1914 Great Britain Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand
Encyclopedia
The 1914 Great Britain Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand was the British national rugby league team
's second ever 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.
's conclusion, the following squad was selected by the Union to represent it on the tour of Australasia. The Union's tour manager was John Clifford
.
England
Wales
in 1908.
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.
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. 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. The tourists were instructed by the Northern Union officials to play and do their duty for England.
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. At half time the British were leading 9-3. Ten minutes into the second half, they had lost Douglas Clarke and Billy Hall to injuries so were reduced to ten men. '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. This lifted his teammates in defence and The British managed to win 14-6.
New Zealand lost the sole Test match 13-16. Billy Wilson scored two tries, Vic Banks scored one and Karl Ifwersen
kicked two goals.
Great Britain defeated Auckland
34-12 in front of 14,000. The gate earned Auckland Rugby League
₤650. The Auckland team was; Tom Cross (Ponsonby), Charles Woolley (City), Karl Ifwersen
(Grafton), Edward Fox (North Shore), Thomas McClymont
(Ponsonby), Arthur Hardgrave (Otahuhu), Charles Webb (Ponsonby), Charles Savory
(Ponsonby), J Bennett (Newton), Stan Walters (North Shore), Bob Mitchell (Grafton), Harold Hayward
(Thames) and Jim Clark (Ponsonby).
Great Britain national rugby league team
The Great Britain national rugby league team represents the United Kingdom in rugby league football. Administered by the Rugby Football League , the team is nicknamed "The Lions" or "Great Britain Lions"....
's second ever 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.
Touring squad
At the 1913-14 Northern Rugby Football Union season1913-14 Northern Rugby Football Union season
-Challenge Cup:A Hull team featuring Billy Batten and Jim Devereux defeated Wakefield Trinity 6-0 in the final held in Halifax before a crowd of 19,000. This was Hull’s first Challenge Cup win in their fourth Final appearance.-Sources:**-References:...
's conclusion, the following squad was selected by the Union to represent it on the tour of Australasia. The Union's tour manager was John Clifford
John Clifford
John Clifford CH was a British Nonconformist minister and politician.-Biography:Clifford was son of a warp-machinist...
.
England
- James ClampittJames ClampittJames "Jim" Lamb Clampitt was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1900s and '10s who at representative level played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Broughton Rangers, playing at , or , i.e...
, forward for Broughton RangersBroughton RangersBroughton Rangers was a British rugby football, and subsequently a rugby league club. It was based in Broughton, Salford.-History:Broughton Rangers was founded in 1877 as Broughton and added Rangers for its second season... - Douglas ClarkDouglas Clark (rugby league)Douglas "Duggy" Clark MM was an English rugby league footballer, wrestler and World War I veteran. He played at , or for Huddersfield, Cumberland, England and the Great Britain national side. Clark also served in World War I on the front line in France in 1917, earning the Military Medal for his...
, forward for HuddersfieldHuddersfield GiantsHuddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C.... - Billy HallBilly Hall (rugby league)William "Billy" M. Hall was an English rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1910s and '20s who at club level played rugby union for Gloucester RFC, and at representative level played rugby league for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Oldham, playing at , or...
, utility back for OldhamOldham RoughyedsOldham Roughyeds is an English professional rugby league club based in Oldham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Championship One. Oldham is one of the original twenty-two rugby clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895.... - Dave HollandDave Holland (rugby league)David "Dave" Holland was an English dual-code international rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1910s and '20s who at representative level played rugby union for England, and at club level for Gloucester RFC, playing in the Forwards, and at representative level played rugby...
, forward for OldhamOldham RoughyedsOldham Roughyeds is an English professional rugby league club based in Oldham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Championship One. Oldham is one of the original twenty-two rugby clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895.... - Billy JarmanBilly JarmanBilly Jarman was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1910s. A Great Britain international representative goal-kicking forward, he played for the Leeds club during the era of contested scrums, playing in their first ever Challenge Cup final victory in 1910.-International...
, goal-kicking forward for LeedsLeeds RhinosLeeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League... - Arthur Johnson, forward for WidnesWidnes VikingsWidnes Vikings RLFC are an English professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They currently play in the Engage Super League, the top tier of European rugby league, after being awarded a license to compete in the top-flight Super League from 2012 onward...
- Fred Longstaff, forward for HuddersfieldHuddersfield GiantsHuddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C....
- Stanley MoorhouseStanley MoorhouseStan Moorhouse was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1910s and '20s who at representative level played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Huddersfield, and Bradford Northern playing at , i.e...
