1986 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France

The 1986 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France was the sixteenth Kangaroo tour in which the Australian national rugby league team (known as the Winfield Kangaroos due to sponsorship) plays a number of tour matches against British and French teams, in addition to the Test matches. The next Kangaroo tour was staged in 1990.

Australia continued its dominance, easily winning both Test series against Great Britain and France as well as defeating Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby on the way to England, going through the entire tour undefeated in a repeat of the 1982 Invincibles' tour which saw the 1986 team became known as "The Unbeatables". In twenty matches they scored 136 tries and conceded only 16, posting 738 points for and 126 against. ^[1] Terry Lamb became the first player to appear in every match on a Kangaroo Tour.

The team was coached by 1956/57 Kangaroo tourist Don Furner, who also coached the Canberra Raiders in the NSWRL that year. The squad was captained by Queensland captain Wally Lewis, the first time a Queensland based player had captained a Kangaroo tour since Tom Gorman led the 1929–30 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain. Peter Sterling was named as the tour's vice-captain, while the tour managers were Gordon Treichel and John Fleming.

National Panasonic put up AU$5,000 worth of products for the Australian player who voted as player of the tour. Team sponsor Winfield also put up $1,000 for the Australian player judged the player of the match for each Test match played on the tour.

Squad

Of the 28 players selected to go on the tour 23 were from clubs of the New South Wales Rugby League and 5 were from clubs of the Brisbane Rugby League. This was the last time players from the Queensland-based competition were selected for a Kangaroo tour.

There were a couple of notable omissions from the touring team. Parramatta Eels test winger Eric Grothe had originally been selected in the side and even had pre-tour publicity photos taken with the rest of the team. However he was ruled out late with the recurrence of a knee injury and his place was taken by young Penrith halfback Greg Alexander. The other was regular Australian vice-captain Wayne Pearce who had ruptured his Anterior cruciate ligament during the 1986 Trans-Tasman Test series against New Zealand in July. Despite an intense rehabilitation program, and being passed as fit by his surgeon, Dr Merv Cross, Pearce was ruled out of the tour by team medico Dr Bill Monoghan after a pre-tour team physical conducted at Redfern Oval in Sydney.

Surprisingly, the 1986 NSWRL Winfield Cup premiers Parramatta only supplied two players to the Kangaroos squad (vice-captain Peter Sterling and Brett Kenny). Conversely, the 1986 Brisbane premiers Wynnum-Manly supplied four players to the squad (captain Wally Lewis, Greg Dowling, Bob Lindner and Gene Miles). With the exception of Dowling who did not play the pre-tour test against Papua New Guinea, all six 1986 premiership winners played in each test on the tour.

NOTE: Statistics only show games in Great Britain and France and do not include the test against Papua New Guinea

Player	Club	Position(s)	Games (sub)	Tests (sub)	Tries	Goals	Points
Greg Alexander	Penrith Panthers	Halfback	9 (1)	-	10	5	50
Gary Belcher	Canberra Raiders	Fullback	10	-	6	0	24
Martin Bella	North Sydney Bears	Prop	8 (2)	-	1	0	4
Noel Cleal	Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles	Second-row	7	2	3	0	12
Phil Daley	Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles	Prop	7	-	0	0	0
Les Davidson	South Sydney Rabbitohs	Prop, Second-row	14	3 (2)	0	0	0
Greg Dowling	Wynnum-Manly Seagulls (Qld)	Prop	11	5	1	0	4
Paul Dunn	Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs	Prop, Second-row	11	4	0	0	0
Ben Elias	Balmain Tigers	Hooker	10	-	3	0	12
Steve Folkes	Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs	Second-row	6	1	1	0	4
Des Hasler	Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles	Halfback, Lock	8	-	4	0	16
Garry Jack	Balmain Tigers	Fullback	12	5	12	0	48
Brett Kenny	Parramatta Eels	Five-eighth, Centre	14	5	8	0	32
Les Kiss	North Sydney Bears	Wing	4	1	1	0	4
Terry Lamb	Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs	Five-eighth	20	5 (5)	19	20	116
Paul Langmack	Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs	Lock	10	-	3	0	12
Wally Lewis (c)	Wynnum-Manly Seagulls (Qld)	Five-eighth	11	5	6	0	24
Bob Lindner	Wynnum-Manly Seagulls (Qld)	Lock, Second-row	10	5	6	0	24
Mal Meninga	Canberra Raiders	Centre, Second-row	13	3 (2)	9	7	50
Gene Miles	Wynnum-Manly Seagulls (Qld)	Centre	13	5	8	0	32
Chris Mortimer	Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs	Centre, Wing	9	-	4	0	32
Bryan Niebling	Redcliffe Dolphins (Qld)	Second-row, Prop	10	5	2	0	8
Michael O'Connor	St George Dragons	Centre, Wing	14	5	13	59	170
Steve Roach	Balmain Tigers	Prop	8	1	3	0	12
Dale Shearer	Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles	Wing, Centre, Fullback	13	4	12	0	48
Royce Simmons	Penrith Panthers	Hooker	10	5	1	0	4
Paul Sironen	Balmain Tigers	Second-row	10	1	0	0	0
Peter Sterling (vc)	Parramatta Eels	Halfback	10	5	3	0	12

By Club

The touring side was represented by 18 New South Welshmen (N) and 10 Queenslanders (Q).

• Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (5): Paul Dunn (N), Steve Folkes (N), Terry Lamb (N), Paul Langmack (N), Chris Mortimer (N)
• Balmain Tigers (4): Ben Elias (N), Garry Jack (N), Steve Roach (N), Paul Sironen (N)
• Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (4): Noel Cleal (N), Phil Daley (N), Des Halser (N), Dale Shearer (Q)
• Wynnum-Manly Seagulls (4): Wally Lewis (captain) (Q), Greg Dowling (Q), Bob Lindner (Q), Gene Miles (Q)
• Canberra Raiders (2): Gary Belcher (Q), Mal Meninga (Q)
• North Sydney Bears (2): Martin Bella (Q), Les Kiss (Q)
• Parramatta Eels (2): Peter Sterling (N) (vice-captain), Brett Kenny (N)
• Penrith Panthers (2): Greg Alexander (N), Royce Simmons (N)
• Redcliffe Dolphins (1): Bryan Niebling (Q)
• South Sydney Rabbitohs (1): Les Davidson (N)
• St George Dragons (1): Michael O'Connor (N)

Papua New Guinea

Before flying to England, the Kangaroos played their second ever Test against Papua New Guinea at the Lloyd Robson Oval in Port Moresby on 4 October. In front of 17,000 fans (still the record attendance for the venue as of 2017), the Wally Lewis led Kangaroos defeated the Kumuls 62–12. Reserve Australian forward Paul Sironen made his test debut in the game. This was the first of three test matches on the tour that counted towards the ongoing 1985-1988 Rugby League World Cup

4 October 1986

Papua New Guinea	12 – 62	Australia
Tries: Bal Numapo (2) Goals: Dairi Kovae (2/2)	[2]	Tries: Noel Cleal (2) Les Kiss (2) Michael O'Connor (2) Garry Jack Des Hasler Wally Lewis Bob Lindner Chris Mortimer Steve Roach Goals: Michael O'Connor (7/12)

Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby Attendance: 17,000 Referee: Neville Kesha

Papua New Guinea

Australia

FB 1 Dairi Kovae RW 2 Joe Katsir RC 3 Lauta Atoi LC 4 Bal Numapo LW 5 Mafu Kerekere FE 6 Daruis Haili HB 7 Tony Kila (c) PR 8 Joe Tep HK 9 Roy Heni PR 10 Ati Lomutopa SR 11 Bobby Ako SR 12 Bernard Waketsi LK 13 Arebo Taumaku Substitutions: IC 14 Kepi Saea IC 15 Noah Andy Coach: Barry Wilson

FB 1 Garry Jack LW 2 Michael O'Connor RC 3 Gene Miles LC 4 Chris Mortimer RW 5 Les Kiss FE 6 Wally Lewis (c) HB 7 Des Hasler PR 8 Steve Roach HK 9 Royce Simmons PR 10 Bryan Niebling SR 11 Paul Dunn SR 12 Noel Cleal LF 13 Bob Lindner Substitutions: IC 14 Mal Meninga IC 15 Paul Sironen Coach: Don Furner

Great Britain

The Kangaroos played 13 games in England, including the three Ashes tests against Great Britain. Australia kept alive its streak of not having lost to an English club or provincial team since 1978. The English leg of the tour drew a total of 212,068 fans to the 13 games (including the three tests).

Test Venues

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

Manchester	Leeds	Wigan
Old Trafford	Elland Road	Central Park
Capacity: 51,000	Capacity: 32,500	Capacity: 30,000

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Sunday, 12 October

Wigan	18 – 26	Australia
Tries: Dean Bell, Shaun Edwards, Joe Lydon Goals: Henderson Gill (3/4)	[3]	Tries: Michael O'Connor, Peter Sterling, Noel Cleal, Wally Lewis, Les Kiss Goals: Michael O'Connor (3/5)

Central Park, Wigan Attendance: 30,622 Referee: John Holdsworth Player of the Match: Bryan Niebling

Wigan

Australia

FB 1 Steve Hampson RW 2 Dean Bell CE 3 David Stephenson CE 4 Joe Lydon LW 5 Henderson Gill SO 6 Shaun Edwards SH 7 Mike Ford PR 8 Graeme West (c) HK 9 Martin Dermott PR 10 Brian Case SR 11 Ian Roberts SR 12 Ian Potter LF 13 Andy Goodway Substitutions: IC 14 Nick Du Toit IC 15 Rob Louw Coach: Graham Lowe

FB 1 Garry Jack LW 2 Michael O'Connor CE 3 Gene Miles CE 4 Brett Kenny RW 5 Les Kiss FE 6 Wally Lewis (c) HB 7 Peter Sterling PR 8 Steve Roach HK 9 Royce Simmons PR 10 Bryan Niebling SR 11 Paul Sironen SR 12 Noel Cleal LK 13 Bob Lindner Substitutions: IC 14 Terry Lamb IC 15 Les Davidson Coach: Don Furner

The Kangaroos led 16–2 at half time in front of 30,622 fans (the record for a Wigan vs Australia match on a Kangaroo Tour) in the tour opener at Wigan (10,000 more than would attend the dead rubber 3rd test at the same ground some 6 weeks later). A fightback in the second half by the home side saw them close the game to just 8 points at full time. ^[4]

The attendance at this game (30,622) was the largest crowd the Kangaroos had played in front of in England since 30,604 attended the 3rd Ashes Test at Headingley on the 1978 Kangaroo tour. It was also the highest ever tour game attendance against Wigan beating the 28,554 who attended the match at Central Park between Wigan and the 1948–49 Kangaroos captained by Clive Churchill.

