1953 American All Stars tour of Australia and New Zealand

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1953 American All Stars tour of Australia and New Zealand
ManagerMike Dimitro
Coach(es)Norm (Latchem) Robinson
in Australia
Frank Mulcare &
Travers Hardwick
in New Zealand
Tour captain(s)Various
Top point scorer(s)Gary Kerkorian 173
Top try scorer(s)Alvin E. Kirkland 14
Summary
P W D L
Total
26 06 02 18
Tour chronology
Previous tour1952 by New Zealand Kiwis colours.svg to Australian colours.svg
1953 by Australian colours.svg to New Zealand Kiwis colours.svg
Next tour by to
1954 by to Australian colours.svg New Zealand Kiwis colours.svg

The 1953 American All Stars rugby league tour of Australia and New Zealand was a tour by a group of twenty men who had not previously played the sport of Rugby League. Most of the team were current or former College Gridiron footballers with Stanford University, the University of California, Los Angeles, or the University of Southern California. Some of the party had played rugby union at their colleges, during gridiron off-seasons.[1]

Summary[]

The tour was instigated by player-manager Mike Dimitro, who claimed to have witnessed a game of rugby league in Sydney whilst serving in the Pacific during World War II. Dimitro had played for UCLA and was a high school teacher in Los Angeles in the lead up to the tour. Dimitro wrote to the Australian Rugby League Board of Control in February 1952. Several of the League's administrators were fervent promoters of their sport, and some were keen to take the game to the United States, so Dimitro's suggestion was favourably received. Another factor was the success of France's inaugural tour in 1951. Harold Matthews responded on behalf of the board in April 1952.[1]

Apprised of the proposed tour, the New Zealand Rugby League were also interested, and their Secretary, J.E. Knowling, was able to meet with Mike Dimitro in Los Angeles.[1]

Although arrangements in California did not run smoothly, with reassurances sought by the host nation boards, eighteen players arrived in Sydney on May 18, 1953.[2] A further two players arrived on June 1.

The appointed coach, Norm “Latchem” Robinson, had less than a fortnight to educate the players. A touch-football game against South Sydney and a tackle match against a team of Army Engineers were used in preparations.[3][4]

Remarkably, the American All Stars won their first match on the scheduled tour, beating a combined Monaro and Southern Districts side. The next two scheduled fixtures were against Sydney and New South Wales, and the Americans were understandably outclassed. The wisdom of setting novices against experienced semi-professionals so early in the tour was questioned at the time. The matches did, however, attract large crowds 65,453 on a Saturday against Sydney, and 32,554 on a Tuesday against New South Wales. There was consensus in the press that the host teams did take it easy on the visitors.

The tour progressed with matches in regional and country New South Wales, and then into Queensland. The Australian board had recommended that 28 players would be necessary given the two matches per week schedule, and injuries had an impact on the twenty-man squad. This led to the informal use of “ring-ins” in matches at Ipswich and Wagga, and formally in a return match against New South Wales on July 25, and throughout the New Zealand leg.

Through the tour the American players were commended for their excellent ball handling and robust tackling. The running ability of many, particularly the backs was praised. Referees showed leniency to a lack of understanding of offside rules in early matches. A slowness in comprehending and implementing cover defence was a common concern in reports on later matches.

A curiosity to local spectators and the press at the time was the All Stars' practice of warming up on the field with calisthenics, or “physical jerks”.[1] Although this innovation did not immediately catch on, National Rugby League teams have utilised on field warm-ups since the 1990s.

A highlight for spectators was the American's use of the pitch-pass, with exhibitions given prior to most matches. In play, league rules against forward passing meant the pitch was restricted to lateral or backwards movement. Although a few pitch passes did lead to an All Stars try, usually the arc allowed defenders time to immediately tackle the receiver, or intercept.

