1989 British Lions tour to Australia

Last updated

1989 British Lions tour to Australia
Date15 May  – 16 July
Coach Flag of Scotland.svg Ian McGeechan
Tour captain Flag of Scotland.svg Finlay Calder
Test series winners British Lions (2–1)
Top test point scorer Flag of Scotland.svg Gavin Hastings (28)
Summary
PWDL
Total
12 1101
Test match
3201
Opponent
PWDL
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
3 2 0 1
Tour chronology

In 1989, the British Lions toured Australia for the first time since 1971. Unlike previous tours to Australia, the Lions did not play any matches in New Zealand, this being the first Australia-only tour since 1899. The side was captained by Finlay Calder.

Contents

The Lions suffered a 30–12 defeat in the first test in Sydney on 1 July, then their heaviest defeat by Australia. [1] In this first test, Australia scored four tries, and flyhalf Michael Lynagh kicked 5 from 6. For the second and third tests, changes included Mike Teague, recovered from injury, at blindside flanker; Rob Andrew replacing Craig Chalmers at fly-half; and Jeremy Guscott and Scott Hastings coming into the centre positions. The team became the only Lions team ever to come from 1–0 down to win a series, winning the second test in Brisbane 19–12 and the third test in Sydney 19–18. [2] [3] The Lions completed their tour with a victory of a combined ANZAC team. Teague was named player of the series.

Results

Scores and results list British Lions' points tally first.
OpponentScoreDateVenueStatusReports
ResultForAgainstPreviewMatch
Western AustraliaWon44010 Jun 1989Perry Lakes, PerthTour match
Australia BWon231814 Jun 1989MelbourneTour match [4] [5]
QueenslandWon191519 Jun 1989Ballymore, BrisbaneTour match [6]
Queensland BWon30621 Jun 1989CairnsTour match [7]
New South WalesWon232124 Jun 1989 North Sydney Oval Tour match [8]
New South Wales BWon391927 Jun 1989Apex Oval, DubboTour match [9]
Australia Lost12301 Jul 1989Sydney Football StadiumTest match [10] [11] [12] [1]
ACTWon41254 Jul 1989 Seiffert Oval, QueanbeyanTour match [13] [14] [15]
Australia Won19128 Jul 1989Ballymore, BrisbaneTest match [16] [17] [2]
Australia Won191815 Jul 1989Sydney Football StadiumTest match [18] [19] [3]
NSW Country Won721319 Jul 1989NewcastleTour match [20]
ANZAC XV Won191523 Jul 1989Ballymore, BrisbaneTour match [21] [22] [23]

Squad

Backs

NameHome countryClubNotes
Rob Andrew Flag of England.svg England Wasps
Gary Armstrong Flag of Scotland.svg Scotland Jedforest
Craig Chalmers Flag of Scotland.svg Scotland Melrose
Tony Clement Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Wales Swansea
Paul Dean IRFU flag.svg Ireland St Mary's College
John Devereux Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Wales Bridgend
Peter Dods Flag of Scotland.svg Scotland Gala
Ieuan Evans Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Wales Llanelli
Jeremy Guscott Flag of England.svg England Bath replaced injured Will Carling [24]
Mike Hall Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Wales Bridgend
Gavin Hastings Flag of Scotland.svg Scotland London Scottish
Scott Hastings Flag of Scotland.svg Scotland Watsonians
Robert Jones Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Wales Swansea
Brendan Mullin IRFU flag.svg Ireland London Irish
Chris Oti Flag of England.svg England Wasps
Will Carling Flag of England.svg England Harlequins Selected but withdrew due to injury [24]
Rory Underwood Flag of England.svg England Leicester and RAF

Forwards

NameHome countryClubNotes
Paul Ackford Flag of England.svg England Harlequins
Finlay Calder (capt) Flag of Scotland.svg Scotland Stewart's Melville FP
Gareth Chilcott Flag of England.svg England Bath
Wade Dooley Flag of England.svg England Preston Grasshoppers
Mike Griffiths Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Wales Bridgend
John Jeffrey Flag of Scotland.svg Scotland Kelso
Donal Lenihan IRFU flag.svg Ireland Cork Constitution
Brian Moore Flag of England.svg England Nottingham
Bob Norster Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Wales Cardiff
Dean Richards Flag of England.svg England Leicester
Andy Robinson Flag of England.svg England Bath
Steve Smith IRFU flag.svg Ireland Ballymena
David Sole Flag of Scotland.svg Scotland Edinburgh Academicals
Mike Teague Flag of England.svg England Gloucester
Derek White Flag of Scotland.svg Scotland London Scottish
Dai Young Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Wales Cardiff

References

  1. 1 2 McMurtrie, Bill (3 July 1989). "Lack of quality in crucial areas proves costly". The Glasgow Herald . p. 20. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  2. 1 2 McMurtrie, Bill (10 July 1989). "Lions manage to regain pride". The Glasgow Herald. p. 18. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  3. 1 2 McMurtrie, Bill (17 July 1989). "Campese's error ensures that the Lions get their just reward. Australia 18 British Isles 19". The Glasgow Herald. p. 18. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  4. ↑ "Nine test players to take on Lions". The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. 6 June 1989. p. 24. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  5. ↑ "Sluggish Lions sneak home". The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. 15 June 1989. p. 18. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  6. ↑ "Qld no match for tourists in front-line duel". The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. 18 June 1989. p. 16. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  7. ↑ "Lions promise fast, open game". The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. 21 June 1989. p. 46. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  8. ↑ "Calm Chalmers saves battered Lions' pride". The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. 25 June 1989. p. 18. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  9. ↑ "Aussies will wilt under Lions' fire". The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. 28 June 1989. p. 47. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  10. ↑ "Hall in Lions line-up". The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. 29 June 1989. p. 20. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  11. ↑ "Dwyer admits to 'rough side'". The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. 30 June 1989. p. 18. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  12. ↑ "Australia 20 Lions 12". ESPN. 1 July 1989. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  13. ↑ Foster, Michael (29 June 1989). "Intense training as Lions approach". The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. p. 20. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  14. ↑ Foster, Michael (4 July 1989). "Times Sport - ACT prode, record to test Lions". The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. p. 26. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  15. ↑ Foster, Michael (5 July 1989). "Stupid errors cost ACT prized scalp". The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. p. 44. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  16. ↑ "Lions claw their way to victory". The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. 9 July 1989. p. 16. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  17. ↑ "Lions re-find their roar". ESPN. 8 July 1989. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  18. ↑ "Times Sport - ARU condemns violence on Test eve". The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. 15 July 1989. p. 40. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  19. ↑ "Australia 18 Lions 19". ESPN. 15 July 1989. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  20. ↑ "Long takes charge for Lions". The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. 19 July 1989. p. 50. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  21. ↑ "Injury woes beset Anzac rugby team". The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. 18 July 1989. p. 26. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  22. ↑ "Lions' final match against Anzacs 'no anti-climax'". The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. 23 July 1989. p. 16. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  23. ↑ "Worries continue as Lions beat Anzacs". The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. 24 July 1989. p. 22. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  24. 1 2 Rugby Football Union, "Official programme of 1990 Four Home Unions vs Rest of Europe programme, 1990, Rugby Football Union
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