. three-quarter back for HuddersfieldHuddersfield GiantsHuddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C.... - Dick RamsdaleDick RamsdaleRichard "Dick" Ramsdale was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1910s who at representative level played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Wigan, playing at , or /, i.e...
, forward for WiganWigan WarriorsWigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011.... - Fred SmithFred Smith (rugby league)Fred Smith was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1900s and '10s who at representative level played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Hunslet, playing at /, or /, i.e...
, half back for HunsletHunslet HawksHunslet Hawks is a professional rugby league club based in Hunslet, West Yorkshire, England. The club, sometimes known as 'the Parksiders' after their former stadium, are currently champions of Championship One.-History:-Early years:... - (c) Harold WagstaffHarold WagstaffHarold Wagstaff was an English rugby league footballer of the early 20th century. He played as a and was nicknamed the Prince of Centres...
, three-quarter back for HuddersfieldHuddersfield GiantsHuddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C.... - Alf WoodAlf Wood (rugby league)Alfred "Alf" Ernest Wood was an English rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1900s and '10s who at representative level played rugby union for England, and at club level for Gloucester RFC, playing at Fullback, i.e. number 15, and at representative level played rugby league ...
, goal-kicking fullback for OldhamOldham RoughyedsOldham Roughyeds is an English professional rugby league club based in Oldham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Championship One. Oldham is one of the original twenty-two rugby clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895....
Wales
- Jack ChilcottJack ChilcottJohn "Jack" Chilcott was a Welsh rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1910s who at club level played rugby union for Ogmore Vale RFC, and Cross Keys RFC, and at representative level played rugby league for Great Britain, and Wales, and at club level for Huddersfield,...
, forward for HuddersfieldHuddersfield GiantsHuddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C.... - Percy ColdrickPercy ColdrickAlbert Percival "Percy" Coldrick was a Welsh dual code rugby player who played rugby union for Newport and rugby league for Wigan...
, forward for WiganWigan WarriorsWigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011.... - William Davies, three-quarter back for LeedsLeeds RhinosLeeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League...
- Bert JenkinsBert JenkinsBert Jenkins was a Welsh rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1900s, '10s and '20s who at representative level played for Great Britain, and Wales, and at club level for Wigan, playing at ....
, three-quarter back for WiganWigan WarriorsWigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011.... - Stuart ProsserStuart ProsserW. Stuart Prosser was a Welsh rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1910s who at club level played rugby union for Pontypool RFC, and at representative level played rugby league for Great Britain, and at club level for Halifax, playing at /, i.e...
, half back for HalifaxHalifax RLFCHalifax RLFC is one of the most historic rugby league clubs in the game, formed over a century ago, in 1873 in the Yorkshire town of Halifax. Known as 'Fax', the official club colours are blue and white hoops, blue shorts and blue socks . They share The Shay stadium with football club FC Halifax Town... - Frank WilliamsFrank Williams (rugby league)Frank Williams was a Welsh rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1910s who at club level played rugby union for Swansea RFC, and at representative level played rugby league for Great Britain, and Wales, and at club level for Halifax, playing at , i.e...
, three-quarter back for HalifaxHalifax RLFCHalifax RLFC is one of the most historic rugby league clubs in the game, formed over a century ago, in 1873 in the Yorkshire town of Halifax. Known as 'Fax', the official club colours are blue and white hoops, blue shorts and blue socks . They share The Shay stadium with football club FC Halifax Town...
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 unionRugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
in 1908.
First test
The first test of the 1914 Ashes series was played in SydneySydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
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.
