1996 Great Britain Lions tour

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The 1996 Great Britain Lions tour was a rugby league tour by the Great Britain team which took place from September to November 1996. The tour included games in Papua New Guinea, Fiji and New Zealand, however due to the ongoing Super League war and with the Australian team under the control of the Australian Rugby League, the team did not play any matches in Australia. The tour was generally considered as a disaster, with Great Britain failing to win any games in New Zealand, and several players being sent home early from the tour in order to cut costs.[citation needed]

Touring squad[]

Great Britain coach Phil Larder selected a 32-man squad to take on the tour. A notable omission from the squad was Martin Offiah, who took part in the previous three Great Britain tours, but had told Larder he did not have the enthusiasm for another six-week tour.[1] Several changes were made to the initial squad selected, as Gary Connolly, Lee Jackson and Jason Robinson were informed they would not be allowed to play due to their contracts with the ARL.[2] There were also a number of other withdrawals, with John Bentley returning to rugby union, and Shaun Edwards, Paul Newlove and Steve McNamara all ruled out due to injury.[3]

Former Wigan second row forward Denis Betts, who was playing with the New Zealand-based Auckland Warriors in the Australian Rugby League premiership, made history with his selection. The 25 test veteran became the first player selected to tour while playing in the Australian premiership and not in the English premiership.

Larder's assistant coaches on the tour were Clive Griffiths and Gary Hetherington and the tour manager was Phil Lowe. Andy Farrell was appointed as the tour captain, with Denis Betts named as vice-captain.

Name Club Position Appearances Tests Tries Goals DGs Points
Denis Betts (vc) Auckland colours.svg Auckland Warriors Second-row 6 5 3 0 0 12
David Bradbury Oldhamcolours.svg Oldham Second-row 4 0 2 0 0 8
Paul Broadbent Sheffeagles colours.svg Sheffield Eagles Prop 6 5 0 0 0 0
Mick Cassidy Wigancolours.svg Wigan Warriors Second-row 5 1 2 0 0 8
Jason Critchley Cougscolours.svg Keighley Cougars Wing 3 0 1 0 0 4
Keiron Cunningham Saintscolours.svg St. Helens Hooker 6 5 2 0 0 8
Bernard Dwyer Bullscolours.svg Bradford Bulls Prop 4 1 1 0 0 4
Andy Farrell (c) Wigancolours.svg Wigan Warriors Loose forward 6 5 1 0 0 4
Bobbie Goulding Saintscolours.svg St. Helens Scrum-half 6 5 4 23 1 63
Karle Hammond Saintscolours.svg St. Helens Stand-off 6 2 5 0 0 20
Neil Harmon Rhinoscolours.svg Leeds Rhinos Prop 4 0 0 0 0 0
Iestyn Harris Wolvescolours.svg Warrington Wolves Stand-off 6 5 0 3 0 6
Joey Hayes Saintscolours.svg St. Helens Wing 3 1 2 0 0 8
Alan Hunte Saintscolours.svg St. Helens Wing 6 5 4 0 0 16
Chris Joynt Saintscolours.svg St. Helens Second-row 6 4 0 0 0 0
James Lowes Bullscolours.svg Bradford Bulls Hooker 4 0 2 0 0 8
Barrie-Jon Mather Western Reds colours.svg Western Reds Centre 5 2 1 0 0 4
Nathan McAvoy Redscolours.svg Salford Red Devils Wing 1 0 0 0 0 0
Brian McDermott Bullscolours.svg Bradford Bulls Prop 4 1 0 0 0 0
Steve Molloy Fevcolours.svg Featherstone Rovers Prop 6 2 0 0 0 0
Adrian Morley Rhinoscolours.svg Leeds Rhinos Second-row 6 2 1 0 0 4
Terry O'Connor Wigancolours.svg Wigan Warriors Prop 6 4 0 0 0 0
Rowland Phillips Workingtoncolours.svg Workington Town Loose forward 4 1 0 0 0 0
Daryl Powell Cougscolours.svg Keighley Cougars Centre 7 5 3 0 0 12
Steve Prescott Saintscolours.svg St. Helens Fullback 4 0 1 17 0 38
Kris Radlinski Wigancolours.svg Wigan Warriors Fullback 6 5 2 0 0 8
Jon Roper Wolvescolours.svg Warrington Wolves Wing 3 0 0 0 0 0
Paul Sculthorpe Wolvescolours.svg Warrington Wolves Loose forward 6 5 0 0 0 0
Keith Senior Sheffeagles colours.svg Sheffield Eagles Centre 6 2 3 0 0 12
Tony Smith Castleford colours.svg Castleford Tigers Scrum-half 5 2 4 0 0 16
Stuart Spruce Bullscolours.svg Bradford Bulls Fullback 6 5 3 0 0 12
Anthony Sullivan Saintscolours.svg St. Helens Wing 6 4 3 0 0 12
Tulsen Tollett Broncoscolours.png London Broncos Stand-off 5 0 1 0 0 4

