The 1973 Kangaroo Tour was the thirteenth Kangaroo Tour, and saw the Australian national rugby league team travel to Europe and play nineteen matches against British and French club and representative rugby league teams, in addition to three Test matches against Great Britain and two Tests against the French. It followed the tour of 1967-68 and the next was staged in 1978.
| 1973 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manager | Charles Gibson Albert Bishop | ||||
| Coach(es) | Graeme Langlands | ||||
| Tour captain(s) | Graeme Langlands Bob McCarthy Tom Raudonikis Arthur Beetson | ||||
| Top point scorer(s) | Mick Cronin 77 | ||||
| Top try scorer(s) | Bob Fulton 20 | ||||
| Top test point scorer(s) | Bob Fulton 15 | ||||
| Top test try scorer(s) | Bob Fulton 5 | ||||
| Summary |
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| Total |
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| Test match |
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| Opponent |
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 Great Britain |
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 France |
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| Tour chronology | |||||
| Previous tour | 1967-68 | ||||
| Next tour | 1978 | ||||
Due to the advent of the Jet Age which had made international travel times much shorter (a Jumbo Jet airplane could travel between Sydney and London in a day compared to the weeks it took a ship at sea), and with a slimed down tour itinerary (the 1973 Kangaroos played 19 games compared to the 27 played by the 1967-68 Kangaroos), this was the first Kangaroo Tour of Great Britain and France to be held inside of a single calendar year.
The squad's leadership
editThe team was captain-coached by Graeme Langlands making his third Kangaroo Tour. Managers of the team were Albert Bishop and Charlie Gibson with Alf Richards as the team trainer.
Touring squad
editThe following players were in the touring squad.[1]
1973 NSWRFL Premiers Manly-Warringah provided a record 6 players to the Kangaroos while the team they defeated in the Grand Final Cronulla-Sutherland, provided 3 players. Surprisingly, no players were selected from either of the 1973 Brisbane Rugby League Grand Finalists, winners Fortitude Valley or runners up Redcliffe.
Of the 26 player squad, 21 were from New South Wales and 5 from Queensland, with 3 of the Queenslanders picked Sydney teams (team vice captain Arthur Beetson (Easts), Souths hooker Elwyn Walters and Newtown winger Lionel Williamson). Brisbane Easts hooker John Lang and Brisbane Wests winger Warren Orr were the only players picked from Queensland based clubs.
Great Britain
editThe Ashes series against Great Britain saw an aggregate crowd of 36,567 attending the Test series
Test Venues
editThe three Ashes series tests took place at the following venues.
| London | Leeds | Warrington |
|---|---|---|
| Wembley | Headingley | Wilderspool |
| Capacity: 100,000 | Capacity: 30,000 | Capacity: 15,000 |
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| Sunday, 30 September | Salford 
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12 – 15 |  Australia
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The Willows, Salford | |
| 3.30pm |
Tries: 2 Ian Holland Keith Fielding Goals: 3 David Watkins (3) |
[1] [2] |
Tries: 3 Bob Fulton (3) Goals: 3 Graeme Langlands (3) |
Attendance: 11,064 Gate £4,711 Referee: M. J. Naughton |
| Wednesday, 3 October | Wakefield Trinity 
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9 – 13 | Australia
|
Belle Vue, Wakefield | |
| Tries: 1 D. Topliss Goals: 3 T. Crook (3) |
[2] [3] |
Tries: 3 Bill Hamilton Steve Rogers David Waite Goals: 2 Graham Eadie (2) |
Attendance: 5,863 Gate £2,004 Referee: R. Jackson |
| Sunday, 7 October | Dewsbury 
|
3 – 17 | Australia
|
Old Crown Flatt ground, Dewsbury | |
| 3.30pm |
Tries: nil Goals: 1 N. Stephenson Field goals: 1 N. Stephenson |
[3] [4] |
Tries: 3 Bob Fulton (2) Paul Sait Goals: 4 Graeme Langlands (4) |
Attendance: 5,865 Gate £2,059 Referee: G. Kershaw |
| Wednesday, 10 October | Castleford 
|
10 – 16 | Australia
|
Wheldon Road, Castleford | |
| 7.30pm |
Tries: nil Goals: 5 S. Lloyd (5) |
[4] |
