1982 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France

1982 Kanagaroos tour
Date	10 October 1982 – 18 December 1982
Manager	Frank Farrington
Coach(es)	Frank Stanton
Tour captain(s)	Max Krilich
Top point scorer(s)	Mal Meninga (158)
Top try scorer(s)	Steve Ella (22)
Summary	P W D L
Total	22 22 00 00
Test match	05 05 00 00
Opponent	P W D L
Great Britain	3 3 0 0
France	2 2 0 0
Tour chronology
Previous tour	1978
Next tour	1986

The 1982 Kangaroo tour was the fifteenth Kangaroo tour where the Australian national rugby league team played a number of matches against British and French rugby league teams, in addition to the Test matches. The Australia national rugby league team have generally since 1908 barring wartime, toured Great Britain every four years often capping the tour with matches and Tests in France. This regular touring side (and in recent years all Australian representative sides) are known as the Kangaroos.

The 1982 Kangaroos, coached by Frank Stanton dominated, winning both Test series against Great Britain (three Tests) and France (two Tests); winning every match of the tour and earning the nickname The Invincibles. This was the first Kangaroo undefeated touring side winning twenty-two matches played and scoring 1,005 points with 120 against at an average of 45.6 points per game while conceding only 5.4 points per game. The twenty-eight player squad was captained by Max Krilich, with Wally Lewis his deputy. The next Kangaroo Tour was staged in 1986.

Touring party

The team was coached by the tough and single-minded Balmain Tigers coach Frank Stanton who demanded great discipline and focus from his sides and who was making his third tour. Stanton's first tour came as a player in 1963–64, while this was his second consecutive as coach after also coaching the 1978 Kangaroo tour. Manly-Warringah's Max Krilich was making his second Kangaroo tour and was named captain and carried out his duties coolly and with great application. ^[1] Queensland captain Wally Lewis was named as tour vice-captain.

Interviewed by journalist/author Ian Whiticker in 2004 Krilich said about the talented squad; "The players in that squad were yet to reach their full potential. We were criticised as a weak side, but nobody knew how great a player Wayne Pearce was going to be on the tour. Wally Lewis was still in his early 20s, and many of the Queenslanders were in the early stages of their careers". He also spoke of Stanton (who was his Manly-Warringah club coach when he had won the 1976 and 1978 NSWRFL premierships, the second of which Krilich was captain of the Sea Eagles): "Frank was a mentally tough coach who totally believed in what he told his players. Great credit must go to Stanton who played down the accomplishment and kept our heads straight." ^[2]

While the pair did not enjoy an easy relationship, mostly due to Stanton not being impressed with his attitude to training or habits on tour which actually caused him to put on weight, Wally Lewis also found respect for Stanton he had not previously experienced after making his test debut under him against France in 1981. After missing selection for the first Test in Hull in favour of Parramatta's 1982 premiership winning Five-eighth Brett Kenny, Stanton challenged Lewis to get back into shape and win his way back into the Test team, something he achieved with selection on the bench for the second Test in Wigan and the third Test in Leeds. Lewis later admitted that early on in the tour his poor attitude did not sit well with Stanton and that it had led to his missing first test selection. Although this was his first Kangaroo Tour, it was not the first tour of Great Britain and France for Lewis who had been a member of the 1977 Australian Schoolboys rugby union tour of Japan, Great Britain and France, a team that included future dual-rugby international Michael O'Connor as well as the Ella brothers Mark, Gary and Glen, cousins of 1982 tourist Steve Ella.

Six players from the 1982 NSWRL premiership winning Parramatta Eels were selected in the squad, a new Kangaroo tour record for the club with all six players playing in at least one test each on the tour. Manly, the team they defeated in the inaugural Winfield Cup Grand Final, also had six players selected. One Manly player considered unlucky not to tour was their Queensland back rower Paul Vautin who had made his test debut earlier in the year against New Zealand and was one of Manly's best in their run to the Grand Final. His non-selection came as a shock to many and rumours started that he had missed out due to the NSW vs Qld selection room politics which prevailed at the time and that he had been a trade-off for a NSW player to be selected (ironically Vautin would be back into the test team for the first test against New Zealand in 1983). 1982 Brisbane premiers Wynnum-Manly had two players selected (Gene Miles and Rod Morris), while the team they defeated in the BRL Grand Final Souths Magpies were represented by Mal Meninga.

One notable absentee was Western Suburbs Five-eighth Terry Lamb who had represented NSW in the 1981 State of Origin game. Lamb was originally selected to tour but declined to do so due to his upcoming wedding to his fiancé Kim. ^[3]

Tour managers were the Newtown administrator Frank Farrington and Queenslands, Tom Drysdale. Open Rugby magazine claimed the Australians had brought "a new dimension of excitement and adventure" to the game and former England great Alex Murphy, who called each test for the BBC alongside Ray French, called then "men from another planet." ^[1]

This was the first Kangaroo tour since the introduction of State of Origin and it allowed Queensland to counter New South Wales' long dominance in representative selection with a record-equalling eleven Queenslanders selected for the tour. ^[4] This was a considerable increase on the Queensland representation in the 1978 Kangaroos when only three players were selected. Two of those players, Kerry Boustead and Rod Morris, were also members of the 1982 Kangaroos.

Despite there being a record number, the selection of only 11 Queenslander's in the 28 man touring squad was controversial. Queensland had won the 1982 State of Origin series despite being comparatively under prepared due to the NSWRFL clubs refusing to release their Queensland players for pre-series training. Among the Queensland Origin representatives to miss selection were Manly-Warringah's Paul Vautin and Chris Close (who had been the Man of the Match in both Origin games in 1980 and 1981), Wynnum-Manly fullback Colin Scott and South Sydney outside back Mitch Brennan.

Future Kangaroos captain Mal Meninga, making the first of his record four consecutive Kangaroo Tours, was the leading point scorer on tour with 166 from 10 tries and 68 goals, including 48 points in the three Tests against Great Britain (2 tries, 21 goals), and 17 points in the two Tests against France (1 try, 7 goals). John Ribot was the leading try scorer on tour with 25 from just 14 games, including a try in the 3rd test against Great Britain. Ribot added 20 goals to his points tally to join Meninga as the only players on tour to score over 100 points.

