1946 Great Britain Lions tour

October 2018 June 2017 W. Poppleton and W. Gabbatt Gus Risman Ernest Ward (101) Jimmy Lewthwaite (25) Arthur Bassett (15) Arthur Bassett (5) 27 21 1 5 4 2 1 1 Australia 3 2 1 0 New Zealand 1 0 0 1 1936 1950 The 1946 Great Britain Lions tour was a tour by the Great Britain national rugby league team of Australia and New Zealand which took place between April and August 1946. The tour involved a schedule of 27 games: 20 in Australia including a three-test series against Australia for the Ashes, and a further 7 in New Zealand including one test match against New Zealand. Captained by Gus Risman, the Lions returned home having won 21, drawn 1 and lost 5 of their games. The team lost the test match against New Zealand but in winning the Ashes against Australia 2–0 (with one match drawn) they became the only Great Britain team to date to be unbeaten in a Test series against Australia in Australia.https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/nov/26/joe-egan Joe Egan obituary The Guardian 26 November 2012 27 June 2017 Despite being a British team – 11 of the squad were Welsh – the team played, and were often referred to by both the press at home and away, as England. The team became known by the nickname The Indomitables due to their travelling to Australia on-board the aircraft carrier Indomitable 92 6. The tour was the first major sporting series played abroad by a British side in any sport after the Second World War. Background In September 1945 the Australian Minister for External Affairs, H. V. Evatt issued an invitation to the Rugby Football League (RFL) to send a team to Australia during the summer of 1946.http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000332/19450904/094/0004 British Rugby invited to Australia Lincolnshire Echo 4 4 September 1945 ((15,313)) subscription British Newspaper Archive The RFL were at first unsure about accepting due to the state of the game in Britain after the war but after consulting with the clubs,http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000273/19451020/086/0006 Yes or No to Australia Yorkshire Evening Post 20 October 1945 6 ((17,156)) subscription British Newspaper Archive the offer was accepted on a 19–4 vote in October 1945 subject to suitable travelling arrangements being made.http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000687/19451025/063/0003 Rugby League vote for tour Yorkshire Post 3 25 October 1945 ((30,635)) subscription British Newspaper Archive The issue of transport to Australia almost resulted in the tour being cancelled; the travel arrangements were the responsibility of the Australian authorities who were unable to find passage on a commercial ship. As late as the beginning of March 1946 there was a likelihood that the tour would not go ahead.http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000711/19460304/133/0004 Tour may be off Lancashire Evening Post 4 4 March 1946 ((18,421)) subscription British Newspaper Archive Eventually the Australian High Commission in London arranged transport on the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable, the first time a rugby league team had travelled by warship.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article206796230 Navy sets a precedent The Age ((28,364)) 21 March 1946 1 National Library of Australia Travel to and from New Zealand was also an issue. Again the shortage of commercial shipping was the problem and in June the New Zealand leg of the tour was in jeopardy because of the unavailability of a ship back to Britain until the end of August.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56448659 English team's tour of N.Z. in the balance Morning Bulletin ((26,528)) 22 June 1946 4 National Library of Australia Arrangements were made for some of the squad to fly to Auckland from Sydney before the third test against Australia with the rest flying after the third test, and berths were found on the RMS Rangitiki.