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Wednesday, 15 October

Hull Kingston Rovers	10 – 46	Australia
Tries: Kerry Boustead Goals: John Dorahy (3)	[5]	Tries: Terry Lamb (5), Ben Elias (2), Paul Langmack, Chris Mortimer Goals: Terry Lamb (3) Mal Meninga (2)

Craven Park, Hull Attendance: 6,868 Referee: Gerry Kershaw Player of the Match: Terry Lamb

Hull KR

Australia

FB 1 George Fairbairn (c) RW 2 Garry Clark CE 3 John Dorahy CE 4 Kerry Boustead LW 5 David Laws SO 6 Mike Smith SH 7 Wayne Parker PR 8 Mark Broadhurst HK 9 Chris Rudd PR 10 Asuquo Ema SR 11 Andy Kelly SR 12 Des Harrison LF 13 Paul Speckman Substitutions: IC 14 Ray Stead IC 15 Dave Busby Coach: Roger Millward

FB 1 Gary Belcher LW 2 Chris Mortimer CE 3 Gene Miles CE 4 Mal Meninga RW 5 Dale Shearer FE 6 Terry Lamb HB 7 Des Hasler PR 8 Greg Dowling HK 9 Benny Elias (c) PR 10 Martin Bella SR 11 Steve Folkes SR 12 Paul Dunn LK 13 Paul Langmack Substitutions: IC 14 Greg Alexander IC 15 Les Davidson Coach: Don Furner

All of Hull KR's points were scored by Australian's. Former Wests, Manly and Illawarra back John Dorahy kicked 3 goals for the Robins while 1978 and 1982 Kangaroo tourist and 25 test veteran Kerry Boustead scored the only try for the home team with all 10 points coming in the first half. For the Kangaroos, Terry Lamb crossed for 5 of the teams 9 tries. Australian halfback Des Hasler broke his hand in the first half and was replaced by Greg Alexander. Hasler's injury would keep him out of action for a month and he would not return to the field until the 11th game of the tour against Hull F.C. at The Boulevard.

For the match at Craven Park, Kangaroo tour broadcaster Network Ten had to hire extra lighting to bring the lights up to broadcasting standard. It would become a common theme and problem during tour games for Ten with all bar the Ashes tests and the games against Wigan, Leeds and Hull F.C. being played at night at grounds where the lighting was usually not up to broadcast standard. ^[6]

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Sunday, 19 October

Leeds	0 – 40	Australia
Tries: Goals: David Creasser (0/1)	[7]	Tries: Michael O'Connor (2), Wally Lewis (2), Garry Jack, Noel Cleal, Greg Dowling, Brett Kenny Goals: Michael O'Connor (4/8)

Headingley, Leeds Attendance: 11,389 Referee: Robin Whitfield

Leeds

Australia

FB 1 Paul Gill RW 2 David Creasser CE 3 Andrew Ettingshausen CE 4 Mark McGaw LW 5 Norman Francis SO 6 John Holmes SH 7 Andy Gascoigne PR 8 Jeff Grayshon HK 9 Bob Morris PR 10 Peter Smith SR 11 Phil Owen SR 12 Gary Price LF 13 David Heron (c) Substitutions: IC 14 Paul Medley IC 15 Trevor Skerrett Coach: Peter Fox

FB 1 Garry Jack RW 2 Les Kiss CE 3 Brett Kenny CE 4 Gene Miles LW 5 Michael O'Connor FE 6 Wally Lewis (c) HB 7 Peter Sterling PR 8 Steve Roach HK 9 Royce Simmons PR 10 Bryan Niebling SR 11 Paul Sironen SR 12 Noel Cleal LK 13 Bob Lindner Substitutions: IC 14 Terry Lamb IC 15 Greg Dowling Coach: Don Furner

Leeds were unlucky not to be awarded a try midway through the second half after it appeared that replacement forward Trevor Skerrett had managed to get the ball down after good lead up work by former Great Britain international Jeff Greyshon. However an un-sighted referee Whitfield ruled that Skerrett had been held up in-goal. Leeds only other scoring opportunity came in the first half but young winger David Creasser missed a relatively simple penalty kick from in front of the posts. Leeds' centre pairing for the game were Cronulla-Sutherland imports Andrew Ettingshausen and Mark McGaw who would play against Leeds for Australia on the 1990 Kangaroo tour. ^[8]

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Tuesday, 21 October

Cumbria	12 – 48	Australia
Tries: Graeme Cameron, Les Holliday Goals: Graeme Cameron (2)	[9]	Tries: Greg Alexander (3), Terry Lamb (3), Dale Shearer (2), Gary Belcher, Mal Meninga Goals: Terry Lamb (3) Michael O'Connor (1)

Craven Park, Barrow-in-Furness Attendance: 4,233 Referee: John McDonald Player of the Match: Les Davidson

Cumbria

Australia

FB 1 Gary Smith RW 2 Michael James CE 3 Kevin Pape CE 4 Tony Kay LW 5 David Beck SO 6 Graeme Cameron (c) SH 7 David Cairns PR 8 David Kendall HK 9 Colin Falcon PR 10 Jeff Simpson SR 11 Stephen Mossop SR 12 Les Holliday LF 13 Milton Huddart Substitutions: IC 14 Norman Lofthouse IC 15 Bill Pattison Coach:

FB 1 Gary Belcher RW 2 Dale Shearer CE 3 Chris Mortimer CE 4 Mal Meninga LW 5 Michael O'Connor FE 6 Terry Lamb HB 7 Greg Alexander PR 8 Phil Daley HK 9 Benny Elias (c) PR 10 Martin Bella SR 11 Paul Dunn SR 12 Les Davidson LK 13 Paul Langmack Substitutions: IC 14 Paul Sironen IC 15 Coach: Don Furner

The Kangaroos only match against a full county lineup was played in front of the English leg's smallest crowd of just 4,233 at Craven Park in Barrow-in-Furness. As of 2017 this would be the 11th last game the Kangaroos played at the home of the Barrow club.

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The Ashes

1st Ashes Test

The crowd of 50,583 for the first Test at the Old Trafford ground in Manchester, set a record for an international match on British soil, beating the previous record of 42,685 for an England vs New Zealand test at the Odsal Stadium in Bradford in 1947. ^{[10] [11]} The Ashes series against Great Britain saw an aggregate Ashes series crowd of 101,560 attending the three Tests, though this fell short of the record aggregate attendance of 114,883 set during the 1948–49 Kangaroo tour. ^{[12] [13]}

Saturday, 25 October 1986

Great Britain	16 – 38	Australia
Tries: Garry Schofield Joe Lydon Tony Marchant Goals: Lee Crooks (1/3) Henderson Gill (1/1)	[14]	Tries: Gene Miles (3) Michael O'Connor (3) Garry Jack Goals: Michael O'Connor (5/9)

Old Trafford, Manchester Attendance: 50,583 Referee: Julien Rascagneres Player of the Match: Wally Lewis

Great Britain

Australia

FB 1 Joe Lydon RW 2 Tony Marchant RC 3 Garry Schofield LC 4 Ellery Hanley LW 5 Henderson Gill SO 6 Tony Myler SH 7 Deryck Fox PR 8 Kevin Ward HK 9 David Watkinson (c) PR 10 John Fieldhouse SR 11 Lee Crooks SR 12 Ian Potter LK 13 Andy Goodway Substitutions: IC 14 Shaun Edwards IC 15 Andy Platt Coach: Maurice Bamford

FB 1 Garry Jack LW 2 Michael O'Connor RC 3 Brett Kenny LC 4 Gene Miles RW 5 Les Kiss FE 6 Wally Lewis (c) HB 7 Peter Sterling PR 8 Greg Dowling HK 9 Royce Simmons PR 10 Steve Roach SR 11 Noel Cleal SR 12 Bryan Niebling LF 13 Bob Lindner Substitutions: IC 14 Terry Lamb IC 15 Mal Meninga Coach: Don Furner

The Kangaroos began their Ashes defence in a blaze of glory. Wet and windy conditions were the order of the day at Old Trafford as Gene Miles (who completely out-played Ellery Hanley) and Michael O'Connor crossed for 3 tries each. O'Connor also contributed 5 goals in the tricky conditions for a personal haul of 22 points as the Australian's took a 1–0 series lead with a convincing 38–16 win. Although soundly beaten, the Lions gave their fans something to cheer in the second half by providing something of a fightback, culminating in Joe Lydon sprinting 60 metres and out-pacing Garry Jack to score in the corner. Lydon's try created Ashes history as it was the first time in 97 tests between the two sides that a British fullback had scored a try.

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Wednesday, 29 October

Halifax	2 – 36	Australia
Tries: Goals: Colin Whitfield (1/3)	[15]	Tries: Greg Alexander (2), Terry Lamb (2), Gary Belcher, Brett Kenny, Mal Meninga Goals: Terry Lamb (4/7)

Thrum Hall, Halifax Attendance: 7,193 Referee: Mick Beaumont Player of the Match: Greg Alexander

Halifax

Australia

FB 1 Graham Eadie RW 2 Scott Wilson CE 3 Colin Whitfield CE 4 Chris Anderson (c) LW 5 Steve Smith SO 6 Neil Hague SH 7 Gary Stephens PR 8 Keith Neller HK 9 Chris Preece PR 10 Brian Juliff SR 11 Peter Bell SR 12 Paul Dixon LF 13 Grant Rix Substitutions: IC 14 Eddie Riddlesden IC 15 Coach: Chris Anderson

FB 1 Gary Belcher RW 2 Brett Kenny CE 3 Chris Mortimer CE 4 Mal Meninga LW 5 Noel Cleal FE 6 Terry Lamb HB 7 Greg Alexander PR 8 Paul Dunn HK 9 Benny Elias (c) PR 10 Martin Bella SR 11 Paul Sironen SR 12 Les Davidson LK 13 Paul Langmack Substitutions: IC 14 Michael O'Connor IC 15 Coach: Don Furner

This game saw Don Furner play a couple of players out of position with Brett Kenny and Noel Cleal on the wings.