Papua New Guinea[]

25 September 1996 PNG President's XIII Papua New Guinea colours.svg 8 – 34 Great Britain colours.svg Great Britain Rebiamul Oval, Mount Hagen[4]  
Tries:
, Tiki
Goals: 		[5] Tries:
Senior, Bradbury, Hammond, Lowes, Smith (2)
Goals:
Prescott (5) 		Attendance: 2,059
Referee: Anthony Kuni (Port Moresby)
28 September 1996
Papua New Guinea  30 – 32  Great Britain
Tries:
Ben Biri (2)

David Gomia
Stanley Gene
Adrian Lam
Goals:
Elias Paiyo (3) 		[6] Tries:
Kris Radlinski (2)
Anthony Sullivan
Bobbie Goulding
Keiron Cunningham

Goals:
Bobbie Goulding (6)
, Lae[7][8]
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: Steve Clark Australia
Papua New Guinea
Great Britain
FB 1
RW 2 James Kops
RC 3 Marcus Bai
LC 4 Robert Tela
LW 5 David Gomia
FE 6 Stanley Gene
HB 7 Adrian Lam (c)
PR 8 Ben Biri
HK 9 Elias Paiyo
PR 10 Raymond Kahl
SR 11 Nande Yer
SR 12 David Westley
LF 13 Bruce Mamando
Substitutions:
IC 14
IC 15
IC 16 Max Tiri
IC 17
Coach:
FB 1 Bullscolours.svg Stuart Spruce
RW 2 Saintscolours.svg Joey Hayes
RC 3 Wigancolours.svg Kris Radlinski
LC 4 Saintscolours.svg Alan Hunte
LW 5 Saintscolours.svg Anthony Sullivan
SO 6 Wolvescolours.svg Iestyn Harris
SH 7 Saintscolours.svg Bobbie Goulding
PR 8 Sheffeagles colours.svg Paul Broadbent
HK 9 Saintscolours.svg Keiron Cunningham
PR 10 Wigancolours.svg Terry O'Connor
SR 11 Auckland colours.svg Denis Betts
SR 12 Saintscolours.svg Chris Joynt
LK 13 Wigancolours.svg Andy Farrell (c)
Substitutions:
IC 14 Castleford colours.svg Tony Smith
IC 15 Workingtoncolours.svg Rowland Phillips
IC 16 Cougscolours.svg Daryl Powell
IC 17 Wolvescolours.svg Paul Sculthorpe
Coach:Bob Bennett
England Phil Larder

Fiji[]

2 October 1996 Fiji President's XIII Fijibaticolours.PNG 16 – 42 Great Britain colours.svg Great Britain Churchill Park, Lautoka[9]  
Tries:
Navale, Baravilala, Koroi
Goals:
Takaladau (2) 		[10] Tries:
Hammond (3), Hayes, Senior, Critchley, Tollett, Cassidy
Goals:
Prescott (5) 		Attendance: 2,000
Referee: T Nunu (Fiji)
5 October 1996
Fiji  4 – 72  Great Britain
Tries:
Samuela Marayawa