Third test
| Great Britain | Position | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Alf Wood Alf Wood (rugby league) Alfred "Alf" Ernest Wood was an English rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1900s and '10s who at representative level played rugby union for England, and at club level for Gloucester RFC, playing at Fullback, i.e. number 15, and at representative level played rugby league ... |
FB | Howard Hallett Howard Hallett Howard Hallett was an Australian rugby league player and coach for theSouth Sydney Rabbitohs in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership. Hallett primarily played at fullback... |
| Frank Williams Frank Williams (rugby league) Frank Williams was a Welsh rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1910s who at club level played rugby union for Swansea RFC, and at representative level played rugby league for Great Britain, and Wales, and at club level for Halifax, playing at , i.e... |
WG | Bob Tidyman Bob Tidyman Bob Tidyman was an Australian rugby league player and soldier who fell in World War I. A national representative winger, his short club career was played with Sydney's Eastern Suburbs club in the years 1913-15.-Rugby league career:... |
| 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 | Dally Messenger Dally Messenger Herbert Henry "Dally" Messenger was an Australian rugby union and rugby league footballer, recognised as one of the greatest ever players in either code. Messenger, or 'The Master' as he was dubbed, represented his country in both rugby football codes, playing two rugby union tests and seven... |
| Billy Hall Billy Hall (rugby league) William "Billy" M. Hall was an English rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1910s and '20s who at club level played rugby union for Gloucester RFC, and at representative level played rugby league for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Oldham, playing at , or... |
CE | Sid Deane Sid Deane Sid Deane was a foundation Australian rugby league player. He was a Centre for the Australia national team. He played in 5 Tests between 1908 and 1914. In 1914 he became the ninth Australian national captain and the first from the North Sydney Club.... (c) |
| William Davies | WG | Dan Frawley Dan Frawley Dan Frawley was a pioneer Australian rugby league footballer, a national representative player. He played his career as a winger with the Eastern Suburbs club in Sydney and is considered one of the nation's finest footballers of the 20th century... |
| Stuart Prosser Stuart Prosser W. Stuart Prosser was a Welsh rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1910s who at club level played rugby union for Pontypool RFC, and at representative level played rugby league for Great Britain, and at club level for Halifax, playing at /, i.e... |
FE | Charles Fraser |
| Fred Smith Fred Smith (rugby league) Fred Smith was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1900s and '10s who at representative level played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Hunslet, playing at /, or /, i.e... |
HB | Arthur Halloway Arthur Halloway Arthur 'Pony' Halloway , was a pioneering Australian rugby league footballer and coach. Born in Sydney, New South Wales he played for the Glebe Dirty Reds , Balmain Tigers and Eastern Suburbs , in the New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership.He was a Half-back for the Australian national... |
| Jack Chilcott Jack Chilcott John "Jack" Chilcott was a Welsh rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1910s who at club level played rugby union for Ogmore Vale RFC, and Cross Keys RFC, and at representative level played rugby league for Great Britain, and Wales, and at club level for Huddersfield,... |
PR | Ed Courtney |
| Dick Ramsdale Dick Ramsdale Richard "Dick" Ramsdale was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1910s who at representative level played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Wigan, playing at , or /, i.e... |
HK | Sid Pearce |
| Percy Coldrick Percy Coldrick Albert Percival "Percy" Coldrick was a Welsh dual code rugby player who played rugby union for Newport and rugby league for Wigan... |
PR | 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.... |
| Dave Holland Dave Holland (rugby league) David "Dave" Holland was an English dual-code international rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1910s and '20s who at representative level played rugby union for England, and at club level for Gloucester RFC, playing in the Forwards, and at representative level played rugby... |
SR | Con Sullivan Con Sullivan Con Sullivan was a New Zealand international rugby league footballer of the early twentieth century who played for various Australasian representative sides.-Playing career:... |
| Douglas Clark Douglas Clark (rugby league) Douglas "Duggy" Clark MM was an English rugby league footballer, wrestler and World War I veteran. He played at , or for Huddersfield, Cumberland, England and the Great Britain national side. Clark also served in World War I on the front line in France in 1917, earning the Military Medal for his... |
SR | Robert Craig |
| Albert Johnson Albert Johnson (rugby league) Arthur Johnson a.k.a. Arthur "Chick" Johnson , a local to Widnes, played for Widnes RLFC in the early 1900's.... |
LK | 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... |
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. 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. The tourists were instructed by the Northern Union officials to play and do their duty for England.
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. At half time the British were leading 9-3. Ten minutes into the second half, they had lost Douglas Clarke and Billy Hall to injuries so were reduced to ten men. '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. This lifted his teammates in defence and The British managed to win 14-6.
