2003 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France

Tour by the Australia national rugby league team 2003 Kangaroo tour 25 October 2003 – 22 November 2003 Chris Anderson Darren Lockyer Craig Fitzgibbon (58) Danny Buderus (3)Michael Crocker (3)Brett Kimmorley (3)Darren Lockyer (3)Anthony Minichiello (3)Matt Sing (3) 6 6 0 0 3 3 0 0 FRA 1 1 0 0 ENG England A 1 1 0 0 WAL 1 1 0 0 GBR 3 3 0 0 2001 2020 (Cancelled) The 2003 Kangaroo Tour was a six-match tour by the Australia national rugby league team of France, Wales and England, and to date has been the last Kangaroo Tour. The last three matches were all Tests against Great Britain for the Ashes. Coached by Chris Anderson and captained by Darren Lockyer, Australia continued its dominance, winning all of the three tests against Great Britain and retaining The Ashes that they have held since 1973, although the 3-0 series win didn't show how close the series really was as Australia had to come from behind to win every test, and won each match by a margin of no more than one converted try making it arguably the closest Ashes series since 1974. Touring squad The Australian team was coached by Chris Anderson who was making his 4th Kangaroo tour after 1978 and 1982 as a player and 2001 as coach. This equalled the record of his 1978 Kangaroos team mate Bob Fulton who had also toured twice as both a player (1973 and 1978), and twice as a coach (1990 and 1994). As Gorden Tallis had retired from representative football a month before, the team was captained by the newly appointed Darren Lockyer."Tallis quits rep football" (2003-09-30) abc.net.auApril 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes Player Club Position(s) Games (Sub) Tests (sub) Tries Goals F/Goals Points Phil Bailey Cronulla 16 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks LK CE 3 1 2 0 0 8 Danny Buderus Newcastle 16 Newcastle Knights HK 5 3 3 0 0 12 Petero Civoniceva Brisbane 16 Brisbane Broncos PR 6 (3) 3 (3) 0 0 0 0 Joel Clinton Penrith 16 Penrith Panthers PR 2 (1) 0 0 0 0 0 Michael Crocker Easts 16 Sydney Roosters HK FE 5 (3) 3 (2) 3 0 0 0 Michael De Vere Brisbane 16 Brisbane Broncos CE 4 2 1 5 0 14 Craig Fitzgibbon Easts 16 Sydney Roosters SR 5 3 1 27 0 58 Ryan Girdler Penrith 16 Penrith Panthers CE 1 0 1 0 0 4 Craig Gower penrith 16 Penrith Panthers HB FE 5 2 2 1 0 10 Shannon Hegarty Easts 16 Sydney Roosters CE WG 4 1 1 0 0 4 Robbie Kearns Melbourne 16 Melbourne Storm PR 5 (1) 3 1 0 0 4 Brett Kimmorley Cronulla 16 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks HB 6 (1) 3 3 0 1 13 Luke Lewis Penrith 16 Penrith Panthers WG 2 0 0 0 0 0 Darren Lockyer (c) Brisbane 16 Brisbane Broncos FB 5 3 3 0 0 12 Willie Mason Canterbury 16 Bulldogs SR 6 (5) 3 (3) 0 0 0 0 Anthony Minichiello Easts 16 Sydney Roosters FB WG 5 3 3 0 0 12 Luke Ricketson Easts 16 Sydney Roosters LK 5 3 2 0 0 8 Steve Simpson Newcastle 16 Newcastle Knights SR 5 3 1 0 0 4 Matt Sing North Queensland 16 North Queensland Cowboys WG 4 2 3 0 0 12 Darren Smith* St Helens 16 St. Helens 1 (1) 1 (1) 0 0 0 0 Richard Villasanti New Zealand Warriors old 16 New Zealand Warriors PR 2 (2) 0 0 0 0 0 Trent Waterhouse Penrith 16 Penrith Panthers SR 5 (5) 3 (3) 2 0 0 8 Shane Webcke Brisbane 16 Brisbane Broncos PR 5 (1) 3 0 0 0 0 Craig Wing Easts 16 Sydney Roosters FE CE 5 3 1 0 0 4 Darren Smith was added to the team while the tour was in England Pre-Ashes matches Saturday, 25 October France 10 – 34 France XIII vs Australia Australia Tries: Julien Rinaldi Goals: Julien Rinaldi (3) Tries: Michael Crocker (2), Matt Sing (2), Anthony Minichiello, Trent Waterhouse Goals: Michael De Vere (5) Stade d'Albert Domec, Carcassonne 7,813 Richard Frileux France: Julien