Player	Club	Position(s)	Tests	Matches	Tries	Goals	F/Goals	Points
Chris Anderson	Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs	Wing	0	12	8	0	0	24
Kerry Boustead	Eastern Suburbs Roosters	Wing	6	13	9	0	0	27
Les Boyd	Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles	Second-row, Prop	3	14	3	0	0	9
Greg Brentnall	Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs	Fullback	6	13	3	0	0	9
Ray Brown	Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles	Hooker, Second-row	0	14	0	0	0	0
Greg Conescu	Norths Devils (Qld)	Hooker	0	14	2	1	0	8
Steve Ella	Parramatta Eels	Fullback, Centre, Five-eighth	0	13	21	1	0	65
Eric Grothe	Parramatta Eels	Wing	4	14	21	1	0	65
Rohan Hancock	Wattles (Darling Downs, Qld)	Prop	1	10	0	0	0	0
Brett Kenny	Parramatta Eels	Five-eighth, Centre	6	12	6	0	0	18
Max Krilich (c)	Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles	Hooker	6	12	1	0	0	3
Wally Lewis (vc)	Fortitude Valley Diehards (Qld)	Five-eighth	3	14	3	9	0	27
Paul McCabe	Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles	Second-row	3	13	7	0	0	21
Don McKinnon	North Sydney Bears	Prop	0	10	3	1	0	11
Mal Meninga	Souths Logan Magpies (Qld)	Centre	6	14	10	68	0	166
Gene Miles	Wynnum-Manly Seagulls (Qld)	Centre	0	11	1	0	0	3
Rod Morris	Wynnum-Manly Seagulls (Qld)	Prop	0	12	0	0	0	0
Steve Mortimer	Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs	Halfback	0	9	6	1	0	20
John Muggleton	Parramatta Eels	Second-row	1	14	9	0	0	27
Mark Murray	Fortitude Valley Diehards (Qld)	Halfback	0	10	4	1	0	14
Wayne Pearce	Balmain Tigers	Lock, Second-row	5	13	5	0	0	15
Ray Price	Parramatta Eels	Lock	3	9	2	0	0	6
John Ribot	Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles	Wing, Lock	2	14	25	20	0	115
Rod Reddy	St George Dragons	Second-row	4	12	2	0	0	6
Steve Rogers	Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks	Centre	5	16	10	7	0	44
Ian Schubert	Eastern Suburbs Roosters	Lock, Fullback, Wing	0	12	3	0	0	9
Peter Sterling	Parramatta Eels	Halfback	5	12	8	0	0	24
Craig Young	St George Dragons	Prop	4	11	1	0	0	3

By club

The touring side was represented by 17 New South Welshmen (N) and 11 Queenslanders (Q).

• Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (5): Max Krilich (captain) (N), John Ribot (Q), Les Boyd (N), Paul McCabe (Q), Ray Brown (N)
• Parramatta Eels (6): Brett Kenny (N), Peter Sterling (N), Steve Ella (N), Eric Grothe (N), Ray Price (N), John Muggleton (N)
• Canterbury Bulldogs (3): Greg Brentnall (N), Chris Anderson (N), Steve Mortimer (N)
• Fortitude Valley Diehards (2): Wally Lewis (vice-captain) (Q), Mark Murray (Q)
• St George Dragons (2): Rod Reddy (Q), Craig Young (N)
• Wynnum-Manly Seagulls (2): Gene Miles (Q), Rod Morris (Q)
• Balmain Tigers (1): Wayne Pearce (N)
• Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (1): Steve Rogers (N)
• Eastern Suburbs Roosters (2): Ian Schubert (N), Kerry Boustead (Q)
• Norths Devils (1): Greg Conescu (Q)
• North Sydney Bears (1): Don McKinnon (N)
• Souths Magpies (1): Mal Meninga (Q)
• Warwick Wattles (1): Rohan Hancock (Q)

Papua New Guinea and Western Australia

Before flying to England, half the squad, led by Kangaroos vice-captain Wally Lewis, went to Perth to play Western Australia, while the other half, along with coach Stanton, travelled to Papua New Guinea for Australia's first ever Test match against the Papua New Guinea Kumuls, won 38–2 by the Kangaroos. Nine of the players who travelled to PNG with Stanton would go on to play in the first Test against Great Britain. Winger John Ribot crossed for four tries (though he would be overlooked for the first two Ashes Tests in favour of Eric Grothe), while fullback Greg Brentnall scored twice. Other try scorers for the Kangaroos were Kerry Boustead, Brett Kenny, Mal Meninga and Steve Rogers, while Meninga kicked 4 goals. Peter Sterling, Brett Kenny, Mark Murray and Ray Brown made their test debuts in the match.

Those missing from the 2nd test win over New Zealand earlier in the year at the Sydney Cricket Ground were Michael Cronin who did not tour, and Wally Lewis, Steve Mortimer, Les Boyd and Rod Morris who played in Perth on the same day. Of the quartet that played in Perth, only Boyd would go on to play in the first test against Great Britain.

Saturday, 2 October 1982

Papua New Guinea	2–38	Australia
Tries: Goals: Kungas Kuveu (1/2)	[5]	Tries: John Ribot (4) Greg Brentnall (2) Kerry Boustead Brett Kenny Mal Meninga Steve Rogers Goals: Mal Meninga (4/10)

Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby Attendance: 15,000 Referee: Don Wilson

Papua New Guinea

Australia

FB 1 Kungas Kuveu RW 2 Alan Rero CE 3 Ifiso Segeyaro CE 4 James Yip LW 5 D. Timi FE 6 Jon Joseph (c) HB 7 Alfred Kabavas PR 8 Tara Gau HK 9 Otti Asotau PR 10 Joe Tep SR 11 Arebo Taumaku SR 12 L. Tete LK 13 Roy Loitive Substitutions: IC 14 Francis Matmillo IC 15 Ekon Togili Coach: Skerry Palanga

FB 1 Greg Brentnall LW 2 John Ribot CE 3 Mal Meninga CE 4 Steve Rogers RW 5 Kerry Boustead FE 6 Brett Kenny HB 7 Peter Sterling PR 8 Craig Young HK 9 Max Krilich (c) PR 10 Rohan Hancock SR 11 John Muggleton SR 12 Rod Reddy LK 13 Ray Price Substitutions: IC 14 Mark Murray IC 15 Ray Brown Coach: Frank Stanton

---

Saturday, 2 October

Western Australia	5–57	Australia
Tries: Mick Rasmussen Goals: P. Harrison (1)	[6]	Tries: Eric Grothe (4), Ian Schubert (2), Chris Anderson, Greg Conescu, Steve Ella, Gene Miles, Rod Morris, Paul McCabe, Wayne Pearce Goals: Wally Lewis (4) Steve Ella (3) Les Boyd (2)

Cannington Raceway, Perth Attendance: 3,000

Western Australia

Australia

FB 1 RW 2 CE 3 CE 4 LW 5 FE 6 HB 7 PR 8 HK 9 PR 10 SR 11 SR 12 LK 13 Substitutions: IC 14 IC 15 Coach:

FB 1 Ian Schubert LW 2 Eric Grothe CE 3 Steve Ella CE 4 Gene Miles RW 5 Chris Anderson FE 6 Wally Lewis (c) HB 7 Steve Mortimer PR 8 Rod Morris HK 9 Greg Conescu PR 10 Don McKinnon SR 11 Les Boyd SR 12 Paul McCabe LK 13 Wayne Pearce Substitutions: IC 14 IC 15 Coach:

In Perth, the Kangaroos crossed for 13 tries (with Eric Grothe bagging four) and predictably defeated WA 57–5.

