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1951 France rugby league tour of Australia and New Zealand

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The 1951 French rugby league tour of Australia and New Zealand was the first ever tour of Australasia by any French sports team in history. Puig Aubert captained the France national rugby league team who played 28 matches in total in both Australia and New Zealand, winning 21 of them[1] in what is regarded as the high point in the history of rugby league in France. The Australian Test series resulted in a 2–1 victory to France; however, the tourists then lost their match against the New Zealand national rugby league team. Welcoming the team home to Marseille, more than 150,000 people turned out for a street parade.[2]

1951 France rugby league tour of Australia and New Zealand
ManagerAntoine Blain
Coach(es)Robert Samatan
Tour captain(s)Robert Caillou and Puig Aubert
Top point scorer(s)Puig Aubert 236
Top try scorer(s)Vincent Cantoni 17
Top test point scorer(s)Puig Aubert 42
Top test try scorer(s)Vincent Cantoni 4
Summary
P W D L
Total
28 21 03 04
Test match
04 02 00 02
Opponent
P W D L
 Australia
3 2 0 1
 New Zealand
1 0 0 1
Tour chronology
Previous tour1950 by
Next tour1952 by to
1955 by

Touring squad

edit
 
French rugby league tourists at a hotel in Queensland.

The French side was coached by former internationals Robert Samatan and Jean Duhau, and was captained by Puig Aubert. France had just claimed the 1950–51 European Rugby League Championship before embarking on the tour. The squad's average age was 26.5 years. The backs' average weight was 11.1 stone (70 kg) while the forwards' was 14.5 stone (92 kg).[3]
Claude Teisseire, half back for Carcassonne and Lucien Barris, a forward, were initially selected in the squad but did not tour.
The Rugby League News published Player Details (Position, Occupation, Age, Height and Weight).

Player Pos. Age
[nb 1] 		Weight Club Tests
on
Tour 		Games
in
Aus 		Games
in
NZ
[nb 2] 		Tries Goals FG Points
Maurice Andre Fullback 29 11 st. 11 lb. (75 kg)   Marseille 0 10 10 0 0 30
Jean Audoubert Hooker 27 14 st. 8 lb. (93 kg)   Lyon 0 11 4 0 0 12
Paul Bartoletti Hooker 27 13 st. 5 lb. (85 kg)   Carcassonne 4 10 2 1 0 8
Maurice Bellan Five-eighth 26 11 st. 0 lb. (70 kg)   Lyon 0 10 3 0 0 9
Andre Beraud Prop 28 13 st. 12 lb. (88 kg)   Marseille 0 13 12 0 0 36
Élie Brousse Second-row 29 15 st. 1 lb. (96 kg)   Lyon 4 12 9 0 0 27
Robert Caillou Five-eighth 33 11 st. 9 lb. (74 kg) Bayonne 0 10 7 12 0 45
Gaston Calixte Lock 27 13 st. 10 lb. (87 kg)   Villeneuve 1 7 1 2 0 7
Vincent Cantoni Wing 24 12 st. 3 lb. (78 kg) Bordeaux 4 12 17 2 0 55
Gaston Comes Centre 27 11 st. 11 lb. (75 kg) Perpignan 4 10 7 10 0 41
Raymond Contrastin Wing 26 12 st. 1 lb. (77 kg) Bordeaux 4 14 12 1 0 38
Joseph Crespo Halfback 26 11 st. 4 lb. (72 kg)   Lyon 3 11 11 0 0 33
Guy Delaye Prop 21 14 st. 4 lb. (91 kg)   Marseille 0 7 2 0 0 6
Jean Dop Halfback 27 11 st. 11 lb. (75 kg)   Marseille 2 12 3 0 0 9
René Duffort Utility Back 27 13 st. 5 lb. (85 kg)   Lyon 4 11 1 0 0 3
Charles Galaup Five-eighth 22 11 st. 8 lb. (73 kg)   Albi 1 11 3 0 0 9
Gabriel Genoud Hooker 28 12 st. 8 lb. (80 kg)   Villeneuve 3 8 3 0 0 9
Ode Lespes Wing 27 12 st. 10 lb. (81 kg) Bordeaux 0 10 4 0 0 12
Michel Lopez Lock 30 16 st. 0 lb. (102 kg) Cavaillon 0 9 4 6 0 24
Martin Martin Hooker 28 12 st. 12 lb. (82 kg)   Carcassonne 1 7 5 0 0 15
Louis Mazon Prop 29 13 st. 7 lb. (86 kg)   Carcassonne 4 10 1 2 0 7
Jacky Merquey Centre 21 11 st. 0 lb. (70 kg)   Marseille 4 10 2 0 0 6
François Montrucolis Second-row 26 14 st. 2 lb. (90 kg)   Lyon 1 9 2 0 0 6
Raoul Perez Lock 28 14 st. 10 lb. (93 kg) Toulon 0 3 1 0 0 3
Édouard Ponsinet Second-row 27 14 st. 6 lb. (92 kg)   Carcassonne 4 11 3 0 0 9
Puig Aubert Fullback 23 11 st. 0 lb. (70 kg)   Carcassonne 4 17 8 106 0 236
François Rinaldi Prop 27 13 st. 7 lb. (86 kg)   Marseille 0 8 3 0 0 9
  1. ^ Age as given in the Rugby League News for the first match against Sydney
  2. ^ Other than the Test Matches, team lists for the tour matches in New Zealand not available to the author at the time of page creation.

