1980 New Zealand rugby league tour of Great Britain and France

The 1980 New Zealand rugby league tour of Great Britain and France was a tour by the New Zealand national rugby league team. The test series between the New Zealand national rugby league team and Great Britain was drawn one all, as was the test series between New Zealand and France.

The Kiwis were 6-1 outsiders ahead of the tour. Great Britain had won seven of the last nine encounters and the New Zealand side was almost entirely domestic based, with captain Mark Graham, Danny Campbell and Nolan Tupaea the only overseas professionals. Following the tour Fred Ah Kuoi (North Sydney Bears), James Leuluai, Dane O'Hara and Gary Kemble (Hull F.C.) and Mark Broadhurst (Manly-Warringah) subsequently secured professional contracts.^[1]

The Test series was broadcast across the United Kingdom via the BBC with chief commentator Eddie Waring and his co-commentator, former Great Britain halfback and then Salford coach Alex Murphy. The series was broadcast in New Zealand via Television New Zealand with former Kiwi fullback Des White providing the commentary.^[2]

Squad[]

New Zealand were coached by Ces Mountford and captained by Mark Graham.

Player	Club	Position(s)	Tests	Matches	Tries	Goals	F/Goals	Points
Fred Ah Kuoi	Richmond Rovers	Five-eighth, Centre	5	9	1	0	0	3
Ray Baxendale	Runanga	Second-row, Lock	3	8	1	0	0	3
Mark Broadhurst	Marist-Western Suburbs	Prop	5	9	0	0	0	0
Danny Campbell	Wigan	Second-row	0	1	0	0	0	0
Tony Coll	Marist	Second-row	3	6	4	0	0	12
Bruce Dickison	Sydenham	Centre	4	8	2	0	0	6
	NA	Second-row, Lock	1	7	0	9	0	18
Kevin Fisher	Huntly South	Wing	1	7	0	0	0	0
Bruce Gall	NA	Second-row	0	8	3	0	0	9
Mark Graham (c)	Brisbane Norths	Lock	5	6	4	0	0	12
Bernie Green	Runanga	Centre	0	5	2	0	0	6
Bill Kells	Ngaruwahia	Five-eighth, Halfback	0	4	0	0	0	0
Gary Kemble	Ellerslie Eagles	Fullback, Wing	1	7	2	9	0	24
James Leuluai	Mt Wellington	Fullback, Centre, Five-eighth	3	9	3	0	0	9
Rick Muru	Taniwharau	Prop	0	5	1	0	0	3
Michael O'Donnell	Marist-Western Suburbs	Fullback, Centre	5	8	1	5	0	13
Dane O'Hara	Bay Roskill	Wing, Centre	5	10	6	0	0	18
Gary Prohm	Otahuhu Leopards	Second-row, Wing	4	9	0	0	0	0
Alan Rushton	Eastern Suburbs	Prop, Hooker	4	8	1	0	0	3
Gordon Smith	Waro-rakau	Halfback	4	7	1	15	0	33
Howie Tamati	Waitara Bears	Hooker	1	9	1	0	0	3
Kevin Tamati	Upper Hutt Tigers	Prop	5	8	1	0	0	3
Paul Te Ariki	Wellington	Prop, Second-row	0	6	0	0	0	0
Nolan Tupaea	Wigan	Five-eighth, Centre	0	6	3	0	0	9
Shane Varley	Point Chevalier Pirates	Halfback	0	7	1	0	0	3
Graeme West	Hawera	Second-row	5	9	2	0	0	6
John Whittaker	Warrington	Centre	4	9	2	0	0	6

Great Britain[]

Test Venues[]

The three tests took place at the following venues.

Wigan	Bradford	Leeds
Central Park	Odsal Stadium	Elland Road
Capacity: 35,000	Capacity: 40,000	Capacity: 32,500

Sunday 28 September

Blackpool Borough	5 – 23	New Zealand
Tries: Goals: (1)	^[3]	Tries: James Leuluai (2), Bruce Dickison, Rick Muru, Nolan Tupaea Goals: Gary Kemble (4)

Borough Park, Blackpool
Attendance: 1,312
Referee: Ron Moore

Blackpool Borough: , , , , , , , , , , , , . Res – . Coach – Geoff Lyon

New Zealand: James Leuluai, Bernie Green, John Whittaker, Bruce Dickison, Gary Kemble, Nolan Tupaea, Shane Varley, Rick Muru, Howie Tamati, Kevin Tamati, Ray Baxendale, Bruce Gall, . Res – Gary Prohm

Sunday 5 October

Hull F.C.	10 – 33	New Zealand
Tries: Vince Farrar, Goals: Sammy Lloyd (2)	^[4]	Tries: Tony Coll (2), Mark Graham (2), Dane O'Hara (2), Alan Rushton, Gordon Smith, Kevin Tamati Goals: Michael O'Donnell (3)

Boothferry Park, Kingston upon Hull
Attendance: 15,945
Referee: Billy Thompson

Hull F.C.: George Robinson, Graham Walters, , , Paul Prendiville, , Clive Pickerill, Keith Tindall, , Vince Farrar, , , Sammy Lloyd. Res – , Charlie Stone. Coach – Arthur Bunting

New Zealand: Michael O'Donnell, Kevin Fisher, James Leuluai, Bruce Dickison, Dane O'Hara, Fred Ah Kuoi, Gordon Smith, Mark Broadhurst, Alan Rushton, Kevin Tamati, Graeme West, Tony Coll, Mark Graham (c). Res – John Whittaker, Paul Te Ariki

Wednesday 8 October

Cumbria	9 – 3	New Zealand
Tries: Goals: (3)	^[5]	Tries: Graeme West Goals:

Recreation Ground, Whitehaven
Attendance: 4,070
Referee: Harry Hunt

Cumbria: , , , , Chris Camilleri, , , , Alan McCurrie, John Cunningham, , Les Gorley, Bill Pattinson

New Zealand: Gary Kemble, Kevin Fisher, James Leuluai, Bruce Dickison, Dane O'Hara, Fred Ah Kuoi, Shane Varley, Rick Muru, Howie Tamati, Alan Rushton, Graeme West, Tony Coll, Mark Graham (c)

Sunday 12 October

St Helens	11 – 6	New Zealand
Tries: Les Jones Goals: Clive Griffiths (4)	^[6]	Tries: Bernie Green, Nolan Tupaea Goals:

Knowsley Road, St. Helens
Attendance: 6,000
Referee: John McDonald

St Helens: Clive Griffiths, Les Jones, , Roy Haggerty, Roy Mathias, , Neil Holding, Mel James, , Michael Hope, Eric Chisnall, George Nicholls, Harry Pinner. Res – John Smith, . Coach – Kel Coslett

New Zealand: James Leuluai, Bernie Green, John Whittaker, Fred Ah Kuoi, Nolan Tupaea, Bill Kells, Gordon Smith, Mark Broadhurst, Howie Tamati, Kevin Tamati, Paul Te Ariki, Bruce Gall, Gary Prohm

Tuesday 14 October

Bradford Northern	15 – 10	New Zealand
Tries: David Barends (2), (2) Goals: Alan Redfearn (3)	^[7]	Tries: Bruce Dickison, Howie Tamati Goals: Michael O'Donnell (2)

Odsal Stadium, Bradford
Attendance: 4,553
Referee: John McDonald

Bradford Northern: , David Barends, , , , Nigel Stephenson, Alan Redfearn, , Brian Noble, , Dennis Trotter, Gary Van Bellen, Graham Idle. Res – , . Coach – Peter Fox

New Zealand: Michael O'Donnell, Bernie Green, John Whittaker, Bruce Dickison, Gary Kemble, Nolan Tupaea, Bill Kells, Paul Te Ariki, Howie Tamati, Ray Baxendale, Bruce Gall, Gary Prohm,

First Test[]

Saturday 18 October

Great Britain	14 – 14	New Zealand
Tries: Chris Camilleri Mike Smith Goals: George Fairbairn (4)	^[8]	Tries: Fred Ah Kuoi Tony Coll Goals: Gordon Smith (4/5)

Central Park, Wigan
Attendance: 7,031
Referee: Billy Thompson

Player of the Match: Fred Ah Kuoi

Great Britain

New Zealand


FB	1	George Fairbairn (c)
RW	2	Chris Camilleri
RC	3	John Joyner
LC	4	Mike Smith
LW	5	Keith Bentley
SO	6	Steve Hartley
SH	7	Kevin Dick
PR	8	Roy Holdstock
HK	9	David Watkinson
PR	10	Trevor Skerrett
SR	11	Jeff Grayshon
SR	12	Les Gorley
LF	13	Len Casey
Substitutions:
IC	14
IC	15	Harry Pinner
Coach:
Johnny Whiteley


FB	1	Michael O'Donnell
RW	2	Kevin Fisher
RC	3	James Leuluai
LC	4	Bruce Dickison
LW	5	Dane O'Hara
FE	6	Fred Ah Kuoi
HB	7	Gordon Smith
PR	8	Mark Broadhurst
HK	9	Alan Rushton
PR	10	Kevin Tamati
SR	11	Graeme West
SR	12	Tony Coll
LK	13	Mark Graham (c)
Substitutions:
IC	14	Ray Baxendale
IC	15
Coach:
Ces Mountford

Wednesday 22 October

Hull Kingston Rovers	12 – 20	New Zealand
Tries: Paul Harkin, Phil Lowe Goals: Phil Hogan (2) (1)	^[9]	Tries: Bruce Gall (3), John Whittaker Goals: (3) Gary Kemble (1)

Craven Park, Kingston upon Hull
Attendance: 9,516
Referee: Fred Lindop

Hull Kingston Rovers: Dave Hall, , Mike Smith, Phil Hogan, , Steve Hartley, Paul Harkin, Roy Holdstock, , David Watkinson, Phil Lowe, Len Casey, Mick Crane. Res – Ian Robinson, . Coach – Roger Millward

New Zealand: Gary Kemble, Gary Prohm, John Whittaker, James Leuluai, Dane O'Hara, Nolan Tupaea, Shane Varley, Mark Broadhurst, Howie Tamati, Bruce Gall, Graeme West, Ray Baxendale, . Res – Paul Te Ariki

Sunday 26 October

Leeds	5 – 25	New Zealand
Tries: David Smith Goals: Kevin Dick (1)	^[10]	Tries: Mark Graham (2), Tony Coll, James Leuluai, John Whittaker Goals: Gordon Smith (5)

Headingley, Leeds
Attendance: 5,662
Referee: Ron Campbell

Leeds: , Alan Smith, David Smith, Neil Hague, John Atkinson, John Holmes, Kevin Dick, , David Ward, Steve Pitchford, Graham Eccles, , David Heron. Res – Gary Hetherington, Roy Dickinson. Coach –

New Zealand: Michael O'Donnell, Kevin Fisher, John Whittaker, James Leuluai, Dane O'Hara, Fred Ah Kuoi, Gordon Smith, Mark Broadhurst, Alan Rushton, Kevin Tamati, Graeme West, Tony Coll, Mark Graham (c). Res – Rick Muru

Wednesday 29 October

Warrington	11 – 7	New Zealand
Tries: , Tommy Martyn Goals: Steve Hesford (2) Field Goals: (1)	^[11]	Tries: Shane Varley Goals: (1) Gary Kemble (1)

Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington
Attendance: 5,680
Referee: Vince Moss

Warrington: , , , John Bevan, Steve Hesford, , , Neil Courtney, , Brian Case, Tommy Martyn, Ian Potter, . Res – Billy Benyon, Bob Eccles. Coach – Billy Benyon

New Zealand: Gary Kemble, Bernie Green, Nolan Tupaea, Bruce Dickison, Gary Prohm, Bill Kells, Shane Varley, Rick Muru, Howie Tamati, Bruce Gall, Paul Te Ariki, Ray Baxendale, . Res – Dane O'Hara

Second Test[]

Sunday 2 November

Great Britain	8 – 12	New Zealand
Tries: Goals: George Fairbairn (4/5)	^[12]	Tries: Michael O'Donnell Dane O'Hara Goals: Gordon Smith (3/4) Michael O'Donnell (0/2)

Odsal Stadium, Bradford
Attendance: 10,946
Referee: Fred Lindop

Player of the Match: Mark Broadhurst

Great Britain

New Zealand


FB	1	George Fairbairn (c)
RW	2	Des Drummond
RC	3	John Joyner
LC	4	Mike Smith
LW	5	Chris Camilleri
SO	6	Ken Kelly
SH	7	Kevin Dick
PR	8	Roy Holdstock
HK	9	Keith Elwell
PR	10	Glyn Shaw
SR	11	Jeff Grayshon
SR	12	Len Casey
LF	13	Harry Pinner
Substitutions:
IC	14	Steve Evans
IC	15	Les Gorley
Coach:
Johnny Whiteley


FB	1	Michael O'Donnell
RW	2	Gary Prohm
RC	3	James Leuluai
LC	4	John Whittaker
LW	5	Dane O'Hara
FE	6	Fred Ah Kuoi
HB	7	Gordon Smith
PR	8	Mark Broadhurst
HK	9	Alan Rushton
PR	10	Kevin Tamati
SR	11	Graeme West
SR	12	Tony Coll
LK	13	Mark Graham (c)
Substitutions:
IC	14	Ray Baxendale
IC	15	Kevin Fisher
Coach:
Ces Mountford

Wednesday 5 November

Great Britain U/24	14 – 18	New Zealand
Tries: Steve Evans, Neil Holding Goals: Mick Burke (4)	^[13]	Tries: Dane O'Hara (2), Ray Baxendale, Graeme West Goals: Gary Kemble (2) (1)

Craven Cottage, London
Attendance: 2,397
Referee: Stan Wall

Great Britain U/24: Mick Burke, , David Stephenson, Gary Hyde, Steve Fenton, Steve Evans (c), Neil Holding, Gary Van Bellen, , Brian Case, Kevin Ward, , Terry Flanagan. Res – Keith Bentley, Mike O'Neill. Coach – Johnny Whiteley

New Zealand: Michael O'Donnell, Gary Kemble, Gary Prohm, Dane O'Hara, Kevin Fisher, Fred Ah Kuoi, Shane Varley, Mark Broadhurst, Howie Tamati, Bruce Gall, Graeme West, Ray Baxendale, . Res – Dane O'Hara

Sunday 9 November

Widnes	14 – 7	New Zealand
Tries: Keith Elwell, Goals: Mick Burke (4)	^[14]	Tries: Dane O'Hara Goals: Gordon Smith (2)

Naughton Park, Widnes
Attendance: 6,416
Referee: Stan Wall

Widnes: Mick Burke, Stuart Wright, , Eddie Cunningham, Keith Bentley, Eric Hughes, Tony Myler, Brian Hogan, Keith Elwell, Glyn Shaw, Mike O'Neill, Eric Prescott, Mick Adams. Res – , . Coach – Doug Laughton

New Zealand: Michael O'Donnell, Kevin Fisher, John Whittaker, James Leuluai, Dane O'Hara, Fred Ah Kuoi, Gordon Smith, Mark Broadhurst, Alan Rushton, Kevin Tamati, Graeme West, Ray Baxendale, Tony Coll. Res – Shane Varley, Bruce Gall

Tuesday 11 November

Leigh	5 – 22	New Zealand
Tries: Keith Elwell, Goals: Mick Burke (4)	^[15]	Tries: Dane O'Hara Goals: Gordon Smith (2)

Hilton Park, Leigh
Attendance: 3,166
Referee: Stan Wall

Leigh: , , , Steve Donlan, , , , , , , , Alan Rathbone, . Res – , Ray Tabern. Coach – Alex Murphy

New Zealand: Gary Kemble, Bernie Green, Bruce Dickison, Nolan Tupaea, Gary Prohm, Bill Kells, Shane Varley, Rick Muru, Howie Tamati, Danny Campbell, Paul Te Ariki, Bruce Gall, . Res – Kevin Fisher, Alan Rushton

Third Test[]

Saturday 15 November

Great Britain	10 – 2	New Zealand
Tries: Des Drummond (2) Goals: Mick Burke (2/3)	^[16]	Tries: Goals: Gordon Smith (1/3) (0/3)

Elland Road, Leeds
Attendance: 8,210
Referee: Billy Thompson

Great Britain

New Zealand


FB	1	Mick Burke
RW	2	Des Drummond
RC	3	John Joyner
LC	4	Steve Evans
LW	5	John Atkinson
SO	6	John Woods
SH	7	Arnold Walker
PR	8	Trevor Skerrett
HK	9	Keith Elwell
PR	10	Len Casey (c)
SR	11	Mick Adams
SR	12	Peter Gorley
LF	13	Steve Norton
Substitutions:
IC	14
IC	15
Coach:
Johnny Whiteley


FB	1	Michael O'Donnell
RW	2	Gary Prohm
RC	3	John Whittaker
LC	4	Bruce Dickison
LW	5	Dane O'Hara
FE	6	Fred Ah Kuoi
HB	7	Gordon Smith
PR	8	Mark Broadhurst
HK	9	Alan Rushton
PR	10	Kevin Tamati
SR	11	Graeme West
SR	12
LK	13	Mark Graham (c)
Substitutions:
IC	14	Howie Tamati
IC	15	Ray Baxendale
Coach:
Ces Mountford

France[]

First Test[]

Sunday 23 November

France	6 – 5	New Zealand
Tries: (2) Goals:	^[17]	Tries: Gary Prohm Goals: Michael O'Donnell (1)

Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan
Attendance: 6,000
Referee: Guy Cattaneo

France

New Zealand


FB	1
RW	2
RC	3
LC	4
LW	5
SO	6
SH	7	Ivan Grésèque
PR	8
HK	9
PR	10	Charles Zalduendo
SR	11
SR	12	(c)
LK	13	Joël Roosebrouck
Substitutions:
IC	14	Guy Delaunay
IC	15
Coach:
Roger Garrigue


FB	1	Gary Kemble
RW	2	Gary Prohm
RC	3	John Whittaker
LC	4	Michael O'Donnell
LW	5	Dane O'Hara
FE	6	Fred Ah Kuoi
HB	7	Gordon Smith
PR	8	Mark Broadhurst
HK	9	Alan Rushton
PR	10	Kevin Tamati
SR	11	Graeme West
SR	12	Ray Baxendale
LK	13	Mark Graham (c)
Substitutions:
IC	14	Howie Tamati
IC	15	Bruce Dickison
Coach:
Ces Mountford

Second Test[]

Sunday 7 December

France	3 – 11	New Zealand
Tries: Goals:	^[18]	Tries: Dane O'Hara Gary Prohm Gordon Smith Goals: Gordon Smith (1)

Stadium Municipal, Toulouse
Attendance: 3,000
Referee: Pierre Bonnefont

France

New Zealand


FB	1
RW	2
RC	3
LC	4
LW	5
SO	6
SH	7	Ivan Grésèque
PR	8
HK	9
PR	10
SR	11
SR	12
LK	13	Joël Roosebrouck (c)
Substitutions:
IC	14	Charles Zalduendo
IC	15
Coach: Roger Garrigue


FB	1	Michael O'Donnell
RW	2	Gary Prohm
RC	3	John Whittaker
LC	4	James Leuluai
LW	5	Dane O'Hara
FE	6	Fred Ah Kuoi
HB	7	Gordon Smith
PR	8	Mark Broadhurst
HK	9	Howie Tamati
PR	10	Kevin Tamati
SR	11	Graeme West
SR	12	Tony Coll
LK	13	Mark Graham (c)
Substitutions:
IC	14	Alan Rushton
IC	15	Bruce Dickison
Coach:
Ces Mountford

Statistics[]

Leading try scorer

6 by Dane O'Hara

Leading point scorer

33 by Gordon Smith (1 try, 15 goals)

Largest Test attendance

10,946 – Second test vs Great Britain at Odsal Stadium

Largest club game attendance

15,945 – Hull F.C. vs New Zealand at Boothferry Park

References[]

[1] New Zealand Herald. "Rugby League: Kiwis tours build up special magic". nzherald.co.nz.

[2] 1980 Great Britain vs New Zealand 2nd Test - Full Match

[3] Blackpool vs New Zealand

[4] Hull vs New Zealand

[5] Cumbria vs New Zealand

[6] St Helens vs New Zealand

[7] Bradford Northern vs New Zealand

[8] 1st Test - Great Britain vs New Zealand

[9] Hull KR vs New Zealand

[10] Leeds vs New Zealand

[11] Warrington vs New Zealand

[12] 2nd Test - Great Britain vs New Zealand

[13] Great Britain U/24 vs New Zealand

[14] Widnes vs New Zealand

[15] Leigh vs New Zealand

[16] 3rd Test - Great Britain vs New Zealand

[17] 1st Test - France vs New Zealand

[18] 2nd Test - France vs New Zealand

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v t New Zealand Kiwis tours and tournaments
Australia	1907 1908 1909 1911 1912 1913 1948 1952 1956 1959 1982 1986 1991 1993 1995 2008
Great Britain	1907-08 1926-27 1939 1955-56 1980 1993 1995 1998 2002 2007 2013 2015 2018
France	1939 1955-56 1980 1993 2000 2002 2007 2013
Papua New Guinea	1982 1986
World Cups	1995 2000 2008 2013
Other	1907 (Ceylon) (USA)
Related	Kangaroo Tour