Great Britain

Once on English soil controversy surfaced when the incumbent Australian Test halves from the mid-year tests against New Zealand, Steve Mortimer and Wally Lewis (both had played the game against WA in Perth), were incomprehensibly not chosen for the opening match. Instead, Stanton chose to go with the halves from the test against Papua New Guinea, Parramatta's Grand Final winning duo Peter Sterling and Brett Kenny. The Eels pair took the field against Hull Kingston Rovers and, playing alongside nine of the eventual first Test team, set about locking up their positions for the first Test on 30 October.

Leading up to the first Test at the Boothferry Park ground in Hull, the Kangaroos also played a tour international match against Wales at Ninian Park in Cardiff on 24 October. The match was played in heavy rain in front of 5,617 fans and Australia, captained by Wally Lewis, ran in nine tries to one in a 37–7 rout. The game marked the first time Lewis, who would take over the Test captaincy in 1984, captained Australia in an international match.

Fiery forward Les Boyd enhanced his reputation for the rough play when he was sent off twice on tour. He was sent off in the first game of the tour against Hull Kingston Rovers at Craven Park, and in the second Test against the Lions at Central Park in Wigan. He was also sin-binned in the third Ashes Test at Headingley in Leeds.

Test Venues

The three Ashes series tests took place at the following venues.

Hull	Wigan	Leeds
Boothferry Park	Central Park	Headingley
Capacity: 26,800	Capacity: 30,000	Capacity: 30,000

---

Sunday, 10 October

Hull Kingston Rovers	10–30	Australia
Tries: Steve Hartley, Gary Prohm Goals: George Fairbairn (2)	[7]	Tries: Peter Sterling (2), Wally Lewis, Mal Meninga, Steve Rogers, Craig Young Goals: Mal Meninga (6)

Craven Park, Hull Attendance: 10,742 Referee: Fred Lindop Player of the Match: Mal Meninga

Hull Kingston Rovers

Australia

FB 1 George Fairbairn (c) RW 2 Steve Hubbard CE 3 Mike Smith CE 4 Ian Robinson LW 5 Garry Clark SO 6 Steve Hartley SH 7 James Walsh PR 8 Roy Holdstock HK 9 David Watkinson PR 10 Steve Crooks SR 11 Andy Kelly SR 12 Chris Burton LF 13 Gary Prohm Substitutions: IC 14 Phil Lowe IC 15 Coach: Roger Millward

FB 1 Greg Brentnall RW 2 Eric Grothe CE 3 Mal Meninga CE 4 Steve Rogers LW 5 John Ribot FE 6 Brett Kenny HB 7 Peter Sterling PR 8 Craig Young HK 9 Max Krilich (c) PR 10 Rod Morris SR 11 Les Boyd SR 12 Rod Reddy LF 13 Ray Price Substitutions: IC 14 Wally Lewis IC 15 John Muggleton Coach: Frank Stanton

Hull KR led the Kangaroos 8–5 at half time but that was as good as it got for Roger Millward's men as the Kangaroos piled on 25 points to just 2 in the second half to run out easy 30–10 winners. Man of the Match Mal Meninga lit up Craven Park on his first taste of football on English soil, scoring a try and kicking 6 goals in the win.

---

Wednesday, 13 October

Wigan	9–13	Australia
Tries: Henderson Gill Goals: Colin Whitfield (3)	[8]	Tries: Kerry Boustead, John Muggleton, Paul McCabe Goals: Steve Ella (2)

Central Park, Wigan Attendance: 12,158 Referee: Gerry Kershaw

Wigan

Australia

FB 1 Barry Williams RW 2 Dennis Ramsdale CE 3 David Stephenson CE 4 Colin Whitfield LW 5 Henderson Gill SO 6 Martin Foy SH 7 Gary Stephens (c) PR 8 Lee Bamber HK 9 Nicky Kiss PR 10 Glyn Shaw SR 11 Brian Juliff SR 12 Mick Scott LF 13 John Pendlebury Substitutions: IC 14 Jimmy Fairhurst IC 15 Danny Campbell Coach: Alex Murphy

FB 1 Ian Schubert RW 2 Chris Anderson CE 3 Steve Ella CE 4 Gene Miles LW 5 Kerry Boustead FE 6 Wally Lewis (c) HB 7 Steve Mortimer PR 8 Don McKinnon HK 9 Ray Brown PR 10 Rohan Hancock SR 11 Paul McCabe SR 12 John Muggleton LF 13 Wayne Pearce Substitutions: IC 14 Steve Rogers IC 15 Ray Price Coach: Frank Stanton

---

Friday, 15 October

Barrow	2–29	Australia
Tries: Goals: Steve Tickle (1)	[9]	Tries: Ian Schubert (2), Greg Conescu, Steve Ella, Mark Murray, Wayne Pearce, Steve Rogers Goals: Wally Lewis (3) Steve Rogers (1)

Craven Park, Barrow Attendance: 6,282 Referee: Derek Fox

Barrow

Australia

FB 1 Steve Tickle RW 2 Keith Bentley CE 3 Ron O'Regan CE 4 Ralph McConnell LW 5 Michael James SO 6 Mel Mason (c) SH 7 David Cairns PR 8 Malcolm Flynn HK 9 Les Wall PR 10 Peter Gee SR 11 Eddie Szymala SR 12 Mark Gillespie LF 13 Derek Hadley Substitutions: IC 14 Steve Herbert IC 15 Coach: Frank Foster

FB 1 Ian Schubert RW 2 Chris Anderson CE 3 Steve Ella CE 4 Gene Miles LW 5 John Ribot FE 6 Wally Lewis (c) HB 7 Mark Murray PR 8 Rohan Hancock HK 9 Greg Conescu PR 10 Rod Morris SR 11 Les Boyd SR 12 Rod Reddy LF 13 Wayne Pearce Substitutions: IC 14 Ray Brown IC 15 Steve Rogers Coach: Frank Stanton

---

Sunday, 17 October

St. Helens	0–32	Australia
Tries: Goals:	[10]	Tries: Kerry Boustead (2), Les Boyd (2), Eric Grothe (2), Steve Rogers, Peter Sterling Goals: Mal Meninga (4/8)

Knowsley Road, St. Helens Attendance: 8,190 Referee: Robin Whitfield Player of the Match: Les Boyd