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17983781 New Zealand Tour For English Team The Sydney Morning Herald ((33,862)) 4 July 1946 9 National Library of Australia Squad On previous tours it had been the practice for every playing position to be duplicated in player selection to cover for injuries but this practice was not followed for this tour, with 15 backs and only 11 forwards selected, including five centres and only three prop-forwards.http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000687/19460312/058/0003 Rugby League rely on experience for the Australia tour: notable omissions Yorkshire Post 12 March 1946 3 ((30,751)) subscription British Newspaper Archive The 26 man squad was announced in March 1946. Appointed captain was Salford ce Gus Risman with Widnes sh Tommy McCue as vice-captain. Risman and McCue were the only members of the squad who had been on the previous tour to Australia and New Zealand in 1936. The tour was one of the first to use squad numbering rather than position numbering.Thomson 2009 7 2 + Backs Squad number Name Club FBs1 Martin Ryan Wigan2 Joe Jones Barrow Threequarters RWs3 Eric Batten Bradford Northern4 Jimmy Lewthwaite Barrow LWs10 Arthur Bassett Halifax11 Albert Johnson Warrington CEs5 Gus Risman Salford 6 Ernest Ward Bradford Northern7 Ted Ward Wigan8 Bryn Knowelden Barrow9 Jack Kitching Bradford Northern Half-backs SOs12 Willie Horne Barrow13 Willie Davies Bradford Northern SHs14 Tommy McCue Widnes15 Dai Jenkins Leeds + Forwards Squad number Name Club Front row HKs19 Joe Egan Wigan20 George Curran Salford PRs16 Frank Whitcombe Bradford Northern17 Fred Hughes Workington18 Ken Gee Wigan Back row SRs21 Bob Nicholson Huddersfield22 Doug Phillips Oldham23 Les White York24 Trevor Foster Bradford Northern LFs25 Harry Murphy Wakefield Trinity26 Ike Owens Leeds The team manager was W. Poppleton of Bramley and W. Gabbatt of Barrow was the business manager. W. Crockford of Hull Kingston Rovers represented the Rugby Football League Council, although he was not officially a member of the squad management and was paying his own way. Following the announcement of the squad the Rugby Football League (RFL) entered into discussions with the War Office over leave of absence for White, Phillips and Ernie Ward as all three were still serving soldiers. Initially the War Office refused permission for White and Phillips,http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000329/19460326/044/0005 Australian tour: R.L. side to sail from Devonport Western Morning News 26 March 1946 5 ((26,890)) subscription British Newspaper Archive but following representations to the Secretary of State for War, Jack Lawson, the decision was overturned within 24 hours and permission given for the three to tour.http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000687/19460325/081/0003 Ward and Phillips may be released Yorkshire Post 25 March 1946 3 ((30,762)) subscription British Newspaper Archivehttp://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000273/19460326/005/0001 Army frees R.L. men for Australia Yorkshire Evening Post 26 March 1946 1 ((17,288)) subscription British Newspaper Archive Had permission not been granted the RFL had already identified replacements; R. Robson of Huddersfield for Phillips, E. Watkins of Wigan for White and S. Rookes of Hunslet for Ward. Each player was paid 30/- shillings per week at sea and 50/- per week on land with their wives receiving £3 per week and 7/6 (seven shillings and six pence) per child.Thomson 2009 6–7 The tour was also the first with an official press presence. Three British news reporters, Ernest Crawthorne of the Manchester Evening News, Alfred Drewery of The Yorkshire Post and Eddie Waring of the Sunday Pictorial all accompanied the team on the voyage and around Australia and New Zealand. Once in Australia they were joined by Australian journalist, Harry Sunderland.Thomson 2009 14 Schedule and results The squad sailed from Devonport on 3 April 1946 and arrived in Fremantle on 30 April. Indomitable was supposed to continue to Sydney but for operational reasons the voyage was curtailed at Fremantle. The team as well as a large number of navy personnel and returning Australian and New Zealand soldiers were disembarked and travelled by train across Australia, leaving Fremantle on 8 May and arriving in Sydney on 12 May.https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/50339688 Rugby visitors. Leave for Sydney today The West Australian 62 ((18,662)) 7 May 1946 3 National Library of Australiahttps://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/17978627 Englishmen too heavy – training to start at S.C.G. to-day The Sydney Morning Herald ((33,817)) 13 May 1946 8 National Library of Australia Prior to leaving Fremantle the squad played an exhibition match, fulfilling a commitment made to the captain of the Indomitable during the voyage; splitting into two teams, McCue's "Reds" beat Risman's "Blues" 24–5.http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000687/19460501/079/0003 Rugby League tourists in Fremantle try-out Yorkshire Post 1 May 1946 3 ((30,793)) subscription British Newspaper Archive A collection for naval charities raised £44 to which the RFL added £10/10.Thomson 2009 16–17 Date Opponents Venue Score (GB first) Attendance Notes 22 May Southern Districts Junee style="text-align: center;" Won 36–4https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/143708953 England's Brilliant Win Cootamundra Herald Cootamundra 24 May 1946 17 Nov 2020 4 National Library of Australiahttps://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/29766867 Englishman open tour promisingly; backing-up a feature The Sydney Morning Herald ((33,826)) 23 May 1946 9 National Library of Australia 6,135 Southern Districts was the representative team for clubs in Group 9 of the New South Wales Country Rugby League 29 May Group 8 Rugby League Manuka Oval, Canberra style="text-align: center;" Won 45–12https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2684259 Group 8 Plays Stiring Rugby Against English Team The Canberra Times Canberra 30 May 1946 17 Nov 2020 2 National Library of Australiahttps://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/229464938 England wins 45 to 12; Murphy off hurt The Sun ((11,340)) 29 May 1946 14 National Library of Australia 5,095 1 June New South Wales Sydney Cricket Ground style="text-align: center;" Won 14–10https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/98374870 Experience beats N.S.W. Englishmen win 14–10 Sunday Mail 841 2 June 1946 13 National Library of Australia 51,364 2 June South Coast Division The Showground, Wollongong style="text-align: center;" Lost 12–15https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/142089734 South Coast Division's 15-12 Win South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus Wollongong 7 Jun 1946 17 Nov 2020 17 National Library of Australiahttps://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/17980921 Englishmen beaten at Wollongong; finish with 11 players The Sydney Morning Herald ((33,835)) 3 June 1946 8 National Library of Australia 12,000 South Coast Division was a representative team for clubs in the Illawarra Rugby League 8 June New South Wales Sydney Cricket Ground style="text-align: center;" Won 21–7https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/229470179 Cautions, vicious tackles; game nearly out of hand The Sun 2252 9 June 1946 6 National Library of Australia 47,431 12 June Western Districts Orange style="text-align: center;" Won 33–2https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/161335319 Win for England Western Advocate Bathurst 13 Jun 1946 17 Nov 2020 3 National Library of Australiahttps://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/145013071 Rugby League Daily Advertiser 13 June 1946 5 National Library of Australia 8,318 Western Districts was the representative team for clubs in Group 10 of the New South Wales country rugby league 15 June Newcastle The Sports Ground, Newcastle style="text-align: center;" Lost 13–18https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/140609518 Coach Taught Backs to Stop England Newcastle Morning Herald Newcastle 17 Jun 1946 17 Nov 2020 8 National Library of Australiahttps://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/229460674 Second upset for England by Newcastle The Sun 2253 16 June 1946 4 National Library of Australia 17,134 17 June Australia Sydney Cricket Ground style="text-align: center;" Drawn 8–8https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/194305600 Eight-all draw The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser 3394 17 June 1946 11 National Library of Australiahttp://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000324/19460617/045/0004 England draw in first R.L. test in Australia Hull Daily Mail 4 17 June 1946 ((18,903)) subscription British Newspaper Archive 64,527 19 June Northern Districts Tamworth Oval, Tamworth style="text-align: center;" Won 61–5https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/229458734 England 61 to 5 in orgy of scoring The Sun ((11,358)) 19 June 1946 16 National Library of Australia 7,270 Northern District was the representative tea for clubs in Group 4 of the New South Wales country rugby league 22 June Queensland Brisbane Cricket Ground style="text-align: center;" Lost 24–25https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/229466302 Q'land beats England by a point The Sun ((11,361)) 22 June 1946 6 National Library of Australia 21,500 25 June Wide Bay Bundaberg style="text-align: center;" Won 16–12https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/151456682 