1996 Great Britain Lions tour

April 2022 1996 Great Britain Lions tour 25 September 1996 – 1 November 1996 Phil Lowe Phil Larder Andy Farrell Bobbie Goulding (63) Karle Hammond (5) 10 4 1 5 5 2 0 3 PNG 1 1 0 0 FIJ 1 1 0 0 NZL 3 0 0 3 1992 2019 The 1996 Great Britain Lions tour was a rugby league tour by the Great Britain team which took place from September to November 1996. The tour included games in Papua New Guinea, Fiji and New Zealand, however due to the ongoing Super League war and with the Australian team under the control of the Australian Rugby League, the team did not play any matches in Australia. The tour was generally considered as a disaster, with Great Britain failing to win any games in New Zealand, and several players being sent home early from the tour in order to cut costs. Touring squad Great Britain coach Phil Larder selected a 32-man squad to take on the tour. A notable omission from the squad was Martin Offiah, who took part in the previous three Great Britain tours, but had told Larder he did not have the enthusiasm for another six-week tour.Hadfield Dave Larder picks enthusiasm over Offiah https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/larder-picks-enthusiasm-over-offiah-1309586.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/larder-picks-enthusiasm-over-offiah-1309586.html 1 May 2022 subscription live The Independent 3 August 2014 14 August 1996 Several changes were made to the initial squad selected, as Gary Connolly, Lee Jackson and Jason Robinson were informed they would not be allowed to play due to their contracts with the ARL.Hadfield Dave Larder looks to Roper and Hunte https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/larder-looks-to-roper-and-hunte-1310680.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/larder-looks-to-roper-and-hunte-1310680.html 1 May 2022 subscription live The Independent 3 August 2014 21 August 1996 There were also a number of other withdrawals, with John Bentley returning to rugby union, and Shaun Edwards, Paul Newlove and Steve McNamara all ruled out due to injury.Irvine Christopher Larder's strange faces in unfamiliar places London 21 September 1996 The Times 318624430 Former Wigan second row forward Denis Betts, who was playing with the New Zealand-based Auckland Warriors in the Australian Rugby League premiership, made history with his selection. The 25 test veteran became the first player selected to tour while playing in the Australian premiership and not in the English premiership. Larder's assistant coaches on the tour were Clive Griffiths and Gary Hetherington and the tour manager was Phil Lowe. Andy Farrell was appointed as the tour captain, with Denis Betts named as vice-captain. Prior to the Second Test against New Zealand, 11 players in the squad were sent home early from the tour as a cost-cutting measure.Hadfield Dave Discarded dozen head home https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/discarded-dozen-head-home-1359933.html The Independent 11 May 2024 23 October 1996Senior Keith Senior was initially one of 12 players to be sent home, but was later recalled to the squad.Hadfield Dave Senior's tour is revived by Larder