St Helens

Australia

FB 1 Clive Griffiths RW 2 Barry Ledger CE 3 Chris Arkwright CE 4 David Fairclough LW 5 Denis Litherland SO 6 Stephen Peters SH 7 Neil Holding PR 8 Mel James HK 9 Michael Glover PR 10 Brian Gelling SR 11 Roy Mathias (c) SR 12 Paul Forber LF 13 Andy Platt Substitutions: IC 14 John Smith IC 15 Paul Brownbill Coach: Billy Benyon

FB 1 Greg Brentnall RW 2 Kerry Boustead CE 3 Mal Meninga CE 4 Steve Rogers LW 5 Eric Grothe FE 6 Brett Kenny HB 7 Peter Sterling PR 8 Craig Young HK 9 Max Krilich (c) PR 10 Les Boyd SR 11 Wayne Pearce SR 12 John Muggleton LF 13 Ray Price Substitutions: IC 14 Wally Lewis IC 15 Rod Morris Coach: Frank Stanton

---

Wednesday, 20 October

Leeds	4–31	Australia
Tries: Goals: Mark Conway (2)	[11]	Tries: Steve Ella (2), Mal Meninga (2), Kerry Boustead, Eric Grothe, Steve Rogers Goals: Mal Meninga (5)

Headingley, Leeds Attendance: 11,570 Referee: Billy Thompson Player of the Match: Wayne Pearce

Leeds

Australia

FB 1 Neil Hague RW 2 Alan Smith CE 3 Ian Wilkinson CE 4 Les Dyl LW 5 Andrew Smith SO 6 John Holmes SH 7 Mark Conway PR 8 Roy Dickinson HK 9 David Ward (c) PR 10 Tony Burke SR 11 Keith Rayne SR 12 Wayne Heron LF 13 David Heron Substitutions: IC 14 Mark Massa IC 15 Andrew Sykes Coach: Robin Dewhurst

FB 1 Greg Brentnall RW 2 Kerry Boustead CE 3 Mal Meninga CE 4 Steve Rogers LW 5 Eric Grothe FE 6 Brett Kenny HB 7 Peter Sterling PR 8 Craig Young HK 9 Max Krilich (c) PR 10 Les Boyd SR 11 Paul McCabe SR 12 John Muggleton LF 13 Wayne Pearce Substitutions: IC 14 Steve Ella IC 15 Rod Morris Coach: Frank Stanton

Wales

The Kangaroos played an international against Wales at Ninian Park in Cardiff. This was the first time Wally Lewis (playing in the unfamiliar position of centre) would captain Australia against an international team.

Sunday, 24 October 1982

Wales	7–37	Australia
Tries: Brynmor Williams Goals: Steve Fenwick (1) Lynn Hopkins (1)	[12]	Tries: Steve Ella (4) John Ribot (2) Wally Lewis Mark Murray Don McKinnon Goals: Wally Lewis (4) Don McKinnon (1)

Ninian Park, Cardiff Attendance: 5,617 Referee: Gerry Kershaw Player of the Match: Steve Ella

Wales

Australia

FB 1 Lynn Hopkins RW 2 Chris Camilleri CE 3 Steve Fenwick CE 4 John Bevan (c) LW 5 Paul Prendiville SO 6 Lynn Hallett SH 7 Brynmor Williams PR 8 Glyn Shaw HK 9 Donald Parry PR 10 Tommy David SR 11 Martin Herdman SR 12 Brian Juliff LF 13 Paul Ringer Substitutions: IC 14 Mark McJennett IC 15 Coach: David Watkins

FB 1 Steve Ella LW 2 Chris Anderson CE 3 Gene Miles CE 4 Wally Lewis (c) RW 5 John Ribot FE 6 Mark Murray HB 7 Steve Mortimer PR 8 Rod Morris HK 9 Ray Brown PR 10 Don McKinnon SR 11 Paul McCabe SR 12 Rod Reddy LK 13 Ian Schubert Substitutions: IC 14 Kerry Boustead IC 15 Greg Conescu Coach: Frank Stanton

Playing fullback, Steve Ella pressed for test selection by scoring 4 tries in the game. Only two players from the team, second row forward Rod Reddy and reserve winger Kerry Boustead, were considered certainties for selection in the upcoming 1st Ashes test.

---

The Ashes series

Due to sponsorship reasons, the 1982 Ashes was known as the "Dominion Insurance Test series".

First Test

While Australia's side for the opening Test was built around the new breed of young players such as Eric Grothe, Wayne Pearce, Mal Meninga, Brett Kenny and Peter Sterling mixing with veterans Craig Young, Les Boyd, Ray Price, Rod Reddy, Kerry Boustead, Steve Rogers and captain Max Krilich, Great Britain chose five players aged over 30. The only player over the age of 30 for the Kangaroos first test team was Krilich who had turned 33 only five days prior to the test. Great Britain were captained by veteran Leeds hooker David Ward. Making his debut for the Lions was Hull F.C. teenager Lee Crooks who was also handed the goal kicking duties in preference to George Fairbairn. Wayne Pearce was awarded the Man of the Match award after throwing the last pass for four tries and scoring a try himself.

Saturday, 30 October 1982

Great Britain	4–40	Australia
Tries Goals Lee Crooks (2/2)	[13]	Tries Mal Meninga Les Boyd Eric Grothe Ray Price Kerry Boustead Brett Kenny Wayne Pearce Rod Reddy Goals Mal Meninga (8/10)

Boothferry Park, Hull Attendance: 26,771 Referee: Julien Rascagneres Player of the Match: Wayne Pearce

Great Britain

Australia

FB 1 George Fairbairn RW 2 Des Drummond CE 3 Eric Hughes CE 4 Les Dyl LW 5 Steve Evans SO 6 John Woods SH 7 Steve Nash PR 8 Jeff Grayshon HK 9 David Ward (c) PR 10 Trevor Skerrett SR 11 Lee Crooks SR 12 Les Gorley LF 13 Steve Norton Substitutions: IC 14 IC 15 David Heron Coach: Johnny Whiteley

FB 1 Greg Brentnall LW 2 Eric Grothe CE 3 Mal Meninga CE 4 Steve Rogers RW 5 Kerry Boustead FE 6 Brett Kenny HB 7 Peter Sterling PR 8 Craig Young HK 9 Max Krilich (c) PR 10 Les Boyd SR 11 Wayne Pearce SR 12 Rod Reddy LK 13 Ray Price Substitutions: IC 14 Ray Brown IC 15 Coach: Frank Stanton

Great Britain did well in the first half to trail by only 10–4 at half time, but the two penalty goals by debutante second rower Lee Crooks was as good as it got for the home side. In the second half the Kangaroos unleashed their skills and fitness, and blazed six tries to leave the British game, and most of the 26,771 strong crowd packed into Hull's Boothferry Park stunned. The game was Australia's 5th straight win over Great Britain, dating back to the final Test of the 1978 Kangaroo Tour and including the 3–0 whitewash of the Lions on their lacklustre 1979 Australasian tour.