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Sunday, 2 November

St. Helens	8 – 32	Australia
Tries: Goals: Paul Loughlin (4)	[16]	Tries: Dale Shearer (2), Noel Cleal, Mal Meninga, Gene Miles, Bryan Niebling Goals: Mal Meninga (3) Terry Lamb (1)

Knowsley Road, St. Helens Attendance: 15,381 Referee: Fred Lindop

St Helens

Australia

FB 1 Phil Veivers RW 2 Barry Ledger CE 3 Paul Loughlin CE 4 Steve Halliwell LW 5 Kevin McCormack SO 6 Brett Clark SH 7 Neil Holding (c) PR 8 Tony Burke HK 9 Graham Liptrot PR 10 Paul Forber SR 11 Roy Heggerty SR 12 Andy Platt LF 13 Chris Arkwright Substitutions: IC 14 Shaun Allen IC 15 Paul Round Coach: Alex Murphy

FB 1 Garry Jack RW 2 Dale Shearer CE 3 Brett Kenny CE 4 Gene Miles LW 5 Mal Meninga FE 6 Wally Lewis (c) HB 7 Peter Sterling PR 8 Greg Dowling HK 9 Royce Simmons PR 10 Steve Roach SR 11 Noel Cleal SR 12 Bryan Neibling LK 13 Bob Lindner Substitutions: IC 14 Terry Lamb IC 15 Paul Dunn Coach: Don Furner

With the exception of Mal Meninga on the wing in place of a resting Michael O'Connor (Meninga had played for St Helens in 1984–85 and remained a crowd favourite at Knowsley Road), the Kangaroos played with the expected 2nd Test line up. Dale Shearer had replaced the injured Les Kiss on the wing and highlighted his return to the top side with a 70-metre intercept try in the first half that in effect gave a clean bill of health to a previously injured groin muscle.

Steve Roach's tour effectively ended after dislocating his elbow during the match which would see Don Furner use Paul Dunn in the front row for the second test.

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Tuesday, 4 November

Oldham	16 – 22	Australia
Tries: Colin Hawkyard, Des Foy Goals: Mick Worrall (3/5) David Hobbs (1/1)	[17]	Tries: Terry Lamb (2), Ben Elias, Greg Alexander Goals: Michael O'Connor (3/6) Mal Meninga (0/1)

The Watersheddings, Oldham Attendance: 5,678 Referee: Mick Beaumont

Oldham

Australia

FB 1 Jeff Edwards RW 2 Paul Sherman CE 3 Des Foy CE 4 Gary Warnecke LW 5 Hussein M'Barki SO 6 David Topliss (c) SH 7 Ray Ashton PR 8 Bruce Clark HK 9 Terry Flanagan PR 10 Neil Clawson SR 11 David Hobbs SR 12 Mick Worrall LF 13 Stuart Raper Substitutions: IC 14 Colin Hawkyard IC 15 Tony Nadiole Coach: Frank Myler

FB 1 Gary Belcher RW 2 Dale Shearer CE 3 Chris Mortimer CE 4 Mal Meninga LW 5 Michael O'Connor FE 6 Terry Lamb HB 7 Greg Alexander PR 8 Phil Daley HK 9 Benny Elias (c) PR 10 Martin Bella SR 11 Steve Folkes SR 12 Les Davidson LK 13 Paul Langmack Substitutions: IC 14 Paul Sironen IC 15 Coach: Don Furner

Oldham put up a spirited display against the Kangaroos before going down by the closest score of the tour, 22–16. This would be the last time the touring Kangaroos would play Oldham.

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2nd Ashes Test

Great Britain coach Maurice Bamford surprisingly made only one change to the team that had lost heavily in Manchester. Centre Ellery Hanley was ruled out through injury and replaced by St. Helens winger Barry Ledger, with Tony Marchant moving from the wing to partner Garry Schofield in the centres. Bamford came in for heavy criticism from former Great Britain and England internationals for his selections. For the Kangaroos, Dale Shearer made his return to the Test team replacing the injured Les Kiss on the wing, while Canterbury-Bankstown forward Paul Dunn returned to the team in the front row replacing Steve Roach who had dislocated his elbow in the win over St. Helens.

Saturday, 8 November 1986

Great Britain	4 – 34	Australia
Tries: Garry Schofield Goals: Lee Crooks (0/1)	[18]	Tries: Garry Jack (2) Bob Lindner Michael O'Connor Wally Lewis Brett Kenny Goals: Michael O'Connor (5/8)

Elland Road, Leeds Attendance: 30,808 Referee: Julien Rascagneres Player of the Match: Noel Cleal

Great Britain

Australia

FB 1 Joe Lydon RW 2 Barry Ledger RC 3 Garry Schofield LC 4 Tony Marchant LW 5 Henderson Gill SO 6 Tony Myler SH 7 Deryck Fox PR 8 Kevin Ward HK 9 David Watkinson (c) PR 10 John Fieldhouse SR 11 Lee Crooks SR 12 Ian Potter LK 13 Andy Goodway Substitutions: IC 14 Shaun Edwards IC 15 Andy Platt Coach: Maurice Bamford

FB 1 Garry Jack LW 2 Michael O'Connor RC 3 Brett Kenny LC 4 Gene Miles RW 5 Dale Shearer FE 6 Wally Lewis (c) HB 7 Peter Sterling PR 8 Greg Dowling HK 9 Royce Simmons PR 10 Paul Dunn SR 11 Noel Cleal SR 12 Bryan Niebling LF 13 Bob Lindner Substitutions: IC 14 Terry Lamb IC 15 Mal Meninga Coach: Don Furner

After an even start, during which the Lions had made a couple of line breaks that had the Australian defence scrambling, the Kangaroos ran riot in the second Test, wrapping up The Ashes with a six tries to one, 34–4 win in front of 30,808 at Elland Road. The Lions only try came late in the game. Australia led 34-0 when Kangaroos fullback Garry Jack, who had scored two tries, pushed a pass 10 metres from his line to Michael O'Connor. The Aussie winger dropped the ball (which was bullet like and at his knees) and it was pounced upon by Schofield who scored only 15 metres wide of the posts. Lee Crooks missed the relatively easy conversion of his team's only try, summing up the Lions day. Such was the Kangaroos dominance that this was the only kick at goal the Lions managed throughout the match.