A sad development of the tour was that Jack Bonetti contracted Polio. This was diagnosed after he entered hospital in Townsville, having exhibited pain after the match in Cairns.[1][5]

Touring Squad[]

Player Pos. Age Weight Height College(s) Games
in
Aus 		Games
in
NZ 		Tries Goals Field
Goals 		Points
Al Abajian Five-eighth 25 13.3 (84) 5.8 Country colours.svg USC 15 8 0 0 24
Bill Albans Wing 25 13.8 (86) 6.4 Queanbeyan United Colours.png North Carolina 13 0 5 0 0 15
Jack Bonetti Second-row 22 15.1 (96) 6.1 Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Stanford 9 0 7 0 0 21
Bob Buckley Centre 20 13.8 (86) 5.1 Country colours.svg USC 12 0 4 0 0 12
Ed Demirjian Wing 22 13.3 (84) 5.1 Country colours.svg USC 6 2 0 0 6
Mike Dimitro Second-row 28 15.1 (96) 5.1 University colours.svg UCLA Country colours.svg USC 11 3 0 0 9
Steve Drakulvich Prop 28 15.13 (101) 6.3 University colours.svg UCLA 9 1 0 0 3
Ted Grossman Halfback 23 12.7 (79) 5.1 Balmain colours.svg Pacific 16 7 0 0 21
Harold Han Centre 20 13.8 (86) 5.9 Country colours.svg USC 12 0 7 0 0 21
Pat Henry Second-row 24 14.9 (93) 5.11 Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Stanford 11 1 0 0 3
Vince Jones Prop 23 14.9 (93) 5.11 Ireland colours.svg Dartmouth Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Stanford 16 3 0 0 9
George Kauffman Fullback 26 14.0 (89) 6 University colours.svg UCLA 14 1 7 2 21
Gary Kerkorian Wing 23 13.3 (84) 6 Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Stanford 17 0 5 79 0 173
Al D. Kirkland Lock 23 15.5 (98) 6.3 Country colours.svg USC Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Stanford 16 12 1 0 38
Alvin E. Kirkland Centre 22 13.3 (84) 5.1 Country colours.svg USC Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Stanford 16 14 0 0 42
Fran Mandulay Second-row 24 15.0 (95) 6 Illawarra colours.svg Nebraska University colours.svg UCLA 15 1 0 0 3
Xavier Mena Prop 24 16.1 (102) 6.1 University colours.svg UCLA 6 2 0 0 6
Sol Naumu Five-eighth 23 14.0 (89) 5.11 University colours.svg UCLA Country colours.svg USC 14 1 8 0 19
Ray Terry Prop 29 16.3 (103) 6.2 Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Alabama 1 0 0 0 0
Sydney Walker Hooker 21 15.0 (95) 5.8 University colours.svg UCLA 10 1 0 0 3

Note: The tally of games in Australia, tries and goals collated from newspaper articles, as referenced below. In a few instances newspaper accounts differ. Some match reports do not mention all participants. A concession was made to allow the Americans to use substitutes in the event of first half injuries. This was unusual for the time. Normally no replacements were permitted.

Four Queenslanders — Harold Crocker, Brian Davies, Alan Hornery and Ken McCaffery — played for the American All Stars in the July 25 match against New South Wales.

Five of the tourists returned to the United States at the conclusion of the Australian leg.[6] By arrangement with the New Zealand Rugby League, they were replaced by four, later five, New Zealanders: Travers Hardwick and Frank Mulcare who took on coaching duties, and also Des Barchard, Roy Moore and Roy Roff.

Australian Leg[]

May 27 Monaro-Southern Division Australian colours.svg 25–34 United States colours.svg America Manuka Oval, Canberra  
3pm
 Tries: 5
Roy Freebody (2)
Bill Beazley
Greg Watts
Ron Bercene
Goals: 5
Bill Beazley (5) 		Teams[7][8]
Report[9][10]
Report[11][12] 		Tries: 8
Alvin Kirkland (4)
Al D. Kirkland (2)
Al Abajian
Jack Bonetti
Goals: 5
Gary Kerkorian (5) 		Attendance: 4,877
Gate: AU£ 965
Referee: Jack O'Brien
Team list:

Monaco-Southern Division FB: Bill Beazley (St. George colours.svg Wollongong), WG: Greg Watts (Pyree), CE: Roy Freebody (Glebe colours.svg Captain's Flat), CE: Jack Seamer (Western Suburbs colours.svg Port Kembla), WG: P. Ryan (New South Wales colours.svg Bombala), FE: Keith Sullivan (Country colours.svg Goulburn), HB: Ron Bercene (New South Wales colours.svg Bombala), LK: Bob Smith (Western Suburbs colours.svg Port Kembla), SR: Angus Miller (Western Suburbs colours.svg Berry), SR: Col Yarham (Australian colours.svg Mittagong), PR: Billy Hodges (Glebe colours.svg Captain's Flat), HK: R. Stewart (Bega), PR: Bruce Edwards (Glebe colours.svg Robertson).
J. Southwell (Australian colours.svg Canberra) played. He may have replaced Yarham prior to kick-off. Col Williamson (Country colours.svg Goulburn) was named as a reserve, but likely did not play as he was not mentioned in match reports.
The following were initially selected but did not play: Robert Bartlett (St. George colours.svg Wollongong), Jack Plater (Western Suburbs colours.svg Yass) and Harry Wells (St. George colours.svg Wollongong).
American All Stars: FB: George Kauffman, WG: Bill Albans, CE: Ed Demirjian, CE: Gary Kerkorian, WG: Alvin E. Kirkland, FE: Sol Naumu, HB: Ted Grossman, LK: Pat Henry, SR: Vince Jones, SR: Al D. Kirkland, SR: Fran Mandulay, HK: Sydney Walker, LK: Jack Bonetti. Al Abajian replaced Bill Albans.

May 30 Sydney City colours.svg 52–25 United States colours.svg America Sydney Cricket Ground  
3pm
 Tries: 10
Noel Pidding (4)
Ken Kearney (2)
Keith Holman
Ron Taylor
Ben Haslam
Lloyd Hudson
Goals: 11
Noel Pidding (11) 		Program
Report[13][14]
Report[15] 		Tries: 3
Sydney Walker
Alvin Kirkland
Sol Naumu
Goals: 8
Gary Kerkorian (8) 		Attendance: 65,453
Gate: AU£ 8,744
Referee: Jack O'Brien
Team list:

Sydney: FB: Clive Churchill (26) (South Sydney colours.svg Souths), WG: Noel Pidding (26) (St. George colours.svg St George), CE: George Martin (20) (North Sydney colours.svg Norths), CE: Ron Taylor (21) (Eastern Suburbs colours.svg Easts), WG: Barry Stenhouse (19) (Canterbury colours.svg Canterbury), FE: Bob Sullivan (22) (North Sydney colours.svg Norths), HB: Keith Holman (25) (Western Suburbs colours.svg Wests), LK: Les Cowie (28) (South Sydney colours.svg Souths), SR: Arthur Collinson (23) (Western Suburbs colours.svg Wests), SR: Ben Haslam (24) (North Sydney colours.svg Norths), PR: Roy Bull (23) (Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Manly), HK: Ken Kearney (27) (St. George colours.svg St George), PR: Lloyd Hudson (25) (North Sydney colours.svg Norths).
The following were selected as reserves but did not play: Ken Slattery (20) (Parramatta colours.svg Parramatta) and Johnny Slade (25) (Parramatta colours.svg Parramatta).
American All Stars: FB: George Kauffman, WG: Bill Albans, CE: Alvin E. Kirkland, CE: Sol Naumu, WG: Ed Demirjian, FE: Gary Kerkorian, HB: Ted Grossman, LK: Jack Bonetti, SR: Al D. Kirkland, SR: Fran Mandulay, PR: Vince Jones, HK: Sydney Walker, PR: Pat Henry.

June 2 New South Wales New South Wales colours.svg 62–41 United States colours.svg America Sydney Cricket Ground  
2.30pm
 Tries: 14
Tommy Ryan (6)
Noel Pidding (2)
Ken Kearney (2)
Don Schofield
Harry Wells
Keith Holman
Ken Slattery
Goals: 10
Noel Pidding (10) 		Program
Report[16] 		Tries: 9
Alvin Kirkland (3)
Al D. Kirkland (2)
Harold Han
Jack Bonetti
Ed Demirjian
Bob Buckley
Goals: 7
Gary Kerkorian (7) 		Attendance: 32,554
Gate: AU£ 3,533
Referee: Jack O'Brien
Team list:

