1921–22 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain
Encyclopedia
The 1921–22 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain was the third ever Kangaroo tour
. Again an Australasian side
rather than an Australian team alone (although the 28-man squad featured only one New Zealander) travelled to Great Britain to contest The Ashes. Coached by Arthur Hennessy
and captained by Les Cubitt
, the Kangaroos travelled on the RMS Tahiti to England for best-of-three series of Test match
es against Great Britain for the Ashes. The tour took place during the 1921–22 Northern Rugby Football Union season and also featured matches against several of the clubs in that competition as well as other representative teams. The tour also involved some degree of player misbehaviour, with one young footballer almost sent home from San Francisco because of all the broken glasses following a drinking session on board the team′s ship.
toured Australia, playing matches against New South Wales
and Queensland
, which served as selection trials for the upcoming 'Australasian' team's tour, for which only one New Zealander, Bert Laing
, selected. The team wore the sky blue jersey of New South Wales and the only non-New South Welsh player to appear in a test was Queenslander Billy Richards in the third.
Billy Cann
was co-manager of the Australasian touring squad along with Souths' secretary, George Ball
. Secretary of the Queensland Rugby League
, and football journalist Harry Sunderland
also accompanied the team.
On this tour Sandy Pearce
at 38 years of age became the oldest Australian international player.
's Kangaroos players register.
in Wellington
. Also during the tour, the Northern Rugby Football Union
tried to arrange a match in Paris, but opposition from the RFU-aligned French Rugby Federation made it impossible.
The Kangaroos' winning streak came to an end when they played against Britain's national team. Australasia led 5 - 3 at the break and the match seemed to be theirs when Burge scored a late try, but it was disallowed by the referee. Thus, a sole second-half try from the British close to full time was enough for them to win it.
In the second Test the scores were 2-all at half-time, but after that the Australian backline of Horder, Carstairs, Vest and Blinkhorn cut loose. The Kangaroos scored 4 tries to nil, the win setting up the third and final Test as the Ashes decider. This was also the last Test in the international career of Sandy Pearce and made him the oldest ever Kangaroo.
Among those present for this match was the UK's Speaker of the House of Commons, J. H. Whitley. The half-time score was 18 - 3 in favour of the visitors, who were without Dick Vest due to ill health.
The decider was played on a heavy, snow-bound field, much to the dismay of the fleet-footed Kangaroos. Early in the match the Australians were reduced to twelve men when Chook Fraser suffered a broken leg. In what was described as “a bruising encounter”, Herman Hilton took a pass from his captain, the "prince of centres", Harold Wagstaff to dive over, taking two defenders over the try-line with him. The final score was 6 - 0 in favour of the home side. By winning this third and deciding test of the series, Britain claimed the Ashes.
By the end of the tour, Australian three-quarter, Cec Blinkhorn
, had scored 39 tries in 29 matches, which still stands as the record for most tries scored on a Kangaroo tour and will most likely never be beaten. Other winger, Harold Horder
scored 35, and forward Frank Burge
was not far behind with 33 tries from 23 games.
The team travelled back to Australia on the Orvieto, arriving in Fremantle
in February 1922. Upon their return to Sydney a large dinner was held for the tourists by the New South Wales Rugby Football League, which was attended by the likes of Sir Joynton Smith, to celebrate the players' courageous effort and the fact that this was the first team to return to Sydney with a profit.
Kangaroo Tour
Kangaroo Tour is the name given to Australian national rugby league team tours of Great Britain and France. The first Kangaroo Tour was in 1908. Traditionally, Kangaroo Tours took place every four years and involved a three-Test Ashes series against Great Britain and a number of tour matches...
. Again an Australasian side
Australasia rugby league team
-1911-12:Following individual tours by New Zealand and Australia in 1907-08 and 1908-09 respectively, the Northern Rugby Football Union invited an 'Australasian' team to tour Great Britain during the 1911-12 season...
rather than an Australian team alone (although the 28-man squad featured only one New Zealander) travelled to Great Britain to contest The Ashes. Coached by Arthur Hennessy
Arthur Hennessy
Arthur Stephen "Ash" Hennessy was an Australian pioneer rugby league identity. He was a seminal figure in the creation of the South Sydney Rabbitohs for whom he played and later coached...
and captained by Les Cubitt
Les Cubitt
Les Cubitt was an Australian representative rugby league player, a Centre or Five-eighth whose club career was with Eastern Suburbs and the Glebe Dirty Reds.He is considered one of the nation's finest footballers of the 20th century.-Club career:...