France's captain Puig Aubert had been offered a large contract to play in Sydney but returned to his homeland where he was voted French sportsman of the year.[4]

Australian leg

edit

The tour's Australian leg featured games played in every mainland State capital except Adelaide, drawing a total of over 450,000 spectators.[5]

Wednesday, 23 May
15:00
Monaro   12 – 37   France
Tries
R. Alexander, D. Stewart,

Goals
M. Preston (3) 		Teams[6]
Report[7][8]
Database
 Tries
Gaston Comes (2), Michel Lopez (2), Maurice Andre, Raymond Contrastin, Gabriel Genoud
Goals
Puig Aubert (7)
Michel Lopez (1)
Manuka Oval, Canberra
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Arthur Nichols

Monaro: FB: Max Preston (age 20) (  Queanbeyan), WG: Don Stewart (24) (  Bombala), CE: Doug McRitchie (27) ( , Queanbeyan), CE: Tom Hodges (21) (Adaminaby), WG: Terry Fogarty (  Goulburn), FE: P. Schumack (19) (Bega), HB: Ken Brogan (c) (24) (  Cooma), PR: Ted Schell (19) (  Norths), HK: Ken Fogarty (22) (  Goulburn), PR: K. Barber (21) (Bega), SR: Bruce Grant (21) (  Eden), SR: Bob Alexander (26) (  Canberra), LK: Pat Rankin (20) (  Norths). Jack Melville (  Captain's Flat) was selected as a reserve, but did not play. Jack Southwell (25) (  Canberra) was selected, but withdrew due to injury.[9][10]
France: Puig Aubert, Ode Lespes, Gaston Comes, Maurice Andre, Raymond Contrastin, Robert Caillou, Jean Dop, Paul Bartoletti, Gabriel Genoud, Andre Beraud, Michel Lopez, Élie Brousse, Gaston Calixte
The Daily Telegraph included a match report from France's tour manager, Antoine Blain, as well as their chief football writer.[11][12]

Saturday, 26 May
14:30
Newcastle   8 – 12   France
Tries:
Brian Carlson, Frank Threlfo
Goals:
Frank Threlfo (1) 		Teams[13][14]
Report[15][16]
Database
 Tries:
Raoul Perez, Francois Rinaldi
Goals:
Gaston Comes (3)
Newcastle Sports Ground
Attendance: 21,480
Referee: Harold Gillard

Newcastle: FB: Les Milne (age 23) (  Maitland), WG: Jack Bradley (19) (  Souths), CE: Rees Duncan (20) (  Kurri), CE: Frank Threlfo (19) (  Maitland), WG: Brian Carlson (17) (  Norths), FE: Les Brown (27) (  Maitland), HB: Eric Long (23) (  Norths), PR: Charlie Gill (c) (29) (  Norths), HK: Jack Gordon (22) (  Waratah Mayfield), PR: Jim Evans (22) (  Maitland), SR: Albert Paul (23) (  Lakes United), SR: Don Schofield (20) (  Cessnock), LK: Ben Haslam (23) (  Centrals). Coach: Col Maxwell (  Maitland).
Two players were selected as reserves, but did not play: Barry Redding (23) (  Norths) and Pat Donnelly (21) (  Souths).
Newcastle played in red jerseys with a black V, rather than their traditional blue, to avoid a clash with the French jumpers.[17]
France: Maurice Andre, Raymond Contrastin, Jacques Merquey, Gaston Comes, Vincent Cantoni, Maurice Bellan, Robert Caillou (c), Francois Rinaldi, Jean Audobert, Louis Mazon, François Montrucolis, Guy Delaye, Raoul Perez

Wednesday, 30 May
15:05
Western Districts   24 – 26   France
Tries:
Rolf Trudgett (3), J Birney
Goals:
Oriel Kennerson (6) 		Teams[18]
Report[19][20]
Database
 Tries:
A Beraud (2), Maurice Andre, Maurice Bellan
Goals:
Puig Aubert (7)
Spooner Oval, Forbes
Attendance: 5,950
Referee: Keith Rowan

Western Districts: FB: Oriel Kennerson (  Bathurst Charlestons), WG: Norm Jacobson (c) (  Condobolin), CE: Leo Nosworthy (  Narromine), CE: Jack Birney (  Coolah), WG: Max Smith (  Wellington), FE: Rolf Trudgett (  Wellington), HB: William Kelly (  Lithgow Arms Factory), PR: J. West (Orange), HK: Ian Walsh (  Condobolin), PR: Frank Hogan (Mendooran), SR: Len Kable (  Coonabarabran), SR: Ron Kelly (  Forbes), LK: Ken Slattery (  Canowindra), Coach: Les Lay (  Wellington).
Two players were selected as reserves, but did not play: John George (  Wellington) and W. Neil (  Cobar).

France: Puig Aubert (c), Raymond Contrastin, Ode Lespes, Maurice Bellan, Maurice Andre, Rene Duffort, Jean Dop, Francois Rinaldi, Jean Audobert, Andre Beraud, Michel Lopez, Édouard Ponsinet, François Montrucolis

Saturday, 2 June
14:30
Sydney   19 – 19   France
Tries:
Gordon Willoughby (2), Noel Mulligan
Goals:
Johnny Graves (4)
Bernie Purcell (1) 		Program
Report[21][22]
Database
 Tries:
Élie Brousse, Vincent Cantoni, Joseph Crespo
Goals:
Puig Aubert (5)
Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Attendance: 44,522
Referee: George Bishop

Sydney: FB: Clive Churchill (c) (age 24) (  Souths), WG: Johnny Bliss (29) (  Manly), CE: Ray Thomas (  Easts), CE: Gordon Willoughby (24) (  Manly), WG: Johnny Graves (24) (  Souths), FE: Frank Stanmore (21) (  Wests), HB: Keith Holman (23) (  Wests), PR: Denis Donoghue (23) (  Souths), HK: Kevin Schubert (23) (  Manly), PR: Jack Holland (27) (  St George), SR: Bernie Purcell (23) (  Souths), SR: Noel Mulligan (25) (  St George), LK: Les Cowie (26) (  Souths).
Johnny Hawke (26) (  St George) was initially selected but withdrew, his place being taken by Thomas. Noel Pidding (24) (  St George) and Charlie Banks (24) (  Easts) were named as reserves, but did not play.