Bob Lindner scored the opening try of the game after backing up a strong burst up the middle by Noel Cleal. O'Connor converted the try and was also next to score after taking a cut-out pass from Peter Sterling near his own quarter line. After racing around the Lions defence, O'Connor kicked ahead as Joe Lydon loomed and easily won the 55 metre race to the ball for the try. He converted his own try to give Australia a 12–0 lead which they took into half time. The floodgates opened in the second though and the Kangaroos blew the Lions away with a powerful performance. Two tries to Garry Jack and one each to Wally Lewis and Brett Kenny saw Australia leading 34-0 before Schofield's try at least gave the crowd something to cheer. Before Kenny's try with the score at 28–0, the crowd, far from impressed with the Lions performance, had even begun to chant "What a load of rubbish" (clearly audible on the television coverage) and were actually applauding the Kangaroos open style of play.

In his television commentary of the game, former Australian dual-rugby international and 1959-60 Kangaroo tour vice-captain Rex Mossop summed up the game when calling Brett Kenny's try, stating that "Australia carved them up. They've decimated, dissected and absolutely diabolically destroyed this Great Britain side today".

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Wednesday, 12 November

Widnes	4 – 20	Australia
Tries: Goals: Mick Burke (2)	[19]	Tries: Greg Alexander, Martin Bella, Chris Mortimer Goals: Terry Lamb (2) Mal Meninga (2)

Naughton Park, Widnes Attendance: 10,268 Referee: Geoff Berry

Widnes

Australia

FB 1 Mick Burke RW 2 Dave Moran CE 3 Darren Wright CE 4 Barry Dowd LW 5 John Basnett SO 6 Tony Myler (c) SH 7 David Hulme PR 8 Steve O'Neill HK 9 Phil McKenzie PR 10 Mike O'Neill SR 11 Richard Eyres SR 12 Paul Hulme LF 13 Harry Pinner Substitutions: IC 14 IC 15 Coach: Doug Laughton

FB 1 Gary Belcher RW 2 Dale Shearer CE 3 Chris Mortimer CE 4 Mal Meninga LW 5 Les Kiss FE 6 Terry Lamb HB 7 Greg Alexander PR 8 Les Davidson HK 9 Benny Elias (c) PR 10 Martin Bella SR 11 Paul Sironen SR 12 Steve Folkes LK 13 Paul Langmack Substitutions: IC 14 Brett Kenny IC 15 Phil Daley Coach: Don Furner

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Sunday, 16 November

Hull F.C.	0 – 48	Australia
Tries: Goals:	[20]	Tries: Terry Lamb (2), Des Hasler (2), Peter Sterling, Mal Meninga, Gene Miles, Garry Jack, Dale Shearer Goals: Michael O'Connor (6)

The Boulevard, Hull Attendance: 8,231 Referee: John McDonald

Hull F.C.

Australia

FB 1 Gary Kemble RW 2 Paul Eastwood CE 3 Dane O'Hara CE 4 Stewart Vass LW 5 Carl McCoid SO 6 Fred Ah Kuoi SH 7 Phil Windley PR 8 Dave Brown HK 9 Steve Crooks PR 10 Andy Dannatt SR 11 Steve Norton SR 12 Lee Crooks (c) LF 13 Tracy Lazenby Substitutions: IC 14 Gary Pearce IC 15 Jon Sharp Coach: Len Casey

FB 1 Garry Jack RW 2 Dale Shearer CE 3 Gene Miles CE 4 Mal Meninga LW 5 Michael O'Connor FE 6 Terry Lamb HB 7 Peter Sterling (c) PR 8 Les Davidson HK 9 Royce Simmons PR 10 Phil Daley SR 11 Noel Cleal SR 12 Bryan Neibling LK 13 Paul Langmack Substitutions: IC 14 Des Hasler IC 15 Les Davidson Coach: Don Furner

Kangaroos second rower Noel Cleal broke his arm in the game against Hull which ended his tour. Peter Sterling, who had played for Hull during the 1984–85 English season and led them to the Challenge Cup Final, was given the honour of captaining the Kangaroos against his former club. After breaking his thumb during the first half of the second tour game against Hull Kingston Rovers at Craven Park, Des Hasler returned to the side off the bench and scored two tries.