https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/senior-s-tour-is-revived-by-larder-1360101.html The Independent 11 May 2024 24 October 1996 NameClubPositionAppearancesTestsTriesGoalsDGsPoints Denis Betts (vc) Auckland 16 Auckland Warriors Second-row 6 5 3 0 0 12 David Bradbury David Bradbury (rugby league) Oldham 16 Oldham Second-row 4 0 2 0 0 8 Paul Broadbent Sheffield 16 Sheffield Eagles Prop 6 5 0 0 0 0 Mick Cassidy Wigan 16 Wigan Warriors Second-row 5 1 2 0 0 8 Jason Critchley Keighley 16 Keighley Cougars Wing 3 0 1 0 0 4 Keiron Cunningham St Helens 16 St Helens Hooker 6 5 2 0 0 8 Bernard Dwyer Bradford 16 Bradford Bulls Prop 4 1 1 0 0 4 Andy Farrell (c) Wigan 16 Wigan Warriors Loose forward 6 5 1 0 0 4 Bobbie Goulding St Helens 16 St Helens Scrum-half 6 5 4 23 1 63 Karle Hammond St Helens 16 St Helens SO 6 2 5 0 0 20 Neil Harmon Leeds 16 Leeds Rhinos Prop 4 0 0 0 0 0 Iestyn Harris Warrington 16 Warrington Wolves SO 6 5 0 3 0 6 Joey Hayes St Helens 16 St Helens Wing 3 1 2 0 0 8 Alan Hunte St Helens 16 St Helens Wing 6 5 4 0 0 16 Chris Joynt St Helens 16 St Helens Second-row 6 4 0 0 0 0 James Lowes Bradford 16 Bradford Bulls Hooker 4 0 2 0 0 8 Barrie-Jon Mather Western Reds 16 Western Reds Centre 5 2 1 0 0 4 Nathan McAvoy Nathan McAvoy Salford City 16 Salford Red Devils Wing 1 0 0 0 0 0 Brian McDermott Brian McDermott (rugby league) Bradford 16 Bradford Bulls Prop 4 1 0 0 0 0 Steve Molloy Featherstone 16 Featherstone Rovers Prop 6 2 0 0 0 0 Adrian Morley Leeds 16 Leeds Rhinos Second-row 6 2 1 0 0 4 Terry O'Connor Terry O'Connor (rugby league) Wigan 16 Wigan Warriors Prop 6 4 0 0 0 0 Rowland Phillips Rowland Phillips (rugby) Workington 16 Workington Town Loose forward 4 1 0 0 0 0 Daryl Powell Keighley 16 Keighley Cougars Centre 7 5 3 0 0 12 Steve Prescott St Helens 16 St Helens Fullback 4 0 1 17 0 38 Kris Radlinski Wigan 16 Wigan Warriors Fullback 6 5 2 0 0 8 Jon Roper Warrington 16 Warrington Wolves Wing 3 0 0 0 0 0 Paul Sculthorpe Warrington 16 Warrington Wolves Loose forward 6 5 0 0 0 0 Keith Senior Sheffield 16 Sheffield Eagles Centre 6 2 3 0 0 12 Tony Smith Tony Smith (rugby league born 1970) Castleford 16 Castleford Tigers Scrum-half 5 2 4 0 0 16 Stuart Spruce Bradford 16 Bradford Bulls Fullback 6 5 3 0 0 12 Anthony Sullivan Anthony Sullivan (rugby) St Helens 16 St Helens Wing 6 4 3 0 0 12 Tulsen Tollett London Broncos 16 London Broncos SO 5 0 1 0 0 4 Papua New Guinea 25 September 1996 PNG President's XIII PNG 16 8 – 34 Great Britain 16 Great Britain Tries: Itam, Tiki Goals: Tries: Senior, Bradbury, Hammond, Lowes, Smith (2) Goals: Prescott (5) Rebiamul Oval, Mount Hagen1996 Tour Match: PNG Presidents Select XIII 8 Great Britain Select XIII 34 http://wigan.rlfans.com/fusion_pages/index.php?page_id=1161 wigan.rlfans.com 10 July 2014 14 July 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140714170415/http://wigan.rlfans.com/fusion_pages/index.php?page_id=1161 dead 2,059 Anthony Kuni (Port Moresby) PNG President's XIII vs Great Britain #eeeeee 28 September 1996 PNG 30 – 32 GBR Tries: Ben Biri (2) Robert Sio David Gomia Stanley Gene Adrian Lam Goals: Elias Paiyo (3) Tries: Kris Radlinski (2) Anthony Sullivan Bobbie Goulding