France: Puig Aubert (c), Raymond Contrastin, Jacques Merquey, Gaston Comes, Vincent Cantoni, Rene Duffort, Joseph Crespo, Paul Bartoletti, Gabriel Genoud, Louis Mazon, Édouard Ponsinet, Élie Brousse, Gaston Calixte

Wednesday, 6 June
15:10
Riverina   20 – 10   France
Tries:
J. Biscaya, P O'Connor
Goals:
Les Koch (7/11) 		Team[23]
Report[24][25]
Database
 Tries:
Maurice Andre (2)
Goals:
Puig Aubert (2)
Albury Sports Ground, Albury
Attendance: 4,129
Referee: Noel Hedditch

Riverina: FB: Les Koch (  Gundagai), WG: Neil Kingsmill (  Albury Blues), CE: Bruce (Powderly, Powderley) Powdery (Boorowa), CE: Noel Bruce (  Junee), WG: John Biscaya (  Lockhart), FE: Rowley (Roley) McDonnell (  Cootamundra), HB: John Scott (  Young), PR: Don Milton (  Temora), HK: Peter Coupland (  Albury Blues), PR: Nevyl Hand (c) (  Gundagai), SR: Doug Piper (  Young), SR: Ray Green (  Cowra), LK: Peter O'Connor (  Harden).
Two players were selected as reserves, but did not play: J. (Buster) Harvey (  Young), Alan Glover (Boorowa). [26]

France: Puig Aubert, Maurice Andre, Maurice Bellan, Jacques Merquey, Ode Lespes, Robert Caillou (c), Jean Dop, Francois Rinaldi, Jean Audobert, Andre Beraud, Guy Delaye, Michel Lopez, François Montrucolis

1st Test

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After five matches against New South Welsh teams, the French side played the tour's first Test match against Australia in Sydney. The two countries had played four Tests against each other previously, with Australia winning all of them.

Monday, 11 June
14:00
Australia   15 – 26   France
Tries:
Harold Crocker
Johnny Graves
Gordon Willoughby
Goals:
Johnny Graves (3/9) 		Database[27]
Program
 Tries:
Vincent Cantoni (2)
Raymond Contrastin
Gabriel Genoud
Goals:
Puig Aubert (7/9)
Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Attendance: 60,160
Referee: Tom McMahon  
Australia Posit. France
Clive Churchill (c) FB Puig Aubert (c)
Johnny Bliss WG Vincent Cantoni
Gordon Willoughby CE Gaston Comes
Noel Hazzard CE Joseph Crespo
Johnny Graves WG Raymond Contrastin
Frank Stanmore FE Charles Galaup
Keith Holman HB Jean Dop
Duncan Hall PR Paul Bartoletti
Kevin Schubert HK Gabriel Genoud
Denis Donoghue PR Louis Mazon
Brian Davies SR Elie Brousse
Harold Crocker SR Edouard Ponsinet
Noel Mulligan LK Rene Duffort
Vic Hey Coach Bob Samatan

All of the French players selected for the Test had played in at least one tour match so far except their five-eighth, Charles Galaup who had only recently arrived in the country. The Australian team featured nine players from the Sydney team that drew with France nine days prior, in addition to four Queenslanders.

Puig-Aubert opened the scoring with a Penalty kick. At one point France led 16–0, but Australia came back, starting with a penalty kick by Graves. The half time score was 16–2.

Australia came back strongly in the second half. However, the game ended with the French celebrating their first ever rugby league victory against Australia. France's captain Puig Aubert was presented the Commonwealth Jubilee Cup after the match by the Governor General of Australia, William McKell.[28]

Wednesday, 13 June
Northern Division   12 – 29   France
Tries:
Ron Madden, Morrie Murphy
Goals:
Eric Fraser (3) 		Team[29]
Report[30][31]
Database
 Tries:
Élie Brousse (2), Guy Delaye, Joseph Crespo, François Rinaldi, Ode Lespes, Michel Lopez
Goals:
Robert Caillou (4)
Rugby League Park, Armidale
Attendance: 6,000
Referee: R. Campbell

Northern Division: FB: Ken McCrohon (  Armidale), WG: Morrie Murphy (  Inverell), CE: Norman Young (  West Tamworth), CE: Jack Goldman (  Uralla), WG: N. (Coogan) Thornton (  Uralla), FE: Ron Madden (  Inverell), HB: Eric Fraser (  Moree), PR: B. Carlton (  Walcha), HK: Alf Hardman (  Moree), PR: Arthur Henderson (  Moree), SR: Les Gilmore (  Scone), SR: Barry Jackson (  Moree), LK: Cecil Bull (  Manilla).
Four players were selected as reserves, but did not play: P. Starr (  Guyra), Trevor Hong (  Armidale), R. Partridge (  West Tamworth), Neville Harrison (  Scone).

France: FB: Maurice Andre, WG: Ode Lespes, CE: Robert Caillou, CE: Joseph Crespo, WG: Maurice Bellan, FE: Charles Galaup, HB: Jean Dop, PR: François Rinaldi, HK: Jean Audoubert, PR: Andre Beraud, SR: Michel Lopez, SR: Guy Delaye, LK: Élie Brousse.

Saturday, 16 June
Queensland   22 – 22   France
Tries:
Des McGovern, Denis Flannery, Alan Thompson, Harold Crocker
Goals:
Nev Linde (5) 		Team[32][33]
Report[34][35]
Database
 Tries:
Joseph Crespo, Vincent Cantoni, Gabriel Genoud, Raymond Contrastin
Goals:
Puig Aubert (5)
Brisbane Cricket Ground, Brisbane
Attendance: 25,867
Referee: J. Hoffman

Queensland: FB: Nev Linde (age 24) (  Tivoli), WG: Denis Flannery (22) (  Ipswich CYM), CE: Noel Hazzard (26) (Bundaberg), CE: Rex McGlynn (24) (Bundaberg), WG: Des McGovern (25) (  Toowoomba All Whites), FE: Harry Griffiths (25) (  Booval Swifts), HB: Ken McCaffery (21) (  Toowoomba Souths), PR: Duncan Hall (23) (  Toowoomba Newtown), HK: Ron Davis (  Sarina), PR: Alan Thompson (28) (  Souths), SR: Bernie Drew (23) (Bundaberg), SR: Brian Davies (21) (  Brisbane Brothers), LK: Harold 'Mick' Crocker (24) (  Souths).
Two players were selected as reserves, but did not play: Alex Watson (18) (  Wests), Gordon Teys (  Toowoomba Valleys).
This match was Ron Davis' only appearance for the Maroons.