In his test debut for Australia, back row forward Wayne Pearce was judged as the Man of the Match thanks to his defensive work and having a hand in a number of tries as well as backing up a break by Max Krilich and Craig Young to race away and score a 45-metre try with only French referee Julien Rascagneres anywhere near him. Centre Mal Meninga, playing his 4th test and the first of what would eventually be a record 17 Ashes tests against Great Britain, scored the opening try of the game after good lead up work by Peter Sterling and Pearce, then easily palming off Les Dyl and outpacing fullback George Fairbairn to score in the corner. Meninga also kicked 8 of 10 goals for a personal haul of 19 points. His 8 goals also broke the record number of goals for an Australian in a test in England, the old record of 7 had been set by Graeme Langlands in the second test of the 1963–64 Kangaroo tour (the famous "Swinton Massacre" test). It also equaled the most goals for an Australian in an Ashes test, the record was previously the sole property of Noel Pidding who kicked 8 in the first test of the 1954 series at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

In commentary for the BBC, former Great Britain and England dual-rugby international forward Ray French stated after the final siren "Well, I've got to eat a little humble pie. I thought Great Britain could do something, but with only those two penalty goals from Lee Crooks its back to the drawing board for the Great Britain selectors I'm afraid", while his commentary partner, Wigan coach, former Lions halfback and Kangaroos tormentor Alex Murphy said during the first half "We need something to combat this lot."

---

Wednesday, 3 November

Leigh	4–44	Australia
Tries: Goals: John Woods (2)	[14]	Tries: Chris Anderson (3), Paul McCabe (3), John Ribot (3), John Muggleton (2), Wally Lewis Goals: Mal Meninga (3/11) Wally Lewis (1/2)

Hilton Park, Leigh Attendance: 7,680 Referee: Trevor Court

Leigh

Australia

FB 1 Mick Hogan RW 2 Des Drummond CE 3 John Henderson CE 4 Steve Donlan LW 5 Graham Worgan SO 6 John Woods (c) SH 7 Ken Green PR 8 Alf Wilkinson HK 9 Ray Tabern PR 10 Derek Pyke SR 11 Eric Chisnall SR 12 Geoff Clarkson LF 13 Ian Potter Substitutions: IC 14 Steve Tomlinson IC 15 Edwin Hunter Coach: Colin Clarke

FB 1 Steve Ella RW 2 Chris Anderson CE 3 Mal Meninga CE 4 Gene Miles LW 5 John Ribot FE 6 Wally Lewis (c) HB 7 Steve Mortimer PR 8 Don McKinnon HK 9 Ray Brown PR 10 Rod Morris SR 11 Paul McCabe SR 12 John Muggleton LF 13 Ian Schubert Substitutions: IC 14 IC 15 Coach: Frank Stanton

---

Sunday, 7 November

Bradford Northern	6–13	Australia
Tries: Goals: Keith Mumby (3)	[15]	Tries: Greg Brentnall, Gene Miles, Paul McCabe Goals: Steve Rogers (2)

Odsal, Bradford Attendance: 10,506 Referee: Mick Beaumont Player of the Match: Jeff Grayshon

Bradford Northern

Australia

FB 1 John Green RW 2 David Barends CE 3 Keith Mumby CE 4 Richard Davies LW 5 Steve Pullen SO 6 Bill Kells SH 7 Alan Redfearn PR 8 Jeff Grayshon (c) HK 9 Brian Noble PR 10 Gary Van Bellen SR 11 Graham Idle SR 12 Dick Jasiewicz LF 13 Alan Rathbone Substitutions: IC 14 Dean Carroll IC 15 Chris Parrott Coach: Peter Fox

FB 1 Greg Brentnall RW 2 Chris Anderson CE 3 Gene Miles CE 4 Steve Rogers (c) LW 5 Eric Grothe FE 6 Brett Kenny HB 7 Mark Murray PR 8 Craig Young HK 9 Greg Conescu PR 10 Rohan Hancock SR 11 John Muggleton SR 12 Paul McCabe LF 13 Ray Price Substitutions: IC 14 Ray Brown IC 15 Coach: Frank Stanton

---

Tuesday, 9 November

Cumbria	2–41	Australia
Tries: Goals: Lyn Hopkins (1)	[16]	Tries: Mal Meninga (2), Kerry Boustead, Steve Ella, Don McKinnon, Wayne Pearce, John Ribot, Steve Rogers, Peter Sterling Goals: Mal Meninga (7)

Brunton Park, Carlisle Attendance: 5,748 Referee: Stan Wall

Cumbria

Australia

FB 1 Lyn Hopkins RW 2 Bob Mackie CE 3 Dean Bell CE 4 Ralph McConnell LW 5 Terry Moore SO 6 Mel Mason SH 7 David Cairns PR 8 Steve Herbert HK 9 Alan McCurrie PR 10 Malcolm Flynn SR 11 Bill Pattison SR 12 Peter Gorley (c) LF 13 Derek Hadley Substitutions: IC 14 David Beck IC 15 Ian Hartley Coach:

FB 1 Greg Brentnall RW 2 Kerry Boustead CE 3 Mal Meninga CE 4 Steve Ella LW 5 John Ribot FE 6 Wally Lewis HB 7 Peter Sterling PR 8 Don McKinnon HK 9 Max Krilich (c) PR 10 Rohan Hancock SR 11 John Muggleton SR 12 Ian Schubert LF 13 Wayne Pearce Substitutions: IC 14 Steve Rogers IC 15 Ray Price Coach: Frank Stanton

This was the first time that future Australian test halves pair Wally Lewis and Peter Sterling played alongside each other as Australia's five-eighth and halfback.