New South Wales: FB: Clive Churchill (26) (South Sydney colours.svg Souths), WG: Noel Pidding (26) (St. George colours.svg St George), CE: Robert Bartlett (26) (St. George colours.svg Wollongong), CE: Harry Wells (21) (St. George colours.svg Wollongong), WG: Tommy Ryan (St. George colours.svg St George), FE: Rees Duncan (21) (Eastern Suburbs colours.svg Kurri Kurri), HB: Keith Holman (25) (Western Suburbs colours.svg Wests), LK: Ken Slattery (25) (Parramatta colours.svg Parramatta), SR: Don Schofield (22) (Wellington colours.svg Cessnock), SR: Albert Paul (25) (Parramatta colours.svg Lakes United), PR: Charlie Gill (30) (New South Wales colours.svg Newcastle Northern Suburbs), HK: Ken Kearney (27) (St. George colours.svg St George), PR: Roy Bull (23) (Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Manly).
Brian Carlson (20) (New South Wales colours.svg Newcastle Northern Suburbs) was initially selected but withdrew. Arthur Collinson (23) (Western Suburbs colours.svg Wests) and Johnny Slade (20) (Parramatta colours.svg Parramatta) were selected as reserves but did not play.
American All Stars: FB: Sol Naumu, WG: Bob Buckley, CE: Alvin E. Kirkland, CE: Harold Han, WG: Ed Demirjian, FE: Gary Kerkorian, HB: Ted Grossman, LK: Jack Bonetti, SR: Al D. Kirkland, SR: Mike Dimitro, PR: Fran Mandulay, HK: Pat Henry, PR: Vince Jones.

June 7 Combined Country Country colours.svg 35–9 United States colours.svg America Wollongong Showground  
Tries: 7
Darcy Russell
Ron Battye
Don Schofield
Jack Lumsden
Robert Bartlett
Charlie Gill
Ernie Hammerton
Goals: 7
Darcy Russell (7) 		Team[17][18]
Report[19][20]
Report[21] 		Tries: 1
Jack Bonetti
Goals: 3
Gary Kerkorian (3) 		Attendance: 11,787
Gate: AU£ 1,627
Referee: Darcy Lawler
Team list:

Combined Country: FB: Darcy Russell (Brisbane colours.svg Waratah Mayfield), WG: Brian Carlson (New South Wales colours.svg Norths), CE: Harry Wells (St. George colours.svg Wollongong), CE: Robert Bartlett (St. George colours.svg Wollongong), WG: Jack Lumsden (Parramatta colours.svg Coonabarabran), FE: Rees Duncan (Eastern Suburbs colours.svg Kurri), HB: Noel Hill (Western Suburbs colours.svg Maitland), LK: Ron Battye (Wellington colours.svg Gundagai), SR: Don Schofield (Wellington colours.svg Cessnock), SR: Albert Paul (Parramatta colours.svg Lakes United), PR: Charlie Gill (New South Wales colours.svg Norths), HK: Ernie Hammerton (Boorowa), PR: Bryan Orrock (Boorowa), Coach: Ray Stehr.
The following were named as reserves but are not mentioned (as playing) in match reports: Guy Brazier (Dorrigo), Jack Seamer (Western Suburbs colours.svg Port Kembla) and Bob Smith (Western Suburbs colours.svg Port Kembla).
American All Stars: Al Abajian, Bill Albans, Jack Bonetti, Ted Grossman, Vince Jones, George Kauffman, Gary Kerkorian, Al D. Kirkland, Xavier Mena and Sydney Walker were mentioned in match reports, with one report mentioning that Pat Henry took the field as a replacement.

June 10 Western Division Australian colours.svg 24–21 United States colours.svg America Victoria Park, Dubbo  
3pm
 Tries: 6
Jack Grant
Bruce Cohen
Cec Edwards
Leo Nosworthy
Peter Burns
Jack Lumsden
Goals: 3
Jack Lumsden (3) 		Team[22][23]
Report[24][25]
Report[26][27] 		Tries: 3
Jack Bonetti
Gary Kerkorian
Pat Henry
Goals: 6
Gary Kerkorian (6) 		Attendance: 4,717
Gate: AU£ 1,186
Referee: Darcy Lawler
Team list:

Western Districts: FB: Gordon Head (Hullcolours.svg Baradine), WG: Bruce Cohen (Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Wellington), CE: Brian Condon (St. George colours.svg Mudgee), CE: Jack Grant (Parramatta colours.svg Brewarrina), WG: Jack Lumsden (Parramatta colours.svg Coonabarabran), FE: Peter Burns (South Sydney colours.svg Bathurst Railway), HB: Cec Edwards (Trangie), LK: Leo Nosworthy (St. George colours.svg Narromine), SR: Jock Weir (St. George colours.svg Narromine), SR: Noel Flynn (Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Lithgow Arms Factory), PR: Bertie Simpson (Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Lithgow Arms Factory), HK: Barry Green (St. George colours.svg Mudgee), PR: N. Towett (Trangie), Coach: Frank Bell (Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Lithgow Arms Factory).
Brian (Blondie) Bolton (Dubbo) and Vin Corish (Ireland colours.svg Dunedoo) were named as reserves and took the field for the second half.
The following were initially selected but withdrew: Eric Dodd (Dubbo), Norman McKnight (Western Suburbs colours.svg Forbes), B. Runsford (Lithgow).
American All Stars: FB: Sol Naumu, WG: Bob Buckley, CE: Harold Han, CE: Gary Kerkorian, WG: Ed Demirjian, FE: Ted Grossman, HB: Al Abajian, LK: Jack Bonetti, SR: Pat Henry, SR: Fran Mandulay, PR: Steve Drakulvich, HK: Sydney Walker, PR: Xavier Mena.
Vince Jones and George Kauffman took the field as replacements for injured players Drakulvich and Mena. The Dubbo Liberal match reports mentioned Ray Terry as being tackled into touch.

June 13 Newcastle Newcastle foundation colours.svg 10–19 United States colours.svg America Newcastle Sports Ground  
Tries: 2
Bill Shanks
Brian Pead
Goals: 2
Darcy Russell (2) 		Teams[28][29]
Report[30][31]
Report[32][33] 		Tries: 3
Harold Han (2)
Gary Kerkorian
Goals: 5
Gary Kerkorian (5) 		Attendance: 14,160
Gate: AU£ 2,136
Referee: Aub Oxford
Team list:

Newcastle: FB: Darcy Russell (Brisbane colours.svg Waratah Mayfield), WG: Bill Shanks (Brisbane colours.svg Waratah Mayfield), CE: Bill Smith (Brisbane colours.svg Waratah Mayfield), CE: Brian Pead (Faxcolours.svg Centrals), WG: Lester Batey (Wellington colours.svg Cessnock), FE: Warren Foley (Brisbane colours.svg Waratah Mayfield), HB: Noel Hill (Western Suburbs colours.svg Maitland), LK: Barry Levido (Wellington colours.svg Cessnock), SR: Gordon Harley (Western Suburbs colours.svg Maitland), SR: Henry Holloway (Brisbane colours.svg Waratah Mayfield), PR: Doug Hawke (New South Wales colours.svg Norths), HK: Kevin McKiernan (Western Suburbs colours.svg Maitland), PR: Herb Pearson (Eastern Suburbs colours.svg Kurri).
Billy Roberts (Eastern Suburbs colours.svg Kurri) and Tom Anderson (New South Wales colours.svg Norths) were named as reserves.
American All Stars: FB: Sol Naumu, WG: Alvin E. Kirkland, CE: Harold Han, CE: Bob Buckley, WG: Ed Demirjian, FE: Gary Kerkorian, HB: Ted Grossman, LK: Jack Bonetti, SR: Al D. Kirkland, SR: Mike Dimitro, PR: Fran Mandulay, HK: Vince Jones, PR: Pat Henry.
George Kauffman and Al Abajian were named as reserves and the latter is mentioned as playing in a match report.

June 17 Northern NSW Ireland colours.svg 26–18 United States colours.svg America Brelsford Park, Coffs Harbour  
Tries: 6
Lyle McKay (3)
Jim Ruge (2)
Ken O'Reilly
Goals: 4
Bob Hillier (4) 		Team[34][35]
Report[36][37]
Report[38][39] 		Tries: 4
Bob Buckley
Al Abajian
Ed Demirjian
Jack Bonetti
Goals: 3
Gary Kerkorian (3) 		Attendance: 5,400
Gate: AU£ 707
Referee: Aub Oxford
June 20 Queensland Queensland colours.svg 39–36 United States colours.svg America Brisbane Cricket Ground  
3pm
 Tries: 9
Bob Buckley (4)
Kel O'Shea (2)
Neil Teys
Athol Smith
Tom Tyquin
Goals: 6
Norm Pope (6) 		Teams[40][41]
Report[42][43] 		Tries: 6
Vince Jones (2)
Al D. Kirkland
Ted Grossman
George Kauffman
Jack Bonetti
Goals: 9
Gary Kerkorian (9) 		Attendance: 24,397
Gate: AU£ 3,983
Referee: Frank Ballard
June 24 Far North Queensland 17–17 United States colours.svg America Parramatta Park, Cairns  
Tries: 3
Gordon Farrelly (2)
Roy Greenwood
Goals: 4
Gordon Farrelly (4) 		Teams[44][45]
Report[46]
Result[47] 		Tries: 3
Bill Albans
Jack Bonetti
Al D. Kirkland
Goals: 4
George Kauffman (3)
Field Goals: 1
George Kauffman 		Attendance: 6,042
Gate: AU£ 1,202
Referee: V. Renton
June 28 North Queensland Cairns Cyclones Colours.svg 38–17 United States colours.svg America Townsville Sports Reserve  
Tries: 8
Jack Fifield (2)
Kel O'Shea (2)
P. Farrell
Max Short
Keith Martin
Trevor Whitehead
Goals: 7
R. Quinn (7) 		Team[45]
Report[48]
Photo[49] 		Tries: 3
Ted Grossman (2)
Harold Han
Goals: 4
Gary Kerkorian (4) 		Attendance: 7,898
Gate: AU£ 1,552
Referee: R. Allison
July 1 Central West Queensland 26–21 United States colours.svg America Longreach  
Tries: 6
McDonald (4)
Lionel Wheatley
Norris
Goals: 4
Linde (4)
Report[50]
Result[51] 		Tries: 5
Alvin Kirkland
Al D. Kirkland
Harold Han
Xavier Mena
Al Abajian
Goals: 3
Gary Kerkorian (3) 		Attendance: 1,635
Gate: AU£ 400
Referee: Maquire
July 5 Central Queensland Balmain colours.svg 33–26 United States colours.svg America Murray Street Grounds, Rockhampton  
Tries: 9
Peter Robinson (4)
W. Liddell (2)
P. Sear (2)
W. Clarke
Goals: 3
Ray Thomas (2)
W. Liddell 		Report[52][53] Tries: 6
Steve Drakulvich
Ted Grossman
Al Abajian
Gary Kerkorian
Mike Dimitro
Harold Han
Goals: 4
George Kauffman (2)
Al D. Kirkland
Gary Kerkorian 		Attendance: 5,332
Gate: AU£ 1,154
Referee: H. Gilbert
July 7 Brisbane St. George colours.svg 39–26 United States colours.svg America Brisbane Cricket Ground  
Tries: 9
George Hayes (3)
. Mundt (2)
Len Blaik (2)
Tom Tyquin
Jack Veivers
Goals: 6
Norm Pope (6) 		Team[54]
Report[55] 		Tries: 4
Al D. Kirkland
Harold Han
Al Abajian
Fran Mandulay
Goals: 7
Gary Kerkorian (7) 		Attendance: 7,000
Gate: AU£ 1,050
Referee: Vic Lynagh
July 15 Toowoomba Queanbeyan United Colours.png 29–15 United States colours.svg America Toowoomba  
Tries: 7
M. Higgins (3)
Russ Brown (2)
D. McMurtrie
. Connolly
Goals: 4
M. Higgins (3)
Cyril Connell Jr
Report[56][57] 		Tries: 3
Bill Albans
Al Abajian
Xavier Mena
Goals: 3
Gary Kerkorian (3) 		Attendance: 5,778
Gate: AU£ 893
Referee: Vic Vercoe
July 18 Ipswich Ireland colours.svg 15–16 United States colours.svg America North Ipswich Reserve  
Tries: 3
Jim Pegg (2)
Gary Parcell
Goals: 3
Errol Meteyard (3)
Report[58]
Report[59] 		Tries: 4
Bill Albans
Gary Kerkorian
Alvin Kirkland
Al Abajian
Goals: 2
Gary Kerkorian (2) 		Attendance: 3,155
Gate: AU£ 645
Referee: Les McMahon
July 19 Wide Bay St. George colours.svg 33–33 United States colours.svg America Maryborough Showground  
Tries: 7
D. Nixon (2)
K. Drysdale
K. Hutchins
A. Anderson
F. Heidke
W. Faine
Goals: 6
F. Heidke (6)
Report[60]
Result[61] 		Tries: 7
Bob Buckley (2)
Gary Kerkorian
Bill Albans
Alvin Kirkland
Ted Grossman
Al Abajian
Goals: 6
Gary Kerkorian (6) 		Attendance: 6,166
Gate: AU£ 1,124
July 22 Riverina Western Suburbs colours.svg 30–14 United States colours.svg America ANZAC Park, Gundagai  
Tries: 6
Roley McDonell (2)
George Robertson
Len Koch
Brian Longhurst
Terry Brogan
Goals: 6
Len Koch (6) 		Team[62][63]
Report[64]
Result[65] 		Tries: 2
Mike Dimitro
Al D. Kirkland
Goals: 4
Gary Kerkorian (4) 		Attendance: 2,560
Gate: AU£ 576
Referee: Col Pearce
July 25 New South Wales New South Wales colours.svg 27–18 United States colours.svg America Sydney Cricket Ground  
2.45pm
 Tries: 5
Johnny Rouse
Ferris Ashton
Brian Carlson
Harry Wells
Noel Pidding
Goals: 6
Noel Pidding (6) 		Program
Report[66][67] 		Tries: 4
Ken McCaffery
Brian Davies
Bill Albans
Al D. Kirkland
Goals: 3
Gary Kerkorian (3) 		Attendance: 19,686
Gate: AU£ 2,272
Referee: Aub Oxford