France: FB: Puig Aubert, WG: Raymond Contrastin, CE: Jacky Merquey, CE: Charles Galaup, WG: Vincent Cantoni, FE: René Duffort, HB: Joseph Crespo, PR: Paul Bartoletti, HK: Gabriel Genoud, PR: Andre Beraud, SR: Guy Delaye, SR: Édouard Ponsinet, LK: Louis Mazon.

Tuesday, 19 June
Central Queensland   14 – 38   France
Tries:
C. Harkin, Sid Irvine
Goals:
Wal Gill (2), Reg Beath
Field Goals:
Bernie Johnson 		Database
Report[36]
 Tries:
Gaston Comes (2), Jean Audoubert, Ode Lespes, Vincent Cantoni, René Duffort, Andre Beraud, Puig Aubert
Goals:
Puig Aubert (5), Gaston Comes
Field Goals:
Puig Aubert
Murray Street Grounds, Rockhampton
Attendance: 4,598
Referee: Herb Gilbert

Central Queensland: FB: Alan Poole (  Brothers), WG: Sid Irvine (  Blackall), CE: Mick Hauff (  Blackall), CE: Wal Gill (  Barcaldine), WG: Leo (Jeffcoat) Jeffcoot (  Brothers), FE: Vivian (Mick) Irwin (  Blackall), HB: Bernie Johnson (  Longreach), PR: Mick Turnbull (  Blackall), HK: H. Johnson (  Railways), PR: C (Bow) Harkin (  Brothers), SR: Reg Beath (  Railways), SR: Norm Elliott (  Winton), LK: Trevor Whitehead (  Brothers).
France: FB: Puig Aubert, WG: Vincent Cantoni, CE: Maurice Andre, CE: Gaston Comes, WG: Ode Lespes, FE: Maurice Bellan, HB: René Duffort, PR: Andre Beraud, HK: Jean Audoubert, PR: François Rinaldi, SR: François Montrucolis, SR: Michel Lopez, LK: Gaston Calixte.

Sunday, 24 June
North Queensland   17 – 50   France
Tries:
Max Short (2), Jack Horrigan
Goals:
Gordon Farrelly (4) 		Teams[37]
Report[38][39]
Database
 Tries:
Raymond Contrastin (3), Vincent Cantoni (2), François Montrucolis (2), Gaston Comes, Joseph Crespo, Charles Galaup, Paul Bartoletti
Goals:
Puig Aubert (6), Gaston Comes
Townsville Sports Ground,[40] Townsville
Attendance: 11,000
Referee: W. Morrison

North Queensland: FB: John Jabore (age 21) (  Bucas), WG: Terry Boland (24) (  Brothers), CE: Jack Horrigan (26) (  Ayr), CE: Frank Power (23) (  Brothers), WG: Gordon Farrelly (  Kangaroos), FE: Bob Banks (21) (Charters Towers), HB: Max Short (21) (  Souths), PR: Charlie Woods (29) (  Ayr), HK: Jim (Tom) Wedesweiler (24) (  Bucas), PR: Hume Ronald (21) (  Carltons), SR: Maurice Robertson (21) (  Brothers), SR: Roy (Blondi) Greenwood (23) (  Sarina), LK: Ron McLennan (26) (  Ayr).
Pat Harvey (Herbert River) was selected as a reserve, but did not play.
France: FB: Puig Aubert, WG: Raymond Contrastin, CE: Gaston Comes, CE: Joseph Crespo, WG: Vincent Cantoni, FE: Jacky Merquey, HB: Charles Galaup, PR: Paul Bartoletti, HK: Gabriel Genoud, PR: Louis Mazon, SR: François Montrucolis, SR: Édouard Ponsinet, LK: René Duffort.

Wednesday, 27 June
2.30pm
Wide Bay   19 – 44   France
Tries:
Ivan Lloyd-Jones, Tom Hooper, Dennis Jackwitz, N. Adsett, D. Nixon
Goals:
Ivan Lloyd-Jones (2) 		Report[41][42]
Database
 Tries:
Maurice Andre (3), Martin Martin (2), Maurice Bellan, Robert Caillou, Jean Audoubert, Jean Dop, François Rinaldi
Goals:
Robert Caillou (7)

Attendance: 4,500
Referee: Stan Chambers

Wide Bay: FB: Ken Kennedy (Wallaroos), WG: M. Tickle (Gympie), CE: E. Barnes (Bundaberg), CE: Rex McGlynn (Bundaberg), WG: Ken Gayton (Bundaberg), FE: D. Nixon (Bundaberg), HB: N. (Tubby) Adsett (  Nambour), PR: Ivan Lloyd-Jones (Bundaberg), HK: Dennis Jackwitz (Bundaberg), PR: M. Kasmer (Bundaberg), SR: B. Long (Gympie), SR: Tom Hooper (  Nambour), LK: Keith Kendrick (Wallaroos).
France: FB: Charles Galaup, WG: Maurice Andre, CE: Maurice Bellan, CE: François Montrucolis, WG: Ode Lespes, FE: Robert Caillou, HB: Jean Dop, PR: Martin Martin, HK: Jean Audoubert, PR: Andre Beraud, SR: Guy Delaye, SR: François Rinaldi, LK: Michel Lopez

2nd Test

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After five matches against Queensland teams, the French side played the tour's second Test match against Australia in Brisbane.

