The 1982 Kangaroo tour was the fifteenth Kangaroo tour where the Australian national rugby league team played a number of matches against British and French rugby league teams, in addition to the Test matches. The

Australia national rugby league team The Australian national rugby league team, the Kangaroos, have represented Australia in senior men's rugby league football competitions since the establishment of the game in Australia in 1908. Administered by the Australian Rugby League Com ...

have generally since 1908 barring wartime, toured Great Britain every four years often capping the tour with matches and Tests in France. This regular touring side (and in recent years all Australian representative sides) are known as the Kangaroos. The 1982 Kangaroos, coached by Frank Stanton dominated, winning both Test series against

Great Britain Great Britain is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean off the north-west coast of continental Europe, consisting of the countries England, Scotland, and Wales. With an area of , it is the largest of the British Isles, the List of European ...

(three Tests) and

France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...

(two Tests); winning every match of the tour and earning the nickname The Invincibles. This was the first Kangaroo undefeated touring side winning twenty-two matches played and scoring 1,005 points with 120 against at an average of 45.6 points per game while conceding only 5.4 points per game. The twenty-eight player squad was captained by Max Krilich, with Wally Lewis his deputy. The next Kangaroo Tour was staged in 1986.

Touring party

The team was coached by the tough and single-minded

Balmain Tigers The Balmain Tigers (also known as the Sydney Tigers from 1995 to 1996) are a rugby league club based in the inner-western Sydney suburb of Balmain, New South Wales, Balmain. They were a founding member of the New South Wales Rugby League and on ...

coach Frank Stanton who demanded great discipline and focus from his sides and who was making his third tour. Stanton's first tour came as a player in 1963–64, while this was his second consecutive as coach after also coaching the 1978 Kangaroo tour. Manly-Warringah's Max Krilich was making his second Kangaroo tour and was named captain and carried out his duties coolly and with great application.Heads, Lester p309

Queensland Queensland ( , commonly abbreviated as Qld) is a States and territories of Australia, state in northeastern Australia, and is the second-largest and third-most populous state in Australia. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Austr ...

captain Wally Lewis was named as tour vice-captain. Interviewed by journalist/author Ian Whiticker in 2004 Krilich said about the talented squad; ''"The players in that squad were yet to reach their full potential. We were criticised as a weak side, but nobody knew how great a player Wayne Pearce was going to be on the tour. Wally Lewis was still in his early 20s, and many of the Queenslanders were in the early stages of their careers"''. He also spoke of Stanton (who was his Manly-Warringah club coach when he had won the

1976 Events January * January 2 – The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights enters into force. * January 5 – The Pol Pot regime proclaims a new constitution for Democratic Kampuchea. * January 18 – Full diplomatic ...

and

1978 Events January * January 1 – Air India Flight 855, a Boeing 747 passenger jet, crashes off the coast of Bombay, killing 213. * January 5 – Bülent Ecevit, of Republican People's Party, CHP, forms the new government of Turkey (42nd ...

NSWRFL The New South Wales Rugby League Ltd (NSWRL) is an Australian rugby league football competition operator in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory and is a member of the Australian Rugby League Commission.It was registered on 21 ...

premierships, the second of which Krilich was captain of the Sea Eagles): ''"Frank was a mentally tough coach who totally believed in what he told his players. Great credit must go to Stanton who played down the accomplishment and kept our heads straight."'' While the pair did not enjoy an easy relationship, mostly due to Stanton not being impressed with his attitude to training or habits on tour which actually caused him to put on weight, Wally Lewis also found respect for Stanton he had not previously experienced after making his test debut under him against France in 1981. After missing selection for the first Test in Hull in favour of

Parramatta Parramatta (; ) is a suburb (Australia), suburb and major commercial centre in Greater Western Sydney. Parramatta is located approximately west of the Sydney central business district, Sydney CBD, on the banks of the Parramatta River. It is co ...

's 1982 premiership winning Brett Kenny (Lewis was selected on an extended bench but wasn't used), Stanton challenged Lewis to get back into shape and win his way back into the Test team, something he achieved with selection on the bench for the second Test in

Wigan Wigan ( ) is a town in Greater Manchester, England. The town is midway between the two cities of Manchester, to the south-east, and Liverpool, to the south-west. It is the largest settlement in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan and is its ad ...

and the third Test in

Leeds Leeds is a city in West Yorkshire, England. It is the largest settlement in Yorkshire and the administrative centre of the City of Leeds Metropolitan Borough, which is the second most populous district in the United Kingdom. It is built aro ...

. Lewis later admitted that early on in the tour his poor attitude did not sit well with Stanton and that it had led to his missing first test selection. Although this was his first Kangaroo Tour, it was not the first tour of Great Britain and France for Lewis who had been a member of the 1977 Australian Schoolboys

rugby union Rugby union football, commonly known simply as rugby union in English-speaking countries and rugby 15/XV in non-English-speaking world, Anglophone Europe, or often just rugby, is a Contact sport#Terminology, close-contact team sport that orig ...

tour of Japan, Great Britain and France, a team that included future dual-rugby international Michael O'Connor as well as the Ella brothers

Mark Mark may refer to: In the Bible * Mark the Evangelist (5–68), traditionally ascribed author of the Gospel of Mark * Gospel of Mark, one of the four canonical gospels and one of the three synoptic gospels Currencies * Mark (currency), a currenc ...

, Gary and Glen, cousins of 1982 tourist Steve Ella. Six players from the 1982 NSWRL premiership winning Parramatta Eels were selected in the squad, a new Kangaroo tour record for the club with all six players playing in at least one test each on the tour. Manly, the team they defeated in the inaugural Winfield Cup Grand Final, also had six players selected. One Manly player considered unlucky not to tour was their Queensland back rower Paul Vautin who had made his test debut earlier in the year against

New Zealand New Zealand () is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and List of islands of New Zealand, over 600 smaller islands. It is the List of isla ...

and was one of Manly's best in their run to the Grand Final. Max Krilich later would tell that it was his belief that Vautin's comment during the year that representing Queensland was a bigger honour than playing for Australia had ultimately cost him a place on the tour. Ironically, Vautin would be back in the test team for the tests against New Zealand in 1983. 1982

Brisbane Brisbane ( ; ) is the List of Australian capital cities, capital and largest city of the States and territories of Australia, state of Queensland and the list of cities in Australia by population, third-most populous city in Australia, with a ...

premiers Wynnum-Manly had two players selected ( Gene Miles and Rod Morris), while the team they defeated in the BRL Grand Final

Souths Magpies The Souths Logan Magpies, more commonly referred to by their former names Southern Suburbs Magpies, or South Brisbane Magpies, or often simply referred to as Souths, are a rugby league football club based in the southern suburbs of Brisbane, Au ...

were represented by

Mal Meninga Malcolm Norman Meninga (; born 8 July 1960) is an Australian professional rugby league coach and a former professional rugby league footballer. Meninga is widely regarded as one of the finest players in the game's history. He enjoyed a long ca ...

, a goal kicking Queensland centre who was as big as a second rower () and could run with the pace of a winger. One notable absentee was Western Suburbs Terry Lamb who had represented NSW in the 1981 State of Origin game. Lamb was originally selected to tour but declined to do so due to his upcoming wedding to his fiancé Kim. Tour managers were the Newtown administrator Frank Farrington and Queenslands, Tom Drysdale. ''Open Rugby'' magazine claimed the Australians had brought "a new dimension of excitement and adventure" to the game and former England great Alex Murphy, who called each test for the

BBC The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current sta ...

alongside Ray French, called then "men from another planet." This was the first Kangaroo tour since the introduction of State of Origin and it allowed Queensland to counter New South Wales' long dominance in representative selection with a record-equalling eleven Queenslanders selected for the tour. This was a considerable increase on the Queensland representation in the 1978 Kangaroos when only three players were selected. Two of those players, Kerry Boustead and Rod Morris, were also members of the 1982 Kangaroos. Despite there being a record number, the selection of only 11 Queenslander's in the 28 man touring squad was controversial. Queensland had won the 1982 State of Origin series despite being comparatively under prepared due to the NSWRFL clubs refusing to release their Queensland players for pre-series training. Among the Queensland Origin representatives to miss selection were Manly-Warringah's Paul Vautin and Chris Close (who had been the Man of the Match in both Origin games in

1980 Events January * January 4 – U.S. President Jimmy Carter proclaims a United States grain embargo against the Soviet Union, grain embargo against the USSR with the support of the European Commission. * January 6 – Global Positioning Sys ...

and

1981 Events January * January 1 ** Greece enters the European Economic Community, predecessor of the European Union. ** Palau becomes a self-governing territory. * January 6 – A funeral service is held in West Germany for Nazi Grand Admiral ...

