The 1914 Great Britain Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand was the second ever British national rugby league team or 'Lions' tour of Australasia, where it was winter and matches were played against the Australian and New Zealand national sides, as well as several local teams. The tour repeated the promotional and financial success of the 1910 Great Britain Lions tour of Australasia and became famous for the third and deciding Ashes test, known as the "Rorke's Drift Test" due to a backs-to-the wall British victory against all odds.[1]

Touring squad

At the 1913–14 Northern Rugby Football Union season's conclusion, the following Great Britain squad was assembled by the Northern Rugby Football Union to represent it on the tour of Australasia. The Union's tour manager was John Clifford.[2][3][4][5]

Name Club Position Appearances Tests Tries Goals Points
Jack Chilcott HuddersfieldForward113103
James Clampitt Broughton RangersForward111206
Douglas Clark HuddersfieldForward63103
Percy Coldrick WiganForward1046018
William Davies LeedsThree-quarter back13213243
Alfred Francis HullThree-quarter back306018
Walter Guerin HunsletForward8011431
Billy Hall OldhamThree-quarter back1246018
Dave Holland OldhamForward1247021
Billy Jarman LeedsForward923111
Bert Jenkins WiganThree-quarter back1028024
Arthur Johnson WidnesForward1227225
Fred Longstaff HuddersfieldForward822414
Stan Moorhouse HuddersfieldThree-quarter back10219057
Jack O'Garra WidnesHalf-back805015
Stuart Prosser HalifaxHalf-back81309
Dick Ramsdale WiganForward94103
Jack Robinson Rochdale HornetsThree-quarter back524318
Johnny Rogers HuddersfieldHalf-back712312
Walter Roman Rochdale HornetsForward70103
John Smales HunsletForward70206
Fred Smith HunsletHalf-back124206
Gwyn Thomas WiganFull-back61139
Harold Wagstaff (c) HuddersfieldThree-quarter back13411441
Frank Williams HalifaxThree-quarter back727021
Alf Wood OldhamFull-back9214797

Australia

The first leg of the tour was Australia, where the game of rugby league football was in its seventh year since splitting away from rugby union in 1908. the tourists ventured to Adelaide, Melbourne, Ipswich and Bathurst, as well as Sydney, Brisbane and Newcastle.[6]

The Australian team was captained in all three Ashes Tests by North Sydney skipper Sid Deane.[7]

Test venues

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

Sunday 24 May South Australia 0 – 101 Northern Union Hawthorn Oval, Adelaide
Tries:

Goals:		 [8] Tries:
William Davies (4), Bert Jenkins (4), Frank Williams (4), Percy Coldrick (2), Billy Jarman (2), Jack Robinson (2), James Clampitt, Dave Holland, Arthur Johnson, John Smales, Alf Wood
Goals:
Alf Wood (15)
Jack Robinson (1)
Attendance: 2,500

South Australia: J. Lawson, R. Cooksley, O. Howard, E. Dutton, P. Knowles, W. Oldfield, M. Moran, C. Fincham, J. Sorensen, F. Stewart, J. Carr, A. Shuttleworth, P. Jackson. Res – L. Scott

Northern Union: Alf Wood (c), Jack Robinson, William Davies, Bert Jenkins, Frank Williams, Fred Smith, Jack O'Garra, James Clampitt, Billy Jarman, Arthur Johnson, Dave Holland, Percy Coldrick, John Smales

Saturday 6 June Metropolis 38 – 10 Northern Union Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Tries:
Harold Horder (2), Sid Deane, Arthur Halloway, Bill Kelly, Ray Norman
Goals:
Wally Messenger (9)
Field Goals:
Howard Hallett (1)		 [9] Tries:
Dave Holland, Stuart Prosser
Goals:
Joseph Guerin (1)
Johnny Rogers (1)
Attendance: 50,257
Referee: Tom McMahon Sr.