New Zealand leg[]

August 1 Auckland Canterbury colours.svg 54–26 United States colours.svg America Carlaw Park, Auckland  
Tries: 12
Goals: 9 		Tries: 6
Goals: 4
August 4 Taranaki Sunshine Coast Colours.svg 18–21 United States colours.svg America Pukekura Park, New Plymouth  
Tries: 4
Goals: 3 		Tries: 5
Frank Mulcare (3)
Travers Hardwick
Roy Roff
Goals: 3
George Kauffman (2)
Field Goals: 1
George Kauffman
August 7 Wellington Wellington colours.svg 8–17 United States colours.svg America Basin Reserve, Wellington  
Tries:

Goals: 		Tries:

Goals:

George Kauffman (2)
August 11 West Coast Saintscolours.svg 27–10 United States colours.svg America Wingham Park, Greymouth  
Tries:

Goals: 		Tries:

Goals:
August 15 Canterbury North Sydney colours.svg 39–8 United States colours.svg America Addington Showground, Christchurch  
Tries:

Goals: 		Tries:

Goals: 		Attendance: 5,000
August 19 North Auckland Parramatta colours.svg 6–25 United States colours.svg America Jubilee Park, To Whangerei  
Tries:

Goals: 		Tries:

Goals: 		Attendance: 3,000
August 22 New Zealand Māori   40–23 United States colours.svg America Carlaw Park, Auckland  
Tries:

Goals: 		Tries:

Goals:
August 24 South Auckland Balmain colours.svg 19–2 United States colours.svg America Hamilton  
Tries:

Goals: 		Tries:

Goals:

Sources[]

Acronym Item Years Database App Notes
Direct Online Access
- Pratten Park Magpies 1953 Website Page Copies of photos and articles
RLN Rugby League News 1920-1973 Trove Match Program in Sydney, Team Lists, Team Photos, Articles
RLP Rugby League Project 1907–present RLP Website Match dates and scores
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
- Gavin Willacy's
No Helmets Required[1]		 1953 Copy at
SLNSW		 First published in 2013. Interviews with many of the players, or their family members. History of the tour, with each match discussed.
EECYB E.E. Christensen's Official Rugby League Year Book 1946-1978 Copies at
SLNSW		 Teams, Point Scorers, Report. 1954 Yearbook includes a brief summary of the 1953 tour, with teams and point scorers for the three matches in Sydney.
QRLG Queensland Rugby League Gazette 1950-1955 Copies at
SLQ		 Program for matches in Brisbane.
RRLG Rockhampton Rugby League Gazette 1951-1968 Copies at
SLQ		 Program for matches in Rockhampton.
- Ipswich Versus International Teams[68] 1913-1975 Copies at
SLQ & NLA		 Match Report, Given Names & Club of Ipswich Players
- A History of Mackay Rugby League[69] 1919-2015 Author's Website Given Names & Club of Ipswich Players
- More Than The Foley Shield[70] 1908-2014 Author's Website Match report, team photos. Given Names & Club of North Queensland Players

References[]

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  70. ^ Price, Tony (2014). More Than The Foley Shield - A History of Rugby League in Queensland. CPX Printing and Logistics. ISBN 978-0-646-92820-3.
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