---

Sunday, 14 November

Fulham	5–22	Australia
Tries: Hussein M'Barki Goals: Steve Diamond (1)	[17]	Tries: Steve Ella, John Muggleton, Mark Murray, Paul McCabe, Don McKinnon, John Ribot Goals: Steve Ella (1/4) Wally Lewis (1/4)

Craven Cottage, London Attendance: 10,432 Referee: Billy Thompson

Fulham

Australia

FB 1 David Eckersley RW 2 Adrian Cambriani CE 3 David "Dave" Allen CE 4 Steve Diamond LW 5 Hussein M'Barki SO 6 John Crossley, Jr. SH 7 Reg Bowden (c) PR 8 Harry Beverley HK 9 John Dalgreen PR 10 Tony Gourley SR 11 Martin Herdman SR 12 Peter Souto LF 13 Joe Doherty Substitutions: IC 14 Neil Tuffs IC 15 Coach: Reg Bowden

FB 1 Steve Ella LW 2 Chris Anderson CE 3 Gene Miles CE 4 Wally Lewis (c) RW 5 John Ribot FE 6 Mark Murray HB 7 Steve Mortimer PR 8 Don McKinnon HK 9 Ray Brown PR 10 Les Boyd SR 11 Paul McCabe SR 12 John Muggleton LK 13 Ian Schubert Substitutions: IC 14 Greg Conescu IC 15 Coach: Frank Stanton

---

Tuesday, 16 November

Hull F.C.	7–13	Australia
Tries: David Topliss Goals: Lee Crooks (2)	[18]	Tries: Eric Grothe (2), Kerry Boustead Goals: Mal Meninga (2)

The Boulevard, Hull Attendance: 16,049 Referee: John Holdsworth

Hull

Australia

FB 1 Gary Kemble RW 2 Dane O'Hara CE 3 Steve Evans CE 4 James Leuluai LW 5 Paul Prendiville SO 6 David Topliss (c) SH 7 Tony Dean PR 8 Mick Harrison HK 9 Keith Bridges PR 10 Paul Rose SR 11 Wayne Proctor SR 12 Lee Crooks LF 13 Mick Crane Substitutions: IC 14 Barry Banks IC 15 Mick Sutton Coach: Arthur Bunting

FB 1 Greg Brentnall RW 2 Kerry Boustead CE 3 Mal Meninga CE 4 Steve Rogers LW 5 Eric Grothe FE 6 Brett Kenny HB 7 Peter Sterling PR 8 Craig Young HK 9 Max Krilich (c) PR 10 Les Boyd SR 11 Wayne Pearce SR 12 Rod Reddy LF 13 Ray Price Substitutions: IC 14 Wally Lewis IC 15 Coach: Frank Stanton

Emulating what cross-town rivals Hull Kingston Rovers had done in the opening game of the tour, Hull led the Kangaroos at half time, this time 7–0. It would not be until Leeds led Australia 10–6 at Headingley during the 1990 Kangaroo tour that an English club side would lead the Kangaroos at half time of a tour match. However, a double to Eric Grothe and another to Kerry Boustead, with Meninga kicking 2 goals, along with Australia keeping Hull scoreless in the second saw the Kangaroos keep their undefeated record alive with a 13–7 win in front of 16,049 fans. This was the largest tour match attendance at The Boulevard since Australia defeated a combined Hull / Hull KR XIII 37–14 during the 1956–57 Kangaroo tour. It was also the Kangaroos 9th win in a row over Hull since 1911–12 and the largest tour match attendance of the 1982 tour.

Australia played the game with the same team that would line up in the second test at Wigan just 4 days later.

---

Second Test

Despite ten changes to the Lions' side, with only winger Des Drummond and props Trevor Skerrett and Jeff Grayshon (who also took over the captaincy) retained from the first Test thrashing, the second Test was scarcely a contest and the Kangaroos won by 27–6. The only change to the Kangaroos was tour vice-captain Wally Lewis' inclusion on the bench. With captain Max Krilich in some doubt with a niggling neck injury, hooker forward Ray Brown was also selected on the Kangaroos bench.

Prior to the second test, Phil Larder, the Coaching Director of the British Amateur Rugby League Association (BARLA) spent a week in camp with Frank Stanton and the Kangaroos to observe their training and tactics. After Great Britain's first test humiliation, Larder (who was not actually connected to the Great Britain team in any way) had taken it upon himself to contact Stanton and request the opportunity. English football had begun to fall well behind Australia in recent years and Larder's initiative was rewarded by being made the Coaching Director of the Rugby Football League in 1983. He would also become the assistant coach of the Great Britain side in 1983. ^[19]

Saturday, 20 November 1982

Great Britain	6–27	Australia
Tries Goals Keith Mumby (3/3)	[20]	Tries Ray Price Peter Sterling Eric Grothe Mal Meninga Steve Rogers Goals Mal Meninga (6/8)

Central Park, Wigan Attendance: 23,126 Referee: Julien Rascagneres Player of the Match: Ray Price

Great Britain

Australia

FB 1 Keith Mumby RW 2 Des Drummond CE 3 Mike Smith CE 4 David Stephenson LW 5 Henderson Gill SO 6 John Holmes SH 7 Ken Kelly PR 8 Jeff Grayshon (c) HK 9 John Dalgreen PR 10 Trevor Skerrett SR 11 Bob Eccles SR 12 Chris Burton LF 13 David Heron Substitutions: IC 14 John Woods IC 15 Alan Rathbone Coach: Johnny Whiteley

FB 1 Greg Brentnall LW 2 Eric Grothe CE 3 Mal Meninga CE 4 Steve Rogers RW 5 Kerry Boustead FE 6 Brett Kenny HB 7 Peter Sterling PR 8 Craig Young HK 9 Max Krilich (c) PR 10 Les Boyd SR 11 Wayne Pearce SR 12 Rod Reddy LK 13 Ray Price Substitutions: IC 14 Wally Lewis IC 15 Ray Brown Coach: Frank Stanton

Australia's fiery forward Les Boyd was sent off late in the first half for kicking a tackled player on the ground. The touch judge, only seeing Boyd's kick and not that it was in reaction to tackled Lions hooker John Dalgreen lashing out with a boot at Boyd while he was on the ground, came on with his flag up and French referee Julien Rascagneres, who did not actually see the incident, did not hesitate in sending Boyd off, leaving the Kangaroos to play out the remaining 46 minutes with twelve men.

Eric Grothe suffered a knee injury while scoring a try late in the first half and was replaced at half time by Wally Lewis. The injury would see Grothe miss the third Test, played a week later in Leeds. Lewis came straight in to the five-eighth position while Brett Kenny moved to the centres and Mal Meninga out to the wing. Half-way through the second half Lewis showed the 23,126 crowd at Central Park what the British game was missing when he sent a bullet like 20 metre pass to Meninga to score in the corner. The pass did psychological damage to the Lions, who wondered just how good the Kangaroos really were if a player who could pass like Lewis did could not even make the starting XIII.