, the Kangaroos travelled on the RMS Tahiti to England for best-of-three series of Test match
Test match (rugby league)
A Test match in rugby league football is a representative match between teams representing members of the Rugby League International Federation.The definition of a Test match differs from that of an international match...
es against Great Britain for the Ashes. The tour took place during the 1921–22 Northern Rugby Football Union season and also featured matches against several of the clubs in that competition as well as other representative teams. The tour also involved some degree of player misbehaviour, with one young footballer almost sent home from San Francisco because of all the broken glasses following a drinking session on board the team′s ship.
Touring squad
During 1921 the New Zealand sideNew Zealand national rugby league team
The New Zealand national rugby league team has represented New Zealand in rugby league football since intercontinental competition began for the sport in 1907. Administered by the New Zealand Rugby League, they are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of that name...
toured Australia, playing matches against New South Wales
New South Wales rugby league team
The New South Wales rugby league team has represented the Australian state of New South Wales in rugby league football since the sport's beginnings there in 1907. Administered by the New South Wales Rugby League, the team competes in the annual State of Origin series against arch-rivals, the...
and Queensland
Queensland rugby league team
The Queensland rugby league team have represented the Australian state of Queensland in rugby league football since the sport's beginnings there in 1908...
, which served as selection trials for the upcoming 'Australasian' team's tour, for which only one New Zealander, Bert Laing
Bert Laing
Henry Bircher "Bert" Laing is a New Zealand rugby league player who represented New Zealand and Australasia. His brother, Albert, was also a New Zealand international.-Playing career:...
, selected. The team wore the sky blue jersey of New South Wales and the only non-New South Welsh player to appear in a test was Queenslander Billy Richards in the third.
Billy Cann
Billy Cann
Wiliam A. "Billy" Cann was an Australian rugby league footballer for Souths, New South Wales and Australia. He primarily played at lock and is considered one of the nation's finest footballers of the 20th century...
was co-manager of the Australasian touring squad along with Souths' secretary, George Ball
George Ball
George Wildman Ball was an American diplomat.-Biography:Ball was born in Des Moines, Iowa. He lived in Evanston, Illinois and graduated from Northwestern University....
. Secretary of the Queensland Rugby League
Queensland Rugby League
The Queensland Rugby Football League is the governing body for rugby league in Queensland. It is a member of the Australian Rugby League and selects the members of Queensland State of Origin teams....
, and football journalist Harry Sunderland
Harry Sunderland
Harry Sunderland was an Australian rugby league football administrator and journalist.Sunderland was born in Gympie, Queensland in 1889. From 1913 to 1922, Sunderland was the Queensland Rugby League's secretary. His administration is credited with the growth of the League in Queensland despite the...
also accompanied the team.
On this tour Sandy Pearce
Sandy Pearce
Sidney Charles Pearce , better known as Sandy, was a pioneer Australian rugby league footballer and boxer...
at 38 years of age became the oldest Australian international player.
New South Wales
Early in the 1921 NSWRFL season, players who were selected had to leave their clubs for the tour. All but one of the League's nine teams (University) were represented in the touring squad:- Cec BlinkhornCec BlinkhornCecil Blinkhorn was an Australian rugby league footballer of the 1910s and 20s. He played in the NSWRFL premiership for the North Sydney and South Sydney clubs, and also represented New South Wales and Australia...
, three-quarter back for North SydneyNorth Sydney BearsThe North Sydney Bears are an Australian rugby league football club based in North Sydney, New South Wales. They currently compete in the New South Wales Cup, having exited the National Rugby League following the 1999 NRL season after 92 years of top-grade competition. The Bears are based on... - Frank BurgeFrank BurgeFrank 'Chunky' Burge was one of the greatest forwards in the history of rugby league in Australia. Later he was one of the game's finest coaches....