Metropolis: Howard Hallett, Harold Horder, Sid Deane (c), Bill Kelly, Wally Messenger, Ray Norman, Arthur Halloway, Jack Watkins, Sid Pearce, Con Sullivan, Paddy McCue, Ed Courtney, Frank Burge

Northern Union: Alf Wood, Frank Williams, William Davies (c), Bert Jenkins, Jack Robinson, Stuart Prosser, Johnny Rogers, Joseph Guerin, James Clampitt, Walter Roman, Billy Jarman, Dave Holland, John Smales

Monday 8 June New South Wales 11 – 3 Northern Union Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Tries:
Bill Kelly, Ray Norman
Goals:
Harold Horder (3)
Wally Messenger (1)		 [10] Tries:
Harold Wagstaff
Goals:
Attendance: 49,000
Referee: Tom McMahon Sr.

NSW: Howard Hallett, Harold Horder, Sid Deane (c), Bill Kelly, Wally Messenger, Ray Norman, Arthur Halloway, Jack Watkins, Sid Pearce, Con Sullivan, Paddy McCue, Ed Courtney, Frank Burge. Res – Charles Fraser

Northern Union: Gwyn Thomas, William Davies, Harold Wagstaff (c), Bert Jenkins, Stan Moorhouse, Billy Hall, Johnny Rogers, Percy Coldrick, Douglas Clark, Arthur Johnson, Billy Jarman, Dave Holland, Jack Chilcott

Saturday 13 June Queensland 10 – 18 Northern Union Brisbane Exhibition Ground, Brisbane
Tries:
Herbert McCabe, Charles Scott
Goals:
Henry Bolewski (2)		 [11] Tries:
Alfred Francis (2), Frank Williams (2)
Goals:
Gwyn Thomas (1)
Joseph Guerin (1)
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: C. Turner

Queensland: Mick Bolewski (c), Herbert McCabe, Walter Bolewski, Henry Bolewski, William Beavis, Daniel Rowley, Evan Lewis, Jack Egan, Thomas Dean, Harold Bawden, Charles Scott, William Pritchard, James Adams

Northern Union: Gwyn Thomas, Frank Williams, Harold Wagstaff (c), William Davies, Alfred Francis, Fred Smith, Jack O'Garra, Joseph Guerin, Douglas Clark, Fred Longstaff, Dick Ramsdale, John Smales, Jack Chilcott

Wednesday 17 June Ipswich 8 – 45 Northern Union North Ipswich Reserve, Ipswich
Tries:

Goals:		 [12] Tries:
Alfred Francis (5), Stan Moorhouse (3), Harold Wagstaff (2), Arthur Johnson
Goals:
Harold Wagstaff (4)
Billy Jarman (1)
Arthur Johnson (1)
Attendance: 2,000

Northern Union: Billy Jarman, Stan Moorhouse, Harold Wagstaff (c), Billy Hall, Alfred Francis, Stuart Prosser, Fred Smith, Arthur Johnson, Joseph Guerin, James Clampitt, Walter Roman, Percy Coldrick, Fred Longstaff

Saturday 20 June Queensland 8 – 22 Northern Union Brisbane Exhibition Ground, Brisbane
Tries:

Goals:
Henry Bolewski (4)		 [13] Tries:
Stan Moorhouse (2), Percy Coldrick, Billy Hall, Johnny Rogers, Harold Wagstaff
Goals:
Fred Longstaff (1)
Gwyn Thomas (1)
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: Jack Roche

Queensland: Mick Bolewski (c), Herbert McCabe, John Birkett, Henry Bolewski, William Beavis, Thomas Hennessy, Evan Lewis, Jack Egan, Thomas Dean, Peter Olsen, Charles Scott, William Pritchard, Don Jeffrey

Northern Union: Gwyn Thomas, Frank Williams, Harold Wagstaff (c), Bert Jenkins, Stan Moorhouse, Billy Hall, Johnny Rogers, Percy Coldrick, Douglas Clark, Fred Longstaff, Dick Ramsdale, Billy Jarman, Jack Chilcott