---

Tuesday, 23 November

Widnes	6–19	Australia
Tries: Goals: Mick Burke (3)	[21]	Tries: Steve Mortimer (2), Paul McCabe, John Ribot, Steve Rogers Goals: Mal Meninga (2/6)

Naughton Park, Widnes Attendance: 9,790 Referee: John McDonald

Widnes

Australia

FB 1 Mick Burke RW 2 John Basnett CE 3 Joe Lydon CE 4 Keiron O'Loughlin LW 5 Chris Camilleri SO 6 Andy Gregory SH 7 David Hulme PR 8 Kevin Tamati HK 9 Keith Elwell PR 10 Steve O'Neill SR 11 Keith Newton SR 12 Eric Prescott LF 13 Tony Myler (c) Substitutions: IC 14 John Myler IC 15 Coach: Doug Laughton

FB 1 Steve Ella RW 2 Chris Anderson CE 3 Mal Meninga CE 4 Steve Rogers LW 5 John Ribot FE 6 Wally Lewis (c) HB 7 Steve Mortimer PR 8 Craig Young HK 9 Ray Brown PR 10 Rod Morris SR 11 Les Boyd SR 12 Paul McCabe LF 13 Ian Schubert Substitutions: IC 14 Mark Murray IC 15 John Muggleton Coach: Frank Stanton

---

Third Test

Injuries forced Frank Stanton to make three changes to the Kangaroos for the final Test. Eric Grothe's knee injury in the second Test kept him out with the tour's leading try scorer John Ribot re-claiming his test spot on the wing; Rod Morris replaced Craig Young in the front row; while second test man of the match Ray Price was also ruled out with a knee injury and was replaced by Paul McCabe in the second row allowing Wayne Pearce to move to his favoured position at lock forward.

Sunday, 28 November 1982

Great Britain	8–32	Australia
Tries Steve Evans Goals Lee Crooks (2/3) Field Goals Lee Crooks	[22]	Tries Kerry Boustead John Ribot Steve Rogers Brett Kenny Max Krilich Wayne Pearce Goals Mal Meninga (7/10)

Headingley, Leeds Attendance: 17,318 Referee: Julien Rascagneres Player of the Match: Brett Kenny

Great Britain

Australia

FB 1 George Fairbairn RW 2 Des Drummond CE 3 David Stephenson CE 4 Mike Smith LW 5 Steve Evans SO 6 David Topliss (c) SH 7 Andy Gregory PR 8 Mike O'Neill HK 9 Brian Noble PR 10 Paul Rose SR 11 Peter Smith SR 12 Lee Crooks LF 13 Mick Crane Substitutions: IC 14 Neil Courtney IC 15 Coach: Johnny Whiteley

FB 1 Greg Brentnall LW 2 John Ribot CE 3 Mal Meninga CE 4 Steve Rogers RW 5 Kerry Boustead FE 6 Brett Kenny HB 7 Peter Sterling PR 8 Les Boyd HK 9 Max Krilich (c) PR 10 Rod Morris SR 11 Paul McCabe SR 12 Rod Reddy LK 13 Wayne Pearce Substitutions: IC 14 Wally Lewis IC 15 Ray Brown Coach: Frank Stanton

Kangaroos coach Frank Stanton predicted that the third Test would be the best contested of the three, and he was proved correct until the final ten minutes of play. Recalled Widnes halfback Andy Gregory, and Bradford Northern hooker Brian Noble (making his Test debut), led the way for the Lions and provided a service to their speedy outside backs that Britain had lacked in the first two Tests. The Lions made more line breaks in the third Test at Headingley than they had in the previous two Tests combined. The Australian's ran with a very strong breeze in the first half and used this to their advantage, keeping much of the play in Great Britain's half, though they were unable to cross the British try line. Mal Meninga kicked three goals (two from near half-way) while Hull youngster Lee Crooks kicked two long range penalties into the breeze to keep the Lions in the game at 6–4 at half time. Lions winger Des Drummond brought the crowd to its feet mid-way through the half with a 40-metre run from near his own line before he was brought down on half-way by Greg Brentnall and Steve Rogers in cover.

The first try of the game came with just on 50 minutes gone. From deep in his own half, Brentnall made a break down the right wing after breaking a tackle. The play looked like breaking down when he didn't pass to an un-marked Kerry Boustead on his outside and was tackled from behind by a desperate David Stephenson. From there the Kangaroos spread the ball to the opposite wing where Ribot was tackled. Wayne Pearce then broke the British line before passing to Rod Reddy who gave the ball to Ribot flying on his outside. Ribot crashed over in the corner with Lions fullback George Fairbairn clinging to his legs. Pearce then made another break and sent captain Max Krilich on a 30-metre run for his first try of the tour. Krilich scored under the posts giving Meninga an easy conversion and Australia held a 14–4 lead. With just over 10 minutes left to play the Aussies were holding-off Great Britain by 14–8 and an intense finish loomed after Hull F.C. winger Steve Evans had scored the Lions only try of the series (it was also the first try the Australians had conceded in all 11 Tests they'd played since the second Ashes Test of 1979 against the Lions in Brisbane). It seemed Britain had not been so far behind Australia's standard after all, but in the final 10 minutes the Kangaroos superior fitness told and they ripped the home side apart with 4 tries to Boustead, Pearce, Steve Rogers and Man of the Match Brett Kenny to run out win 32–8 winners and become the first touring side to go through Britain undefeated.

Right on half-time there was a set-to between forwards Les Boyd and Mick Crane which resulted in an all-in brawl. Boyd had hit Lions captain David Topliss (their third captain in as many tests) with a shoulder charge on the half-way line and Topliss had lashed out with his feet at Boyd who then punched Topliss as he lay on the ground, with Crane then coming in and began trading punches with the Australian front rower. As the teams lined up for the second half, referee Rascagneres called out both Boyd and Crane and sent both to the sin-bin for 10 minutes.

The Ashes series win was Australia's 4th straight over the Lions dating back to 1974, and their second straight 3–0 Ashes series win. It also continued the streak started by the 1963–64 Kangaroos of successfully defending The Ashes in England. As of 2017, this was also the last test Australia played at Headingley. Starting with the 1986 Kangaroo tour, all test matches Australia has played in Leeds have been played at the Elland Road stadium, home of the Leeds United soccer club, due to its greater spectator capacity (Elland Road currently holds 37,890 while Headingley has a capacity of 21,062).

France

Wednesday, 1 December

Racing Club Roanne XIII	0–65	Australia
	[23]

Stade Malleval, Roanne Attendance: 2,000

---

First Test

The tourists found the French Tests more of a challenge than the British, but in the end the Kangaroos prevailed and finished their tour unbeaten.

Sunday, 5 December 1982

France	4–15	Australia
Tries Goals André Perez (2/2)	[24]	Tries Eric Grothe (2) Wayne Pearce Goals Mal Meninga (3/5)

Parc des Sports, Avignon Attendance: 8,000 Referee: Robin Whitfield

France

Australia

FB 1 André Perez RW 2 Patrick Solal CE 3 Guy Delaunay CE 4 Jacques Guigue LW 5 Philippe Fourcade SO 6 Hervé Guiraud SH 7 Ivan Grésèque PR 8 Henri Daniel HK 9 Christian Macalli PR 10 Max Chantal SR 11 Guy Laforgue SR 12 Marc Ambert LF 13 Joël Roosebrouck (c) Substitutions: IC 14 Christian Laumond IC 15 Manuel Caravaca Coach: Michel Maïque

FB 1 Greg Brentnall RW 2 Kerry Boustead CE 3 Steve Rogers CE 4 Brett Kenny LW 5 Mal Meninga FE 6 Wally Lewis HB 7 Peter Sterling PR 8 Craig Young HK 9 Max Krilich (c) PR 10 Rod Morris SR 11 Paul McCabe SR 12 Les Boyd LK 13 Wayne Pearce Substitutions: IC 14 Eric Grothe IC 15 Ray Brown Coach: Frank Stanton

During the first half, Wally Lewis dislocated his shoulder while attempting to tackle a French player which ended his tour, though as there were only 2 weeks remaining he remained with the squad until they returned to Australia (the injury was a recurrence of a similar injury he had suffered while touring Great Britain and France with the Australian Schoolboys rugby union team in 1977). He was replaced by Eric Grothe who went to the wing, Mal Meninga moved to his preferred centre with Brett Kenny moving to 5/8. Within 12 minutes of being on the field, Grothe had scored two tries.

---

Tuesday, 7 December

Aquitaine	2–67	Australia
	[25]

Stade de la Myre Mory, Villeneuve Attendance: 3,579 Referee: H. Martinez

---

Thursday, 9 December

Les Espoirs (Colts)	3–42	Australia
	[26]

Stade des Minimes, Toulouse Attendance: 2,000

---

Sunday, 12 December

XIII Catalan	2–53	Australia
	[27]

Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan Attendance: 4,676 Referee: J. Rascagneres

---

Tuesday, 14 December

Midi-Pyrénées XIII	0–26	Australia
	[28]

Stade Municipal, Pamiers Attendance: 1,000

---

Second Test

Saturday, 18 December 1982

France	9–23	Australia
Tries Ivan Grésèque Goals Étienne Kaminski (3/3)	[29]	Tries Eric Grothe (2) Brett Kenny Rod Reddy Mal Meninga Goals Mal Meninga (4/5)

Stade de l'Egassiarial, Narbonne Attendance: 7,000 Referee: Robin Whitfield

France

Australia

FB 1 Jacques Guigue RW 2 Patrick Solal CE 3 Guy Delaunay CE 4 Christian Laumond LW 5 Étienne Kaminski SO 6 Hervé Guiraud SH 7 Ivan Grésèque PR 8 Charles Zalduendo HK 9 Christian Macalli PR 10 Max Chantal SR 11 Jean-Jacques Cologni SR 12 Guy Laforgue LF 13 Joël Roosebrouck (c) Substitutions: IC 14 Michel Laville IC 15 Manuel Caravaca Coach: Michel Maïque

FB 1 Greg Brentnall RW 2 Kerry Boustead CE 3 Mal Meninga CE 4 Steve Rogers LW 5 Eric Grothe FE 6 Brett Kenny HB 7 Peter Sterling PR 8 Craig Young HK 9 Max Krilich (c) PR 10 Les Boyd SR 11 Rod Reddy SR 12 Paul McCabe LK 13 Wayne Pearce Substitutions: IC 14 Steve Ella IC 15 Ray Brown Coach: Frank Stanton

Statistics

Largest Attendance

• 26,771 – First test vs Great Britain at Boothferry Park

Largest Club Game Attendance

• 16,049 – Australia vs Hull F.C. at The Boulevard

Leading Point Scorer

• 169 by Mal Meninga (11 tries, 68 goals)

Leading Try Scorer

• 25 by Eric Grothe

The tally of 25 tries by Eric Grothe includes 4 tries scored in the match against Western Australia.
The leading try scorer in Great Britain and France was Steve Ella, with 22. Ella also scored one try against Papua New Guinea.

Location	Point Scorer			Leading Try Scorers
	Mal Meninga			Steve Ella	Eric Grothe	John Ribot
	Tries	Goals	Points	Tries	Tries	Tries
Papua New Guinea	1	4	11	dnp	dnp	4
Western Australia	dnp			1	4	dnp
Great Britain	7	50	121	9	7	9
France	3	14	37	13	14	10
Total	11	68	169	23	25	23

Aftermath

Following the most successful Kangaroo Tour in history, a number of Australians were targeted by English clubs. Over the next 3 years players such as Peter Sterling (Hull F.C.), Brett Kenny and Steve Ella (Wigan), Eric Grothe (Leeds), Wally Lewis (Wakefield Trinity) and Mal Meninga (St Helens) would have short, but successful stints in England.

See also

• Heads, Ian and Lester, Gary (1988) 200 Years of Australian Sport, Lester Townsend, Sydney
• Whiticker, Alan(2004) Captaining the Kangaroos, New Holland, Sydney
• Andrews, Malcolm (2006) The ABC of Rugby League Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Sydney
• Australian cricket team in England in 1948

References

1. Heads, Lester p309
2. Whiticker p319
3. Last Straw for Lamb
4. John MacDonald and Ian Arnold (29 June 1989). "Kangaroos fly the Maroon flag". The Sydney Morning Herald . Australia. p. 50. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
5. Papua New Guinea vs Australia
6. Western Australia vs Australia
7. Hull KR vs Australia
8. Wigan vs Australia
9. Barrow vs Australia
10. St Helens vs Australia
11. Leeds vs Australia
12. Wales vs Australia
13. 1st Ashes Test
14. Leigh vs Australia
15. Bradford Northern vs Australia
16. Cumbria vs Australia
17. Fulham vs Australia
18. Hull F.C. vs Australia
19. McGregor, Adrian (1991). Simply The Best: The 1990 Kangaroos (First ed.). Queensland: University of Queensland Press. pp. 46–59 The Fall and Rise of England. ISBN   0-7022-2370-0.
20. 2nd Ashes Test
21. Widnes vs Australia
22. 3rd Ashes Test
23. Roanne XIII vs Australia
24. 1st Test – France vs Australia
25. Aquitaine vs Australia
26. Les Espoirs vs Australia
27. XIII Catalan vs Australia
28. Midi-Pyrénées vs Australia
29. 2nd Test – France vs Australia

External links

• 1982 Kangaroo Tour of Great Britain and France at rl1908.com
• 1982 Kangaroo Tour of Great Britain and France at rlhalloffame.org.uk
• Ashes Series 1982 at rugbyleagueproject.com
• "1982 Kangaroos Tour of England and France" by Jason Cave (theroar.com.au)