Saturday, 30 June
14:30
Australia   23 – 11   France
Tries:
Denis Flannery
Duncan Hall
Keith Holman
Goals:
Noel Pidding (6)
Clive Churchill (1) 		report
 Tries:
Jacques Merquey


Goals:
Puig Aubert (4)
Brisbane Cricket Ground, Brisbane
Attendance: 35,000
Referee: Tom McMahon  
Australia Posit. France
Clive Churchill (c) FB Puig Aubert (c)
Noel Pidding WG Vincent Cantoni
Col Geelan CE Gaston Comes
Noel Hazzard CE Joseph Crespo
Denis Flannery WG Raymond Contrastin
Frank Stanmore FE Jacques Merquey
Keith Holman HB Jean Dop
Alan Thompson PR Paul Bartoletti
Ernie Hammerton HK Gabriel Genoud
Duncan Hall PR Louis Mazon
Brian Davies SR Edouard Ponsinet
Bernie Drew SR Elie Brousse
Harold Crocker LK Rene Duffort
Vic Hey Coach Bob Samatan

Only one change was made to the French team for the second Test: five-eighth Charles Galaup was replaced by Jacques Merquey. This time The Australian test team included six Queenslanders and returned to its winning ways with a 23–11 victory.[43] Following a head clash with French prop forward Louis Mazon in the second half, Australian captain Clive Churchill was assisted from the field.[44]

Tuesday, 3 July
Brisbane   16 – 17   France
Tries:
Wally McDonald, George Atherdon
Goals:
Norm Pope (5) 		Teams[45][46]
Report[47][48]
Database
 Tries:
Puig-Aubert, Ode Lespes, Charles Galaup
Goals:
Puig-Aubert (4)
Brisbane Cricket Ground, Brisbane
Attendance: 11,800[49]
Referee: Vic Lynagh
 
Brisbane forward Bill Sims being tackled by French forwards Andrew Deraud and Guy Delaye.

France were leading 12–7 at half time. However, in the second half Brisbane captain and five-eighth, George Atherdon scored a try and his side was leading 16–15 with seven minutes remaining. France were awarded a penalty near the half-way line and Puig-Aubert scored a drop-goal from about 53 yards out two minutes from full-time.[50] Aubert reached a points total for the tour of 112, thus passing Briton Ernest Ward's total of 106 the previous year.[51]

Brisbane: FB: Norm Pope (  Valleys), WG: Wally McDonald (  Wests), CE: Alex Watson (  Wests), CE: Nev Wilson (  Souths), WG: Robert Kille (  Easts), FE: George Atherden (  Norths), HB: Ron Stanton (  Easts), PR: William Sims (  Wests), HK: Terry Coman (  Brothers), PR: Keith Blackford (  Wynnum), SR: Jack Fallon (  Brothers), SR: Brian Davies (  Brothers), LK: Harold (Mick) Crocker (  Souths).
The following were selected as reserves, but did not play: Doug Anderson (  Valleys), Len Blaik (  Easts) and Col McAllister (  Wests).
Alan Thompson (  Souths) was initially selected to captain the Brisbane side, but withdrew after acquiring an injury in the Second Test.
France: FB: Puig Aubert, WG: Maurice Andre, CE: Michel Lopez, CE: Maurice Bellan, WG: Ode Lespes, FE: Charles Galaup, HB: Robert Caillou, PR: Andre Beraud, HK: Jean Audoubert, PR: Martin Martin, SR: François Rinaldi, SR: Guy Delaye LK: François Montrucolis.

July 7 Toowoomba   17–20   France Toowoomba
2.30pm
 Tries: 3
Gordon Teys
Pat McMahon
Max Higgins
Goals: 4
Ken McCaffery (4) 		Team[52]
Report[53]
Database
Tries: 4
Joseph Crespo
Vincent Cantoni
Jacky Merquey
Goals: 4
Puig Aubert (4)
Attendance: 10,939
Gate: AU£ 2,197
Referee: H. Reithmuller

Toowoomba: FB: William Sullivan (  All Whites), WG: Pat McMahon (  Souths), CE: Athol Halpin (  All Whites), CE: Sammy Hunter (  Souths), WG: Max Higgins (  Valleys), FE: Jim Heidke (  Valleys), HB: Ken McCaffery (  Souths), PR: Duncan Hall (  Newtown), HK: Kev Boshammer (  All Whites), PR: Jack Rooney (  All Whites), SR: Bill Beardsworth (  Valleys), SR: Gordon Teys (  Valleys), LK: Ron (Roy) Teys (  Valleys). Coach: Duncan Thompson (Toowoomba  ).
Bill Callinan (  Newtown) was originally selected, but withdrew. He was replaced in the line-up by Hunter.
The following players were also selected as reserves, but did not play: Des McGovern (  All Whites), W. Hookway (  Souths) and Neil Teys (  Valleys).
France: FB: Puig Aubert, WG: Ode Lespes, CE: Jacky Merquey, CE: René Duffort, WG: Vincent Cantoni, FE: Charles Galaup, HB: Joseph Crespo, PR: Gabriel Genoud, HK: Martin Martin, PR: Paul Bartoletti, SR: François Rinaldi, SR: Élie Brousse, LK: François Montrucolis.

July 11 North Coast   9–33   France Oakes Oval; Lismore
3.5pm
 Tries: 1
Basil Cook
Goals: 3
Allan Lawson
Austin White 		Team[54]
Report[55][56]
Database
Tries: 7
Élie Brousse (2)
Robert Caillou (2)
Puig Aubert
Maurice Bellan
Michel Lopez
Goals: 5
Puig Aubert (5)
Field Goals: 1
Puig Aubert
Attendance: 8,710
Gate: AU£ 1,142
Referee: Frank McGuigan

North Coast: FB: Allan Lawson (Coffs), WG: Ken McDonald (Taree-Old Bar), CE: Colin Sherwood (Murwillumbah), CE: Alby Duncan (  Bowraville), WG: Ron Algie (Taree-Old Bar), FE: Austin White (Taree Brown's Creek Taree), HB: Eric Carney (  Wauchope), PR: Basil Cook (Taree-Old Bar), HK: Kevin McKiernan (Kempsey CYM), PR: Bob Campbell (  Bowraville), SR: Rex Chaffer (Macksville), SR: George Alaban (Macksville), LK: K. Killett (Macksville).
J. McNamara (Bonalbo) was selected in the team to play South Sydney and France, but played only in the match against Souths on June 16. N. Walsham (  Grafton All Blacks) was selected as a reserve for both matches, but did not play against France.
North Coast played in black and white jerseys in both matches.[57]
France: FB: Puig Aubert, WG: Raymond Contrastin, CE: Robert Caillou, CE: Maurice Bellan, WG: Ode Lespes, FE: Charles Galaup, HB: Jean Dop, PR: Andre Beraud, HK: Jean Audoubert, PR: Louis Mazon, SR: Michel Lopez, SR: Élie Brousse, LK: Raoul Perez.

