adams. Res – Wayne Rutene, Fred Whitfield. Coach – Doug Laughton

New Zealand: Michael O'Donnell, Kevin Fisher, John Whittaker, James Leuluai, Dane O'Hara, Fred Ah Kuoi, Gordon Smith, Mark Broadhurst, Alan Rushton, Kevin Tamati, Graeme West, Ray Baxendale, Tony Coll. Res – Shane Varley, Bruce Gall

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Tuesday 11 November

Leigh	5 – 22	New Zealand
Tries: Keith Elwell, Mick George Goals: Mick Burke (4)	[16]	Tries: Dane O'Hara Goals: Gordon Smith (2)

Hilton Park, Leigh Attendance: 3,166 Referee: Stan Wall

Leigh: Peter Alstead, David Bullough, David Dunn, Steve Donlan, Phil ip Fox, Alan Fairhurst, Ken Green, Anthony Cooke, Les Wall, Terry Bowman, Ian Hobson, Alan Rathbone, Tom Gittins. Res – Alan Keaveney, Ray Tabern. Coach – Alex Murphy

New Zealand: Gary Kemble, Bernie Green, Bruce Dickison, Nolan Tupaea, Gary Prohm, Bill Kells, Shane Varley, Rick Muru, Howie Tamati, Danny Campbell, Paul Te Ariki, Bruce Gall, Barry Edkins. Res – Kevin Fisher, Alan Rushton

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Third Test

Saturday 15 November

Great Britain	10 – 2	New Zealand
Tries: Des Drummond (2) Goals: Mick Burke (2/3)	[17]	Tries: Goals: Gordon Smith (1/3) Barry Edkins (0/3)

Elland Road, Leeds Attendance: 8,210 Referee: Billy Thompson

Great Britain

New Zealand

FB 1 Mick Burke RW 2 Des Drummond RC 3 John Joyner LC 4 Steve Evans LW 5 John Atkinson SO 6 John Woods SH 7 Arnold Walker PR 8 Trevor Skerrett HK 9 Keith Elwell PR 10 Len Casey (c) SR 11 Mick Adams SR 12 Peter Gorley LF 13 Steve Norton Substitutions: IC 14 IC 15 Coach: Johnny Whiteley

FB 1 Michael O'Donnell RW 2 Gary Prohm RC 3 John Whittaker LC 4 Bruce Dickison LW 5 Dane O'Hara FE 6 Fred Ah Kuoi HB 7 Gordon Smith PR 8 Mark Broadhurst HK 9 Alan Rushton PR 10 Kevin Tamati SR 11 Graeme West SR 12 Barry Edkins LK 13 Mark Graham (c) Substitutions: IC 14 Howie Tamati IC 15 Ray Baxendale Coach: Ces Mountford

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France

First Test

Sunday 23 November

France	6 – 5	New Zealand
Tries: Jean-Marc Bourret (2) Goals:	[18]	Tries: Gary Prohm Goals: Michael O'Donnell (1)

Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan Attendance: 6,000 Referee: Guy Cattaneo

France

New Zealand

FB 1 Marcel Pillon RW 2 Jean-Pierre Siré RC 3 Jean-Marc Bourret LC 4 Christian Laumond LW 5 Hugues Ratier SO 6 Hervé Guiraud SH 7 Ivan Grésèque PR 8 Henri Daniel HK 9 André Malacamp PR 10 Charles Zalduendo SR 11 Jean-Jacques Vila SR 12 Didier Hermet (c) LK 13 Joël Roosebrouck Substitutions: IC 14 Guy Delaunay IC 15 Guy Garcia Coach: Roger Garrigue

FB 1 Gary Kemble RW 2 Gary Prohm RC 3 John Whittaker LC 4 Michael O'Donnell LW 5 Dane O'Hara FE 6 Fred Ah Kuoi HB 7 Gordon Smith PR 8 Mark Broadhurst HK 9 Alan Rushton PR 10 Kevin Tamati SR 11 Graeme West SR 12 Ray Baxendale LK 13 Mark Graham (c) Substitutions: IC 14 Howie Tamati IC 15 Bruce Dickison Coach: Ces Mountford

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Second Test

Sunday 7 December

France	3 – 11	New Zealand
Tries: Jean-Marc Bourret Goals:	[19]	Tries: Dane O'Hara Gary Prohm Gordon Smith Goals: Gordon Smith (1)

Stadium Municipal, Toulouse Attendance: 3,000 Referee: Pierre Bonnefont

France

New Zealand

FB 1 Marcel Pillon RW 2 Jean-Pierre Siré RC 3 Jean-Marc Bourret LC 4 Hugues Ratier LW 5 Bernard Imbert SO 6 Hervé Guiraud SH 7 Ivan Grésèque PR 8 Guy Hermet HK 9 André Malacamp PR 10 Dominique Verdières SR 11 Jean-Jacques Vila SR 12 Jean-Pierre Tremouille LK 13 Joël Roosebrouck (c) Substitutions: IC 14 Charles Zalduendo IC 15 Coach: Roger Garrigue

FB 1 Michael O'Donnell RW 2 Gary Prohm RC 3 John Whittaker LC 4 James Leuluai LW 5 Dane O'Hara FE 6 Fred Ah Kuoi HB 7 Gordon Smith PR 8 Mark Broadhurst HK 9 Howie Tamati PR 10 Kevin Tamati SR 11 Graeme West SR 12 Tony Coll LK 13 Mark Graham (c) Substitutions: IC 14 Alan Rushton IC 15 Bruce Dickison Coach: Ces Mountford

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Statistics

Leading try scorer

• 6 by Dane O'Hara

Leading point scorer

• 33 by Gordon Smith (1 try, 15 goals)

Largest Test attendance

• 10,946 – Second test vs Great Britain at Odsal Stadium

Largest club game attendance

• 15,945 – Hull F.C. vs New Zealand at Boothferry Park

Aftermath

Following the tour, Fred Ah Kuoi (North Sydney Bears), James Leuluai, Dane O'Hara and Gary Kemble (Hull F.C.) and Mark Broadhurst (Manly-Warringah) subsequently secured professional contracts. ^[20]

References

1. 1980 Great Britain vs New Zealand 2nd Test - Full Match
2. "Kiwi tourists". The Press . Christchurch. 8 September 1980. p. 19 – via Papers Past.
3. "Mountford calls up Campbell" . Liverpool Daily Post. 11 November 1980. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
4. Blackpool vs New Zealand
5. Hull vs New Zealand
6. Cumbria vs New Zealand
7. St Helens vs New Zealand
8. Bradford Northern vs New Zealand
9. 1st Test - Great Britain vs New Zealand
10. Hull KR vs New Zealand
11. Leeds vs New Zealand
12. Warrington vs New Zealand
13. 2nd Test - Great Britain vs New Zealand
14. Great Britain U/24 vs New Zealand
15. Widnes vs New Zealand
16. Leigh vs New Zealand
17. 3rd Test - Great Britain vs New Zealand
18. 1st Test - France vs New Zealand
19. 2nd Test - France vs New Zealand
20. New Zealand Herald. "Rugby League: Kiwis tours build up special magic". nzherald.co.nz.