Keiron Cunningham Goals: Bobbie Goulding (6) Lae Oval, Lae1996 Test Match: Papua New Guinea 30 Great Britain 32 http://wigan.rlfans.com/fusion_pages/index.php?page_id=1125 wigan.rlfans.com 10 July 2014 14 July 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140714204631/http://wigan.rlfans.com/fusion_pages/index.php?page_id=1125 deadHadfield Dave Farrell leads Lions out of Kumul fire https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/farrell-leads-lions-out-of-kumul-fire-1365700.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/farrell-leads-lions-out-of-kumul-fire-1365700.html 1 May 2022 subscription live The Independent 11 July 2014 30 September 1996 10,000 Steve Clark AUS Report Papua New Guinea vs Great Britain _redborder _Vwidered _redborder _hoops_red FFFF00 FFFF00 FFFF00 FF0000 000000 Papua New Guinea _blueshoulders _GBRL _blueshoulders _red_stripes2 _britishlions12 FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF 0000FF 0000FF Great Britain FB 1Robert SioRW 2James KopsRC 3Marcus BaiLC 4Robert TelaLW 5David GomiaFE 6Stanley GeneHB 7Adrian Lam (c)PR 8Ben BiriHK 9Elias PaiyoPR 10Raymond KahlSR 11Nande YerSR 12David WestleyLF 13Bruce MamandoSubstitutions:IC 14Simon KundiIC 15Ruben RuingIC 16Max TiriIC 17Obert BatiaCoach: FB 1 Stuart SpruceRW 2 Joey HayesRC 3 Kris RadlinskiLC 4 Alan HunteLW 5 Anthony SullivanSO 6 Iestyn HarrisSH 7 Bobbie GouldingPR 8 Paul BroadbentHK 9 Keiron CunninghamPR 10 Terry O'ConnorSR 11 Denis BettsSR 12 Chris JoyntLK 13 Andy Farrell (c)Substitutions:IC 14 Tony SmithIC 15 Rowland PhillipsIC 16 Daryl PowellIC 17 Paul SculthorpeCoach:Bob BennettENG Phil Larder Fiji 2 October 1996 Fiji President's XIII Fiji 16 16 – 42 Great Britain 16 Great Britain Tries: Navale, Baravilala, Koroi Goals: Takaladau (2) Tries: Hammond (3), Hayes, Senior, Critchley, Tollett, Cassidy Goals: Prescott (5) Churchill Park, Lautoka1996 Tour Match: Fiji Presidents Select XIII 16 Great Britain 42 http://wigan.rlfans.com/fusion_pages/index.php?page_id=1162 wigan.rlfans.com 10 July 2014 14 July 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140714234258/http://wigan.rlfans.com/fusion_pages/index.php?page_id=1162 dead 2,000 T Nunu (Fiji) Fiji President's XIII vs Great Britain #eeeeee 5 October 1996 FIJ 4 – 72 GBR Tries: Samuela Marayawa Goals Tries: Bobbie Goulding (3) Stuart Spruce (2) Alan Hunte (2) Daryl Powell (2) Anthony Sullivan Andy Farrell Keith Senior Mick Cassidy Goals: Bobbie Goulding (10) Prince Charles Park, Nadi1996 Test Match: Fiji 4 Great Britain 72 http://wigan.rlfans.com/fusion_pages/index.php?page_id=1126 wigan.rlfans.com 10 July 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140714234916/http://wigan.rlfans.com/fusion_pages/index.php?page_id=1126 14 July 2014 deadHadfield Dave Rugby League: Lions ready for tougher tasks in NZ https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-league-lions-ready-for-tougher-tasks-in-nz-1356018.html https://web.archive.org/web/20140714205733/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-league-lions-ready-for-tougher-tasks-in-nz-1356018.html dead July 14, 2014 The Independent 11 July 2014 7 October 1996 5,000 Jim Stokes NZL Fiji vs Great Britain _blacklower _Fiji1995RLWC _hoops_black FFFFFF FFFFFF 000000 000000 FFFFFF Fiji _blueshoulders _GBRL _blueshoulders _red_stripes2 _britishlions12 FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF 0000FF 0000FF Great Britain FB 1Waisale SovatabuaRW 2P. BaravilulaRC 3Manoa ThompsonLC 4Joe TamaniLW 5S. TulevuFE 6I. RatudinaHB 7Kaleveti NaisoroPR 8Pio Nakubuwai (c)HK 9M. KaidrokiPR 10Malakai KaunivaluSR 11Josaia DakuitogaSR 12Ian SaigatuLF 13Livai NalagilagiSubstitutions:IC 14Vula DakuitogaIC 15Samuela MarayawaIC 16Waisale VatubuaIC 17Ulaiasi WainidroaCoach: FB 1 Stuart SpruceRW 2 Alan HunteRC 3 Kris RadlinskiLC 4 Daryl PowellLW 5 Anthony SullivanSO 6 Iestyn HarrisSH 7 Bobbie GouldingPR 8 Paul BroadbentHK 9 Keiron CunninghamPR 10 Brian McDermottSR 11 Denis BettsSR 12 Paul SculthorpeLK 13 Andy Farrell (c)Substitutions:IC 14 Tony SmithIC 15 Keith SeniorIC 16 Steve MolloyIC 17 Mick CassidyCoach:ENG Phil Larder New Zealand 1996 New Zealand rugby league season 10 October 1996 Lion Red Cup XIII Manly 16 22 – 22 Great Britain 16 Great Britain Tries: Barlow, Hughes, Malietoa-Brown Goals: Lythe (5) Tries: Sullivan, Spruce, Cunningham, Powell, Goals: Harris (3) Carlaw Park, AucklandRL Records - Lion Red Cup XIII 22-22 Great Britain - 10.10.1996 https://rugbyleaguerecords.online/matchdetails.php?tselect=17222 rugbyleaguerecords.online en 3,000 G Wallace (Auckland) Lion Red Cup XIII vs Great Britain 15 October 1996 New Zealand XIII New Zealand Kiwis 16 30 – 22 Great Britain 16 Great Britain Tries: Endacott (2), Ropati, Okesene, Taewa, A. Swann Goals: Murray (2) Whittaker Tries: Hayes, Mather, Smith, Hammond Goals: Prescott (3) Fraser Park, Wellington1996 Tour Match: New Zealand Select XIII 30 Great Britain 22 http://wigan.rlfans.com/fusion_pages/index.php?page_id=1164 wigan.rlfans.com 12 July 2014 14 July 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140714171907/http://wigan.rlfans.com/fusion_pages/index.php?page_id=1164 dead 2,000 Denis Hale (Auckland) New Zealand XIII vs Great Britain First Test #eeeeee 18 October 1996 NZL 17 – 12 GBR Tries: John Timu (2) Goals: Matthew Ridge (4) Field Goals: Matthew Ridge Tries: Alan Hunte Denis Betts Goals: Bobbie Goulding (2) Ericsson Stadium, Auckland1996 First Test: New Zealand 17 Great Britain 12 http://wigan.rlfans.com/fusion_pages/index.php?page_id=1128 wigan.rlfans.com 12 July 2014 14 July 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140714123548/http://wigan.rlfans.com/fusion_pages/index.php?page_id=1128 dead 7,400 Bill Harrigan AUS 1st Test - New Zealand vs Great Britain _kiwis96 _kiwis96 _kiwis96 _white_hoops 000000 000000 000000 000000 000000 New Zealand _blueshoulders _GBRL _blueshoulders _red_stripes2 _britishlions12 FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF 0000FF 0000FF Great Britain FB 1 Matthew Ridge (c)RW 2 Sean HoppeRC 3 Richie BlackmoreLC 4 John TimuLW 5 Richie BarnettFE 6 Gene NgamuHB 7 Stacey JonesPR 8 Grant YoungHK 9 Syd EruPR 10 Quentin PongiaSR 11 Tony IroSR 12 Stephen KearneyLF 13 Tyran SmithSubstitutions:IC 14 Marc EllisIC 15 Joe VaganaIC 16 Ruben WikiIC 17 Logan SwannCoach:NZL Frank Endacott FB 1 Stuart SpruceRW 2 Alan HunteRC 3 Kris RadlinskiLC 4 Daryl