July 14 New South Wales   14–14   France Sydney Cricket Ground
2.30pm
 Tries: 2
Wally O'Connell
Fred Brown
Goals: 4
Noel Pidding (4) 		Program
Report[58]
Database
Tries: 0
nil
Goals: 7
Puig Aubert (7)
Attendance: 45,579
Gate: AU£ 5,928
Referee: J. O'Brien

New South Wales: FB: Clive Churchill (24) (  Souths), WG: Noel Pidding (24) (  St George), CE: Johnny Hawke (25) (  St George), CE: Col Cooper (25) (  Canterbury), WG: Ron Roberts (23) (  St George), FE: Wally O'Connell (28) (  Manly), HB: Keith Holman (23) (  Wests), PR: Fred Brown (25) (  Manly), HK: Kevin Schubert (23) (  Manly), PR: Denis Donoghue (23) (  Souths), SR: Noel Mulligan (25) (  St George), SR: Charlie Banks (24) (  Easts), LK: Les Cowie (26) (  Souths).
The following players were selected as reserves, but didi not play: Harry Wells (19) (  Souths), and Bernie Purcell (23) (  Souths).
France: FB: Puig Aubert, WG: Raymond Contrastin, CE: Jacky Merquey, CE: Gaston Comes, WG: Vincent Cantoni, FE: Charles Galaup, HB: Joseph Crespo, PR: Paul Bartoletti, HK: Martin Martin, PR: Louis Mazon, SR: Élie Brousse, SR: Édouard Ponsinet, LK: René Duffort

July 15 Southern Division   13–24   France Wollongong Showground
2.45pm
 Tries: 1
Jack Seymour
Goals: 5
Bruce Smith (3)
Jack McDonald (2) 		Teams[59][60]
Report[61][62]
Tries: 4
Robert Caillou
Jean Audoubert
Andre Beraud
Guy Delaye
Goals: 6
Michel Lopez (3)
Gaston Comes (3)
Attendance: 11,334
Gate: AU£ 1,585
Referee: Alf Grew

Southern Division: FB: Ross Thomas (  Wollongong), WG: Terry Cook (  C.B.C.), CE: Jack (Johnny) Seymour (  Bowral), CE: Len Torpy (  Wollongong), WG: Arthur Thompson (  Nowra), FE: Johnny Rouse (  Nowra), HB: Jack McDonald (  Kiama), PR: Bill Burgess (  Wollongong), HK: Bill Bolt (  C.B.C.), PR: Jim Ralston (  Port Kembla), SR: Angus Miller (  Berry), SR: Bruce Smith (  Thirroul), LK: Don Townsend (  Port Kembla), Coach: Harry Nolan (  Wests).
Ian Moir (  Port Kembla) was originally selected in the team, but did not play. He was replaced on the wing by Arthur Thompson.
Les Gillard (  Picton) and Keith Clark (  Camden) were selected as reserves, but did not play.
France: FB: Gaston Comes, WG: Raoul Perez, CE: Maurice Bellan, CE: René Duffort, WG: Ode Lespes, FE: Robert Caillou, HB: Jean Dop, PR: Paul Bartoletti, HK: Jean Audoubert, PR: Andre Beraud, SR: Guy Delaye, SR: Michel Lopez, LK: François Montrucolis.

3rd Test

edit

The French team travelled back from Queensland to Sydney for the third and deciding Test match of the series. The Australians were slight favourites to win the match. People began to queue up in bitterly cold winds the night before the match.[63]

Saturday, 21 July
24:45
Australia   14 – 35   France
Tries:
Brian Davies
Duncan Hall


Goals:
Noel Pidding (4) 		Database
Program
 Tries:
Joseph Crespo (3)
Raymond Contrastin (2)
Elie Brousse
Gaston Comes
Goals:
Puig Aubert (7)
Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Attendance: 67,009[64]
Referee: Tom McMahon  
Australia Posit. France
Clive Churchill (c) FB Puig Aubert (c)
Noel Pidding WG Raymond Contrastin
Noel Hazzard CE Gaston Comes
Norman Hawke CE Jacques Merquey
Denis Flannery WG Vincent Cantoni
Wally O'Connell FE Rene Duffort
Keith Holman HB Joseph Crespo
Denis Donoghue PR Paul Bartoletti
Kevin Schubert HK Gabriel Genoud
Duncan Hall PR Louis Mazon
Brian Davies SR Elie Brousse
Bernie Drew SR Edouard Ponsinet
Harold Crocker LK Gabriel Calixte
Vic Hey Coach Bob Samatan

French captain and fullback Puig Aubert kicked 7 goals and his half back Joseph Crespo scored three tries as the tourists overpowered Australia to claim the Test series. This was the last test match for Australian five-eighth Wally O'Connell.[65]

New Zealand leg

edit
See also: 1951 New Zealand rugby league season
25 July West Coast   2 – 5   France Greymouth
Tries: nil
Goals: 1
Nuttall 		Team[66]
Report[67]
Database[68]
Tries: 1
Gaston Comes
Goals: 1
Robert Caillou
Attendance: 3,667
Referee: Jim Griffin
28 July Canterbury   7 – 13   France Addington Showground, Christchurch
Tries: 1
Stapley
Goals: 2
Bond (2) 		Report[69]
Database[70]
Tries: 3
Robert Caillou
Andre Beraud
Raymond Contrastin
Goals: 2
Gaston Comes (2)
Attendance: 13,000

France defeated Canterbury 13–7 in front of 13,000 at the Show Grounds.[71]

30 July Wellington   13 – 26   France Basin Reserve, Wellington
Tries: 1
English
Goals: 5
Mott (3)
Church (2) 		Result[72][73]
Database[74]
Tries: 6
Andre Beraud (2)
Vincent Cantoni
Jean Dop
Ode Lespes
Louis Mazon
Goals: 4
Michel Lopez (2)
Louis Mazon (2)
Attendance: 8,602