), Wynnum-Manly fullback Colin Scott and South Sydney outside back Mitch Brennan. Future Kangaroos captain Mal Meninga, making the first of his record four consecutive Kangaroo Tours, was the leading point scorer on tour with 166 from 10 tries and 68 goals, including 48 points in the three Tests against Great Britain (2 tries, 21 goals), and 17 points in the two Tests against France (1 try, 7 goals). John Ribot was the leading try scorer on tour with 25 from just 14 games, including a try in the 3rd test against Great Britain. Ribot added 20 goals to his points tally to join Meninga as the only players on tour to score over 100 points. Meninga's second rowers size coupled with his wingers pace made him a sensation on the tour. He was often bigger than the British forwards Australia played and he could also score length of the field tries. His signature became much sought after both during and after the Kangaroo tour with multiple clubs chasing him. Ultimately he would go on to sign for a season with St Helens in 1984–85 where he would replicate his 1982 tour form to the delight of Saints fans.

By club

The touring side was represented by 17 New South Welshmen (N) and 11

ers (Q). *

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles are an Australian professional rugby league club based in Sydney's Northern Beaches. They compete in the National Rugby League (NRL). The Manly club debuted in the 1947 New South Wales Rugby Football League sea ...

(5): Max Krilich (captain) (N), John Ribot (Q), Les Boyd (N), Paul McCabe (Q), Ray Brown (N) *

Parramatta Eels The Parramatta Eels are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Sydney suburb of Parramatta that competes in the National Rugby League (NRL). The Parramatta District Rugby League Football Club was formed in 1947, and ...

(6): Brett Kenny (N), Peter Sterling (N), Steve Ella (N), Eric Grothe (N), Ray Price (N), John Muggleton (N) *

Canterbury Bulldogs The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs are an Australian professional rugby league club based in Belmore, a suburb in the Canterbury-Bankstown region of Sydney. They compete in the NRL Telstra Premiership, as well as competitions facilitated by ...

(3): Greg Brentnall (N), Chris Anderson (N), Steve Mortimer (N) * Fortitude Valley Diehards (2): Wally Lewis (vice-captain) (Q), Mark Murray (Q) *

St George Dragons The St. George Dragons are an Australian rugby league, rugby league football club from the St George, Sydney, St George District in Sydney, New South Wales that played in the top level New South Wales Rugby League, New South Wales competition ...

(2): Rod Reddy (Q), Craig Young (N) * Wynnum-Manly Seagulls (2): Gene Miles (Q), Rod Morris (Q) *

(1): Wayne Pearce (N) *

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks are an Australian professional rugby league club based in the Sutherland Shire of Southern Sydney, Southern Sydney, New South Wales. Cronulla compete in the National Rugby League (NRL), Australasia's premier rugb ...

(1): Steve Rogers (N) * Eastern Suburbs Roosters (2): Ian Schubert (N), Kerry Boustead (Q) *

Norths Devils The Northern Suburbs Devils, or North Brisbane Devils, or often simply referred to as Norths for short, are a rugby league club representing the northern suburbs of Brisbane, Australia. The team colours are sky blue, navy blue and gold. They pl ...

(1): Greg Conescu (Q) *

North Sydney Bears The North Sydney Bears are an Australian rugby league football club based in Cammeray on Sydney's North Shore (Sydney), North Shore. The club currently competes in the NSW Cup, having exited the National Rugby League following the 1999 NRL s ...

(1): Don McKinnon (N) *

(1): Mal Meninga (Q) * Warwick Wattles (1): Rohan Hancock (Q)

Papua New Guinea and Western Australia

Before flying to England, half the squad, led by Kangaroos vice-captain Wally Lewis, went to

Perth Perth () is the list of Australian capital cities, capital city of Western Australia. It is the list of cities in Australia by population, fourth-most-populous city in Australia, with a population of over 2.3 million within Greater Perth . The ...

to play

Western Australia Western Australia (WA) is the westernmost state of Australia. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east, and South Australia to the south-east. Western Aust ...

, while the other half, along with coach Stanton, travelled to

Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea, officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is an island country in Oceania that comprises the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and offshore islands in Melanesia, a region of the southwestern Pacific Ocean n ...

for Australia's first ever Test match against the Papua New Guinea Kumuls, won 38–2 by the Kangaroos. Nine of the players who travelled to PNG with Stanton would go on to play in the first Test against Great Britain. Winger John Ribot crossed for four tries (though he would be overlooked for the first two Ashes Tests in favour of Eric Grothe), while fullback Greg Brentnall scored twice. Other try scorers for the Kangaroos were Kerry Boustead, Brett Kenny,

and Steve Rogers, while Meninga kicked 4 goals. Peter Sterling, Brett Kenny, Mark Murray and Ray Brown made their test debuts in the match. Those missing from the 2nd test win over

earlier in the year at the

Sydney Cricket Ground The Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) is a sports stadium in the Moore Park, New South Wales, Moore Park suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is used for Test cricket, Test, One Day International and Twenty20 cricket, as well as, Australi ...

were Michael Cronin who did not tour, and Wally Lewis, Steve Mortimer, Les Boyd and Rod Morris who played in Perth on the same day. Of the quartet that played in Perth, only Boyd would go on to play in the first test against Great Britain. {, width="100%" , valign="top" width="50%", {, style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" , - !width="25", !!width="25", , - , FB , , 1, , Kungas Kuveu , - , RW , , 2, , Alan Rero , - , CE , , 3, , Ifiso Segeyaro , - , CE , , 4, , James Yip , - , LW , , 5, , D. Timi , - , FE , , 6, , Jon Joseph ( c) , - , HB , , 7, , Alfred Kabavas , - , PR , , 8, , Tara Gau , - , HK , , 9, , Otti Asotau , - , PR , , 10, , Joe Tep , - , SR , , 11, , Arebo Taumaku , - , SR , , 12, , L. Tete , - , LK , , 13, , Roy Loitive , - , colspan=3, Substitutions: , - , IC , , 14, , Francis Matmillo , - , IC , , 15, , Ekon Togili , - , colspan=3, Coach: , - , colspan="4", Skerry Palanga , valign="top" width="50%", {, style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" , - !width="25", !!width="25", , - , FB , , 1, , Greg Brentnall , - , LW , , 2, , John Ribot , - , CE , , 3, ,

, - , CE , , 4, , Steve Rogers , - , RW , , 5, , Kerry Boustead , - , FE , , 6, , Brett Kenny , - , HB , , 7, , Peter Sterling , - , PR , , 8, , Craig Young , - , HK , , 9, , Max Krilich ( c) , - , PR , , 10, , Rohan Hancock , - , SR , , 11, , John Muggleton , - , SR , , 12, , { Rod Reddy , - , LK , , 13, , Ray Price , - , colspan=3, Substitutions: , - , IC , , 14, , Mark Murray , - , IC , , 15, , Ray Brown , - , colspan=3, Coach: , - , colspan="4", Frank Stanton ---- {, width=92% , - , , {, width="100%" , valign="top" width="50%", {, style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" , - !width="25", !!width="25", , - , FB , , 1, , , - , RW , , 2, , , - , CE , , 3, , , - , CE , , 4, , , - , LW , , 5, , , - , FE , , 6, , , - , HB , , 7, , , - , PR , , 8, , , - , HK , , 9, , , - , PR , , 10, , , - , SR , , 11, , , - , SR , , 12, , , - , LK , , 13, , , - , colspan=3, Substitutions: , - , IC , , 14, , , - , IC , , 15, , , - , colspan=3, Coach: , - , colspan="4", , valign="top" width="50%", {, style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" , - !width="25", !!width="25", , - , FB , , 1, , Ian Schubert , - , LW , , 2, , Eric Grothe , - , CE , , 3, , Steve Ella , - , CE , , 4, , Gene Miles , - , RW , , 5, , Chris Anderson , - , FE , , 6, , Wally Lewis ( c) , - , HB , , 7, , Steve Mortimer , - , PR , , 8, , Rod Morris , - , HK , , 9, , Greg Conescu , - , PR , , 10, ,

Don McKinnon Sir Donald Charles McKinnon (born 27 February 1939) is a New Zealand politician who served as the 12th deputy prime minister of New Zealand and the minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand. He was the fourth secretary-general of the Commonw ...