, forward for Glebe - Harry CaplesHarry CaplesHarry Caples was an Australian representative rugby league player. His club football was played with the Eastern Suburbs club.A former schoolboy star, Caples attended St. Joseph's College, Hunters Hill before being graded by the Roosters in 1916....
, half back for Eastern SuburbsSydney RoostersThe Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League... - George Carstairs, back for St. GeorgeSt. George DragonsThe St George Dragons was an Australian Rugby league football club in St George, Sydney, New South Wales that played in Australia's top-level Rugby league competition from New South Wales Rugby Football League in 1921 until 1998; in 1999 they formed a joint venture with the Illawarra Steelers,...
- Jimmy Craig, three-quarter back for BalmainBalmain TigersThe Balmain Tigers are a rugby league football club based in the inner-western Sydney suburb of Balmain. They were a founding member of the New South Wales Rugby League and one of the most successful in the history of the premiership, with eleven titles...
- (c) Les CubittLes CubittLes Cubitt was an Australian representative rugby league player, a Centre or Five-eighth whose club career was with Eastern Suburbs and the Glebe Dirty Reds.He is considered one of the nation's finest footballers of the 20th century.-Club career:...
, three-quarter back for Eastern SuburbsSydney RoostersThe Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League... - Charles Fraser, back for BalmainBalmain TigersThe Balmain Tigers are a rugby league football club based in the inner-western Sydney suburb of Balmain. They were a founding member of the New South Wales Rugby League and one of the most successful in the history of the premiership, with eleven titles...
- Bert Gray, forward for Glebe
- Harold HorderHarold HorderHarold Norman Horder was an Australian rugby league player a national and state representative player whose club career was with the South Sydney Rabbitohs and North Sydney Bears between 1912 and 1924...
, three-quarter back for North SydneyNorth Sydney BearsThe North Sydney Bears are an Australian rugby league football club based in North Sydney, New South Wales. They currently compete in the New South Wales Cup, having exited the National Rugby League following the 1999 NRL season after 92 years of top-grade competition. The Bears are based on... - Clarrie IvesClarrie IvesClarrie Ives was an Australian rugby league player for the North Sydney Bears in the New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership. He also played for New South Wales and Australia. His position of choice was at prop-forward and his younger brother Bill Ives was also a rugby league player...
, forward for North SydneyNorth Sydney BearsThe North Sydney Bears are an Australian rugby league football club based in North Sydney, New South Wales. They currently compete in the New South Wales Cup, having exited the National Rugby League following the 1999 NRL season after 92 years of top-grade competition. The Bears are based on... - Albert Johnston, half back for St. GeorgeSt. George DragonsThe St George Dragons was an Australian Rugby league football club in St George, Sydney, New South Wales that played in Australia's top-level Rugby league competition from New South Wales Rugby Football League in 1921 until 1998; in 1999 they formed a joint venture with the Illawarra Steelers,...
- Reg Latta, forward for BalmainBalmain TigersThe Balmain Tigers are a rugby league football club based in the inner-western Sydney suburb of Balmain. They were a founding member of the New South Wales Rugby League and one of the most successful in the history of the premiership, with eleven titles...
- Ted McGrath, forward for South SydneySouth Sydney RabbitohsThe South Sydney Rabbitohs are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Redfern, a suburb of South-central Sydney, New South Wales. They participate in the National Rugby League premiership and are one of nine existing teams from the state capital...
- Rex NormanRex NormanRex Norman was an Australian rugby league footballer, a state and national representative player who club career was played with Annandale, the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Eastern Suburbs Roosters....
, three-quarter back for Eastern SuburbsSydney RoostersThe Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League... - Sandy PearceSandy PearceSidney Charles Pearce , better known as Sandy, was a pioneer Australian rugby league footballer and boxer...
, forward for Eastern SuburbsSydney RoostersThe Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League... - Herman PetersHerman PetersHerman Peters was an Australian rugby league footballer of the 1920s. An international representative centre, he played his club football with North Sydney in the NSWRFL premiership....