Wednesday 24 June Newcastle 18 – 35 Northern Union Newcastle Sports Ground, Newcastle
Tries:
Arthur Baber, J. Coleman, W. Coleman, P. Scully
Goals:
W. Coleman (1)
J. Maloney (1)
P. Scully (1)		 [14] Tries:
Harold Wagstaff (2), William Davies, Dave Holland, Arthur Johnson, Jack O'Garra, Jack Robinson, John Smales, Fred Smith
Goals:
Alf Wood (4)
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: E. Rees

Newcastle: J. Maloney (c), P. Scully, W. Coleman, E. Brien, G. Johns, J. Coleman, F. Bell, F. Grahame, H. Williams, Stan Carpenter, J. Quinn, Arthur Baber, C. Perkins

Northern Union: Alf Wood, Alfred Francis, Harold Wagstaff (c), William Davies, Jack Robinson, Fred Smith, Jack O'Garra, Walter Roman, James Clampitt, Joseph Guerin, Dave Holland, John Smales, Arthur Johnson

First test

Future Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame inductee Harold Horder was selected to make his Test debut for this match.[15] On the other wing was the only Queenslander selected in the home side, Henry Bolewski.[16] Also selected to debut for his adopted country was New Zealander, Bill Kelly,[17] after whom the trophy contested in the ANZAC Test would be named.

Saturday 27 June
Australia  5 – 23 United Kingdom Northern Union
Tries:
Ray Norman



Goals:
Henry Bolewski (1)		 [18]
 Tries:
Stan Moorhouse (2)
Doug Clark
Dave Holland
Jack Robinson
Goals:
Fred Longstaff (2)
Jack Robinson (2)
RAS Showground, Sydney
Attendance: 40,000
Referee: Tom McMahon Sr.
Australia
Northern Union
FB1 Howard Hallett
WG2 Henry Bolewski
CE3 Sid Deane (c)
CE4 Bill Kelly
WG5 Harold Horder
FE6 Ray Norman
HB7 Arthur Halloway
PR13 Ed Courtney
HK12 Sandy Pearce
PR11 Frank Burge
SR10 Con Sullivan
SR9 Paddy McCue
LK8 Jack Watkins
Coach:
FB1 Billy Jarman
WG2 Jack Robinson
CE3 Bert Jenkins
CE4 Harold Wagstaff (c)
WG5 Stan Moorhouse
SO6 Billy Hall
SH7 Fred Smith
PR13 Dave Holland
HK12 Percy Coldrick
PR11 Dick Ramsdale
SR10 Jack Chilcott
SR9 Fred Longstaff
LF8 Douglas Clark
Coach:

The first test of the 1914 Ashes series was played in Sydney before a crowd of around 40,000. Leeds forward Billy Jarman, making his debut for Great Britain missed a conversion attempt from in front of the posts.[19] Henry Bolewski was the only Queensland player selected in the Australian side.

Second test

Monday 29 June
Australia  12 – 7 United Kingdom Northern Union
Tries:
Frank Burge
Charles Fraser
Wally Messenger
Goals:
Wally Messenger (3)		 [20]
 Tries:
Percy Coldrick


Goals:
Johnny Rogers (2)
Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Attendance: 55,000
Referee: Tom McMahon Sr.
Australia
Northern Union
FB1 Howard Hallett
WG2 Dan Frawley
CE3 Sid Deane (c)
CE4 Wally Messenger
WG5 Bob Tidyman
FE6 Charles Fraser
HB7 Arthur Halloway
PR13 Ed Courtney
HK12 Sandy Pearce
PR11 Frank Burge
SR10 Bob Craig
SR9 Con Sullivan
LK8 Billy Cann
Coach:
FB1 Gwyn Thomas
WG2 Frank Williams
CE3 Harold Wagstaff (c)
CE4 Billy Hall
WG5 Jack Robinson
SO6 Johnny Rogers
SH7 Fred Smith
PR13 Billy Jarman
HK12 Dick Ramsdale
PR11 Percy Coldrick
SR10 Dave Holland
SR9 Douglas Clark
LF8 Jack Chilcott
Coach:

After being humiliated in the first Test, the Australians bounced back to narrowly win the second 12–7 at the Sydney Cricket Ground with Charles Fraser and Frank Burge scoring and Wally Messenger kicking 3 goals.[21]

Thursday 2 July Western Districts 3 – 42 Northern Union Bathurst Showgrounds, Bathurst
Tries:
A. Dawson
Goals:		 [22] Tries:
Billy Hall (3), William Davies (2), Arthur Johnson (2), Jack O'Garra (2)
Goals:
Joseph Guerin (2)
Alf Wood (2)
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: E. Rees

Western Districts: E. Hawke, A. Bassett, A. Dawson, H. Gunn, E. Lockhard, R. Trefrey, Edward Coyne, D. Gander, Arch Moncreiff (c), D. Reece, P. Smith, R. Murphy, D. Haynes

Northern Union: Alf Wood (c), Frank Williams, Billy Hall, William Davies, Jack O'Garra, Stuart Prosser, Johnny Rogers, Walter Roman, James Clampitt, Joseph Guerin, John Smales, Billy Jarman, Arthur Johnson

Third test

The third and deciding Ashes test had originally been scheduled for Melbourne in August, but the New South Wales Rugby Football League unilaterally rescheduled it for Sydney on 4 July to maximise profits. Melbourne had to wait another 78 years until they hosted their first test, in the Ashes Series of 1992. The British protested that it would be their third test match in seven days and several of their first team were out with injuries, but the NSWRFL got its way.[23] The tourists were instructed by the Northern Union officials to play and do their duty for England.[24]

Saturday 4 July
Australia  6 – 14 United Kingdom Northern Union
Tries:
Wally Messenger[25]
Sid Deane
Goals:		 [26]
 Tries:
William Davies
Arthur Johnson
Goals:
Alf Wood (4)
Sydney Cricket Ground
Attendance: 34,420
Referee: Tom McMahon Sr.
Australia
Northern Union
FB1 Howard Hallett
WG2 Bob Tidyman
CE3 Wally Messenger
CE4 Sid Deane (c)
WG5 Dan Frawley
FE6 Charles Fraser
HB7 Arthur Halloway
PR13 Ed Courtney
HK12 Sandy Pearce
PR11 Frank Burge
SR10 Con Sullivan
SR9 Bob Craig
LK8 Billy Cann
Coach:
FB1 Alf Wood
WG2 Frank Williams
CE3 Harold Wagstaff (c)
CE4 Billy Hall
WG5 William Davies
SO6 Stuart Prosser
SH7 Fred Smith
PR13 Jack Chilcott
HK12 Dick Ramsdale
PR11 Percy Coldrick
SR10 Dave Holland
SR9 Douglas Clark
LF8 Arthur Johnson
Coach:

Within the first minutes of the match, Great Britain were down a man due to an injury to Frank Williams. Forward Arthur 'Chick' Johnson, the Widnes club's first international representative, was shifted to the wing to take Williams' place.[27] At half time the British were leading 9–3. Ten minutes into the second half, they had lost Douglas Clark and Billy Hall to injuries so were reduced to ten men.[28] 'Chick' Johnson, playing out of position on the wing, then used the unorthodox method of dribbling the ball ahead with his feet to score a try.[29] This lifted his teammates in defence and the British managed to win 14–6.

Saturday 15 August New South Wales 15 – 21 Northern Union Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Tries:
Arthur Halloway, Sid Pearce, Bob Tidyman
Goals:
Albert Burge (3)		 [30] Tries:
Percy Coldrick, Bert Jenkins, Stan Moorhouse
Goals:
Alf Wood (6)
Attendance: 13,000
Referee: Tom McMahon Sr.