New Zealand
Originally scheduled to take place during the Ashes series, the New Zealand leg was postponed until afterwards.| Great Britain | Position | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Alf Wood Alf Wood (rugby league) Alfred "Alf" Ernest Wood was an English rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1900s and '10s who at representative level played rugby union for England, and at club level for Gloucester RFC, playing at Fullback, i.e. number 15, and at representative level played rugby league ... |
FB | Arthur Hardgrave |
| William Davies | CE | Stan Weston |
| Bert Jenkins Bert Jenkins Bert Jenkins was a Welsh rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1900s, '10s and '20s who at representative level played for Great Britain, and Wales, and at club level for Wigan, playing at .... |
WG | Karl Ifwersen Karl Ifwersen Karl Donald Ifwersen was a New Zealand rugby football player who represented his country in both rugby league and rugby union.-Early years:... |
| 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 Bradley (c) |
| Stan Moorhouse | WG | Billy Wilson |
| Billy Hall | SO | Frank Barclay |
| Fred Smith Fred Smith (rugby league) Fred Smith was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1900s and '10s who at representative level played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Hunslet, playing at /, or /, i.e... |
HB | Bill Bussell Bill Bussell William Samuel "Bill" Bussell was a New Zealand rugby league player who represented his country. Bussell was killed in action during World War I.-Personal life:Bussell was the son of William and Hester Bussell and lived in St Albans, Christchurch.... |
| Dave Holland Dave Holland (rugby league) David "Dave" Holland was an English dual-code international rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1910s and '20s who at representative level played rugby union for England, and at club level for Gloucester RFC, playing in the Forwards, and at representative level played rugby... |
PR | Charles Savory Charles Savory Charles Savory was a New Zealand international rugby league footballer and champion boxer who died in the First World War. An Australasian and New Zealand international representative forward, Savory was one of four Kiwis players selected to go on the 1911-12 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain.-Rugby... |
| Percy Coldrick Percy Coldrick Albert Percival "Percy" Coldrick was a Welsh dual code rugby player who played rugby union for Newport and rugby league for Wigan... |
HK | Ernest Button Ernest Button Ernest Linton Button was a New Zealand rugby league player who represented his country.-Playing career:Originally a rugby union player, Button represented Canterbury.... |
| Dick Ramsdale Dick Ramsdale Richard "Dick" Ramsdale was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1910s who at representative level played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Wigan, playing at , or /, i.e... |
PR | Jim Parker |
| Fred Longstaff | SR | Vic Banks |
| Albert Johnson Albert Johnson (rugby league) Arthur Johnson a.k.a. Arthur "Chick" Johnson , a local to Widnes, played for Widnes RLFC in the early 1900's.... |
SR | Bob Mitchell |
| James Clampitt James Clampitt James "Jim" Lamb Clampitt was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1900s and '10s who at representative level played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Broughton Rangers, playing at , or , i.e... |
LF | Stan Walters |
New Zealand lost the sole Test match 13-16. Billy Wilson scored two tries, Vic Banks scored one and Karl Ifwersen
Karl Ifwersen
Karl Donald Ifwersen was a New Zealand rugby football player who represented his country in both rugby league and rugby union.-Early years:...
kicked two goals.
Great Britain defeated Auckland
Auckland rugby league team
The Auckland rugby league team is the team which traditionally represents all of the clubs which play in the Auckland Rugby League competition. The Auckland Rugby League team has traditionally been a powerhouse of New Zealand domestic rugby league...
34-12 in front of 14,000. The gate earned Auckland Rugby League
Auckland Rugby League
The Auckland Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league in the Auckland Region of New Zealand. It is responsible for rugby league in the region and was the owner of Carlaw Park, once the "spiritual home of rugby league in New Zealand".-History:The Auckland Rugby League was...
₤650. The Auckland team was; Tom Cross (Ponsonby), Charles Woolley (City), Karl Ifwersen
Karl Ifwersen
Karl Donald Ifwersen was a New Zealand rugby football player who represented his country in both rugby league and rugby union.-Early years:...
(Grafton), Edward Fox (North Shore), Thomas McClymont
Thomas McClymont
Thomas Allen "Scotty" McClymont was a New Zealand rugby league player and coach who represented his country.-Early years:McClymont was born in Karangahake. McClymont represented the Goldfields sub-union in rugby union.-Playing career:...
(Ponsonby), Arthur Hardgrave (Otahuhu), Charles Webb (Ponsonby), Charles Savory
Charles Savory
Charles Savory was a New Zealand international rugby league footballer and champion boxer who died in the First World War. An Australasian and New Zealand international representative forward, Savory was one of four Kiwis players selected to go on the 1911-12 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain.-Rugby...
(Ponsonby), J Bennett (Newton), Stan Walters (North Shore), Bob Mitchell (Grafton), Harold Hayward
Harold Hayward
Harold "Circus" Owen Hayward was a New Zealand rugby football player who represented New Zealand in both rugby union and rugby league. His brother, Morgan, also represented New Zealand in rugby league.-Rugby union career:...
(Thames) and Jim Clark (Ponsonby).