, three-quarter back for North SydneyNorth Sydney BearsThe North Sydney Bears are an Australian rugby league football club based in North Sydney, New South Wales. They currently compete in the New South Wales Cup, having exited the National Rugby League following the 1999 NRL season after 92 years of top-grade competition. The Bears are based on... - Clarrie PrenticeClarrie PrenticeClarence Warwick Prentice was an Australian rugby union and rugby league footballer who represented his country at both sports - a dual-code rugby international...
, forward for Western SuburbsWestern Suburbs MagpiesThe Western Suburbs Magpies are an Australian rugby league football club based in the western suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales. Formed in 1908, Wests, as they are commonly referred to, were one of the nine foundation clubs of the first New South Wales Rugby League competition in Australia... - Felix Ryan, forward for NewtownNewtown JetsThe Newtown Jets are an Australian rugby league football club based in Newtown, a suburb of Sydney's inner west. They currently compete in the NSWRL Premier League competition, having left the top grade after the 1983 NSWRFL season...
- Bill Schultz, forward for BalmainBalmain TigersThe Balmain Tigers are a rugby league football club based in the inner-western Sydney suburb of Balmain. They were a founding member of the New South Wales Rugby League and one of the most successful in the history of the premiership, with eleven titles...
- Duncan ThompsonDuncan ThompsonDuncan Fulton Thompson MBE was an Australian rugby league footballer, coach and administrator...
, half back for North SydneyNorth Sydney BearsThe North Sydney Bears are an Australian rugby league football club based in North Sydney, New South Wales. They currently compete in the New South Wales Cup, having exited the National Rugby League following the 1999 NRL season after 92 years of top-grade competition. The Bears are based on... - Dick Townsend, forward for NewtownNewtown JetsThe Newtown Jets are an Australian rugby league football club based in Newtown, a suburb of Sydney's inner west. They currently compete in the NSWRL Premier League competition, having left the top grade after the 1983 NSWRFL season...
- Dick Vest, three-quarter back for Western SuburbsWestern Suburbs MagpiesThe Western Suburbs Magpies are an Australian rugby league football club based in the western suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales. Formed in 1908, Wests, as they are commonly referred to, were one of the nine foundation clubs of the first New South Wales Rugby League competition in Australia...
- Jack WatkinsJack WatkinsJack "Bluey" Watkins was an Australian rugby league footballer. He played in the lock forward position, with seven test matches for his country, including the 1921/22 Kangaroo Tour....
, forward for Eastern SuburbsSydney RoostersThe Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League...
Queensland
- Neville Broadfoot, three-quarter back for Queensland
- Edwin BrownEdwin BrownEdwin Stanley "Nigger" Brown was an Australian rugby league footballer of the 1910s and 20s. A Queensland state and Australian international representative centre, he played club football in Toowoomba for Newtown....
, three-quarter back for Newtown (Toowoomba)
- Norm PotterNorm PotterNorm Potter was a Australian rugby league player from 1918 through to 1927. A Queensland state and Australian international representative front-row forward, he was one of Queensland's early stalwart star players making forty-four state appearances in an unbroken representative career between...
, forward for Queensland - Bill Richards, forward for Western SuburbsWests PanthersThe Western Suburbs Panthers, often simply referred to as Wests, are a rugby league club from Brisbane, Australia. The Club is the oldest in the QRL and despite absences from the top grade in recent years and several name changes the club continued to operate...
(Brisbane)
New Zealand
The New Zealand player that accompanied the Australians on tour has been listed in the Australian Rugby LeagueAustralian Rugby League
The Australian Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league in Australia. It is made up of state bodies, including the New South Wales Rugby League and the Queensland Rugby League...
's Kangaroos players register.
- Bert LaingBert LaingHenry Bircher "Bert" Laing is a New Zealand rugby league player who represented New Zealand and Australasia. His brother, Albert, was also a New Zealand international.-Playing career:...
, half back for Auckland
Matches
Before sailing for England the team stopped in New Zealand for an exhibition match at the Basin ReserveBasin Reserve
The Basin Reserve , is a cricket ground in Wellington, New Zealand, used for Test, first-class and one-day cricket. Some argue that its proximity to the city, its Historic Place status and its age make it the most famous cricket ground in New Zealand...
in Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
. Also during the tour, the Northern Rugby Football Union
Rugby Football League
The Rugby Football League is the governing body for professional rugby league football in England. Based at Red Hall in Leeds, it administers the England national rugby league team, the Challenge Cup, Super League and the Rugby League Championships...
tried to arrange a match in Paris, but opposition from the RFU-aligned French Rugby Federation made it impossible.
