1956–57 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France

Rugby league tour (1956–1957) December 2024 1956–57 Australia 1956 1957 England France Clarrie Fahy Cyril Connell Sr. Ken Kearney Gordon Clifford 94 Ian Moir 13 Gordon Clifford 22 Keith Holman 4 28 18 1 9 6 4 0 2 GB 3 1 0 2 FRA 3 3 0 0 1952–53 1959–60 The 1956–57 Kangaroo tour was the ninth Kangaroo tour, in which the Australian national rugby league team travelled to Great Britain and France and played twenty-eight matches, including the Ashes series of three Test matches against Great Britain and three Test matches against the French. It followed the tour of 1952–53 and the next was staged in 1959–60. The squad's leadership The team was captained by Ken Kearney with Clive Churchill as vice-captain. Tour co-managers were Clarrie Fahy and Cyril Connell Sr. The latter's son, Cyril Connell Jr. was a playing member of the touring party.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article79268590 Connell And Banks Gain Selection In Kangaroos The Central Queensland Herald Rockhampton 13 September 1956 3 January 2022 18 National Library of Australia In the three matches in which neither Kearney nor Churchill played, the Kangaroos were captained by Cyril Connell Jr. Touring squad The Rugby League News published a photo and details of the touring team including the players' ages and weights.New South Wales Rugby Football League. The Rugby League News Sydney N.S.W. Rugby Football League Trove Australia's 1956–57 Kangaroos 37 29 1 October 1956 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-756032832 nla.obj-756032832 2 January 2022 Various newspapers published the names of the touring squad when it was selected in September 1956. Match details - listing surnames of both teams and the point scorers - were included in E.E. Christensen's Official Rugby League Yearbook, as was a summary of the players' point-scoring.E.E.Christensen E.E. Christensen's Official Rugby League Yearbook Sydney E.E.Christensen 1957 The 1956–57 Kangaroos 11 Banks, Connell, Davies, Doyle, Flannery, Furner, McGovern, Payne, Tyquin and Watson were selected from Queensland clubs. Adams and Marsh were selected from clubs in New South Wales Country areas. The balance of the squad had played for Sydney-based clubs during the 1956 season.June 2025 Player Position Main Position Age Weight Club TestsonTour Games Tries Goals FG Points Clive Churchill FB 29 11.0 (70) South Sydney 16 South Sydney 2 15 0 10 3 26 Gordon Clifford FB 26 12.0 (76) Newtown 16 Newtown 4 12 2 43 1 94 Denis Flannery WG 27 12.10 (81) Brothers 16 Ipswich Brothers 5 16 12 0 0 36 Don Adams WG 22 12.6 (79) Newcastle1908 16 Newcastle 2 15 11 0 0 33 Des McGovern WG 28 13.3 (84) Halifax 16 Toowoomba All Whites 3 9 6 0 0 18 Ian Moir WG 24 11.4 (72) South Sydney 16 South Sydney 2 16 13 0 0 39 Alex Watson CE 23 13.10 (87) Wests Panthers 16 Brisbane Western Suburbs 5 18 1 0 0 3 Dick Poole CE 25 13.2 (83) Newtown 16 Newtown 6 17 7 0 0 21 Kevin O'Brien CE 24 12.12 (82) St George 16 St George 0 11 6 0 0 18 Tom Payne CE 21 12.6 (79) Halifax 16 Toowoomba All Whites 1 13 3 0 0 9 Bob Banks FE 26 12.6 (79) Fortitude Valley Diehards 16 North Rockhampton 6 18 5 0 1 17 Ian Johnston FE 29 12.8 (80) Western Suburbs 