, - , SR , , 11, , Les Boyd , - , SR , , 12, , Paul McCabe , - , LK , , 13, , Wayne Pearce , - , colspan=3, Substitutions: , - , IC , , 14, , , - , IC , , 15, , , - , colspan=3, Coach: , - , colspan="4", In Perth, the Kangaroos crossed for 13 tries (with Eric Grothe bagging four) and predictably defeated WA 57–5.

Great Britain

Once on English soil controversy surfaced when the incumbent Australian Test halves from the mid-year tests against

, Steve Mortimer and Wally Lewis (both had played the game against WA in Perth), were incomprehensibly not chosen for the opening match. Instead, Stanton chose to go with the halves from the test against Papua New Guinea, Parramatta's

Grand Final Primarily in Australian sports, a grand final is a game that decides a sports league's premiership (or championship) winning team, i.e. the conclusive game of a finals (or play-off) series. Synonymous with a championship game in North Ameri ...

winning duo Peter Sterling and Brett Kenny. The Eels pair took the field against

Hull Kingston Rovers Hull Kingston Rovers (often abbreviated to Hull KR) are a professional rugby league club based in Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, England. The club play home games at Craven Park, Hull, Craven Park and compete in Super League, the top tier of B ...

and, playing alongside nine of the eventual first Test team, set about locking up their positions for the first Test on 30 October. Leading up to the first Test at the Boothferry Park ground in Hull, the Kangaroos also played a tour international match against

Wales Wales ( ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by the Irish Sea to the north and west, England to the England–Wales border, east, the Bristol Channel to the south, and the Celtic ...

Ninian Park Ninian Park was a association football, football stadium in the Leckwith, Cardiff, Leckwith area of Cardiff, Wales, that was the home of Cardiff City F.C. for 99 years. Opened in 1910 with a single wooden stand, it underwent numerous renovatio ...

Cardiff Cardiff (; ) is the capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of Wales. Cardiff had a population of in and forms a Principal areas of Wales, principal area officially known as the City and County of Ca ...

on 24 October. The match was played in heavy rain in front of 5,617 fans and Australia, captained by Wally Lewis, ran in nine tries to one in a 37–7 rout. The game marked the first time Lewis, who would take over the Test captaincy in 1984, captained Australia in an international match. Fiery forward Les Boyd enhanced his reputation for the rough play when he was sent off twice on tour. He was sent off in the first game of the tour against Hull Kingston Rovers at Craven Park, and in the second Test against the Lions at

Central Park Central Park is an urban park between the Upper West Side and Upper East Side neighborhoods of Manhattan in New York City, and the first landscaped park in the United States. It is the List of parks in New York City, sixth-largest park in the ...

. He was also sin-binned in the third Ashes Test at

Headingley Headingley is a suburb of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, approximately two miles out of the city centre, to the north west along the A660 road. Headingley is the location of the Beckett Park campus of Leeds Beckett University and Headingley ...

Test Venues

The three Ashes series tests took place at the following venues.

{, class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" , - ! Hull !

, - , Boothferry Park ,

, - , Capacity: 26,800 , Capacity: 37,000 , Capacity: 30,000 , - , Boothferry park last day

---- {, width=92% , - , , {, width="100%" , valign="top" width="50%", {, style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" , - !width="25", !!width="25", , - , FB , , 1, , George Fairbairn ( c) , - , RW , , 2, , Steve Hubbard , - , CE , , 3, , Mike Smith , - , CE , , 4, , Ian Robinson , - , LW , , 5, , Garry Clark , - , SO , , 6, , Steve Hartley , - , SH , , 7, , James Walsh , - , PR , , 8, , Roy Holdstock , - , HK , , 9, , David Watkinson , - , PR , , 10, , Steve Crooks , - , SR , , 11, , Andy Kelly , - , SR , , 12, , Chris Burton , - , LF , , 13, , Gary Prohm , - , colspan=3, Substitutions: , - , IC , , 14, , Phil Lowe , - , IC , , 15, , , - , colspan=3, Coach: , - , colspan="4", Roger Millward , valign="top" width="50%", {, style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" , - !width="25", !!width="25", , - , FB , , 1, , Greg Brentnall , - , RW , , 2, , Eric Grothe , - , CE , , 3, ,

, - , CE , , 4, , Steve Rogers , - , LW , , 5, , John Ribot , - , FE , , 6, , Brett Kenny , - , HB , , 7, , Peter Sterling , - , PR , , 8, , Craig Young , - , HK , , 9, , Max Krilich ( c) , - , PR , , 10, , Rod Morris , - , SR , , 11, , Les Boyd , - , SR , , 12, , Rod Reddy , - , LF , , 13, , Ray Price , - , colspan=3, Substitutions: , - , IC , , 14, , Wally Lewis , - , IC , , 15, , John Muggleton , - , colspan=3, Coach: , - , colspan="4", Frank Stanton Hull KR led the Kangaroos 8–5 at half time but that was as good as it got for Roger Millward's men as the Kangaroos piled on 25 points to just 2 in the second half to run out easy 30–10 winners. Man of the Match Mal Meninga lit up Craven Park on his first taste of football on English soil, scoring a try and kicking 6 goals in the win. ---- {, width=92% , - , , {, width="100%" , valign="top" width="50%", {, style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" , - !width="25", !!width="25", , - , FB , , 1, , Barry Williams , - , RW , , 2, , Dennis Ramsdale , - , CE , , 3, , David Stephenson , - , CE , , 4, , Colin Whitfield , - , LW , , 5, , Henderson Gill , - , SO , , 6, , Martin Foy , - , SH , , 7, , Gary Stephens ( c) , - , PR , , 8, , Lee Bamber , - , HK , , 9, , Nicky Kiss , - , PR , , 10, , Glyn Shaw , - , SR , , 11, , Brian Juliff , - , SR , , 12, , Mick Scott , - , LF , , 13, ,

John Pendlebury John Devitt Stringfellow Pendlebury (12 October 1904 – 22 May 1941) was a British archaeologist who worked for British intelligence during World War II. He was captured and Summary execution, summarily executed by German troops during the ...