First Ashes test
After arriving in England, the Kangaroos played four matches against local clubs before the first Ashes test, winning all of them with dominant margins:| Great Britain | Position | Australasia |
|---|---|---|
| Gwyn Thomas | FB | Charles Fraser (c) |
| Billy Stone | WG | Harold Horder Harold Horder Harold Norman Horder was an Australian rugby league player a national and state representative player whose club career was with the South Sydney Rabbitohs and North Sydney Bears between 1912 and 1924... |
| Harold Wagstaff Harold Wagstaff Harold Wagstaff was an English rugby league footballer of the early 20th century. He played as a and was nicknamed the Prince of Centres... (c) |
CE | Dick Vest |
| Jim Bacon | CE | Jim Craig Jim Craig (rugby league) Jim Craig was an Australian rugby league footballer and coach. He was a versatile back for the Australian national team. He played in 7 Tests between 1921 and 1928 as captain on 3 occasions and has since been named amongst the nation's finest footballers of the 20th century.-Club career:Craig grew... |
| Squire Stockwell Squire Stockwell Squire Stockwell was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1920s who at representative level played for Great Britain, and at club level for Leeds, playing at , i.e... |
WG | Cec Blinkhorn Cec Blinkhorn Cecil Blinkhorn was an Australian rugby league footballer of the 1910s and 20s. He played in the NSWRFL premiership for the North Sydney and South Sydney clubs, and also represented New South Wales and Australia... |
| Jonty Parkin Jonty Parkin Jonathon "Jonty" Parkin was an English rugby league footballer of the 1910s, '20s and '30s. He joined Wakefield Trinity as an 18-year-old in 1913 and gave 17 years' service, playing 349 times and earning 17 Great Britain Test caps, 12 England appearances and 17 for Yorkshire... |
FE | Albert Johnston |
| Johnny Rogers | HB | Duncan Thompson Duncan Thompson Duncan Fulton Thompson MBE was an Australian rugby league footballer, coach and administrator... |
| Arthur Skelhorne Arthur Skelhorne Arthur George 'Jack' Skelhorne was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1920s who at representative level played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Warrington, playing at , i.e... |
PR | Clarrie Prentice Clarrie Prentice Clarence Warwick Prentice was an Australian rugby union and rugby league footballer who represented his country at both sports - a dual-code rugby international... |
| Joe Cartwright | HK | Sid Pearce |
| Billy Cunliffe | PR | Felix Ryan |
| Jack Beames Jack Beames John "Jack" Robert Beames was a Welsh rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1910s and '20s who at club level played rugby union for Newport RFC, and at representative level played rugby league for Great Britain, Wales, and Other Nations, and at club level for Halifax,... |
SR | Frank Burge Frank Burge Frank 'Chunky' Burge was one of the greatest forwards in the history of rugby league in Australia. Later he was one of the game's finest coaches.... |
| Edgar Morgan Edgar Morgan (rugby league) David Edgar Morgan was a Welsh dual-code international rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1910s and 1920s who at representative level has played for Wales under the union code and both Great Britain and Wales as a professional rugby league player... |
SR | Albert Gray |
| Jack Price | LK | Jack Watkins Jack Watkins Jack "Bluey" Watkins was an Australian rugby league footballer. He played in the lock forward position, with seven test matches for his country, including the 1921/22 Kangaroo Tour.... |
Second Ashes test
At halftime York led 4 - 3 in a game that "was characterised by rough and scrambling play, minor injuries being numerous."| Great Britain | Position | Australasia |
|---|---|---|
| Gwyn Thomas | FB | Charles Fraser (c) |
| Billy Stone Billy Stone William John Stone was a professional American football halfback and defensive back in the All-America Football Conference and the National Football League. He attended Bradley University.... |