PowellLW 5 Anthony SullivanSO 6 Iestyn HarrisSH 7 Bobbie GouldingPR 8 Paul BroadbentHK 9 Keiron CunninghamPR 10 Terry O'ConnorSR 11 Denis BettsSR 12 Paul SculthorpeLK 13 Andy Farrell (c)Substitutions:IC 14 Tony SmithIC 15 Chris JoyntIC 16 Keith SeniorIC 17 Adrian MorleyCoach:ENG Phil Larder 22 October 1996 New Zealand Māori 40 – 28 Great Britain 16 Great Britain Tries: Stevens, Nikau, Murray (2), Ramsey, Gardiner, Walker Goals: Howell (6) Tries: Dwyer, Smith, Bradbury, Prescott, Lowes Goals: Prescott (4) Lowe Walker Stadium, Whangārei1996 Tour Match: New Zealand Maoris 40 Great Britain 28 http://wigan.rlfans.com/fusion_pages/index.php?page_id=1165 wigan.rlfans.com 12 July 2014 14 July 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140714231204/http://wigan.rlfans.com/fusion_pages/index.php?page_id=1165 dead 6,000 G Allcock (Auckland) Māori vs Great Britain 2nd Test #eeeeee 25 October 1996 NZL 18 – 15 GBR Tries: Ruben Wiki (2) Gene Ngamu Goals: Matthew Ridge (3) Tries: Alan Hunte Denis Betts Goals: Bobbie Goulding (3) Field Goal: Bobbie Goulding Manawatu Showgrounds, Palmerston North1996 Second Test: New Zealand 18 Great Britain 15 http://wigan.rlfans.com/fusion_pages/index.php?page_id=1130 wigan.rlfans.com 12 July 2014 14 July 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140714151719/http://wigan.rlfans.com/fusion_pages/index.php?page_id=1130 dead 9,000 Graham Annesley AUS 2nd Test - New Zealand vs Great Britain _kiwis96 _kiwis96 _kiwis96 _white_hoops 000000 000000 000000 000000 000000 New Zealand _blueshoulders _GBRL _blueshoulders _red_stripes2 _britishlions12 FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF 0000FF 0000FF Great Britain FB 1 Matthew Ridge (c)RW 2 Sean HoppeRC 3 Ruben WikiLC 4 John TimuLW 5 Richie BarnettFE 6 Gene NgamuHB 7 Stacey JonesPR 8 Grant YoungHK 9 Syd EruPR 10 Quentin PongiaSR 11 Tony IroSR 12 Stephen KearneyLF 13 Tyran SmithSubstitutions:IC 14 Marc EllisIC 15 Joe VaganaIC 16 Richie BlackmoreIC 17 Logan SwannCoach:NZL Frank Endacott FB 1 Stuart SpruceRW 2 Alan HunteRC 3 Kris RadlinskiLC 4 Daryl PowellLW 5 Anthony SullivanSO 6 Iestyn HarrisSH 7 Bobbie GouldingPR 8 Paul BroadbentHK 9 Keiron CunninghamPR 10 Terry O'ConnorSR 11 Denis BettsSR 12 Paul SculthorpeLK 13 Andy Farrell (c)Substitutions:IC 14 Barrie-Jon MatherIC 15 Karle HammondIC 16 Steve MolloyIC 17 Chris JoyntCoach:ENG Phil Larder 3rd Test #eeeeee 1 November 1996 NZL 32 – 12 GBR Tries: Sean Hoppe (2) Marc Ellis Ruben Wiki Gene Ngamu Matthew Ridge Goals: Matthew Ridge (4) Tries: Denis Betts Adrian Morley Goals: Bobbie Goulding (2) Lancaster Park, Christchurch1996 Third Test: New Zealand 32 Great Britain 12 http://wigan.rlfans.com/fusion_pages/index.php?page_id=1131 wigan.rlfans.com 12 July 2014 14 July 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140714233337/http://wigan.rlfans.com/fusion_pages/index.php?page_id=1131 dead 9,000 Steve Clark AUS 3rd Test - New Zealand vs Great Britain _kiwis96 _kiwis96 _kiwis96 _white_hoops 000000 000000 000000 000000 000000 New Zealand _blueshoulders _GBRL _blueshoulders _red_stripes2 _britishlions12 FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF 0000FF 0000FF Great Britain FB 1 Matthew Ridge (c)RW 2 Sean HoppeRC 3 Ruben WikiLC 4 John TimuLW 5 Marc EllisFE 6 Gene NgamuHB 7 Stacey JonesPR 8 Grant YoungHK 9 Syd EruPR 10 Quentin PongiaSR 11 Tony IroSR 12 Stephen KearneyLF 13 Tyran SmithSubstitutions:IC 14 Anthony SwannIC 15 Joe VaganaIC 16 Richie BlackmoreIC 17 Logan SwannCoach:NZL Frank Endacott FB 1 Stuart SpruceRW 2 Alan HunteRC 3 Kris RadlinskiLC 4 Daryl PowellLW 5 Barrie-Jon MatherSO 6 Karle HammondSH 7 Bobbie GouldingPR 8 Paul BroadbentHK 9 Keiron CunninghamPR 10 Terry O'ConnorSR 11 Denis BettsSR 12 Paul SculthorpeLK 13 Andy Farrell (c)Substitutions:IC 14 Iestyn HarrisIC 15 Adrian MorleyIC 16 Chris JoyntIC 17 Bernard DwyerCoach:ENG Phil Larder Aftermath The tour was considered a huge failure. It was only the second time in tour history that the Lions had suffered a 3–0 whitewash in a Test series against New Zealand (the other being in 1984), and the 12–32 loss in the Third Test was the widest margin of defeat suffered by Great Britain in a Test against New Zealand.Fletcher Raymond Howes David Rothmans Rugby League Yearbook 1997 1997 Headline Publishing Group London 978-0-7472-7764-4 300 Financially, the tour made a loss of £296,000.Dead Loss https://www.thefreelibrary.com/DEAD+LOSS!-a061126144 The Mirror 1 February 1997 London The Free Library The lack of success was attributed to the large number of key players who were unavailable for the tour, and the blow to morale caused by sending some of the squad home early. Fatigue was also an issue - due to the British rugby league season switching from winter to summer the previous year, some players had taken part in over 60 games within the space of 14 months.Hadfield Dave Blame and the lame https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/blame-and-the-lame-1350538.html The Independent 12 May 2024 3 November 1996 New Zealand Rugby League president Graham Carden was blamed for the tour's financial losses, having failed to adequately promote the Test series, resulting in poor attendances. He was eventually forced to stand down the following year.Hadfield Dave Rugby League : Carden ousted as president https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-league-carden-ousted-as-president-1276885.html The Independent 12 May 2024 4 February 1997 Great Britain did not tour in the Southern Hemisphere again for over 20 years until 2019.Great Britain to visit southern hemisphere next year in first Lions tour since 1996 https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/46172192 BBC Sport 12 May 2024 11 November 2018 Notes References General Fletcher, Raymond 1997 Rothmans Rugby League Yearbook 1997 Headline Book Publishing 300–22 978-0-7472-7764-4 Specific External links 1996 Great Britain Tour of the Pacific https://web.archive.org/web/20140714225818/http://wigan.rlfans.com/fusion_pages/index.php?page_id=1124 14 July 2014 at wigan.rlfans.com Lions Tour 1996 at rugbyleagueproject.org Category:Great Britain national rugby league team tours Category:Rugby league tours of New Zealand Category:Rugby league tours of Papua New Guinea 1996 1996 1996 Great Britain Lions tour Great Britain Lions tour Great Britain Lions tour Great Britain Lions tour Great Britain Lions tour