Test Match

edit
4 August
New Zealand   16 – 15   France
2 Tries:
Tommy Baxter
George Menzies
Goals:
Des White (5) 		Report[75]
[76]
Database[77]
 3 Tries:
Vincent Cantoni (2)
Edouard Ponsinet
Goals:
Puig Aubert (3)
Carlaw Park, Auckland
Attendance: 19,229
Referee: Jim Griffin  
New Zealand Posit. France
Desmond White FB Puig Aubert (c)
Bevin Hough WG Raymond Contrastin
Tommy Baxter C Gaston Comes
Maurie Robertson CE Jacques Merquey
Jack Forrest WG Vincent Cantoni
George Menzies FE Rene Duffort
Jim Haig (c) HB Joseph Crespo
Ken English PR Paul Bartoletti
George Davidson HK Martin Martin
Cliff Johnson PR Louis Mazon
Douglas Richards-Jolley SR Elie Brousse
Charlie McBride SR Edouard Ponsinet
Travers Hardwick LK François Montrucolis
Thomas McClymont Coach Bob Samatan

New Zealand defeated France 16–15 in a "brutal match" at Carlaw Park. Des White kicked the winning penalty goal after the full-time siren had sounded to seal victory in "one of the most dramatic and dirtiest games ever played by the Kiwis".

First it was West Coast five-eighth George "Geordie" Menzies forced off with a cheekbone broken by a French head-butt. Then it was Otago's 1946 All Black halfback, Jimmy Haig with a broken jaw. Also Charlie McBride was bitten.[78]

In the mid-second half, a brawl erupted amongst the forwards. French prop and national middleweight champion, Louis Mazon, was heavily involved. It took referee J. Griffen three minutes to separate the combatants. Ten minutes later, when the touch judges and officials intervened and things finally settled down, Griffen sent France's hooker Martin Martin from the field for throwing mud at him,[77] but the Frenchman refused to go. The president of the French Rugby League, Anton Blain, and his New Zealand counterpart, Jack Redwood, came on and eventually persuaded Martin to leave the field.[79]

No replacements were allowed so the game wound down with 11 Kiwis on the field against 12 Frenchmen. There was no ground clock or siren in those days and the players had to listen for the chimes from the nearby University of Auckland wedding-cake tower to get an indication of time remaining. They knew that it was usually all over by 4 pm, but this game went well past four.[79]

In the final seconds of the match New Zealand wing Bevin Hough, a 1950 British Empire Games silver medal-winning sprinter, was heading for the Domain Stand corner and a certain try when he was taken out by a high shot from Cantoni. White was then called to kick. He backed up against the white picket fence sideline on the domain side, and sent the ball sailing between the posts, the crowd roaring before it got there.[79]

The bitterness continued. One of the Frenchmen attacked Maurie Robertson, leaping onto his back as he left the field, and a touch judge was knocked to the ground. As the crowd gathered to congratulate the Kiwis, the French spat at them. Later however, at the after-match dinner the French were gentlemen, conceding victory to the better side. Puig Aubert shook White's hand and congratulated him on the match-winning goal.[79]

The 50th anniversary of this match was commemorated during the 2001 French rugby league tour of New Zealand and Papua New Guinea with another Test between New Zealand and France in Auckland.

6 August Auckland   10 – 15   France Carlaw Park, Auckland
Tries: 2
Cliff Johnson
Bevan Hough
Goals: 2
Des White (2) 		Report[80]
Database[81]
Tries: 3
Élie Brousse
Puig Aubert
Martin Martin
Goals: 3
Puig Aubert (3)
Attendance: 30,000

Two days after the one-off Test match France returned to Carlaw Park to play Auckland. France won 15–10 in front of 30,000 spectators. Auckland included Des White, Jimmy Edwards, Tommy Baxter, Cyril Eastlake, Bevin Hough, Bruce Robertson, captain Des Barchard, Cliff Johnson, George Davidson, Graham Burgoyne, Doug Richards-Jolley, Clarence Hurndell and Allan Wiles.[82]

9 August South Auckland   7 – 25   France
Tries: 1
Smith
Goals: 2
Travers Hardwick (2) 		Report[83]
Database[84]
Tries: 5
Vincent Cantoni
Raymond Contrastin
Élie Brousse
Charles Galaup
Joseph Crespo
Goals: 5
Puig Aubert (3)
Paul Bartoletti
Vincent Cantoni
Attendance: 7,480
Referee: Roly Avery

During this match, French half-back Jean Dop was running for the ball when he was struck by a spectator, prompting police to move the crowd from the area.[85]

11 August Taranaki   7 – 23   France New Plymouth
Tries: 1
Casperson
Goals: 2
Kay
Mucculloch 		[86]
Tries: 7
Puig Aubert
Maurice Andre
Martin Martin
Paul Bartoletti
Jean Dop
Vincent Cantoni
Andre Beraud
Goals: 1
Puig Aubert
Attendance: 6,473

Australian return leg

edit

Following the New Zealand leg of the tour, the French returned to Australia for another 3 matches before heading home.

Wednesday, 15 August New South Wales XIII   29–11   France Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
3.30pm
 Tries: 5
Bryan Orrock
Nev Charlton
Ferris Ashton
Gordon Willoughby
Jack Lumsden
Goals: 7
Ron Willey (6)
Jack Lumsden 		Program
Report[87]
Tries: 1
Vincent Cantoni
Goals: 4
Puig Aubert (4)
Attendance: 29,304
Gate: AU£ 4,037
Referee: Jack O'Brien

A New South Wales XIII: FB: Ron Willey (  Canterbury), WG: Jack Lumsden (  Manly), CE: Gordon Willoughby (  Manly), CE: Matt McCoy (  St George), WG: John McClean (  Norths), FE: Greg Hawick (  Souths), HB: Col Donohoe (  Easts), PR: Bryan Orrock (  Souths), HK: Kevin Schubert (  Manly), PR: Fred Brown (  Manly), SR: Ferris Ashton (  Easts), SR: Jack Rayner (  Souths), LK: Nev Charlton (  Canterbury).
Kevin Woolfe (  Souths) and Tom Tyrrell (  Balmain) were selected as reserves, but did not play.
France: FB: Puig Aubert, WG: Raymond Contrastin, CE: Joseph Crespo, CE: Maurice Bellan, WG: Vincent Cantoni, FE: Charles Galaup, HB: Jean Dop, PR: Andre Beraud, HK: Martin Martin, PR: Louis Mazon, SR: Élie Brousse, SR: Édouard Ponsinet, LK: Gaston Calixte.