Englishmen Held to 16-12 by Wide Bay Maryborough Chronicle Maryborough 26 Jun 1946 17 Nov 2020 5 National Library of Australiahttps://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/140619066 England Lucky to Win, 16–12, At Bundaberg Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate ((21,755)) 26 June 1946 8 National Library of Australia 6,356 27 June Central Queensland Rockhampton style="text-align: center;" Won 35–12https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/56449282 English Side Shows Speed And Cleverness In Rockhampton Game The Morning Bulletin Rockhampton 28 Jun 1946 18 Nov 2020 8 National Library of Australiahttps://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/171156320 Rugby League: England beats C.Q. Daily Mercury 80 153 28 June 1946 3 National Library of Australia 7,070 30 June North Queensland Townsville style="text-align: center;" Won 55–16https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/212279616 Match Against North Q'land Side Just Test Gallop For Englishmen The Evening Advocate 1 July 1946 4 National Library of Australia 7,567 2 July Mackay Mackay style="text-align: center;" Won 94–0https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/49350150 England's record 94–0 win at Mackay: Ward in form The Courier-Mail 2998 3 July 1946 6 National Library of Australia 5,044 Mackay was the representative team for clubs in the Mackay & District Rugby League. The score set a new record for a touring side against a representative team.https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/171145051 English League players in game of records Daily Mercury 80 157 3 July 1946 3 National Library of Australia 6 July Australia Brisbane Exhibition Ground style="text-align: center;" Won 14–5https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/188732739 League 'Ashes' retained by England 14 to 5 Second Test Win Over Australia The Telegraph 6 July 1946 7 National Library of Australiahttp://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000273/19460706/109/0008 England beat Australia: retain R.L. Ashes Yorkshire Evening Post 8 6 July 1946 ((17,374)) subscription British Newspaper Archive 40,500 9 July Brisbane Firsts Brisbane Cricket Ground style="text-align: center;" Won 21–15https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/42501867 Englishmen win Cairns Post ((13,838)) 10 July 1946 2 National Library of Australia 15,722 11 July Ipswich Ipswich style="text-align: center;" Won 29–12https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/118368449 Rugby League — Ipswich down 29–12 to clever English side Queensland Times ((18,598)) 12 July 1946 3 National Library of Australia 5,200 13 July Toowoomba Toowoomba style="text-align: center;" Won 34–5https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/118369900 Englishmen beat Toowoomba 34—5 Queensland Times ((18,600)) 15 July 1946 3 National Library of Australia 9,863 Before the game started the roof of a building at the ground collapsed due to over 200 people standing on it in an attempt to see the game. One person was injured in the collapse and was taken to hospital.https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/203128250 Roof Crashes: Sensation At Toowoomba Football Ground Truth 2416 14 July 1946 14 National Library of Australia 16 July North Coast The Showground, Grafton style="text-align: center;" Won 53–8https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/194942598 English Forwards Dominate Play In Easy Grafton Win The Daily Examiner Grafton 17 Jul 1946 19 Nov 2020 5 National Library of Australiahttps://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/193124092 England defeats North Coast 53–8 Tweed Daily XXXIII 170 17 July 1946 4 National Library of Australia 6,955 North Coast was the representative team for clubs in Group 2 and Group 3 of the NSW Country Rugby League 20 July Australia Sydney Cricket Ground style="text-align: center;" Won 20–7https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2690993 England wins Rugby Ashes in rough test The Canberra Times 20 ((6,017)) 22 July 1946 3 National Library of Australiahttp://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000324/19460720/054/0004 England unbeaten in R.L. Tests Hull Daily Mail 4 ((18,932)) subscription British Newspaper Archive 35,294 The third test was the final match of the Australian leg of the tour. To transfer to New Zealand it had been arranged for the team to fly, the size of the aircraft involved made it necessary for the party to travel by three separate