NSW: George Challis, Tom Leggo, Bob Tidyman, Charles Fraser, George Bain, Les Cubitt, Arthur Halloway (c), Bob Williams, Sid Pearce, Ed Courtney, Bob Craig, Albert Burge, Frank Burge. Res –

Northern Union: Alf Wood, Stan Moorhouse, Harold Wagstaff (c), Bert Jenkins, William Davies, Billy Hall, Johnny Rogers, Percy Coldrick, James Clampitt, Dick Ramsdale, Fred Longstaff, Jack Chilcott, Arthur Johnson

This game was played on the return leg from New Zealand

New Zealand

Originally scheduled to take place during the Ashes series, the New Zealand leg was postponed until afterwards.

Saturday 11 July Wellington 7 – 14 Northern Union Newtown Park, Wellington
Tries:

Goals:		 [31] Tries:
Jack Chilcott, Billy Hall, Joseph Houghton, Gwyn Thomas
Goals:
Joseph Guerin (1)
Attendance: 5,000

Northern Union: Gwyn Thomas, Joseph Houghton, Billy Hall, William Davies, Jack O'Garra, Stuart Prosser, Fred Smith, Joseph Guerin, Billy Jarman, Jack Chilcott, John Smales, Walter Roman, James Clampitt

Saturday 18 July Hawke's Bay 7 – 30 Northern Union Nelson Park, Napier
Tries:

Goals:		 [32] Tries:

Goals:
Attendance: 4,000
Thursday 23 July Taranaki 11 – 43 Northern Union Taumata Park, Eltham
Tries:

Goals:		 [33] Tries:

Goals:
Attendance: 2,000
Saturday 25 July Auckland 12 – 34 Northern Union Auckland Domain, Auckland
Tries:

Goals:		 [34] Tries:
Dave Holland (2), Stan Moorhouse (2), Percy Coldrick, Billy Hall, Dick Ramsdale, Johnny Rogers
Goals:
Alf Wood (5)
Attendance: 13,000

Auckland: Tom Cross, Charles Woolley, Karl Ifwersen, Edward Fox, Thomas McClymont, Arthur Hardgrave, Charles Webb, Charlie Savory, Joe Bennett, Stan Walters, Bob Mitchell, Harold Hayward, Jim Clark

Northern Union: Alf Wood, Stan Moorhouse, Billy Hall, Bert Jenkins, William Davies, Johnny Rogers, Fred Smith, Dick Ramsdale, Arthur Johnson, Jack Chilcott, Fred Longstaff, Percy Coldrick, Dave Holland

Northern Union defeated Auckland 34–12 in front of 13,000 fans. The gate earned the Auckland Rugby League NZ£650.[35]

Thursday 30 July Wanganui 12 – 57 Northern Union Cooks Gardens, Whanganui
Tries:

Goals:		 [36] Tries:
Bert Jenkins (3), Fred Longstaff (2), Stan Moorhouse (2), Stuart Prosser (2), Harold Wagstaff (2), James Clampitt, Joseph Guerin
Goals:
Alf Wood (9)
Attendance: 3,000

Northern Union: Alf Wood, Stan Moorhouse, Harold Wagstaff (c), Bert Jenkins, William Davies, Jack O'Garra, Stuart Prosser, Dick Ramsdale, Joseph Guerin, James Clampitt, Fred Longstaff, Percy Coldrick, Walter Roman

Saturday 1 August
New Zealand  13 – 16 United Kingdom Northern Union
Tries:
Billy Wilson (2)
Vic Banks

Goals:
Karl Ifwersen (2)		 [37]
 Tries:
Stan Moorhouse (2)
Arthur Johnson
William Davies
Goals:
Alf Wood (2)
Auckland Domain, Auckland
Attendance: 15,000
Referee: A. Ferguson New Zealand
New Zealand
Northern Union
FB1 Arthur Hardgrave
WG2 Karl Ifwersen
CE3 Stan Weston
CE4 George Bradley (c)
WG5 Billy Wilson
FE6 Frank Barclay
HB7 Bill Bussell
PR13 Charles Savory
HK12 Ernest Button
PR11 James Parker
SR10 Vic Banks
SR9 Bob Mitchell
LK8 Stan Walters
Coach:
FB1 Alf Wood
WG2 William Davies
CE3 Bert Jenkins
CE4 Harold Wagstaff (c)
WG5 Stan Moorhouse
SO6 Billy Hall
SH7 Fred Smith
PR13 Dave Holland
HK12 Percy Coldrick
PR11 Dick Ramsdale
SR10 Fred Longstaff
SR9 Arthur Johnson
LF8 James Clampitt
Coach:

New Zealand lost the sole Test match 13–16. Billy Wilson scored two tries, Vic Banks scored one and Karl Ifwersen kicked two goals.[38]

References

  1. ↑ Hadfield, David (11 July 2009). "Great Sporting Moments: Australia 18 Great Britain 25, Brisbane, 1958". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2022-05-01. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  2. ↑ "The English Team". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 31 December 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  3. ↑ "ENGLAND v. METROPOLIS—NORTHERN UNION RULES". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 31 December 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  4. ↑ "Touring Teams". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 31 December 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  5. ↑ Saxton, Irvin (ed.). History of Rugby League: No.19 1913–1914. League Publications.
  6. ↑ "Cheapening the Jumper". stevericketts.com.au. Stve Ricketts. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  7. ↑ "Sid Deane". rugbyleagueproject.org. Shawn Dollin, Andrew Ferguson and Bill Bates. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  8. ↑ South Australia vs Northern Union
  9. ↑ Metropolis vs Northern Union
  10. ↑ New South Wales vs Northern Union
  11. ↑ Queensland vs Northern Union
  12. ↑ Ipswich vs Northern Union
  13. ↑ Queensland vs Northern Union
  14. ↑ Newcastle vs Northern Union
  15. ↑ Cunneen, Chris. "Horder, Harold Norman (1894–1978)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Australian National University. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  16. ↑ "FOOTBALL: "Australian" League Team". The Brisbane Courier. trove.nla.gov.au. 24 June 1914. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  17. ↑ "Bill Kelly". rugbyleagueproject.org. Shawn Dollin, Andrew Ferguson and Bill Bates. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  18. ↑ 1st Ashes Test
  19. ↑ On this day Archived 2011-11-25 at the Wayback Machine at therhinos.co.uk
  20. ↑ 2nd Ashes Test
  21. ↑ "sportsmem.com.au". 1914 Australian RL Jersey Maroon & Blue Hoops. Michael Fahey – Sports Memorabilia Australia. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
  22. ↑ Western Districts vs Northern Union
  23. ↑ "The Legend of Rorke's Drift". Sports Post. rl1895.com. Archived from the original on 13 February 2004. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  24. ↑ Collins, Tony (2006). Rugby League in Twentieth Century Britain. UK: Routledge. p. 8. ISBN 0-415-39614-X.
  25. ↑ "Player Profile – Wally Messenger". yesterdayshero.com.au. SmartPack International. Archived from the original on 2012-08-27. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
  26. ↑ 3rd Ashes Test
  27. ↑ rugby.widnes.tv. "Arthur Johnson". Hall of Fame. Widnes Vikings. Retrieved 11 May 2012.
  28. ↑ Headon, David (2001). The best ever Australian sports writing: a 200 year collection. Australia: Back Inc. p. 367. ISBN 1-86395-266-7.
  29. ↑ "Arthur Johnson". Hall of Fame. Widnes RLFC. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  30. ↑ New South Wales vs Northern Union
  31. ↑ Wellington vs Northern Union
  32. ↑ Hawke's Bay vs Northern Union
  33. ↑ Taranaki vs Northern Union
  34. ↑ Auckland vs Northern Union
  35. ↑ Coffey, John and Bernie Wood Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909–2009, 2009. ISBN 978-1-86969-366-4.
  36. ↑ Wanganui vs Northern Union
  37. ↑ New Zealand vs Northern Union
  38. ↑ New Zealand vs England 1914 rugbyleagueproject.org
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