, - , colspan=3, Substitutions: , - , IC , , 14, , Jimmy Fairhurst , - , IC , , 15, , Danny Campbell , - , colspan=3, Coach: , - , colspan="4", Alex Murphy , valign="top" width="50%", {, style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" , - !width="25", !!width="25", , - , FB , , 1, , Ian Schubert , - , RW , , 2, , Chris Anderson , - , CE , , 3, , Steve Ella , - , CE , , 4, , Gene Miles , - , LW , , 5, , Kerry Boustead , - , FE , , 6, , Wally Lewis ( c) , - , HB , , 7, , Steve Mortimer , - , PR , , 8, ,

, - , HK , , 9, , Ray Brown , - , PR , , 10, , Rohan Hancock , - , SR , , 11, , Paul McCabe , - , SR , , 12, , John Muggleton , - , LF , , 13, , Wayne Pearce , - , colspan=3, Substitutions: , - , IC , , 14, , Steve Rogers , - , IC , , 15, , Ray Price , - , colspan=3, Coach: , - , colspan="4", Frank Stanton ---- {, width=92% , - , , {, width="100%" , valign="top" width="50%", {, style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" , - !width="25", !!width="25", , - , FB , , 1, , Steve Tickle , - , RW , , 2, , Keith Bentley , - , CE , , 3, , Ron O'Regan , - , CE , , 4, , Ralph McConnell , - , LW , , 5, , Michael James , - , SO , , 6, , Mel Mason ( c) , - , SH , , 7, , David Cairns , - , PR , , 8, , Malcolm Flynn , - , HK , , 9, , Les Wall , - , PR , , 10, , Peter Gee , - , SR , , 11, , Eddie Szymala , - , SR , , 12, , Mark Gillespie , - , LF , , 13, , Derek Hadley , - , colspan=3, Substitutions: , - , IC , , 14, , Steve Herbert , - , IC , , 15, , , - , colspan=3, Coach: , - , colspan="4", Frank Foster , valign="top" width="50%", {, style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" , - !width="25", !!width="25", , - , FB , , 1, , Ian Schubert , - , RW , , 2, , Chris Anderson , - , CE , , 3, , Steve Ella , - , CE , , 4, , Gene Miles , - , LW , , 5, , John Ribot , - , FE , , 6, , Wally Lewis ( c) , - , HB , , 7, , Mark Murray , - , PR , , 8, , Rohan Hancock , - , HK , , 9, , Greg Conescu , - , PR , , 10, , Rod Morris , - , SR , , 11, , Les Boyd , - , SR , , 12, , Rod Reddy , - , LF , , 13, , Wayne Pearce , - , colspan=3, Substitutions: , - , IC , , 14, , Ray Brown , - , IC , , 15, , Steve Rogers , - , colspan=3, Coach: , - , colspan="4", Frank Stanton ---- {, width=92% , - , , {, width="100%" , valign="top" width="50%", {, style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" , - !width="25", !!width="25", , - , FB , , 1, , Clive Griffiths , - , RW , , 2, , Barry Ledger , - , CE , , 3, , Chris Arkwright , - , CE , , 4, , David Fairclough , - , LW , , 5, , Denis Litherland , - , SO , , 6, , Stephen Peters , - , SH , , 7, , Neil Holding , - , PR , , 8, , Mel James , - , HK , , 9, , Michael Glover , - , PR , , 10, , Brian Gelling , - , SR , , 11, , Roy Mathias ( c) , - , SR , , 12, , Paul Forber , - , LF , , 13, , Andy Platt , - , colspan=3, Substitutions: , - , IC , , 14, , John Smith , - , IC , , 15, , Paul Brownbill , - , colspan=3, Coach: , - , colspan="4", Billy Benyon , valign="top" width="50%", {, style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" , - !width="25", !!width="25", , - , FB , , 1, , Greg Brentnall , - , RW , , 2, , Kerry Boustead , - , CE , , 3, ,

, - , CE , , 4, , Steve Rogers , - , LW , , 5, , Eric Grothe , - , FE , , 6, , Brett Kenny , - , HB , , 7, , Peter Sterling , - , PR , , 8, , Craig Young , - , HK , , 9, , Max Krilich ( c) , - , PR , , 10, , Les Boyd , - , SR , , 11, , Wayne Pearce , - , SR , , 12, , John Muggleton , - , LF , , 13, , Ray Price , - , colspan=3, Substitutions: , - , IC , , 14, , Wally Lewis , - , IC , , 15, , Rod Morris , - , colspan=3, Coach: , - , colspan="4", Frank Stanton ---- {, width=92% , - , , {, width="100%" , valign="top" width="50%", {, style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" , - !width="25", !!width="25", , - , FB , , 1, , Neil Hague (rugby league), Neil Hague , - , RW , , 2, , Alan Smith (rugby league, born 1944), Alan Smith , - , CE , , 3, , Ian Wilkinson (rugby league), Ian Wilkinson , - , CE , , 4, , Les Dyl , - , LW , , 5, , Andrew Smith (rugby league), Andrew Smith , - , SO , , 6, , John Holmes (rugby league), John Holmes , - , SH , , 7, , Mark Conway , - , PR , , 8, , Roy Dickinson , - , HK , , 9, , David Ward (rugby league), David Ward ( c) , - , PR , , 10, , Tony Burke (rugby league), Tony Burke , - , SR , , 11, , Keith Rayne , - , SR , , 12, , Wayne Heron , - , LF , , 13, , David Heron (rugby league), David Heron , - , colspan=3, Substitutions: , - , IC , , 14, , Mark Massa , - , IC , , 15, , Andrew Sykes (rugby league), Andrew Sykes , - , colspan=3, Coach: , - , colspan="4", Robin Dewhurst , valign="top" width="50%", {, style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" , - !width="25", !!width="25", , - , FB , , 1, , Greg Brentnall , - , RW , , 2, , Kerry Boustead , - , CE , , 3, ,

Wales

The Kangaroos played a non-test international against

. This was the first time Wally Lewis (playing in the unfamiliar position of centre) would captain Australia against an international team. The Kangaroos would not play Wales again until 1994, that game also at Ninian Park. {, width=92% , - , , {, width="100%" , valign="top" width="50%", {, style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" , - !width="25", !!width="25", , - , FB , , 1, , Lynn Hopkins , - , RW , , 2, , Chris Camilleri (rugby), Chris Camilleri , - , CE , , 3, , Steve Fenwick , - , CE , , 4, , John Bevan (rugby), John Bevan ( c) , - , LW , , 5, , Paul Prendiville , - , SO , , 6, , Lynn Hallett , - , SH , , 7, , Brynmor Williams , - , PR , , 8, , Glyn Shaw , - , HK , , 9, , Donald Parry (rugby league), Donald Parry , - , PR , , 10, , Tommy David , - , SR , , 11, , Martin Herdman , - , SR , , 12, , Brian Juliff , - , LF , , 13, , Paul Ringer , - , colspan=3, Substitutions: , - , IC , , 14, , Mark McJennett , - , IC , , 15, , , - , colspan=3, Coach: , - , colspan="4", David Watkins (rugby), David Watkins , style="vertical-align:top", Cardiff City vs Nottingham Forest

, valign="top" width="50%", {, style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" , - !width="25", !!width="25", , - , FB , , 1, , Steve Ella , - , LW , , 2, , Chris Anderson , - , CE , , 3, , Gene Miles , - , CE , , 4, , Wally Lewis ( c) , - , RW , , 5, , John Ribot , - , FE , , 6, , Mark Murray , - , HB , , 7, , Steve Mortimer , - , PR , , 8, , Rod Morris , - , HK , , 9, , Ray Brown , - , PR , , 10, ,

, - , SR , , 11, , Paul McCabe , - , SR , , 12, , Rod Reddy , - , LK , , 13, , Ian Schubert , - , colspan=3, Substitutions: , - , IC , , 14, , Kerry Boustead , - , IC , , 15, , Greg Conescu , - , colspan=3, Coach: , - , colspan="4", Frank Stanton Playing fullback, Steve Ella pressed for test selection by scoring 4 tries in the game. Only two players from the team, second row forward Rod Reddy and reserve winger Kerry Boustead, were considered certainties for selection in the upcoming 1st Ashes test. ----

The Ashes series

Due to sponsorship reasons, the 1982 Ashes was known as the "Dominion Insurance Test series".