Saturday, 18 August Australian XIII   17–34   France RAS Showground, Melbourne
3pm
 Tries: 3
Ken McCaffery
Brian Davies
J. Balmain
Goals: 4
Ken McCaffery (2)
Clive Churchill
Kevin Woolfe 		Team
Report[88][89]
Tries: 6
Andre Beraud (2)
Raymond Contrastin
Maurice Andre
Robert Caillou
Puig Aubert
Goals: 8
Puig Aubert (8)
Attendance: 4,460
Gate: AU£ 856
Referee: Jack Davies

An Australian XIII: FB: Clive Churchill (  Souths), WG: Bill Dickason (  Victoria), CE: Kevin Woolfe (  Souths), CE: Noel Hazzard (Bundaberg), WG: John McClean (  Norths), FE: Greg Hawick (  Souths), HB: Ken McCaffery (  Souths), PR: Jack Balmain (  Victoria), HK: Ernie Hammerton (  Souths), PR: Gordon Teys (  Valleys), SR: Brian Davies (  Brothers), SR: Jack Rayner (  Souths), LK: Harold Crocker (  Souths).
Barry Pease (  Victoria) and Ray Jackson (  Victoria) were selected as reserves, but did not play.[90][91]
France: FB: Puig Aubert, WG: Maurice Andre, CE: Joseph Crespo, CE: Robert Caillou, WG: Raymond Contrastin, FE: Charles Galaup, HB: Jean Dop, PR: Andre Beraud, HK: Martin Martin, PR: Jean Audoubert, SR: Édouard Ponsinet, SR: Élie Brousse, LK: Gaston Calixte.

Sunday, 26 August Western Australia   23–70   France Claremont Showground, Perth
3.20pm
 Tries: 3
R. Quinlan (2)
Joe Stewart
Goals: 7
Bob Sampson (7) 		Teams[92][93]
Report[94][95]
Tries: 16
Vincent Cantoni (3)
Andre Beraud (2)
Puig Aubert (2)
Robert Caillou
Raymond Contrastin
Maurice Andre
Jean Audoubert
Élie Brousse
Édouard Ponsinet
Martin Martin
Gaston Calixte
Joseph Crespo
Goals: 11
Puig Aubert (7)
Gaston Calixte
Raymond Contrastin
Vincent Cantoni
Attendance: 14,500
Gate: AU£ 1,070
Referee: Herbert Fisher

Western Australia: FB: Joe McGuiness (  Fremantle), WG: Bob Sampson (20) (Nedlands), CE: Norm Plester (18) (  South Perth), CE: W. Nicholson (Perth), WG: R. Quinlan (  South Perth), FE: Stan Saxon (20) (  South Perth), HB: L. Leavy (  South Perth), PR: G. Vooles (  South Perth), HK: K. Allen (  Fremantle), PR: R. Robinson (Eastern Suburbs), SR: Joe Stewart (  South Perth), SR: Bob Patching (19) (  South Perth), LK: Terry Sullivan (32) (  Fremantle), Coach: Arthur Folwell.
The following were included in an initial, extended squad, but did not play: M. Hawthorn (  Victoria Park), P. Hobart (  Cottesloe), K. Hodges (  Applecross), D. McDonald (  Fremantle), J. McDonald (  Fremantle), T. Myles (  Cottesloe).
France: FB: Puig Aubert, WG: Vincent Cantoni, CE: Joseph Crespo, CE: Maurice Andre, WG: Raymond Contrastin, FE: Robert Caillou, HB: Jean Dop, PR: Andre Beraud, HK: Martin Martin, PR: Jean Audoubert, SR: Élie Brousse, SR: Édouard Ponsinet, LK: Gaston Calixte.

Sources

edit
Acronym Item Years Database App Notes
Direct Online Access
RLN Rugby League News 1920-1973 Trove Match Program in Sydney, Team Lists, Team Photos, Articles
RLP Rugby League Project 1907–present RLP Website Test Match teams & scorers.
Sun The Sun (Sydney) 1910-1954 Trove Match Reports, Articles.
DT The Daily Telegraph (Sydney) 1931-1954 Trove Match Reports, Articles.
CM The Courier-Mail 1933-1954 Trove Match Reports, Articles.
- Various Australian Regional Newspapers up to 1954 Trove Match Reports, Given Names of Players
Offline Resources
EECYB E.E. Christensen's Official Rugby League Year Book 1946-1978 Copies at
State Library of NSW		 Teams, Point Scorers, Report. 1952 Yearbook covers the 1951 tour.
QRLG Queensland Rugby League Gazette 1950-1955 Copies at
State Library of Qld		 Program for matches in Brisbane.
RRLG Rockhampton Rugby League Gazette 1951-1968 Copies at
State Library of Qld		 Program for matches in Rockhampton. This collection includes a Souvenir of the First Visit of the French Rugby League Team to Central Queensland - Tuesday, 19th June, 1951.
TRL Toowoomba Rugby League Souvenir Programme 1951 Copies at
State Library of Qld		 Program for the 1951 Toowoomba v France match.
- Ipswich Versus International Teams[96] 1913-1975 Copies at
SLQ & NLA		 Match Report, Given Names & Club of Ipswich Players
- A History of Mackay Rugby League[97] 1919-2015 Author's Website Given Names & Club of Ipswich Players
- More Than The Foley Shield[98] 1908-2014 Author's Website Match report, team photos. Given Names & Club of North Queensland Players

References

edit
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