Tries: 4 Graham Eadie Mick Cronin Ray Branighan Ken Maddison Goals: 2 Graham Eadie (2) |
Attendance: 2,419 Gate £947 Referee: K. Allatt |
| Sunday, 14 October | Widnes 
|
10 – 25 | Australia
|
Naughton Park, Widnes | |
| 3.00pm |
Tries: 2 T. Warburton D. Macko Goals: 2 R. Dutton (2) |
[5] [5] |
Tries: 7 Graeme Langlands (2) Bob Fulton Warren Orr Tom Raudonikis Gary Stevens Bob McCarthy Goals: 2 Graeme Langlands Mick Cronin |
Attendance: 5,185 Gate £1,710 Referee: Harry Hunt |
| Friday, 19 October | Oldham 
|
10 – 44 | Australia
|
Watersheddings, Oldham | |
| 7.30pm |
Tries: 2 P. Astbury J. Blair Goals: 2 T. Clawson (2) |
[6] [6] |
Tries: 10 Geoff Starling (4) Ken Maddison (2) Bob McCarthy Paul Sait Ted Goodwin Mick Cronin Goals: 7 Mick Cronin (7) |
Attendance: 2,895 Gate £991 |
| Wednesday, 24 October | Cumberland 
|
2 – 28 | Australia
|
Recreation Ground, Whitehaven | |
| 2.15pm |
Tries: nil Goals: 1 R. Nicholson |
[7] [7] |
Tries: 6 Ted Goodwin (2) David Waite (2) Graham Eadie Mick Cronin Goals: 5 Mick Cronin (5) |
Attendance: 3,666 Gate £1,258 Referee: Mick Naughton |
| Sunday, 28 October | Bradford Northern 
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14 – 50 | Australia
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Odsal, Bradford | |
| 3.00pm |
Tries: 2 A. Long G. Joyce Goals: 4 E. Tees (4) |
[8] [8] |
Tries: 12 Bob Fulton (4) Tom Raudonikis (2) Arthur Beetson (2) Terry Randall Tim Pickup Ted Goodwin Geoff Starling Goals: 7 Graeme Langlands (7) |
Attendance: 5,667 Referee: F. Lindop |
The Ashes series
editFirst Test
editIn the first rugby league international played at Wembley since 1963, the Lions shocked the then unbeaten Australian's 21-12 in front of just 9,874 fans. The match had been moved to Wembley from the Central Park ground in Wigan at the request of the Australian team management.
Saturday, 3 November 1973
|
| Great Britain
|
21 – 12 |  Australia
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|---|---|---|
| Tries: Phil Lowe (2) Colin Clarke Brian Lockwood Goals: Terry Clawson (4) Field Goals: Steve Nash (1) |
[9][10] |
Tries: Ray Branighan Bob Fulton Goals: Graeme Langlands (3) |
      Great Britain
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     Australia
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| Wednesday, 7 November | Hull Kingston Rovers 
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9 – 25 | Australia
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Craven Park, Hull | |
| 7.30pm |
Tries: 1 G. Dunn Goals: 3 Roger Millward (3) |
[9] [11] |
Tries: 5 Mick Cronin (2) Graham Eadie (2) Bob McCarthy Goals: 5 Mick Cronin (5) |
Attendance: 5,150 Gate £1,747 Referee: P. Geraghty |
| Saturday, 10 November | Huddersfield 
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2 – 32 | Australia
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Fartown, Huddersfield | |
| Tries: nil Goals: 1 F. Davies |
[10] [12] |
Tries: 8 Bob Fulton (3) Ray Branighan (2) Arthur Beetson David Waite Mick Cronin Goals: Graeme Langlands (4) |
Attendance: 1,333 Gate £451 Referee: R. Wood |
| Sunday, 11 November | Leigh 
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4 – 31 | Australia
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Hilton Park, Leigh | |
| Tries: nil Goals: 2 J. Fiddler (2) |
[11] |
Tries: 7 Graeme Langlands (2) Ted Goodwin Steve Rogers Warren Orr Tim Pickup John Lang Goals: 5 Graeme Langlands (5) |
Attendance: 2,607 Gate £826 Referee: A. Givvons |
| Tuesday, 13 November | St. Helens 
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11 – 7 | Australia
|
Knowsley Road, St. Helens | |
| Tries: 1 F. Wilson Goals: 4 K. Coslett (4) |
[12] [13] |
Tries: 1 Geoff Starling Goals: 2 Mick Cronin (2) |
Attendance: 10,013 Gate £3,419 Referee: T. Keane |
| Sunday, 18 November | Featherstone Rovers 
|
13 – 18 | Australia
|
Post Office Road, Featherstone | |
| 3.00pm |
Tries: 2 L. Tonks W. Harris Goals: 3 H. Box (3) Field Goals: 1 S. Nash |
[13] |
Tries: 4 Ray Branighan (2) Bob Fulton Elwyn Walters Goals: 3 Mick Cronin (3) |
Attendance: 5,659 Gate £7,776 Referee: S. Shepherd |
Second Test
editThe second test at Headingley in Leeds saw the Australian's tie the series at one game all with a 14-6 win in front of the tours largest attendance of 16,674.