flights from Rose Bay Water Airport on 22, 23 and 24 July. Date Opponents Venue Score (GB first) Attendance Notes 24 July South Island Christchurch style="text-align: center;" Won 24–12https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/188720375 England Has 24—12 Win The Telegraph 27 July 1946 6 National Library of Australia 8,000 27 July West Coast Victoria Park, Greymouth style="text-align: center;" Lost 8–17https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/193124841 Englishmen lose on waterlogged N.Z. field Tweed Daily XXXIII 175 30 July 1946 4 National Library of Australia 4,000 31 July Māori Wellington style="text-align: center;" Won 32–8https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/29767759 England beats Maoris The Sydney Morning Herald ((33,886)) 1 August 1946 8 National Library of Australia 10,000 3 August Auckland Carlaw Park, Auckland style="text-align: center;" Won 9–7https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/188721091 England Has Narrow Win In Auckland The Telegraph 3 August 1946 7 National Library of Australia 18,000 6 August South Auckland Huntly style="text-align: center;" Won 42–12http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000324/19460807/055/0004 R.L. tourists' fourth successive win Hull Daily Mail 7 August 1946 4 ((18,947)) subscription British Newspaper Archive 3,000 10 August New Zealand Carlaw Park, Auckland style="text-align: center;" Lost 8–13http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000273/19460810/092/0008 Test defeat in slush for R.L. team Yorkshire Evening Post 8 ((17,404)) 10 August 1946 subscription British Newspaper Archivehttps://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/188724317 Kiwis Boot England The Telegraph 10 August 1946 8 National Library of Australia 11,000 12 August Auckland Carlaw Park, Auckland style="text-align: center;" Won 22–9http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000324/19460812/052/0004 R.L. tourists win last match Hull Daily Mail 12 August 1946 4 ((18,951)) subscription British Newspaper Archive 12,400 The team sailed for home on 14 August on-board RMS Rangitiki arriving at Tilbury on 24 September. http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000273/19460813/093/0008 'Great Success' is verdict: R.L. Tour Stars Yorkshire Evening Post 8 13 August 1946 ((17,406)) subscription British Newspaper Archivehttp://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000687/19460924/064/0003 North ready to welcome the R.L. tourists Yorkshire Post 24 September 1946 3 ((30,917)) subscription British Newspaper Archive Ashes series Test venues The three Ashes series tests took place at the following venues. Sydney Brisbane Sydney Cricket Ground Brisbane Exhibition Ground Capacity: 70,000 Capacity: 42,000 200px 200px First test #eeeeee 17 June 1946 3:00 pm AEDT Australia Australia 8–8 Great Britain England Ron Bailey Lionel Cooper Joe Jorgenson Willie Horne Frank Whitcombe Gus Risman Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney 64,527 Tom McMahon Jr. n right Australia gold green gold England blue white red 13 sn y Dave Parkinson 13 Lionel Cooper 9 Joe Jorgenson (c) 10 Ron Bailey 11 Edgar Newham 12 Pat Devery 8 John Grice 7 Roy Westaway 3 George Watt 2 Frank Farrell 1 Reg Kay 5 Arthur Clues 4 Noel Mulligan 6 Gus Risman (c) 5 Eric Batten 3 Ernest Ward 6 Jack Kitching 9 Albert Johnson 11 Willie Horne 12 Tommy McCue 14 Frank Whitcombe 16 Joe Egan 19 Ken Gee 18 Les White 23 Doug Phillips 22 Ike Owens 26 The first test was played at Sydney Cricket Ground on 17 June 1946. Queues to get into the ground started the previous evening and by 7:30am on the morning of the test the Australian authorities felt it necessary to open the gates to the ground several hours early and by 11:30am the ground was full. The game kicked off as scheduled and England took an early lead as so Willie Horne scored a try in only the third minute after picking up a wayward Australian pass close to the Australian line. Risman missed the conversion, the first of several misses in his kicking game during the match. Australian captain Joe Jorgenson kicked a penalty soon after to make the score 3–2 to England. The talking point of the match came after half an hour of the first half when England ce Jack Kitching was sent off for punching Jorgenson. Despite the dismissal England took a 6–2 lead when Frank Whitcombe scored a try just before half-time. In the second half, with England disorganised after Kitching's dismissal, Australia fought back and brought the score to 6–5 with a try by centre Ron Bailey. England extended struck back as Risman kicked a penalty but with ten minutes left Australia equalised as wger Lionel Cooper scored a try. In the closing minutes both Risman and Jorgenson missed penalty chances which could have won the game for their countries. Most observers agreed that England would probably have won if the sending-off of Kitching hadn't happened.