Gerin, Dimitri Pelo, Sylvain Houles, Teddy Sadaoui, Frédéric Zitter, Frédéric Banquet, Julien Rinaldi, Olivier Pramil, Cederic Gay, Jérôme Guisset (c), Daniel Dumas, Jamal Fakir, John Vaigata. Res - Artie Shead, Pierre Sabatie, Abderazak El Khalouki, Marc Faumuina. Coach - Gilles Dumas Australia: Anthony Minichiello, Luke Lewis, Shannon Hegarty, Michael De Vere, Matt Sing, Craig Wing, Craig Gower, Petero Civoniceva, Michael Crocker, Robbie Kearns (c), Willie Mason, Trent Waterhouse, Phil Bailey. Res - Joel Clinton, Shane Webcke, Richard Villasanti, Brett Kimmorley Tuesday, 28 October England A England 22 – 26 http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/kangaroos-tour-2003/game-1/english-league-vs-australia.html England A vs Australia 2016-02-01 https://web.archive.org/web/20161006125307/http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/kangaroos-tour-2003/game-1/english-league-vs-australia.html 2016-10-06 dead Australia Tries: Martin Aspinwall, Ade Gardner, Martin Gleeson, Andy Lynch Goals: Chris Thorman (3) Tries: Danny Buderus, Michael Crocker, Robbie Kearns, Matt Sing Goals: Craig Fitzgibbon (5) Griffin Park, London 6,817 Glen Black England A: Shaun Briscoe, Mark Calderwood, Martin Gleeson, Martin Aspinwall, Ade Gardner, Chris Thorman, Rob Burrow, Andy Lynch, Matt Diskin, Rob Parker, Danny Tickle, Lee Radford, Sean O'Loughlin (c). Res - Danny McGuire, Mick Higham, Danny Sculthorpe, Gareth Hock. Coach - John Kear Australia: Darren Lockyer (c), Matt Sing, Shannon Hegarty, Michael De Vere, Luke Lewis, Craig Gower, Brett Kimmorley, Joel Clinton, Danny Buderus, Petero Civoniceva, Craig Fitzgibbon, Steve Simpson, Luke Ricketson. Res - Michael Crocker, Trent Waterhouse, Willie Mason, Robbie Kearns Australia played a non-test international against Wales in Bridgend. The Kangaroos won 76-4, crossing for 11 tries. #eeeeee WAL AUS 4 – 76 Wales vs Australia Tries: Kris Tassell Goals: Tries: Danny Buderus (2) Brett Kimmorley (2) Anthony Minichiello (2) Phil Bailey Ryan Girdler Craig Gower Shannon Hegarty Darren Lockyer Steve Simpson Craig Wing Goals: Craig Fitzgibbon (11/11) Craig Gower (1/2) Sunday, 2 November Brewery Field, Bridgend 3,112 Karl Kirkpatrick ENG Brett Kimmorley Australia 16 WalesPositionAustraliaPaul Atcheson (c)FBDarren Lockyer (c)Hefin O'HareWGAnthony MinichielloKris TassellCERyan GirdlerAdam HughesCEPhil BaileyDamian GibsonWGShannon HegartyAled JamesSOCraig GowerMark LennonSHBrett KimmorleyRob RobertsPRShane WebckeIan WatsonHKDanny BuderusAnthony FarrellPRPetero CivonicevaJon AstonSRSteve SimpsonChris MorleySRCraig FitzgibbonKevin EllisLFLuke RicketsonAllan BatemanRes.Richard VillasantiDavid MillsRes.Willie MasonGareth PriceRes.Trent WaterhouseJordan JamesRes.Craig WingNeil KellyCoachChris Anderson Ashes series Test Venues The three Ashes series tests took place at the following venues. Wigan Hull Huddersfield JJB Stadium Kingston Communications Stadium Kirklees Stadium Capacity: 25,138 Capacity: 25,586 Capacity: 24,500 200px 200px 200px Australia were to contest Great Britain for the Ashes for the last time in 2003 in what was styled the Think! Road Safety Test series. The Australian Rugby League and Rugby Football League agreed beforehand that the best-of-three series would be officiated by British referees Steve Ganson and Russell Smith for the 1st and 3rd tests, and by Australian referee Tim Mander for the 2nd test.Birchalll Steven Referees for Think! Ashes Test Series http://www.leagueunlimited.com/news/show/referees-for-think-ashes-test-series 7 September 2013 leagueunlimited.com 4 November 2003 https://web.archive.org/web/20140520215709/http://leagueunlimited.com/news/show/referees-for-think-ashes-test-series 20 May 2014 dead dmy-all The series was broadcast on television by Sky Sports with commentary by Eddie Hemmings, Mike Stephenson, Shaun McRae, Bill Arthur and Chris Warren. Australian McRae, a former Canberra Raiders trainer and assistant coach under Tim Sheens, had actually toured with both the 1990 and 1994 Kangaroos as a team trainer and as Bob Fulton's unofficial assistant coach. 