Goals 		[11] Tries:
Bobbie Goulding (3)
Stuart Spruce (2)
Alan Hunte (2)
Daryl Powell (2)
Anthony Sullivan
Andy Farrell
Keith Senior
Mick Cassidy
Goals:
Bobbie Goulding (10)
Prince Charles Park, Nadi[12][13]
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Jim Stokes New Zealand
Fiji
Great Britain
FB 1 Waisale Sovatabua
RW 2 P. Baravilula
RC 3 Manoa Thompson
LC 4 Joe Tamani
LW 5 S. Tulevu
FE 6 I. Ratudina
HB 7 Kaleveti Naisoro
PR 8 Pio Nakubuwai (c)
HK 9 M. Kaidroki
PR 10 Malakai Kaunivalu
SR 11 Josaia Dakuitoga
SR 12 Ian Saigatu
LF 13 Livai Nalagilagi
Substitutions:
IC 14
IC 15 Samuela Marayawa
IC 16 Waisale Vatubua
IC 17 Ulaiasi Wainidroa
Coach:
FB 1 Bullscolours.svg Stuart Spruce
RW 2 Saintscolours.svg Alan Hunte
RC 3 Wigancolours.svg Kris Radlinski
LC 4 Cougscolours.svg Daryl Powell
LW 5 Saintscolours.svg Anthony Sullivan
SO 6 Wolvescolours.svg Iestyn Harris
SH 7 Saintscolours.svg Bobbie Goulding
PR 8 Sheffeagles colours.svg Paul Broadbent
HK 9 Saintscolours.svg Keiron Cunningham
PR 10 Bullscolours.svg Brian McDermott
SR 11 Auckland colours.svg Denis Betts
SR 12 Wolvescolours.svg Paul Sculthorpe
LK 13 Wigancolours.svg Andy Farrell (c)
Substitutions:
IC 14 Castleford colours.svg Tony Smith
IC 15 Sheffeagles colours.svg Keith Senior
IC 16 Fevcolours.svg Steve Molloy
IC 17 Wigancolours.svg Mick Cassidy
Coach:
England Phil Larder

New Zealand[]

See also: 1996 New Zealand rugby league season
10 October 1996 Lion Red Cup XIII Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg 22 – 22 Great Britain colours.svg Great Britain Carlaw Park, Auckland[14]  
Tries:
Barlow, Hughes, Malietoa-Brown
Goals:
Lythe (5) 		[15] Tries:
Sullivan, Spruce, Cunningham, Powell,
Goals:
Harris (3) 		Attendance: 3,000
Referee: G Wallace (Auckland)
15 October 1996 New Zealand XIII New Zealand Kiwis colours.svg 30 – 22 Great Britain colours.svg Great Britain Fraser Park, Wellington[16]  
Tries:
Endacott (2), Ropati, Okesene, Taewa, A. Swann
Goals:
Murray (2) Whittaker 		[17] Tries:
Hayes, Mather, Smith, Hammond
Goals:
Prescott (3) 		Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Denis Hale (Auckland)

First Test[]

18 October 1996
New Zealand  17 – 12  Great Britain
Tries:
John Timu (2)

Goals:
Matthew Ridge (4)
Field Goals:
Matthew Ridge 		[18] Tries:
Alan Hunte
Denis Betts
Goals:
Bobbie Goulding (2)
Ericsson Stadium, Auckland[19]
Attendance: 7,400
Referee: Bill Harrigan Australia
New Zealand
Great Britain
FB 1 Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Matthew Ridge (c)
RW 2 Canberra colours.svg Sean Hoppe
RC 3 Auckland colours.svg Richie Blackmore
LC 4 Canterbury colours.svg John Timu
LW 5 Cronulla colours.svg Richie Barnett
FE 6 Auckland colours.svg Gene Ngamu
HB 7 Auckland colours.svg Stacey Jones
PR 8 South Queensland colours.svg Grant Young
HK 9 Auckland colours.svg Syd Eru
PR 10 Canberra colours.svg Quentin Pongia
SR 11 Eastern Suburbs colours.svg Tony Iro
SR 12 Auckland colours.svg Stephen Kearney
LF 13 South Sydney colours.svg Tyran Smith
Substitutions:
IC 14 Auckland colours.svg Marc Ellis
IC 15 Auckland colours.svg Joe Vagana
IC 16 Canberra colours.svg Ruben Wiki
IC 17 Auckland colours.svg Logan Swann
Coach:
New Zealand Frank Endacott
FB 1 Bullscolours.svg Stuart Spruce
RW 2 Saintscolours.svg Alan Hunte
RC 3 Wigancolours.svg Kris Radlinski
LC 4 Cougscolours.svg Daryl Powell
LW 5 Saintscolours.svg Anthony Sullivan
SO 6 Wolvescolours.svg Iestyn Harris
SH 7 Saintscolours.svg Bobbie Goulding
PR 8 Sheffeagles colours.svg Paul Broadbent
HK 9 Saintscolours.svg Keiron Cunningham
PR 10 Wigancolours.svg Terry O'Connor
SR 11 Auckland colours.svg Denis Betts
SR 12 Wolvescolours.svg Paul Sculthorpe
LK 13 Wigancolours.svg Andy Farrell (c)
Substitutions:
IC 14 Castleford colours.svg Tony Smith
IC 15 Saintscolours.svg Chris Joynt
IC 16 Sheffeagles colours.svg Keith Senior
IC 17 Rhinoscolours.svg Adrian Morley
Coach:
England Phil Larder
22 October 1996 Māori  40 – 28 Great Britain colours.svg Great Britain Lowe Walker Stadium, Whangarei[20]  
Tries:
Stevens, Nikau, Murray (2), , Gardiner, Walker
Goals:
Howell (6) 		[21] Tries:
Dwyer, Smith, Bradbury, Prescott, Lowes
Goals:
Prescott (4) 		Attendance: 6,000
Referee: G Allcock (Auckland)