16 Western Suburbs 0 9 7 0 0 21 Keith Holman HB 28 11.9 (74) Western Suburbs 16 Western Suburbs 6 17 10 5 0 40 Cyril Connell Jr. HB 26 10.10 (68) Fortitude Valley Diehards 16 North Rockhampton 0 14 10 17 0 64 Ian Doyle LK 24 13.1 (83) Halifax 16 Toowoomba All Whites 4 16 2 0 0 6 Tom Tyquin LK 23 14.4 (91) Souths Magpies 16 South Brisbane 3 16 2 0 0 6 Norm Provan SR 24 15.6 (98) St George 16 St George 3 15 3 0 0 9 Kel O'Shea SR 23 15.4 (97) Western Suburbs 16 Western Suburbs 6 14 2 0 0 6 Bernie Purcell SR 28 13.10 (87) South Sydney 16 South Sydney 0 7 0 12 0 24 Don Furner SR 23 14.7 (92) Balmain 16 Toowoomba Souths 1 11 0 3 0 6 Brian Davies PR 26 14.10 (93) Past Brothers 16 Brisbane Brothers 3 12 5 1 0 17 Roy Bull PR 26 15.5 (98) Manly 16 Manly-Warringah 6 21 2 0 0 6 Bryan Orrock PR 25 15.7 (98) St George 16 St George 2 5 0 0 0 0 Bill Marsh PR 27 14.12 (94) Canterbury 16 Cootamundra 2 17 5 0 0 15 Ken Kearney HK 32 13.7 (86) St George 16 St George 6 19 2 1 0 8 Ernest Hammerton HK 29 11.11 (75) South Sydney 16 South Sydney 0 11 0 0 0 0 Test Venues The three Ashes series tests took place at the following venues. Wigan Bradford Swinton Central Park Odsal Stadium Station Road Capacity: 48,000 Capacity: 60,000 Capacity: 40,000 200px 200px 200px Match Results The tour began in Great Britain with a series a matches, but the first Test Match of the tour was played against France in Paris. The tourists returned to Great Britain for more matches against English clubs and a three Test Match series against Great Britain. The team then returned to France to play a Second and Third Test against France (the fifth and sixth Tests of the tour), plus matches against club and other representative teams. 10 October 3.00pm Liverpool Stanley Ireland 16 1240 Australia 16 Australia C.F. Appleton Mill Yard, Liverpool 4,712 Gate: £ 595 Tries: 2 Greenhough Hunt Goals: 3Wood (3) Tries: 10 Don Adams (4) Denis Flannery (3) Kel O'Shea Keith Holman Bob Banks Goals: 4Clive Churchill (3) Brian Davies Field Goals: 1 Clive Churchill 13 October 3.00pm Leeds Leeds 16 1813 Australia 16 Australia R. Gelder Headingley, Leeds 24,459 Gate: £ 3,483 Tries: 4 McLellan Robinson Pratt Prior Goals: 3Dunn (3) Tries: 3 Ian Moir (2) Keith Holman Goals: 2Gordon Clifford (2) 15 October 7.15pm Hull F.C. / Hull Kingston Rovers XIII 1437 Australia 16 Australia M. Coates Boothferry Park, Hull 17,172 Gate: £ 2,680 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article91225301 Brillian Football by Kangaroos The Canberra Times Canberra 17 October 1956 2 January 2022 16 National Library of Australia Tries: 2 Gittoes Coulson Goals: 4Buckle (4) Tries: 9 Brian Davies (2) Ian Moir (2) Dick Poole (2) Denis Flannery Roy Bull Cyril Connell Jr. Goals: 4Don Furner (3) Clive Churchill Field goals: 1 Clive Churchill 18 October 3.30pm Barrow Barrow 16 1125 Australia 16 Australia Eric Clay Craven Park, Barrow 9,988 Gate: £ 1,102 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article91225403 Strong Barrow Side To Meet Kangaroos The Canberra Times Canberra 18 October 1956 2 January 2022 20 National Library of Australia Tries: 3 Lewthwaite (2) Castle Goals: 1Ball Tries: 5 Bob Banks Don Adams Bill Marsh Dick Poole Keith Holman Goals: 4Bernie Purcell (4) Field goals: 1 Clive Churchill 20 October 3.00pm Whitehaven Whitehaven 16 1411 Australia 16 Australia R. Thomas Recreation Ground, Whitehaven 10,840 Gate: £ 1,253 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article91225697 Missed Chances Rob Kangaroos of Win The Canberra Times Canberra 27 October 1956 2 January 2022 8 National Library of Australiahttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article79270288 Poor Kicking Leads To Kangaroos' Defeat The Central Queensland Herald Rockhampton 25 October 1956 2 January 2022 18 National Library of Australia Tries: 2 Tembey Smith Goals: 4McKeown (4) Tries: 3 Bill Marsh Denis Flannery Cyril Connell Jr. Goals: 1Clive Churchill 24 October 7.30pm Bradford Northern Bradford 16 1123 Australia 16 Australia N.T. Railton Odsal Stadium, Bradford 2,743 Gate: £ 451 New South Wales Rugby Football League. The Rugby League News Sydney N.S.W. Rugby Football League Trove Kangaroos' Rally Won At Odsal 37 31 1 December 1956 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-756066917 nla.obj-756066917 2 January 2022 Tries: 3 Davies (3) Goals: 1Seddon Tries: 5 Des McGovern (2) Gordon Clifford Bill Marsh Cyril Connell Jr. Goals: 4Gordon Clifford (4) 27 October 3.00pm Warrington Warrington 16 2117 Australia 16 Australia G. Scott Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington 15,613 Gate: £ 2,163 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article91226166 Warrington Beat Kangaroos 21-17 The Canberra Times Canberra 29 October 1956 2 January 2022 10 National Library of Australia Tries: 5 Challinor (2) Gilfidder (2) Horton Goals: 3Bath (3) Tries: 3 Dick Poole (2) Denis Flannery Goals: 4Bernie Purcell (4) 29 October 7.30pm Rugby League XIII England 16 1519 Australia 16 Australia N.T. Railton Kirkhall Lane, Leigh 7,811 Gate: £ 1,127 The Rugby League News Sydney N.S.W. Rugby Football League Trove Kanga's Floodlit Win - Australians Turned on the Heat 37 31 1 December 1956 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-756067861 nla.obj-756067861 2 January 2022 Longworth Tomhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article91226409 Kangaroos Great In 19-15 Win The Canberra Times Canberra 31 October 1956 2 January 2022 16 National Library of Australia Tries: 3 Shar Pitchford Bolton Goals: 3Jones (3) Tries: 3 Des McGovern (2) Tom Tyquin Goals: 5Gordon Clifford (5) 1st Test vs France #E5E4E2 1 November FRA 815 AUS P. Ribas Parc des Princes, Paris 10,789 Gate: Fr 4,181,400 First Test - France v AustraliaThe Rugby League News Sydney N.S.W. Rugby Football League Trove Holman Starred in Paris test 37 31 1 December 1956 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-756067007 nla.obj-756067007 2 January 2022 Black Tigerhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article91226679 Kangaroos Win 15-8 in France The Canberra Times Canberra 3 November 1956 2 January 2022 16 National Library of Australia Tries: 2 Augustin Parent Jacky Merquey Goals: 1 Andre Audy Tries: 3 Keith Holman (2) Des McGovern Goals: 3Clive Churchill (2) Keith Holman FrancePositionAustralia Andre Audy FB Clive Churchill Maurice Voron WG Denis Flannery Roger Rey CE Dick Poole Jacky Merquey (c) CE Alex Watson Andre Savonne WG Des McGovern Auguste Ambert SO Bob Banks Guy Lucia SH Keith Holman François Rinaldi PR Roy Bull Antranik Apelian HK Ken Kearney (c) François Montrucolis PR Brian Davies Robert Medus SR Bill Tyquin Augustin Parent SR Norm Provan Jean Rouqueirol LF Kel O'Shea 3 November 3.00pm York York RLFC 16 1820 Australia 16 Australia A. Howgate Wigginton Road, York 6,842 Gate: £ 897 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article79270580 Kangaroos Defeat York 20-18 in Epic Struggle The Central Queensland Herald Rockhampton 8 November 1956 2 January 2022 18 National Library of Australia Tries: 4 Smith Webster Foster Deighton Goals: 3Yorke (3) Tries: 4 Ian Johnston (2) Brian Davies Kevin O'Brien Goals: 4Bernie Purcell (4) 7 November 3.00pm Oldham Oldham 16 212 Australia 16 Australia T. Watkinson Watersheddings, Oldham 8,458 Gate: £ 1,268 Tries: 3 Pitchford Etty Turner Goals: 6Ganley (6) Tries: nil Goals: 1Cyril Connell Jr. 10 November 3.00pm Huddersfield Huddersfield 16 1020 Australia 16 Australia A.E. Durkin Fartown Ground, Huddersfield 12,127 Gate: £ 1,699 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article79271006 Kangaroos Take Heart From Huddersfield Win The Central Queensland Herald Rockhampton 15 November 1956 2 January 2022 18 National Library of Australia Tries: 2 Fairbank Sullivan Goals: 2Dyson (2) Tries: 4 Brian Davies Ian Moir Tom Tyquin Don Adams Goals: 4Gordon Clifford (4) 1st Test vs Great Britain #E5E4E2 17 November 2.30pm GB 2110 AUS Norman Railton ENG Central Park, Wigan 22,473 Gate: £ 4,844 First Test - Great Britain v AustraliaThe Rugby League News Sydney N.S.W. Rugby Football League Trove Forward Failed in Wigan Test 37 31 1 December 1956 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-756067197 nla.obj-756067197 2 January 2022 Black Tiger Tries: 5 Billy Boston (2) Jack Grundy Alan Davies Mick Sullivan Goals: 3 Frank Mortimer (3) Tries: 2 Ian Moir Dick Poole Goals: 2Keith Holman (2) Great BritainPositionAustralia Frank Mortimer FB Clive Churchill Billy Boston WG Ian Moir Phil Jackson CE Dick Poole Alan Davies CE Alex Watson Mick Sullivan WG Don Adams Raymond Price SO Bob Banks Jeff Stevenson SH Keith Holman Alan Prescott (c) PR Brian Davies Tommy Harris HK Ken Kearney (c) Brian Shaw PR Roy Bull Jack Grundy SR Bill Tyquin Don Robinson SR Bill Marsh Edgar Dawson LF Kel O'Shea 21 November 2.30pm Hunslet Hunslet 16 1127 Australia 16 Australia G. Wilson Parkside, Hunslet 4,451 Gate: £ 400 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article79271622 Kangaroos' 27-11 Win The Central Queensland Herald Rockhampton 29 November 1956 2 January 2022 18 National Library of Australia Tries: 1 Burnell Goals: 4Langton (4) Tries: 5 Cyril Connell Jr. (2) Kevin O'Brien Denis Flannery Kel O'Shea Goals: 6Gordon Clifford (6) 24 November 2.30pm St Helens St Helens 16 442 Australia 16 Australia F. Smith Knowsley Road St Helens 15,579 Gate: £ 1,931 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article79271627 Kangaroos Suffer Worst Defeat The Central Queensland Herald Rockhampton 29 November 1956 2 January 2022 18 National Library of Australia Tries: 10 Llewellyn (2) Gaskell McCabe Silcock Karalius Rhodes Dickinson Terry Prescott Goals: 7Rhodes (7) Tries: nil Goals: 1Gordon Clifford 2nd Test vs Great Britain #E5E4E2 1 December 2.30pm GB 922 AUS Matthew Coates ENG Odsal Stadium, Bradford 23,634 Gate: £ 4,174 Second Test - Great Britain v AustraliaThe Rugby League News Sydney N.S.W. Rugby Football League Trove Test Win - Shock to England 37 32 1 January 1957 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-756095561 nla.obj-756095561 2 January 2022 Black Tigerhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article91228887 Kangaroos Shock England In 22-9 Test Win The Canberra Times Canberra 3 December 1956 2 January 2022 9 National Library of Australia Tries: 1 Jeff Stevenson Goals: 3 Frank Mortimer (3) Tries: 4 Keith Holman Bob Banks Brian Davies Roy Bull Goals: 5Gordon Clifford (5) Great BritainPositionAustralia Frank Mortimer FB Gordon Clifford Billy Boston WG Denis Flannery Phil Jackson CE Alex Watson Alan Davies CE Dick Poole Mick Sullivan WG Des McGovern Raymond Price SO Bob Banks Jeff Stevenson SH Keith Holman Alan Prescott (c) PR Brian Davies Tommy Harris HK Ken Kearney (c) Brian Shaw PR Roy Bull Jack Grundy SR Kel O'Shea Don Robinson SR Don Furner Derek Turner LF Ian Doyle 5 December 2.30pm Halifax Halifax 16 63 Australia 16 Australia J. Clapham Thrum Hall, Halifax 2,254 Gate: £ 280 Tries: nil Goals: 3Owen (3) Tries: 1 Ian Moir Goals: nil 8 December 2.30pm Wigan Wigan 16 432 Australia 16 Australia H. Harrison Central Park, Wigan 15,854 Gate: £ 2,032 Tries: nil Goals: 2Ashton (2) Tries: 6 Ian Doyle (2) Des McGovern Alex Watson Denis Flannery Keith Holman Goals: 7Gordon Clifford (7) 10 December 2.30pm Wakefield Trinity Wakefield 16 1712 Australia 16 Australia G. Philpott Belle Vue, Wakefield 3,381 Gate: £ 309 Tries: 3 Hirst Rollin Bullock Goals: 4Fox (4) Tries: 2 Ian Johnston Cyril Connell Jr. Goals: 3Clive Churchill (3) 3rd Test vs Great Britain #E5E4E2 15 December 2.30pm GB 190 AUS Frank Gelder ENG Station Road, Swinton 17,542 Gate: £ 4,224 Third Test - Great Britain v Australiahttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article91230027 Kangaroos Thrashed By England In Third Test Match The Canberra Times Canberra 17 December 1956 2 January 2022 12 National Library of Australia Tries: 5 Sid Little Derek Turner Geoff Gunney Mick Sullivan Billy Boston Goals: 2 Alan Davies (2) Tries: nil Goals: nil Great BritainPositionAustralia Glyn Moses FB Gordon Clifford Billy Boston WG Denis Flannery Phil Jackson CE Dick Poole Alan Davies CE Alex Watson Mick Sullivan WG Des McGovern Raymond Price SO Bob Banks Jeff Stevenson SH Keith Holman Alan Prescott (c) PR Bryan Orrock Tommy Harris HK Ken Kearney (c) Sid Little PR Roy Bull Jack Grundy SR Bill Tyquin Geoff Gunney SR Kel O'Shea Derek Turner LF Ian Doyle 18 December French Army XIII France 16 1111 Australia 16 Australia Palais des Sports, Limoges 3,153 Tries: 1 Alberti Goals: 4 Giriat (4) Tries: 3 Don Adams Kevin O'Brien Ian Johnston Goals: 1Cyril Connell Jr. 20 December Racing Club Albi XIII albi 16 2025 Australia 16 AustraliaPalais des Sports Stade Maurice Rigaud, Albi 3,789 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article91230680 Kangaroos Shine On Firm Ground The Canberra Times Canberra 27 December 1956 2 January 2022 8 National Library of Australia Tries: 4 Verdier Bessieres Tounos Berthomieu Goals: 4Galaup (4) Tries: 5 Cyril