1st Test #eeeeee GBR AUS 18 – 22 Tries Brian Carney (2) Keith Senior Goals Sean Long (2/4) Paul Deacon (1/1) Tries Phil Bailey Craig Gower Darren Lockyer Trent Waterhouse Goals Craig Fitzgibbon (3/3) Craig Gower (0/2) 18:30 GMTSaturday, 8 November JJB Stadium, Wigan 24,614Ashes series 2003 - Game 1 http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/ashes-series-2003/game-1/great-britain-vs-australia/summary.html rugbyleagueproject.org Shawn Dollin, Andrew Ferguson and Bill Bates 7 September 2013 Steve Ganson GBR Craig Wing Australia 16 Great BritainPosit.AustraliaKris RadlinskiFBDarren Lockyer (c)Brian CarneyWGAnthony MinichielloGary ConnollyCECraig WingKeith SeniorCEPhil BaileyRichard HorneWGShannon HegartyPaul SculthorpeSOCraig GowerSean LongSHBrett KimmorleyStuart FieldenPRShane WebckeTerry NewtonHKDanny BuderusAdrian MorleyPRRobbie KearnsJamie PeacockSRSteve SimpsonAndy Farrell (c)SRCraig FitzgibbonMike ForshawLFLuke RicketsonPaul AndersonInt.Petero CivonicevaBarrie McDermottInt.Willie MasonPaul DeaconInt.Trent WaterhouseLee GilmourInt.Michael CrockerDavid WaiteCoachChris Anderson Lions winger Brian Carney became the first Irishman to represent Great Britain since Tom McKinney at the 1957 Rugby League World Cup. Great Britain kicked off and Australian front rower Robbie Kearns, taking the very first hit-up of the match was struck high by his opposite number Adrian Morley, who was promptly sent off,news.bbc.co.uk The Ashes - first Test photos https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/photo_galleries/3253859.stm 7 September 2013 BBC News 8 November 2003 leaving his team to play the entire match with only twelve men.Marsh John 3 September 2009 Lockyer luke-warm [sic] on 'Ashes' http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/sport/nrl/story/0,26746,26021519-5003409,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20090906114532/http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/sport/nrl/story/0,26746,26021519-5003409,00.html dead September 6, 2009 The Courier-Mail Brisbane, Australia 31 October 2019 It was a record for the fastest ever sending off in rugby league history. In the eleventh minute Australia had reached the opposition's end of the field and after playing the ball right in front of the try line, Gower and Lockyer strung long passes together to get it out to the right wing where Phil Bailey dived over in the corner. The video referee David Campbell ruled that Bailey had grounded the ball before his feet were pulled into touch and he was awarded his first international try. With first choice goal-kicker Fitzgibbon taken from the field suffering concussion in the lead-up to the try, the conversion attempt was made by Gower who missed, so the Kangaroos led 0-4. Great Britain later got the ball down to Australia's end and equalised with a similar try, with international debutant Carney diving over in the right-hand corner just before the eighteen-minute mark. Sean Long's conversion attempt was also missed so the scores were level at 4-4.de la Rivière Richard 12th-Second Red Card costs GB http://richarddelariviere.co.uk/?p=731 Thirteen richarddelariviere.co.uk 8 January 2014 8 January 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140108025347/http://richarddelariviere.co.uk/?p=731 dead In the thirty-first minute, the Australians had almost reached Great Britain's try line where on the fifth tackle Lockyer at first receiver put a short kick in behind the defense for Waterhouse to grab onto and fall over the line. The video referee was called upon to check for off-side but the try was awarded. Gower's second conversion attempt was also missed so Australia led 4-8 and this remained the score until half-time.Australia win thriller https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/3253771.stm 7 September 2013 BBC Sport 8 November 2003 Nearly five minutes into the second half a brawl erupted between Brian Carney and Michael Crocker and in the aftermath Crocker was sent to the sin bin. A few minutes later, following a handling error by Lockyer close to the centre of his own try-line, Great Britain were awarded a scrum feed. From the scrum win the ball was moved out to left centre Keith Senior who dived over in the fiftieth minute to equalise the scores again. Long kicked the conversion successfully so the home side lead 10-8. This lead was extended with a penalty kick by Long making it 12-8.Australia sink brave Lions https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/3247395.stm 7 September 2013 BBC News 8 November 2003 Australia later made their way down to Great Britain's end of the field and on the last tackle Brett Kimmorley from dummy-half ran up to the defensive line then threw a long cut out pass left to his halves partner Craig Gower to run through a gap and dive over the try-line untouched, equalising the score once again. With Fitzgibbon back on the field the conversion was successful so Australia were leading 12-14 with thirty minutes remaining. From the ensuing kick-off Gower knocked on and from the resulting possession right in front of Australia's try-line, Great Britain, after keeping the ball alive got it out to right winger Carney who dove over in the corner again.news.bbc.co.uk Australia beat GB https://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/sport/newsid_3254000/3254639.stm 7 September 2013 CBBC Newsround 9 November 2003 The video referee checked that the ball was put down properly before Carney's legs were pulled into touch and he was awarded the try, re-gaining the lead for Great Britain. Paul Deacon with his first conversion attempt for Great Britain kicked the goal from the sideline successfully, so the home side were leading 18-14 with less than ten minutes of the match remaining. Then in the seventy-fifth minute the Kangaroos were a few metres into Great Britain's half of the field and on the last tackle. They swung the ball out to the left where Craig Wing made a break and passed it back inside for Darren Lockyer coming up in support to run the remaining fifteen metres and score untouched under the posts. Fitzgibbon's conversion was successful so Australia were leading 18-20. When taking a goal-line drop out, Andy Farrell kicked it out on the full resulting in a penalty to Australia right in front of the uprights. Fitzgibbon kicked the goal in the final minute so the full-time score was 18-22.Kangaroos escape with last-gasp win http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/11/09/1068312853460.html 7 September 2013 The Age 9 November 2003 2nd Test #eeeeee GBR AUS 20 – 23 Tries Gary Connolly Terry Newton Kris Radlinski Goals Paul Deacon (4/4) Tries Darren Lockyer Brett Kimmorley Craig Fitzgibbon Goals Craig Fitzgibbon (5/6) Field Goals Brett Kimmorley 15 November 2003 Kingston Communications Stadium, Hull 22,152 Tim Mander AUS Brett Kimmorley Australia 16 Great BritainPosit.AustraliaKris RadlinskiFBDarren Lockyer (c)Brian CarneyWGAnthony MinichielloGary ConnollyCECraig WingKeith SeniorCEMichael De VereRichard HorneWGMatt SingPaul SculthorpeSOCraig GowerPaul DeaconSHBrett KimmorleyStuart FieldenPRShane WebckeTerry NewtonHKDanny BuderusBarrie McDermottPRRobbie KearnsJamie PeacockSRSteve SimpsonAdrian MorleySRCraig FitzgibbonAndy Farrell (c)LFLuke RicketsonSean LongInt.Petero CivonicevaMike ForshawInt.Willie MasonKevin SinfieldInt.Trent WaterhousePaul AndersonInt.Michael CrockerDavid WaiteCoachChris Anderson For his high tackle in the 1st Test, Great Britain front rower Adrian Morley avoided suspension, only incurring a fine of £2,000 from a three-man international judiciary panel consisting of Queensland Rugby League chairman John McDonald, Rugby Football League representative Deryck Fox and chairman, Judge Peter Charlesworth.AAP Fury after Morley dodges ban http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/11/11/1068329553045.html 7 September 2013 The Age 11 November 2003 3rd Test #eeeeee GBR AUS 12 – 18 Tries Kris Radlinski Paul Sculthorpe Goals Paul Deacon (1/2) Sean Long (1/1) Tries Luke Ricketson (2) Michael De Vere Goals Craig Fitzgibbon (3/3) 22 November 2003 McAlpine Stadium, Huddersfield 24,126 Russell Smith GBR Adrian Morley GB 16 Great BritainPosit.AustraliaKris RadlinskiFBDarren Lockyer (c)Brian CarneyWGAnthony MinichielloMartin GleesonCECraig WingLee GilmourCEMichael De VereRichard HorneWGMatt SingPaul SculthorpeSOMichael CrockerPaul DeaconSHBrett KimmorleyStuart FieldenPRShane WebckeTerry NewtonHKDanny BuderusAdrian MorleyPRRobbie KearnsJamie PeacockSRSteve SimpsonAndy Farrell (c)SRCraig FitzgibbonMike ForshawLFLuke RicketsonSean LongInt.Petero CivonicevaBarrie McDermottInt.Willie MasonKevin SinfieldInt.Trent WaterhouseGareth EllisInt.Darren SmithDavid WaiteCoachChris Anderson Statistics Leading Try Scorer 3 by Darren Lockyer, Michael Crocker, Anthony Minichiello, Matt Sing and Brett Kimmorley Leading Point Scorer 58 by Craig Fitzgibbon (1 try, 27 goals) Largest Attendance 24,614 - First test vs Great Britain at JJB Stadium Largest non-test Attendance 7,813 - vs France XIII at Stade d'Albert Domec Aftermath The series was the first time since the 1986 Kangaroo tour that Australia had won all three Tests against Great Britain. Despite the result, it was felt that Great Britain had closed the gap on Australia,Irving Christopher Ashes whitewash leaves Australia with something to crow about https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/australasia-travel/australia/ashes-whitewash-leaves-australia-with-something-to-crow-about-b987782mxkt#:~:text=They%20pulled%20three%20wins%20from,to%20complete%20the%20clean%20sweep. 24 November 2003 and had missed a good opportunity to win the series for the first time in 33 years.Sculthorpe: We blew it again https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/3230906.stm BBC Sport 28 March 2025 23 November 2003 live https://web.archive.org/web/20160624213602/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/3230906.stm 24 June 2016 Former Australian captain Mal Meninga was more critical of the British, stating that they lacked the mental toughness needed to win at Test match level, and believed that the team would improve if more of their players joined clubs in the National Rugby League.English too soft to win - Meninga. https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=AWGLNB&docref=news/148A80856370C8D0 The Canberra Times 26 November 2003 40 NewsBank subscription References External links 2003 Kangaroo Tour at rugbyleagueproject.org 2003 Kangaroo Tour at rl1908.com Category:Australia national rugby league team tours Category:Rugby league tours of Great Britain Category:Rugby league tours of France Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France