WG | Harold Horder Harold Horder Harold Norman Horder was an Australian rugby league player a national and state representative player whose club career was with the South Sydney Rabbitohs and North Sydney Bears between 1912 and 1924... |
| Billy Batten Billy Batten William "Billy" Batten, was an English rugby league footballer of the early 20th century. He played at , and for Great Britain, England, Hunslet, and Hull, and was one of the new game's first superstars... |
CE | Dick Vest |
| Jim Bacon | CE | George Carstairs |
| Squire Stockwell Squire Stockwell Squire Stockwell was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1920s who at representative level played for Great Britain, and at club level for Leeds, playing at , i.e... |
WG | Cec Blinkhorn Cec Blinkhorn Cecil Blinkhorn was an Australian rugby league footballer of the 1910s and 20s. He played in the NSWRFL premiership for the North Sydney and South Sydney clubs, and also represented New South Wales and Australia... |
| Jonty Parkin Jonty Parkin Jonathon "Jonty" Parkin was an English rugby league footballer of the 1910s, '20s and '30s. He joined Wakefield Trinity as an 18-year-old in 1913 and gave 17 years' service, playing 349 times and earning 17 Great Britain Test caps, 12 England appearances and 17 for Yorkshire... (c) |
FE | Harry Caples Harry Caples Harry Caples was an Australian representative rugby league player. His club football was played with the Eastern Suburbs club.A former schoolboy star, Caples attended St. Joseph's College, Hunters Hill before being graded by the Roosters in 1916.... |
| Johnny Rogers Johnny Rogers (rugby league) John "Johnny" H. Rogers was a Welsh rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1910s and '20s who at club level played rugby union for Bridgend RFC, and Cardiff RFC, and at representative level played rugby league for Great Britain, Wales, and Other Nationalities, and at club... |
HB | Duncan Thompson Duncan Thompson Duncan Fulton Thompson MBE was an Australian rugby league footballer, coach and administrator... |
| Arthur Skelhorne Arthur Skelhorne Arthur George 'Jack' Skelhorne was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1920s who at representative level played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Warrington, playing at , i.e... |
PR | Bill Schultz |
| Joe Cartwright | HK | Sandy Pearce Sandy Pearce Sidney Charles Pearce , better known as Sandy, was a pioneer Australian rugby league footballer and boxer... |
| Billy Cunliffe | PR | Clarrie Prentice Clarrie Prentice Clarence Warwick Prentice was an Australian rugby union and rugby league footballer who represented his country at both sports - a dual-code rugby international... |
| Jack Beames Jack Beames John "Jack" Robert Beames was a Welsh rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1910s and '20s who at club level played rugby union for Newport RFC, and at representative level played rugby league for Great Britain, Wales, and Other Nations, and at club level for Halifax,... |
SR | Jack Watkins Jack Watkins Jack "Bluey" Watkins was an Australian rugby league footballer. He played in the lock forward position, with seven test matches for his country, including the 1921/22 Kangaroo Tour.... |
| Edgar Morgan | SR | Reg Latta |
| Jack Price | LK | Frank Burge Frank Burge Frank 'Chunky' Burge was one of the greatest forwards in the history of rugby league in Australia. Later he was one of the game's finest coaches.... |
In the second Test the scores were 2-all at half-time, but after that the Australian backline of Horder, Carstairs, Vest and Blinkhorn cut loose. The Kangaroos scored 4 tries to nil, the win setting up the third and final Test as the Ashes decider. This was also the last Test in the international career of Sandy Pearce and made him the oldest ever Kangaroo.
Third Ashes test
The Kangaroos played sixteen more tour matches between the second and third tests:Among those present for this match was the UK's Speaker of the House of Commons, J. H. Whitley. The half-time score was 18 - 3 in favour of the visitors, who were without Dick Vest due to ill health.