First Test

While Australia's side for the opening Test was built around the new breed of young players such as Eric Grothe, Wayne Pearce,

, Brett Kenny and Peter Sterling mixing with veterans Craig Young, Les Boyd, Ray Price, Rod Reddy, Kerry Boustead, Steve Rogers and captain Max Krilich, Great Britain chose five players aged over 30. The only player over the age of 30 for the Kangaroos first test team was Krilich who had turned 33 only five days prior to the test. Great Britain were captained by veteran Leeds Rhinos, Leeds hooker David Ward (rugby league), David Ward. Making his debut for the Lions was Hull F.C. teenager Lee Crooks (rugby league), Lee Crooks who was also handed the goal kicking duties in preference to George Fairbairn. Wayne Pearce was awarded the Man of the Match award after throwing the last pass for four tries and scoring a try himself. {, width=92% , - , , {, width="100%" , valign="top" width="50%", {, style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" , - !width="25", !!width="25", , - , FB , , 1, , George Fairbairn , - , RW , , 2, , Des Drummond , - , CE , , 3, , Eric Hughes (rugby, born 1950), Eric Hughes , - , CE , , 4, , Les Dyl , - , LW , , 5, , Steve Evans (rugby league), Steve Evans , - , SO , , 6, , John Woods (rugby league), John Woods , - , SH , , 7, , Steve Nash (rugby league), Steve Nash , - , PR , , 8, , Jeff Grayshon , - , HK , , 9, , David Ward (rugby league), David Ward ( c) , - , PR , , 10, , Trevor Skerrett , - , SR , , 11, , Lee Crooks (rugby league), Lee Crooks , - , SR , , 12, , Les Gorley , - , LF , , 13, , Steve Norton , - , colspan=3, Substitutions: , - , IC , , 14, , , - , IC , , 15, , David Heron (rugby league), David Heron , - , IC , , 16, , , - , IC , , 17, , , - , colspan=3, Coach: , - , colspan="4", Johnny Whiteley , valign="top" width="50%", {, style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" , - !width="25", !!width="25", , - , FB , , 1, , Greg Brentnall , - , LW , , 2, , Eric Grothe Sr., Eric Grothe , - , CE , , 3, ,

, - , CE , , 4, , Steve Rogers , - , RW , , 5, , Kerry Boustead , - , FE , , 6, , Brett Kenny , - , HB , , 7, , Peter Sterling , - , PR , , 8, , Craig Young , - , HK , , 9, , Max Krilich ( c) , - , PR , , 10, , Les Boyd , - , SR , , 11, , Wayne Pearce , - , SR , , 12, , Rod Reddy , - , LK , , 13, , Ray Price , - , colspan=3, Substitutions: , - , IC , , 14, , '' Steve Ella'' , - , IC , , 15, , '' John Muggleton'' , - , IC , , 16, , '' Wally Lewis'' , - , IC , , 17, , '' Rod Morris'' , - , colspan=3, Coach: , - , colspan="4", Frank Stanton Great Britain did well in the first half to trail by only 10–4 at half time, but the two penalty goals by debutante second rower Lee Crooks was as good as it got for the home side. In the second half the Kangaroos unleashed their skills and fitness, and blazed six tries to leave the British game, and most of the 26,771 strong crowd packed into Kingston upon Hull, Hull's Boothferry Park stunned. The game was Australia's 5th straight win over Great Britain, dating back to the final Test of the 1978 Kangaroo Tour and including the 3–0 whitewash of the Lions on their lacklustre 1979 Great Britain Lions tour, 1979 Australasian tour. In his test debut for Australia, back row forward Wayne Pearce was judged as the Man of the Match thanks to his defensive work and having a hand in a number of tries as well as backing up a break by Max Krilich and Craig Young to race away and score a 45-metre try with only French referee Julien Rascagneres anywhere near him. Centre Mal Meninga, playing his 4th test and the first of what would eventually be a record 17 Ashes tests against Great Britain, scored the opening try of the game after good lead up work by Peter Sterling and Pearce, then easily palming off Les Dyl and outpacing fullback George Fairbairn to score in the corner. Meninga also kicked 8 of 10 goals for a personal haul of 19 points. His 8 goals also broke the record number of goals for an Australian in a test in England, the old record of 7 had been set by Graeme Langlands in the second test of the 1963–64 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France, 1963–64 Kangaroo tour (the famous "Station Road, Swinton, Swinton Massacre" test). It also equaled the most goals for an Australian in an Ashes test, the record was previously the sole property of Noel Pidding who kicked 8 in the first test of the 1954 series at the

. In commentary for the BBC, former Great Britain and England national rugby league team, England dual-rugby international forward Ray French stated after the final siren ''"Well, I've got to eat a little humble pie. I thought Great Britain could do something, but with only those two penalty goals from Lee Crooks its back to the drawing board for the Great Britain selectors I'm afraid"'', while his commentary partner, Wigan coach, former Lions halfback and Kangaroos tormentor Alex Murphy said during the first half ''"We need something to combat this lot."'' ---- {, width=92% , - , , {, width="100%" , valign="top" width="50%", {, style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" , - !width="25", !!width="25", , - , FB , , 1, , Mick Hogan , - , RW , , 2, , Des Drummond , - , CE , , 3, , John Henderson (Leigh rugby league), John Henderson , - , CE , , 4, , Steve Donlan , - , LW , , 5, , Graham Worgan , - , SO , , 6, , John Woods (rugby league), John Woods ( c) , - , SH , , 7, , Ken Green (rugby league), Ken Green , - , PR , , 8, , Alf Wilkinson (rugby league), Alf Wilkinson , - , HK , , 9, , Ray Tabern , - , PR , , 10, , Derek Pyke , - , SR , , 11, , Eric Chisnall , - , SR , , 12, , Geoff Clarkson , - , LF , , 13, , Ian Potter (rugby league), Ian Potter , - , colspan=3, Substitutions: , - , IC , , 14, , Steve Tomlinson (rugby league), Steve Tomlinson , - , IC , , 15, , Edwin Hunter (rugby league), Edwin Hunter , - , colspan=3, Coach: , - , colspan="4", Colin Clarke (rugby league), Colin Clarke , valign="top" width="50%", {, style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" , - !width="25", !!width="25", , - , FB , , 1, , Steve Ella , - , RW , , 2, , Chris Anderson , - , CE , , 3, ,

, - , CE , , 4, , Gene Miles , - , LW , , 5, , John Ribot , - , FE , , 6, , Wally Lewis ( c) , - , HB , , 7, , Steve Mortimer , - , PR , , 8, ,

, - , HK , , 9, , Ray Brown , - , PR , , 10, , Rod Morris , - , SR , , 11, , Paul McCabe , - , SR , , 12, , John Muggleton , - , LF , , 13, , Ian Schubert , - , colspan=3, Substitutions: , - , IC , , 14, , , - , IC , , 15, , , - , colspan=3, Coach: , - , colspan="4", Frank Stanton ---- {, width=92% , - , , {, width="100%" , valign="top" width="50%", {, style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" , - !width="25", !!width="25", , - , FB , , 1, , John Green (rugby league), John Green , - , RW , , 2, , David Barends , - , CE , , 3, , Keith Mumby , - , CE , , 4, , Richard Davies (rugby league), Richard Davies , - , LW , , 5, , Steve Pullen , - , SO , , 6, , Bill Kells , - , SH , , 7, , Alan Redfearn , - , PR , , 8, , Jeff Grayshon ( c) , - , HK , , 9, , Brian Noble (rugby league), Brian Noble , - , PR , , 10, , Gary Van Bellen , - , SR , , 11, , Graham Idle , - , SR , , 12, , Dick Jasiewicz , - , LF , , 13, , Alan Rathbone , - , colspan=3, Substitutions: , - , IC , , 14, , Dean Carroll , - , IC , , 15, , Chris Parrott , - , colspan=3, Coach: , - , colspan="4", Peter Fox (rugby league, born 1933), Peter Fox , valign="top" width="50%", {, style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" , - !width="25", !!width="25", , - , FB , , 1, , Greg Brentnall , - , RW , , 2, , Chris Anderson , - , CE , , 3, , Gene Miles , - , CE , , 4, , Steve Rogers ( c) , - , LW , , 5, , Eric Grothe , - , FE , , 6, , Brett Kenny , - , HB , , 7, , Mark Murray , - , PR , , 8, , Craig Young , - , HK , , 9, , Greg Conescu , - , PR , , 10, , Rohan Hancock , - , SR , , 11, , John Muggleton , - , SR , , 12, , Paul McCabe , - , LF , , 13, , Ray Price , - , colspan=3, Substitutions: , - , IC , , 14, , Ray Brown , - , IC , , 15, , , - , colspan=3, Coach: , - , colspan="4", Frank Stanton ---- {, width=92% , - , , {, width="100%" , valign="top" width="50%", {, style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" , - !width="25", !!width="25", , - , FB , , 1, , Lyn Hopkins , - , RW , , 2, , Bob Mackie (rugby league), Bob Mackie , - , CE , , 3, , Dean Bell , - , CE , , 4, , Ralph McConnell , - , LW , , 5, , Terry Moore (rugby league), Terry Moore , - , SO , , 6, , Mel Mason , - , SH , , 7, , David Cairns , - , PR , , 8, , Steve Herbert , - , HK , , 9, , Alan McCurrie , - , PR , , 10, , Malcolm Flynn , - , SR , , 11, , Bill Pattison , - , SR , , 12, , Peter Gorley ( c) , - , LF , , 13, , Derek Hadley , - , colspan=3, Substitutions: , - , IC , , 14, , David Beck (rugby league), David Beck , - , IC , , 15, , Ian Hartley , - , colspan=3, Coach: , - , colspan="4", , valign="top" width="50%", {, style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" , - !width="25", !!width="25", , - , FB , , 1, , Greg Brentnall , - , RW , , 2, , Kerry Boustead , - , CE , , 3, ,