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Tuesday, 18 November

Bradford Northern	0 – 38	Australia
Tries: Goals:	[21]	Tries: Bob Lindner, Greg Alexander, Chris Mortimer, Wally Lewis, Mal Meninga, Terry Lamb, Brett Kenny Goals: Greg Alexander (5)

Odsal Stadium, Bradford Attendance: 10,633 Referee: Derek Fox

Bradford Northern

Australia

FB 1 Keith Mumby (c) RW 2 Phil Ford CE 3 Steve Donlan CE 4 Phil Hellewell LW 5 Roger Simpson SO 6 John Woods SH 7 Terry Holmes PR 8 Ian Howcroft HK 9 Gary Brentley PR 10 Mario Fenech SR 11 Dick Jasiewicz SR 12 Karl Fairbank LF 13 Mal Graham Substitutions: IC 14 Brian Noble IC 15 Ian Sherratt Coach: Barry Seabourne

FB 1 Gary Belcher LW 2 Greg Alexander CE 3 Brett Kenny CE 4 Chris Mortimer RW 5 Dale Shearer FE 6 Wally Lewis (c) HB 7 Des Hasler PR 8 Paul Dunn HK 9 Royce Simmons PR 10 Martin Bella SR 11 Les Davidson SR 12 Paul Sironen LK 13 Bob Lindner Substitutions: IC 14 Terry Lamb IC 15 Mal Meninga Coach: Don Furner

This match was played in heavy rain and fog. The match saw the most even spread of Australia's "Kangaroos" and "Emu's" (midweek) teams on the tour with 7 non-test and 8 test players in the selected XV.

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3rd Ashes Test

This match also counted as part of the 1985–88 Rugby League World Cup and was the only match of the series played at a regular rugby league ground, the first two Tests having been played in soccer stadiums to take advantage of the greater spectator capacity. It was also the last Ashes Test in England played at a club home ground until the 2001 Kangaroo tour.

The only Australian team change from the second Test win was Mal Meninga coming off the bench into the second row to replace the injured Noel Cleal (broken arm) with South Sydney forward Les Davidson named on the bench in his Test debut. With the loss of Cleal, Australian coach Don Furner was mulling over whom to replace him with when team captain Wally Lewis suggested moving Meninga to the back row, reasoning that there would be little disruption to the team as both Mal and "Crusher" Cleal were roughly the same size and were fast, skilled players who played a similar style of game. After heavy criticism of his selections for the first two tests from a number of former Great Britain internationals, Maurice Bamford made five changes to the Lions with the recall of halfback Andy Gregory, centre David Stephenson, winger John Basnett and back rowers Chris Burton and Harry Pinner.

Saturday, 22 November 1986

Great Britain	15 – 24	Australia
Tries: Garry Schofield (2) Goals: Joe Lydon (2/3) Henderson Gill (1/1) Field Goals: Garry Schofield (1)	[22]	Tries: Gene Miles Bob Lindner Dale Shearer Wally Lewis Goals: Michael O'Connor (4/5)

Central Park, Wigan Attendance: 20,169 Referee: Julien Rascagneres Player of the Match: Paul Dunn

Great Britain

Australia

FB 1 Joe Lydon LW 2 Henderson Gill RC 3 Garry Schofield LC 4 David Stephenson RW 5 John Basnett SO 6 Tony Myler SH 7 Andy Gregory PR 8 Kevin Ward HK 9 David Watkinson (c) PR 10 Lee Crooks SR 11 Chris Burton SR 12 Andy Goodway LK 13 Ian Potter Substitutions: IC 14 Shaun Edwards IC 15 Ian Potter Coach: Maurice Bamford

FB 1 Garry Jack LW 2 Michael O'Connor RC 3 Brett Kenny LC 4 Gene Miles RW 5 Dale Shearer FE 6 Wally Lewis (c) HB 7 Peter Sterling PR 8 Greg Dowling HK 9 Royce Simmons PR 10 Paul Dunn SR 11 Mal Meninga SR 12 Bryan Niebling LF 13 Bob Lindner Substitutions: IC 14 Terry Lamb IC 15 Les Davidson Coach: Don Furner

As with the 1982 Ashes series, the third Test was the most genuinely contested of the Tests played, with the Lions putting in a much improved performance. Centre Gene Miles opened the scoring in the early minutes of the game, with lock forward Bob Lindner also scoring soon after. Successful conversions by Michael O'Connor saw the Kangaroos lead 12-0 after just 15 minutes and another rout looked on the cards. However, the Lions dug deep and tries to Garry Schofield either side of half time saw the game tied at 12-all with the Lions looking like winners for the first time in the series. The game was in the balance until French referee Julien Rascagneres awarded a penalty try to Australian winger Dale Shearer after he was illegally tackled by his opposite John Basnett when both were chasing the ball which Shearer had kicked downfield. A penalty goal to Joe Lydon and a field goal by Schofield reduced the deficit to 18–15, but Wally Lewis then put the result beyond doubt with a try after bamboozling the Lions defence with two dummies near the sideline before racing around to score beside the posts.

France

Wednesday, 26 November

President's XIII	4 – 36	Australia

Parc des Princes, Paris Attendance: 800

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First Test

Sunday, 30 November 1986

France	2 – 44	Australia
Tries: Goals: Gilles Dumas (1/2)	[23]	Tries: Michael O'Connor (3) Bob Lindner (2) Gene Miles (2) Garry Jack Goals: Michael O'Connor (4/9)

Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan Attendance: 6,000 Referee: Fred Lindop Player of the Match: Michael O'Connor

France

Australia

FB 1 Gilles Dumas RW 2 Didier Couston RC 3 Roger Palisses LC 4 Alain Maury LW 5 Hugues Ratier SO 6 Dominique Espugna SH 7 Patrick Entat PR 8 Max Chantal HK 9 Thierry Bernabé PR 10 Jean-Luc Rabot SR 11 Guy Laforgue (c) SR 12 Serge Titeux LK 13 Daniel Verdes Substitutions: IC 14 Serge Bret IC 15 Francis Laforgue Coach:

FB 1 Garry Jack RW 2 Dale Shearer RC 3 Brett Kenny LC 4 Gene Miles LW 5 Michael O'Connor FE 6 Wally Lewis (c) HB 7 Peter Sterling PR 8 Greg Dowling HK 9 Royce Simmons PR 10 Paul Dunn SR 11 Les Davidson SR 12 Bryan Niebling LF 13 Bob Lindner Substitutions: IC 14 Terry Lamb IC 15 Paul Sironen Coach: Don Furner

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Wednesday, 3 December

Le Pontet XIII	5 – 42	Australia
	[24]

Stade de Fargues, Le Pontet Attendance: 2,500

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Friday, 5 December

Midi-Pyrénées XIII	2 – 12	Australia
	[25]

Stade des Minimes, Toulouse Attendance: 1,500

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Sunday, 7 December

France B	0 – 50	Australia
	[26]

Stade Municipal d'Albi, Albi Attendance: 2,000

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Wednesday, 10 December

Aquitaine	8 – 50	Australia
	[27]

Stade Max Rousie, Villeneuve-sur-Lot Attendance: 500

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Second Test

Australia's win over France in the final match of the tour, which counted as part of the ongoing 1985-88 World Cup tournament, was a record margin for a Test match. ^{[28] [29]}

Saturday, 13 December

France	0 – 52	Australia
Tries: Goals:	[30]	Tries: Dale Shearer (4) Garry Jack (3) Steve Folkes Bryan Niebling Michael O'Connor Goals: Michael O'Connor (6/10)

Stade d'Albert Domec, Carcassonne Attendance: 5,000 Referee: Fred Lindop Player of the Match: Dale Shearer

France

Australia

FB 1 Patrick Wosniak RW 2 Sebastian Rodriguez RC 3 Philippe Fourquet LC 4 Francis Laforgue LW 5 Hugues Ratier SO 6 Roger Palisses SH 7 Christian Scicchitano PR 8 Max Chantal HK 9 Thierry Bernabé PR 10 Serge Titeux SR 11 Guy Laforgue (c) SR 12 Daniel Verdes LK 13 Philippe Gestas Substitutions: IC 14 Gilles Dumas IC 15 Yves Storer Coach:

FB 1 Garry Jack RW 2 Dale Shearer RC 3 Brett Kenny LC 4 Gene Miles LW 5 Michael O'Connor FE 6 Wally Lewis (c) HB 7 Peter Sterling PR 8 Greg Dowling HK 9 Royce Simmons PR 10 Paul Dunn SR 11 Steve Folkes SR 12 Bryan Niebling LF 13 Bob Lindner Substitutions: IC 14 Terry Lamb IC 15 Les Davidson Coach: Don Furner

Statistics

Leading Try Scorer

• 19 by Terry Lamb

Leading Point Scorer

• 170 by Michael O'Connor (13 tries, 59 goals)

Largest Attendance

• 50,583 - First test vs Great Britain at Old Trafford

Largest Club Game Attendance

• 30,662 - Australia vs Wigan at Central Park

References

1. Gallaway, Jack (2003). Origin: Rugby league's greatest contest 1980 - 2002. University of Queensland Press. pp. 93–94. ISBN   9780702233838.
2. 1986 Papua New Guinea vs Australia
3. Wigan vs Australia
4. 1986 Kangaroo Tour - Wigan vs Australia (full game)
5. Hull KR vs Australia
6. 1986 Kangaroo Tour - Hull KR vs Australia (full game)
7. Leeds vs Australia
8. 1986 Leeds vs Australia highlights
9. Cumbria vs Australia
10. 1947 England vs New Zealand at Rugby League Project
11. Rugby league
12. McGregor, Adrian (1991). Simply The Best: The 1990 Kangaroos. Qld: University of Queensland Press. p. 227 Tour Statistics. ISBN   0-7022-2370-0.
13. 1948/49 Ashes series at Rugby League Project
14. 1st Test - Great Britain vs Australia
15. Halifax vs Australia
16. St Helens vs Australia
17. Oldham vs Australia
18. 2nd Test - Great Britain vs Australia
19. Widnes vs Australia
20. Hull vs Australia
21. Bradford Northern vs Australia
22. 3rd Test - Great Britain vs Australia
23. 1st Test - France vs Australia
24. Le Pontet XIII vs Australia
25. Midi-Pyrénées vs Australia
26. France B vs Australia
27. Aquitaine vs Australia
28. "Unbeaten Kangaroos the 'Best Ever'". The Sydney Morning Herald . Fairfax Digital. 1986-12-15. p. 39. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
29. 1986 Kangaroo tour results at Rugby League Project
30. 2nd Test - France vs Australia

External links

• 1986 Kangaroo Tour of Great Britain and France at rl1908.com
• 1986 Kangaroo Tour of Great Britain and France at rlhalloffame.org.uk
• Ashes Series 1986 at rugbyleagueproject.com
• 1986 Kangaroos at the Sport Australia Hall of Fame
• Invincibles Again: 1986 Kangaroo Tour highlights Pt.1
• Invincibles Again: 1986 Kangaroo Tour highlights Pt.2