Connell Jr. (2) Bob Banks (2) Ian Moir Goals: 5Cyril Connell Jr. (5) 2nd Test vs France #E5E4E2 23 December FRA 610 AUS P. Ribas Parc Lescure, Bordeaux 11,379 Gate: Fr 4,150,000 Second Test - France v Australiahttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article91230574 Kangaroos Beat France In Fine Display The Canberra Times Canberra 25 December 1956 2 January 2022 12 National Library of Australia Tries: nil Goals: 3 Gilbert Benausse (2) Andre Audy Tries: 2 Denis Flannery Keith Holman Goals: 1Gordon Clifford Field goals: 1 Gordon Clifford FrancePositionAustralia Andre Audy FB Gordon Clifford Maurice Voron WG Denis Flannery Roger Rey CE Alex Watson Antoine Jiminez CE Dick Poole Andre Ducasse WG Don Adams Gilbert Benausse SO Bob Banks Jean Dop SH Keith Holman Angélo Boldini PR Bryan Orrock Antranik Apelian HK Ken Kearney (c) Guy Berthomieu (c) PR Roy Bull Gilbert Verdié SR Kel O'Shea Armand Save SR Norm Provan Christian Duple LF Ian Doyle 26 December AS Carcassonne Carcassonne 16 1226 Australia 16 Australia Stade Albert Domec, Carcassonne 3,493 Gate: Fr 922,200 Tries: 2 Marty Husson Goals: 3Marty (3) Tries: 6 Denis Flannery (3) Ian Johnston Keith Holman Cyril Connell Jr. Goals: 4Cyril Connell Jr. (4) 31 December XIII Catalan Catalans 16 1420 Australia 16 Australia M. Roudine Stade Jean-Laffon Perpignan 7,900 Gate: Fr 2,493,550 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article91231010 Kangaroos Win Wild Match The Canberra Times Canberra 3 January 1957 2 January 2022 12 National Library of Australia Tries: nil Goals: 6 Puig Aubert (6) Field Goals: 1 Puig Aubert Tries: 4 Ian Moir (2) Gordon Clifford Tom Payne Goals: 4Gordon Clifford (4) 3rd Test vs France #E5E4E2 3 January 3.00pm FRA 2125 AUS Jean Banneau Stade de Gerland, Lyon 5,743 Gate: Fr 1,580,150 Third Test - France v Australia Tries: 5 Andre Savonne (2) Jean Nerorezoff Jacques Fabre Jacky Merquey Goals: 3 André Rives (3) Tries: 5 Dick Poole Ian Moir Ken Kearney Tom Payne Norm Provan Goals: 4Gordon Clifford (4) Field Goals: Bob Banks FrancePositionAustralia André Rives FB Gordon Clifford Andre Savonne WG Denis Flannery Antoine Jiminez CE Tom Payne Roger Rey CE Dick Poole Jean Nedorezoff WG Ian Moir Jacky Merquey (c) SO Bob Banks Claude Teisseire SH Keith Holman Henri Delhoste PR Bill Marsh Louis Michel HK Ken Kearney (c) Jacques Fabre PR Roy Bull Guy Berthomieu SR Norm Provan Augustin Parent SR Kel O'Shea Christian Duple LF Ian Doyle 6 January 3.00pm Avignon Avignon 16 1138 Australia 16 Australia M. Casson Parc des Sports, Avignon 5,061 Gate: Fr 937,100 Tries: 1 Savonne Goals: 4Pascal (4) Tries: 10 Don Adams (2) Ian Moir (2) Ian Johnston (2) Norm Provan (2) Cyril Connell Jr. Bill Marsh Goals: 4Cyril Connell Jr. (4) 10 January 3.00pm Marseille 737 Australia 16 Australia Stade Vélodrome, Marseille 2,938 Gate: Fr 2,420,350 Tries: 1 Carmouze Goals: 2Andre (2) Tries: 9 Kevin O'Brien (3) Don Adams (2) Bill Marsh Tom Payne Ken Kearney Keith Holman Goals: 5Cyril Connell Jr. (2) Keith Holman (2) Ken Kearney References External links 1956–57 Kangaroo Tour at Rugby League Project Category:Australia national rugby league team tours Category:Rugby league tours of Great Britain Category:Rugby league tours of France Kangaroo tour Kangaroo tour