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article191454441 Rugby League: Australia Draws With England in First League Test Warwick Daily News 8386 18 June 1946 4 National Library of Australiahttp://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000273/19460617/116/0008 Draw in First R.L. Test Match Yorkshire Evening Post 17 June 1946 8 ((17,357)) subscription British Newspaper Archive After the game Kitching said he had pushed Jorgenson away and claimed he had been bitten. Jorgenson denied he had bitten Kitching and the judicial committee of the New South Wales Rugby League agreed dismissing Kitching's claim without hearing from Jorgenson and cautioning Kitching for punching.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17987858 Allegation By Kitching Of Biting Denied The Sydney Morning Herald ((33,848)) 18 June 1946 7 National Library of Australia With this Kitching and the English management wanted to forget the whole incident but Jorgenson wanted a hearing to clear his name,http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article50267576 Jorgenson's bit to clear name: 'Biting' claim sequel The Courier-Mail 2986 19 June 1946 6 National Library of Australia but the committee declined the request and reiterated that they had no evidence Jorgenson had bitten Kitching, Jorgenson was not guilty of any improper conduct and "his good name and the team record had not been impaired" and that there was no need for Jorgenson to appear before the committee.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article50264955 Jorgenson cleared of biting charge The Courier-Mail 2987 20 June 1946 7 National Library of Australia Second test #eeeeee 6 July 1946 2:30 pm AEDT Australia Australia 5–14 Great Britain England Lionel Cooper Joe Jorgenson Arthur Bassett (3) Albert Johnson Ernest Ward Brisbane Exhibition Ground, Brisbane 40,500 Stan Chambers n right Australia gold green gold England blue white red 13 sn y Dave Parkinson 13 Lionel Cooper 9 Joe Jorgenson (c) 10 Ron Bailey 11 Edgar Newham 12 Pat Devery 8 John Grice 7 Roy Westaway 3 George Watt 2 Frank Farrell 1 Reg Kay 5 Arthur Clues 4 Jack Hutchinson 6 Ernest Ward 6 Arthur Bassett 10 Gus Risman (c) 5 Ted Ward 7 Albert Johnson 11 Willie Horne 12 Tommy McCue 14 Frank Whitcombe 16 Joe Egan 19 Ken Gee 18 Les White 23 Doug Phillips 22 Ike Owens 26 After the drawn test in Sydney, England only needed to win the second test to retain the Ashes as a tied series would result in the holders keeping the trophy. Australia made just one change to their side with lf Jack Hutchinson replacing the injured Noel Mulligan; the captaincy also changed as Ron Bailey succeeded fellow centre Joe Jorgenson.https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article42500662 Australia's team Cairns Post ((13,830)) 1 July 1946 1 National Library of Australia England made two changes with Arthur Bassett replacing an injured Eric Batten on the wing and Ted Ward replacing the suspended Jack Kitching. Also in the backs Gus Risman and Ernest Ward swapped positions to Ward at fullback and Risman at centre.https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article231571426 Batten Out of Test; Both Sides Confident The Sun ((11,372)) 5 July 1946 14 National Library of Australia The game was played at the Brisbane Exhibition Ground on 6 July 1946. Despite a public transport strike and continuing restrictions on non-essential travel, huge queues had formed outside the ground by early morning and the gates were opened at 7 am, several hours before kick off. By 10 am the ground was full and the gates locked; this was unpopular with the thousands still outside the ground and the gates were crashed and an estimated additional 10,000 people broke into the ground.https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article168776294 Test match crowd's wild stampede Truth 2946 7 July 1946 1 National Library of Australia This still left many more outside the ground and the Australian team who had set off early for the ground had considerable trouble gaining entrance; the England side only got to the ground due to the police arranging an escort for