, - , CE , , 4, , Steve Ella , - , LW , , 5, , John Ribot , - , FE , , 6, , Wally Lewis , - , HB , , 7, , Peter Sterling , - , PR , , 8, ,

, - , HK , , 9, , Max Krilich ( c) , - , PR , , 10, , Rohan Hancock , - , SR , , 11, , John Muggleton , - , SR , , 12, , Ian Schubert , - , LF , , 13, , Wayne Pearce , - , colspan=3, Substitutions: , - , IC , , 14, , Steve Rogers , - , IC , , 15, , Ray Price , - , colspan=3, Coach: , - , colspan="4", Frank Stanton This was the first time that future Australian test halves pair Wally Lewis and Peter Sterling played alongside each other as Australia's five-eighth and halfback. Future New Zealand Kiwis, New Zealand test captain Dean Bell, then playing for Carlisle RLFC, Carlisle at whose home ground the match was played, represented Cumbria in the centres. ---- {, width=92% , - , , {, width="100%" , valign="top" width="50%", {, style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" , - !width="25", !!width="25", , - , FB , , 1, , David Eckersley , - , RW , , 2, , Adrian Cambriani , - , CE , , 3, , Dave Allen (rugby league), David "Dave" Allen , - , CE , , 4, , Steve Diamond , - , LW , , 5, , Hussein M'Barki , - , SO , , 6, , John Crossley, Jr. , - , SH , , 7, , Reg Bowden ( c) , - , PR , , 8, , Harry Beverley (rugby league, born 1947), Harry Beverley , - , HK , , 9, , John Dalgreen , - , PR , , 10, , Tony Gourley , - , SR , , 11, , Martin Herdman , - , SR , , 12, , Peter Souto , - , LF , , 13, , Joe Doherty (rugby league), Joe Doherty , - , colspan=3, Substitutions: , - , IC , , 14, , Neil Tuffs , - , IC , , 15, , , - , colspan=3, Coach: , - , colspan="4", Reg Bowden , valign="top" width="50%", {, style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" , - !width="25", !!width="25", , - , FB , , 1, , Steve Ella , - , LW , , 2, , Chris Anderson , - , CE , , 3, , Gene Miles , - , CE , , 4, , Wally Lewis ( c) , - , RW , , 5, , John Ribot , - , FE , , 6, , Mark Murray , - , HB , , 7, , Steve Mortimer , - , PR , , 8, ,

, - , HK , , 9, , Ray Brown , - , PR , , 10, , Les Boyd , - , SR , , 11, , Paul McCabe , - , SR , , 12, , John Muggleton , - , LK , , 13, , Ian Schubert , - , colspan=3, Substitutions: , - , IC , , 14, , Greg Conescu , - , IC , , 15, , , - , colspan=3, Coach: , - , colspan="4", Frank Stanton ---- {, width=92% , - , , {, width="100%" , valign="top" width="50%", {, style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" , - !width="25", !!width="25", , - , FB , , 1, , Gary Kemble , - , RW , , 2, , Dane O'Hara , - , CE , , 3, , Steve Evans (rugby league), Steve Evans , - , CE , , 4, , James Leuluai , - , LW , , 5, , Paul Prendiville , - , SO , , 6, , David Topliss ( c) , - , SH , , 7, , Tony Dean (rugby league), Tony Dean , - , PR , , 8, , Mick Harrison (rugby league), Mick Harrison , - , HK , , 9, , John Keith Bridges, Keith Bridges , - , PR , , 10, , Paul Rose (rugby league), Paul Rose , - , SR , , 11, , Wayne Proctor (rugby league), Wayne Proctor , - , SR , , 12, , Lee Crooks (rugby league), Lee Crooks , - , LF , , 13, , Mick Crane , - , colspan=3, Substitutions: , - , IC , , 14, , Barry Banks (rugby league), Barry Banks , - , IC , , 15, , Mick Sutton , - , colspan=3, Coach: , - , colspan="4", Arthur Bunting , valign="top" width="50%", {, style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" , - !width="25", !!width="25", , - , FB , , 1, , Greg Brentnall , - , RW , , 2, , Kerry Boustead , - , CE , , 3, ,

during the 1990 Kangaroo tour that an English club side would lead the Kangaroos at half time of a tour match. However, a double to Eric Grothe and another to Kerry Boustead, with Meninga kicking 2 goals, along with Australia keeping Hull scoreless in the second saw the Kangaroos keep their undefeated record alive with a 13–7 win in front of 16,049 fans. This was the largest tour match attendance at The Boulevard since Australia defeated a combined Hull / Hull KR XIII 37–14 during the 1956–57 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France, 1956–57 Kangaroo tour. It was also the Kangaroos 9th win in a row over Hull since 1911–12 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain, 1911–12 and the largest tour match attendance of the 1982 tour. Australia played the game with the same team that would line up in the second test at Wigan just 4 days later. ----

Second Test

Despite ten changes to the Lions' side, with only winger Des Drummond and props Trevor Skerrett and Jeff Grayshon (who also took over the captaincy) retained from the first Test thrashing, plus Leeds Rhinos, Leeds loose forward David Heron (rugby league), David Heron who was brought into the starting side from the bench after a good personal second half at Boothferry Park in the first test, the second Test was scarcely a contest as the Kangaroos, playing with mostly 12 men after Les Boyd's send-off, won by 27–6. The only changes to the Kangaroos were tour vice-captain Wally Lewis' inclusion on the main bench (after only being on the extended bench in Hull) and, with captain Max Krilich in some doubt with a niggling neck injury, hooker forward and Manly teammate Ray Brown was also selected on the Kangaroos bench. Prior to the second test, Phil Larder, the Coaching Director of the British Amateur Rugby League Association (BARLA) spent a week in camp with Frank Stanton and the Kangaroos to observe their training and tactics. After Great Britain's first test humiliation, Larder (who at the time was not actually connected to the Great Britain team in any way) had taken it upon himself to contact Stanton and request the opportunity. English football had begun to fall well behind Australia in recent years and Larder's initiative was rewarded by being made the Coaching Director of the Rugby Football League in 1983. He would also become the assistant coach of the Great Britain side in 1983. {, width=92% , - , , {, width="100%" , valign="top" width="50%", {, style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" , - !width="25", !!width="25", , - , FB , , 1, , Keith Mumby , - , RW , , 2, , Des Drummond , - , CE , , 3, , Mike Smith , - , CE , , 4, , David Stephenson , - , LW , , 5, , Henderson Gill , - , SO , , 6, , John Holmes (rugby league), John Holmes , - , SH , , 7, , Ken Kelly (rugby league), Ken Kelly , - , PR , , 8, , Jeff Grayshon ( c) , - , HK , , 9, , John Dalgreen , - , PR , , 10, , Trevor Skerrett , - , SR , , 11, , Bob Eccles , - , SR , , 12, , Chris Burton , - , LF , , 13, , David Heron (rugby league), David Heron , - , colspan=3, Substitutions: , - , IC , , 14, , John Woods (rugby league), John Woods , - , IC , , 15, , Alan Rathbone , - , colspan=3, Coach: , - , colspan="4", Johnny Whiteley , valign="top" width="50%", {, style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" , - !width="25", !!width="25", , - , FB , , 1, , Greg Brentnall , - , LW , , 2, , Eric Grothe Sr., Eric Grothe , - , CE , , 3, ,

. Lewis came straight in to the five-eighth position while Brett Kenny moved to the centres and Mal Meninga out to the wing. Half-way through the second half Lewis showed the 23,126 crowd at

what the British game was missing when he sent a bullet like 20 metre pass to Meninga to score in the corner. While those long passes would become a feature of Wally's game over the next decade, that particular pass did psychological damage to the already defeated Lions, who were left wondering just how good the Kangaroos really were if a player who could pass like Lewis did could not even make the starting XIII. ---- {, width=92% , - , , {, width="100%" , valign="top" width="50%", {, style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" , - !width="25", !!width="25", , - , FB , , 1, , Mick Burke (rugby league), Mick Burke , - , RW , , 2, , John Basnett , - , CE , , 3, , Joe Lydon (rugby), Joe Lydon , - , CE , , 4, , Keiron O'Loughlin , - , LW , , 5, , Chris Camilleri (rugby), Chris Camilleri , - , SO , , 6, , Andy Gregory , - , SH , , 7, , David Hulme (rugby league), David Hulme , - , PR , , 8, , Kevin Tamati , - , HK , , 9, , Keith Elwell , - , PR , , 10, , Steve O'Neill (rugby league), Steve O'Neill , - , SR , , 11, , Keith Newton (rugby league), Keith Newton , - , SR , , 12, , Eric Prescott , - , LF , , 13, , Tony Myler ( c) , - , colspan=3, Substitutions: , - , IC , , 14, , John Myler , - , IC , , 15, , , - , colspan=3, Coach: , - , colspan="4", Doug Laughton , valign="top" width="50%", {, style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" , - !width="25", !!width="25", , - , FB , , 1, , Steve Ella , - , RW , , 2, , Chris Anderson , - , CE , , 3, ,

, - , CE , , 4, , Steve Rogers , - , LW , , 5, , John Ribot , - , FE , , 6, , Wally Lewis ( c) , - , HB , , 7, , Steve Mortimer , - , PR , , 8, , Craig Young , - , HK , , 9, , Ray Brown , - , PR , , 10, , Rod Morris , - , SR , , 11, , Les Boyd , - , SR , , 12, , Paul McCabe , - , LF , , 13, , Ian Schubert , - , colspan=3, Substitutions: , - , IC , , 14, , Mark Murray , - , IC , , 15, , John Muggleton , - , colspan=3, Coach: , - , colspan="4", Frank Stanton ----

Third Test

Injuries forced Frank Stanton to make three changes to the Kangaroos for the final Test. Eric Grothe's knee injury in the second Test kept him out with the tour's leading try scorer John Ribot re-claiming his test spot on the wing; Rod Morris replaced Craig Young in the front row; while second test man of the match Ray Price was also ruled out with a knee injury and was replaced by Paul McCabe in the second row allowing Wayne Pearce to move to his favoured position at lock forward. {, width=92% , - , , {, width="100%" , valign="top" width="50%", {, style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" , - !width="25", !!width="25", , - , FB , , 1, , George Fairbairn , - , RW , , 2, , Des Drummond , - , CE , , 3, , David Stephenson , - , CE , , 4, , Mike Smith , - , LW , , 5, , Steve Evans (rugby league), Steve Evans , - , SO , , 6, , David Topliss ( c) , - , SH , , 7, , Andy Gregory , - , PR , , 8, , Mike O'Neill (rugby league), Mike O'Neill , - , HK , , 9, , Brian Noble (rugby league), Brian Noble , - , PR , , 10, , Paul Rose (rugby league), Paul Rose , - , SR , , 11, , Peter Smith (rugby league, born 1955), Peter Smith , - , SR , , 12, , Lee Crooks (rugby league), Lee Crooks , - , LF , , 13, , Mick Crane , - , colspan=3, Substitutions: , - , IC , , 14, , Neil Courtney , - , IC , , 15, , , - , colspan=3, Coach: , - , colspan="4", Johnny Whiteley , valign="top" width="50%", {, style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" , - !width="25", !!width="25", , - , FB , , 1, , Greg Brentnall , - , LW , , 2, , John Ribot , - , CE , , 3, ,

, - , CE , , 4, , Steve Rogers , - , RW , , 5, , Kerry Boustead , - , FE , , 6, , Brett Kenny , - , HB , , 7, , Peter Sterling , - , PR , , 8, , Les Boyd , - , HK , , 9, , Max Krilich ( c) , - , PR , , 10, , Rod Morris , - , SR , , 11, , Paul McCabe , - , SR , , 12, , Rod Reddy , - , LK , , 13, , Wayne Pearce , - , colspan=3, Substitutions: , - , IC , , 14, , Wally Lewis , - , IC , , 15, , Ray Brown , - , colspan=3, Coach: , - , colspan="4", Frank Stanton Kangaroos coach Frank Stanton predicted that the third Test would be the best contested of the three, and he was proved correct until the final ten minutes of play. Recalled Widnes Vikings, Widnes halfback Andy Gregory, and Bradford Bulls, Bradford Northern hooker Brian Noble (rugby league), Brian Noble (making his Test debut), led the way for the Lions and provided a service to their speedy outside backs that Britain had lacked in the first two Tests. The Lions made more line breaks in the third Test at

than they had in the previous two Tests combined. The Australian's ran with a very strong breeze in the first half and used this to their advantage, keeping much of the play in Great Britain's half, though they were unable to cross the British try line. Mal Meninga kicked three goals (two from near half-way) while Hull youngster Lee Crooks kicked two long range penalties into the breeze to keep the Lions in the game at 6–4 at half time. Lions winger Des Drummond brought the crowd to its feet mid-way through the half with a 40-metre run from near his own line before he was brought down on half-way by Greg Brentnall and Steve Rogers in cover. The first try of the game came with just on 50 minutes gone. From deep in his own half, Brentnall made a break down the right wing after breaking a tackle. The play looked like breaking down when he didn't pass to an un-marked Kerry Boustead on his outside and was tackled from behind by a desperate David Stephenson. From there the Kangaroos spread the ball to the opposite wing where Ribot was tackled. Wayne Pearce then broke the British line before passing to Rod Reddy who gave the ball to Ribot flying on his outside. Ribot crashed over in the corner with Lions fullback George Fairbairn clinging to his legs. Pearce then made another break and sent captain Max Krilich on a 30-metre run for his first try of the tour. Krilich scored under the posts giving Meninga an easy conversion and Australia held a 14–4 lead. With just over 10 minutes left to play the Aussies were holding-off Great Britain by 14–8 and an intense finish loomed after Hull F.C. winger Steve Evans (rugby league), Steve Evans had scored the Lions only try of the series (it was also the first try the Australians had conceded in all 11 Tests they'd played since the second The Ashes (rugby league), Ashes Test of 1979 against the Lions in Brisbane). It seemed Britain had not been so far behind Australia's standard after all, but in the final 10 minutes the Kangaroos superior fitness told and they ripped the home side apart with 4 tries to Boustead, Pearce, Steve Rogers and Man of the Match Brett Kenny to run out win 32–8 winners and become the first touring side to go through Britain undefeated. Right on half-time there was a set-to between forwards Les Boyd and Mick Crane which resulted in an all-in brawl. Boyd had hit Lions captain David Topliss (their third captain in as many tests) with a shoulder charge on the half-way line and Topliss had lashed out with his feet at Boyd who then punched Topliss as he lay on the ground, with Crane then coming in and began trading punches with the Australian front rower. As the teams lined up for the second half, referee Rascagneres called out both Boyd and Crane and sent both to the sin-bin for 10 minutes. The Ashes series win was Australia's 4th straight over the Lions dating back to 1974, and their second straight 3–0 Ashes series win. It also continued the streak started by the 1963-64 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France, 1963–64 Kangaroos of successfully defending The Ashes in England. This was also the last test Australia played at Headingley until 2022 when they defeated Fiji Bati, Fiji 42–8 there during the 2021 Men's Rugby League World Cup, 2021 World Cup (played in 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic). Starting with the 1986 Kangaroo tour, all test matches Australia has played in Leeds have been played at the Elland Road stadium, home of the Leeds United soccer club, due to its greater spectator capacity (Elland Road currently holds 37,890 while Headingley has a capacity of 21,062).