2nd Test[]

25 October 1996
New Zealand  18 – 15  Great Britain
Tries:
Ruben Wiki (2)
Gene Ngamu
Goals:
Matthew Ridge (3) 		[22] Tries:
Alan Hunte
Denis Betts
Goals:
Bobbie Goulding (3)
Field Goal:
Bobbie Goulding
Manawatu Showgrounds, Palmerston North[23]
Attendance: 9,000
Referee: Graham Annesley Australia
New Zealand
Great Britain
FB 1 Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Matthew Ridge (c)
RW 2 Canberra colours.svg Sean Hoppe
RC 3 Canberra colours.svg Ruben Wiki
LC 4 Canterbury colours.svg John Timu
LW 5 Cronulla colours.svg Richie Barnett
FE 6 Auckland colours.svg Gene Ngamu
HB 7 Auckland colours.svg Stacey Jones
PR 8 South Queensland colours.svg Grant Young
HK 9 Auckland colours.svg Syd Eru
PR 10 Canberra colours.svg Quentin Pongia
SR 11 Eastern Suburbs colours.svg Tony Iro
SR 12 Auckland colours.svg Stephen Kearney
LF 13 South Sydney colours.svg Tyran Smith
Substitutions:
IC 14 Auckland colours.svg Marc Ellis
IC 15 Auckland colours.svg Joe Vagana
IC 16 Auckland colours.svg Richie Blackmore
IC 17 Auckland colours.svg Logan Swann
Coach:
New Zealand Frank Endacott
FB 1 Bullscolours.svg Stuart Spruce
RW 2 Saintscolours.svg Alan Hunte
RC 3 Wigancolours.svg Kris Radlinski
LC 4 Cougscolours.svg Daryl Powell
LW 5 Saintscolours.svg Anthony Sullivan
SO 6 Wolvescolours.svg Iestyn Harris
SH 7 Saintscolours.svg Bobbie Goulding
PR 8 Sheffeagles colours.svg Paul Broadbent
HK 9 Saintscolours.svg Keiron Cunningham
PR 10 Wigancolours.svg Terry O'Connor
SR 11 Auckland colours.svg Denis Betts
SR 12 Wolvescolours.svg Paul Sculthorpe
LK 13 Wigancolours.svg Andy Farrell (c)
Substitutions:
IC 14 Western Reds colours.svg Barrie-Jon Mather
IC 15 Saintscolours.svg Karle Hammond
IC 16 Fevcolours.svg Steve Molloy
IC 17 Saintscolours.svg Chris Joynt
Coach:
England Phil Larder

3rd Test[]

1 November 1996
New Zealand  32 – 12  Great Britain
Tries:
Sean Hoppe (2)
Marc Ellis
Ruben Wiki
Gene Ngamu
Matthew Ridge
Goals:
Matthew Ridge (4) 		[24] Tries:
Denis Betts
Adrian Morley