Saturday, 24 November 1973
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| Great Britain
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6 – 14 | Australia
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|---|---|---|
| Tries: Goals: Terry Clawson (3) |
[14][15] |
Tries: Bob McCarthy Goals: Graham Eadie (5) |
| Great Britain
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Australia
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Kangaroos captain-coach Graeme Langlands was ruled out of the second test with a broken hand. To replace him at fullback, Langlands selected Manly-Warringah's 19 year old dual premiership winning fullback Graham Eadie to make his test debut (Eadie, known affectionately as "Wombat", would turn 20 the next day). Eadie was also handed the goal kicking duties on the day and despite a very strong wind making conditions tricky for kickers, kicked 5 goals which proved vital in the Kangaroos 14-6 win over the Lions to keep The Ashes series alive.
After conceding 4 tries in the first test loss at Wembley, the Kangaroos kept their line intact with the Lions only scores coming from 3 goals by prop forward Terry Clawson.
Third Test
editThe Kangaroos won back The Ashes with a hard fought 15-5 win in trying conditions at Warrington. The pitch at Wilderspool was frozen which suited the Australians who were used to playing on hard grounds at home.
Saturday, 1 December 1973
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| Great Britain
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5 – 15 | Australia
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Roger Millward Goals: Roger Millward |
[16][17] |
Tries: Ken Maddison (2) Bob Fulton Geoff Starling Elwyn Walters Goals: Graham Eadie (0/4) Ray Branighan (0/2) |
| Great Britain
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Australia
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With coach Graeme Langlands still out with a broken hand and looking on from the sidelines, the Kangaroos wrapped up the Ashes with a 15-5 win on the frozen ground at Wilderspool. Man of the match Ken Maddison crossed for two tries while Warrington born Bob Fulton, centre Geoff Starling and hooker Elwyn Walters also crossed for tries. For the Lions, their only score came from a try and goal from Hull Kingston Rovers halfback Roger Millward.
France
editFrench Tests
editFirst test
editSunday, 9 December 1973
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| France
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9 – 21 | Australia
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|---|---|---|
| Tries: Michel Molinier André Ruiz Goals Roger Garrigue (1) Field Goals: Roger Garrigue (1) |
[18] |
Tries: Bob Fulton (2) Ted Goodwin (2) Geoff Starling Goals Ray Branighan (2) Michael Cronin (1) |
    France
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Australia
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Second Test
editArthur Beetson became the first aboriginal player to captain Australia in a rugby league Test match.
Sunday, 16 December 1973
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| France
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3 – 14 | Australia
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|---|---|---|
| Tries: Jacques Franc Goals: |
[19] |
Tries: Ray Branighan Michael Cronin Bob Fulton Ken Maddison Goals: Michael Cronin (1) |
| France
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Australia
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References
edit- ^ Christensen, E.E. (1974). E.E. Christensen's Official Rugby League Year Book 1974. State Library of NSW, Sydney: New South Wales Rugby League. p. 46.
- ^ "Fulton's three tries for 'Roos". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 2 Oct 1973. p. 18. Retrieved 26 Dec 2021.
- ^ "Rogers and Fulton impress". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 5 Oct 1973. p. 20. Retrieved 26 Dec 2021.
- ^ "Starling tops in league win". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 9 Oct 1973. p. 18. Retrieved 26 Dec 2021.
- ^ "Costly win for Kangaroos". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 16 Oct 1973. p. 20. Retrieved 26 Dec 2021.
- ^ "Kangaroos hooker has neck injury". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 22 Oct 1973. p. 12. Retrieved 26 Dec 2021.
- ^ "Eadie and Randall Test prospects". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 26 Oct 1973. p. 18. Retrieved 26 Dec 2021.
- ^ "Starling rated best Kangaroo". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 30 Oct 1973. p. 16. Retrieved 26 Dec 2021.
- ^ 1st Ashes Test
- ^ "Kangaroos lose first Test". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 5 Nov 1973. p. 12. Retrieved 26 Dec 2021.
- ^ "Manly continues to seek Phil Lowe". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 9 Nov 1973. p. 22. Retrieved 26 Dec 2021.
- ^ "Kangaroos score 32-2 victory". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 12 Nov 1973. p. 11. Retrieved 26 Dec 2021.
- ^ "Eadie Injury A Blow To Kangaroos". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 15 Nov 1973. p. 26. Retrieved 26 Dec 2021.
- ^ 2nd Ashes Test
- ^ "League series even after 14-6 win". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 26 Nov 1973. p. 14. Retrieved 26 Dec 2021.
- ^ 3rd Ashes Test
- ^ "15-5 victory clinches Test series". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 3 Dec 1973. p. 16. Retrieved 26 Dec 2021.
- ^ 1st Test - France vs Australia
- ^ 2ns Test - France vs Australia