the team cars and forcing their way through the crowds.https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article77819581 Crowds storm rugby gates The Daily News LXIV ((22,228)) 6 July 1946 1 National Library of AustraliaThomson 2009 71–72 When the match started it was a closely contested game for the first quarter before England opened scoring as debutant Arthur Bassett gained possession from a McCue kick to score a try on the wing. The only other points of the first half were from Ernest Ward's boot as he scored a penalty from outside the Australian 25-yard (20-metre) line. With England starting the second half with a 5–0 lead, Australia had to score first to get back into the game and minutes into the second half they did so as Jorgenson put a penalty over to make the score 5–2. Shortly afterwards though Bassett scored his second try to increase England's lead to six points. Australia came back with a try through captain Ron Bailey before England scored two further tries to put the game beyond Australia's reach; the first was scored by Albert Johnson and then Bassett completed his hat trick to make the score 14–5. Just before the end England hooker Joe Egan was sent off for hitting Australian second-rower Arthur Clues after Clues made a heavy tackle on Ernest Ward which Egan thought should have been penalised by the referee. As he was leaving the pitch Egan was heard to say "If the referee won't do his job, then someone has to".Thomson 2009 78 Soon after the game ended and England had retained the Ashes.https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article231575246 England wins torrid test by 14 to 5 The Sun ((11,373)) 6 July 1946 6 National Library of Australiahttp://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000324/19460706/042/0004 England retains R.L. Ashes: Bassett's big part in 14–5 test victory Hull Daily Mail 4 6 July 1946 ((18,920)) subscription British Newspaper Archive The attendance was officially recorded as 40,500 but estimates are that the number watching was closed to 60,000 when the gatecrashers and members of the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland (owners of the ground) are included.Thomson 2009 72 Third test #eeeeee 20 July 1946 3:00 pm AEDT Australia Australia 7–20 Great Britain England Clem Kennedy Joe Jorgenson (2) Arthur Bassett (2) George Curran Ike Owens Gus Risman (3) Ted Ward Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney 35,294 Tom McMahon Jr. n right Australia gold green gold England blue white red 13 sn y Dave Parkinson 13 Lionel Cooper 9 Joe Jorgenson (c) 10 Trevor Eather 11 Noel White 16 Pat Devery 8 Clem Kennedy 7 Jim Armstrong 3 George Watt 2 Frank Farrell 1 Reg Kay 5 Arthur Clues 4 Noel Mulligan 6 Ernest Ward 6 Arthur Bassett 10 Gus Risman (c) 5 Ted Ward 7 Eric Batten 3 Willie Horne 12 Tommy McCue 14 George Curran 20 Joe Egan 19 Ken Gee 18 Les White 23 Doug Phillips 22 Ike Owens 26 England came into the game making two changes from the previous test. Prop Frank Whitcombe was replaced by George Curran and Eric Batten was recalled to the wing. Australia made five changes with Trevor Eather, Noel White and Clem Kennedy being called up into the backs while Jim Armstrong and Noel Mulligan came into the forwards. With the Ashes already decided the game at Sydney Cricket Ground on 20 July was about pride for both teams and the match was hotly contested from the start. Almost a quarter of the game had gone before either side scored and it was Australia who took the lead as Joe Jorgenson kicked a penalty. England equalised with a Gus Risman field goal before another Jorgenson penalty restores Australia's lead. Australia then scored the game's first try; George Watt collecting a wayward England kick and passing to Clem Kennedy who scored the try. At half-time Australia led 7–2 but that was to be short-lived as the second half started with England scoring eight points in the first four minutes of the half. First was a Risman penalty, then tries from Arthur Bassett and Curran to put England 12–8 ahead. Australia mounted pressure on the English line but lost momentum when Arthur Clues was sent-off for attempting a dangerous swinging arm tackle on Risman. Clues actually missed Risman but the attempt was so blatant that the referee had to send Clues off. England made use of the one-man advantage and scored two further converted tries, the first by Ike Owens and the second, right at the end of the game, by Bassett to win 20–7.