| Great Britain | Position | Australasia |
|---|---|---|
| Gwyn Thomas | FB | Charles Fraser (c) |
| Danny Hurcombe Danny Hurcombe Daniel "Danny" Hurcombe was a Welsh rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1910s and '20s who at club level played rugby union for Talywain RFC, and at representative level played rugby league for Great Britain, and Wales, and at club level for Wigan, playing at , /, or /, i.e... |
WG | Cecil Blinkhorn |
| Jim Bacon | CE | Dick Vest |
| Harold Wagstaff Harold Wagstaff Harold Wagstaff was an English rugby league footballer of the early 20th century. He played as a and was nicknamed the Prince of Centres... (c) |
CE | George Carstairs |
| Jim Owen | WG | Harold Horder Harold Horder Harold Norman Horder was an Australian rugby league player a national and state representative player whose club career was with the South Sydney Rabbitohs and North Sydney Bears between 1912 and 1924... |
| Johnny Greenall | SOH | Harry Caples Harry Caples Harry Caples was an Australian representative rugby league player. His club football was played with the Eastern Suburbs club.A former schoolboy star, Caples attended St. Joseph's College, Hunters Hill before being graded by the Roosters in 1916.... |
| Johnny Rogers | SH | Duncan Thompson Duncan Thompson Duncan Fulton Thompson MBE was an Australian rugby league footballer, coach and administrator... |
| Arthur Skelhorne Arthur Skelhorne Arthur George 'Jack' Skelhorne was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1920s who at representative level played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Warrington, playing at , i.e... |
PR | Bill Schultz |
| Joe Cartwright | HK | Clarrie Prentice Clarrie Prentice Clarence Warwick Prentice was an Australian rugby union and rugby league footballer who represented his country at both sports - a dual-code rugby international... |
| Billy Cunliffe | PR | Felix Ryan |
| Herman Hilton Herman Hilton Herman Hilton was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1910s and '20s who at representative level played for Great Britain, England, Lancashire, and at club level for Oldham, playing at , or , i.e... |
SR | Reg Latta |
| Bob Taylor | SR | Bill Richards Billy Richards (rugby) Edward William "Billy" Richards was a rugby union player who represented Australia.Richards, a lock, was born in Vegetable Creek, New South Wales and claimed a total of 5 international rugby caps for Australia. His debut game was against Great Britain, at Sydney, on 2 July 1904.-References:... |
| Frank Gallagher Frank Gallagher (rugby league) Frank Gallagher is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1920s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, England, and Yorkshire, and at club level for Dewsbury, Batley, and Leeds, playing at /, /, , or /, i.e... |
LF | Frank Burge Frank Burge Frank 'Chunky' Burge was one of the greatest forwards in the history of rugby league in Australia. Later he was one of the game's finest coaches.... |
The decider was played on a heavy, snow-bound field, much to the dismay of the fleet-footed Kangaroos. Early in the match the Australians were reduced to twelve men when Chook Fraser suffered a broken leg. In what was described as “a bruising encounter”, Herman Hilton took a pass from his captain, the "prince of centres", Harold Wagstaff to dive over, taking two defenders over the try-line with him. The final score was 6 - 0 in favour of the home side. By winning this third and deciding test of the series, Britain claimed the Ashes.
By the end of the tour, Australian three-quarter, Cec Blinkhorn
Cec Blinkhorn
Cecil Blinkhorn was an Australian rugby league footballer of the 1910s and 20s. He played in the NSWRFL premiership for the North Sydney and South Sydney clubs, and also represented New South Wales and Australia...
, had scored 39 tries in 29 matches, which still stands as the record for most tries scored on a Kangaroo tour and will most likely never be beaten. Other winger, Harold Horder
Harold Horder
Harold Norman Horder was an Australian rugby league player a national and state representative player whose club career was with the South Sydney Rabbitohs and North Sydney Bears between 1912 and 1924...
scored 35, and forward Frank Burge
Frank Burge
Frank 'Chunky' Burge was one of the greatest forwards in the history of rugby league in Australia. Later he was one of the game's finest coaches....
was not far behind with 33 tries from 23 games.
The team travelled back to Australia on the Orvieto, arriving in Fremantle
Fremantle
Freemantle is a suburb of Southampton in England.Fremantle or Freemantle may also refer to:- Places :* Fremantle, the port city to the capital Perth, Western Australia...
in February 1922. Upon their return to Sydney a large dinner was held for the tourists by the New South Wales Rugby Football League, which was attended by the likes of Sir Joynton Smith, to celebrate the players' courageous effort and the fact that this was the first team to return to Sydney with a profit.
External links
- 1921-22 Australasian Football Team Touring Great Britain - Souvenir (Melba Studios, Sydney)
- Ashes Series 1921/22 at rugbyleagueproject.org