Goals:
Bobbie Goulding (2)
Lancaster Park, Christchurch[25]
Attendance: 9,000
Referee: Steve Clark Australia
New Zealand
Great Britain
FB 1 Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Matthew Ridge (c)
RW 2 Canberra colours.svg Sean Hoppe
RC 3 Canberra colours.svg Ruben Wiki
LC 4 Canterbury colours.svg John Timu
LW 5 Auckland colours.svg Marc Ellis
FE 6 Auckland colours.svg Gene Ngamu
HB 7 Auckland colours.svg Stacey Jones
PR 8 South Queensland colours.svg Grant Young
HK 9 Auckland colours.svg Syd Eru
PR 10 Canberra colours.svg Quentin Pongia
SR 11 Eastern Suburbs colours.svg Tony Iro
SR 12 Auckland colours.svg Stephen Kearney
LF 13 South Sydney colours.svg Tyran Smith
Substitutions:
IC 14 Auckland colours.svg Anthony Swann
IC 15 Auckland colours.svg Joe Vagana
IC 16 Auckland colours.svg Richie Blackmore
IC 17 Auckland colours.svg Logan Swann
Coach:
New Zealand Frank Endacott
FB 1 Bullscolours.svg Stuart Spruce
RW 2 Saintscolours.svg Alan Hunte
RC 3 Wigancolours.svg Kris Radlinski
LC 4 Cougscolours.svg Daryl Powell
LW 5 Western Reds colours.svg Barrie-Jon Mather
SO 6 Saintscolours.svg Karle Hammond
SH 7 Saintscolours.svg Bobbie Goulding
PR 8 Sheffeagles colours.svg Paul Broadbent
HK 9 Saintscolours.svg Keiron Cunningham
PR 10 Wigancolours.svg Terry O'Connor
SR 11 Auckland colours.svg Denis Betts
SR 12 Wolvescolours.svg Paul Sculthorpe
LK 13 Wigancolours.svg Andy Farrell (c)
Substitutions:
IC 14 Wolvescolours.svg Iestyn Harris
IC 15 Rhinoscolours.svg Adrian Morley
IC 16 Saintscolours.svg Chris Joynt
IC 17 Bullscolours.svg Bernard Dwyer
Coach:
England Phil Larder

References[]

General

  • Fletcher, Raymond (1997). Rothmans Rugby League Yearbook 1997. Headline Book Publishing. pp. 300–22. ISBN 978-0-7472-7764-4.

Specific

  1. ^ Hadfield, Dave (14 August 1996). "Larder picks enthusiasm over Offiah". The Independent. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  2. ^ Hadfield, Dave (21 August 1996). "Larder looks to Roper and Hunte". The Independent. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  3. ^ Irvine, Christopher (21 September 1996). "Larder's strange faces in unfamiliar places". London. ProQuest 318624430. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. ^ "1996 Tour Match: PNG Presidents Select XIII 8 Great Britain Select XIII 34". wigan.rlfans.com. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  5. ^ PNG President's XIII vs Great Britain
  6. ^ Report Papua New Guinea vs Great Britain
  7. ^ "1996 Test Match: Papua New Guinea 30 Great Britain 32". wigan.rlfans.com. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  8. ^ Hadfield, Dave (30 September 1996). "Farrell leads Lions out of Kumul fire". The Independent. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  9. ^ "1996 Tour Match: Fiji Presidents Select XIII 16 Great Britain 42". wigan.rlfans.com. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  10. ^ Fiji President's XIII vs Great Britain
  11. ^ Fiji vs Great Britain
  12. ^ "1996 Test Match: Fiji 4 Great Britain 72". wigan.rlfans.com. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  13. ^ Hadfield, Dave (7 October 1996). "Rugby League: Lions ready for tougher tasks in NZ". The Independent. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  14. ^ "1996 Tour Match: Lions Red Cup XIII 22 Great Britain 22". wigan.rlfans.com. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  15. ^ Lion Red Cup XIII vs Great Britain
  16. ^ "1996 Tour Match: New Zealand Select XIII 30 Great Britain 22". wigan.rlfans.com. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  17. ^ New Zealand XIII vs Great Britain
  18. ^ 1st Test - New Zealand vs Great Britain
  19. ^ "1996 First Test: New Zealand 17 Great Britain 12". wigan.rlfans.com. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  20. ^ "1996 Tour Match: New Zealand Maoris 40 Great Britain 28". wigan.rlfans.com. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  21. ^ Māori vs Great Britain
  22. ^ 2nd Test - New Zealand vs Great Britain
  23. ^ "1996 Second Test: New Zealand 18 Great Britain 15". wigan.rlfans.com. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  24. ^ 3rd Test - New Zealand vs Great Britain
  25. ^ "1996 Third Test: New Zealand 32 Great Britain 12". wigan.rlfans.com. Retrieved 12 July 2014.

External links[]

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