France

----

First Test

The tourists found the French Tests more of a challenge than the British, but in the end the Kangaroos prevailed and finished their tour unbeaten. {, width=92% , - , , {, width="100%" , valign="top" width="50%", {, style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" , - !width="25", !!width="25", , - , FB , , 1, , André Perez , - , RW , , 2, , Patrick Solal , - , CE , , 3, , Guy Delaunay , - , CE , , 4, , Jacques Guigue , - , LW , , 5, , Philippe Fourcade , - , SO , , 6, , Hervé Guiraud (rugby league), Hervé Guiraud , - , SH , , 7, , Ivan Grésèque , - , PR , , 8, , Henri Daniel , - , HK , , 9, , Christian Macalli , - , PR , , 10, , Max Chantal , - , SR , , 11, , Guy Laforgue , - , SR , , 12, , Marc Ambert , - , LF , , 13, , Joël Roosebrouck ( c) , - , colspan=3, Substitutions: , - , IC , , 14, , Christian Laumond , - , IC , , 15, , Manuel Caravaca , - , colspan=3, Coach: , - , colspan="4", Michel Maïque , valign="top" width="50%", {, style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" , - !width="25", !!width="25", , - , FB , , 1, , Greg Brentnall , - , RW , , 2, , Kerry Boustead , - , CE , , 3, , Steve Rogers , - , CE , , 4, , Brett Kenny , - , LW , , 5, ,

, - , FE , , 6, , Wally Lewis , - , HB , , 7, , Peter Sterling , - , PR , , 8, , Craig Young , - , HK , , 9, , Max Krilich ( c) , - , PR , , 10, , Rod Morris , - , SR , , 11, , Paul McCabe , - , SR , , 12, , Les Boyd , - , LK , , 13, , Wayne Pearce , - , colspan=3, Substitutions: , - , IC , , 14, , Eric Grothe Sr., Eric Grothe , - , IC , , 15, , Ray Brown , - , colspan=3, Coach: , - , colspan="4", Frank Stanton During the first half, Wally Lewis dislocated his shoulder while attempting to tackle a French player which ended his tour, though as there were only 2 weeks remaining he remained with the squad until they returned to Australia (the injury was a recurrence of a similar injury he had suffered while touring Japan, Great Britain and France with the Australian Schoolboys rugby union team in 1977). He was replaced by Eric Grothe who went to the wing, Mal Meninga moved to his preferred centre with Brett Kenny moving to 5/8. Within 12 minutes of being on the field, Grothe had scored two tries. ---- ---- ---- ---- ----

Second Test

{, width=92% , - , , {, width="100%" , valign="top" width="50%", {, style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" , - !width="25", !!width="25", , - , FB , , 1, , Jacques Guigue , - , RW , , 2, , Patrick Solal , - , CE , , 3, , Guy Delaunay , - , CE , , 4, , Christian Laumond , - , LW , , 5, , Étienne Kaminski , - , SO , , 6, , Hervé Guiraud (rugby league), Hervé Guiraud , - , SH , , 7, , Ivan Grésèque , - , PR , , 8, , Carlos Zalduendo, Charles Zalduendo , - , HK , , 9, , Christian Macalli , - , PR , , 10, , Max Chantal , - , SR , , 11, , Jean-Jacques Cologni , - , SR , , 12, , Guy Laforgue , - , LF , , 13, , Joël Roosebrouck ( c) , - , colspan=3, Substitutions: , - , IC , , 14, , Michel Laville , - , IC , , 15, , Manuel Caravaca , - , colspan=3, Coach: , - , colspan="4", Michel Maïque , valign="top" width="50%", {, style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" , - !width="25", !!width="25", , - , FB , , 1, , Greg Brentnall , - , RW , , 2, , Kerry Boustead , - , CE , , 3, ,

, - , CE , , 4, , Steve Rogers , - , LW , , 5, , Eric Grothe Sr., Eric Grothe , - , FE , , 6, , Brett Kenny , - , HB , , 7, , Peter Sterling , - , PR , , 8, , Craig Young , - , HK , , 9, , Max Krilich ( c) , - , PR , , 10, , Les Boyd , - , SR , , 11, , Rod Reddy , - , SR , , 12, , Paul McCabe , - , LK , , 13, , Wayne Pearce , - , colspan=3, Substitutions: , - , IC , , 14, , Steve Ella , - , IC , , 15, , Ray Brown , - , colspan=3, Coach: , - , colspan="4", Frank Stanton

Statistics

Largest Attendance * 26,771 – First test vs

at Boothferry Park Largest Club Game Attendance * 16,049 – Australia vs Hull F.C. at The Boulevard (stadium), The Boulevard Leading Point Scorer * 169 by

(11 tries, 68 goals) Leading Try Scorer * 25 by Eric Grothe Sr., Eric Grothe The tally of 25 tries by Eric Grothe Sr., Eric Grothe includes 4 tries scored in the match against Western Australia.
The leading try scorer in Great Britain and France was Steve Ella, with 22. Ella also scored one try against Papua New Guinea. {, class="wikitable" , - ! rowspan=3 , Location !! colspan= 3 , Point Scorer !! colspan= 3 , Leading Try Scorers , - ! colspan= 3 ,

!! Steve Ella !! Eric Grothe Sr., Eric Grothe !! John Ribot , - ! Tries !! Goals !! Points !! Tries !! Tries !! Tries , - style="text-align:right;" , style="text-align:left;" , , , 1 , , 4 , , 11 , , dnp , , dnp , , 4 , - style="text-align:right;" , style="text-align:left;" , Western Australia , , colspan=3 style="text-align:center;" , dnp , , 1 , , 4 , , dnp , - style="text-align:right;" , style="text-align:left;" , , , 7 , , 50 , , 121 , , 9 , , 7 , , 9 , - style="text-align:right;" , style="text-align:left;" , , , 3 , , 14 , , 37 , , 13 , , 14 , , 10 , - style="background:#AAD0FF; text-align:right;" , style="text-align:left;" , Total , , 11 , , 68 , , 169 , , 23 , , 25 , , 23

Aftermath

Following the most successful Kangaroo Tour in history, a number of Australians were targeted by English clubs. Over the next 3 years players such as Peter Sterling (Hull F.C.), Brett Kenny and Steve Ella (Wigan), Eric Grothe Sr., Eric Grothe (Leeds), Wally Lewis (Wakefield Trinity) and

( St Helens) would have short, but successful stints in England.

References

External links

1982 Kangaroo Tour of Great Britain and France at rl1908.com

* [http://rugbyleagueproject.com/competitions/Ashes_Series_1982.html Ashes Series 1982 at rugbyleagueproject.com]
"1982 Kangaroos Tour of England and France" by Jason Cave (''theroar.com.au'')
{{DEFAULTSORT:1982 Kangaroo Tour Of Great Britain And France 1982 in Papua New Guinea rugby league, Kangaroo Tour 1982 in English rugby league, Kangaroo Tour 1982 in French rugby league, Kangaroo Tour 1982 in Australian rugby league, Kan Rugby league tours of Great Britain Rugby league tours of France Australia national rugby league team tours 1982 in Welsh rugby league Rugby league tours of Papua New Guinea

Touring party

By club

Papua New Guinea and Western Australia

Great Britain

Test Venues

Wales

The Ashes series

First Test

Second Test

Third Test

France

First Test

Second Test

Statistics

Aftermath

See also

References

External links