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article157711221 England Wins Third League Test By 20–7 The Newcastle Sun 8910 20 July 1946 12 National Library of Australiahttp://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000273/19460720/034/0003 20–7 Test win for England Yorkshire Evening Post 20 August 1946 ((17,386)) 3 subscription British Newspaper Archive New Zealand test #eeeeee 10 August 1946 3:00PM NZDT NZL 13–8 GBR England Bruce Graham Warwick Clarke (5) Eric Batten Ernest Ward Ernest Ward Carlaw Park, Auckland 11,000 J. Donovan n right New Zealand silver black white England blue white red 13 sn y Warwick Clarke Roy Nurse Len Jordan Maurie Robertson Bill Mountford Roy Clark Rex Cunningham John Newton Bob Aynsley Bruce Graham Arthur Gillman Charlie McBride Travers Hardwick Joe Jones Albert Johnson Bryn Knowelden Ernest Ward Eric Batten Willie Davies Tommy McCue (c) Bob Nicholson George Curran Ken Gee Les White Trevor Foster Ike Owens The sole test match in New Zealand was played at a rain-soaked Carlaw Park in Auckland on 10 August 1946. England gave test debuts to three players; Joe Jones, Trevor Foster and Bryn Knowelden while the entire New Zealand team were previously uncapped.Thomson 2009 102, 149–150 On a very heavy pitch the first half was played with many stoppages by the referee and no tries were scored. Instead New Zealand led 6–0 at half-time through three penalties kicked by fullback Warwick Clarke. The second half coincided with more rain that hampered ball-handling for the rest of the game. England came back with tries by Eric Batten and Ernest Ward to equalise. Ward then kicked a penalty to put England ahead before New Zealand took a winning lead as Bruce Graham scored a try after catching a Clarke penalty attempt that rebounded from the goalpost. Clarke's conversion and his kicking a further penalty made the final score 13–8.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article188714881 Sensational try gave NZ victory The Telegraph 12 August 1946 14 National Library of Australiahttp://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000711/19460810/164/0004 untitled Lancashire Evening Post 12 August 1946 4 ((18,556)) subscription British Newspaper Archive Finances Net receipts for the tour were £46,312 (£38,226 from the Australian matches and £8,085 from the New Zealand leg) of which England's share was £27,782 (60%). Expenses and allowances to the players and their families amounted to £18,145 leaving a profit of £9,647. Of this a third was split between the squad who therefore received £123/13/7 each and the remainder of £6,431 went to the RFL.Thomson 2009 156 Statistics Overall England outscored their opponents almost 3:1 scoring 783 points while conceding 276.Thomson 2009 155 PlayedWonDrawnLostPoints forTries scoredGoals scoredPoints againstTries concededGoals concededOverall 27 21 1 5 783 181 120 276 48 66In Australia 20 16 1 3 638 146 100 198 36 45In New Zealand 7 5 0 2 145 35 20 78 12 21 All 26 players appeared at some point on the tour. Harry Murphy was unlucky and broke a collarbone during the match against Group 8 which ruled him out of the rest of the tour having played just the single match.Thomson 2009 34 Martin Ryan also missed most of the tour after being diagnosed with a hernia which required an operation and lengthy convalescence.Thomson 2009 43–44 +AppearancesThomson 2009 155NameMatches playedTries scoredGoals scoredPoints scored Martin Ryan 4 1 0 3 Joe Jones 11 1 1 5 Eric Batten 13 18 0 54 Jimmy Lewthwaite 15 25 0 75 Arthur Bassett 11 18 0 54 Albert Johnson 17 15 3 51 Gus Risman 14 3 31 71 Ernest Ward 16 5 43 101 Ted Ward 12 5 32 79 Bryn Knowelden 13 15 0 45 Jack Kitching 12 17 0 51 Willie Horne 14 9 6 39 Willie Davies 14 5 0 15 Tommy McCue 15 0 0 0 Dai Jenkins 11 1 0 3 Joe Egan 17 6 0 18 George Curran 16 2 0 6 Frank Whitcombe 19 3 0 9 Fred Hughes 13 4 0 12 Ken Gee 18 1 0 3 Bob Nicholson 11 5 0 15 Doug Phillips 18 3 0 9 Les White 18 6 0 18 Trevor Foster 10 1 0 3 Harry Murphy 1 1 0 3 Ike Owens 18 11 4 41 References Notes 30em Sources Thomson Colin The Indomitables: The 1946 Rugby League Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand 2009 London League Publications 978-1903659-44-1 External links The Indomitables: Great Britain's 1946 tour down under Category:Great Britain national rugby league team tours Category:Rugby league tours of Australia Category:Rugby league tours of New Zealand Great Britain Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand Great Britain Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand Great Britain Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand