The 1990 Great Britain Lions tour was a tour by the

Great Britain national rugby league team The Great Britain national rugby league team represents Great Britain in rugby league. Administered by the Rugby Football League (RFL), the team is nicknamed The Lions. For most of the 20th century, the Great Britain team toured overseas, p ...

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 ...

and

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 ...

which took place from May to July 1990.

Touring squad

An initial 28-man squad was selected for the tour in April 1990. Warrington's

Des Drummond Desmond Lloyd Drummond (17 June 1958 – 29 January 2022) was an England and Great Britain international rugby league footballer who played on the in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Background Drummond was born on 17 June 1958 in Savanna-la-Mar, ...

and Widnes' David Hulme and

Paul Hulme Paul Hulme (born 19 April 1966) is a former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s. He played at representative level for Great Britain, and at club level for the Widnes Vikings (two spells), Warrington Wolves (c ...

were all unavailable for selection for "private reasons".

Ellery Hanley Cuthwyn Ellery Hanley (born 27 March 1961) is an English former rugby league player and coach. Over a nineteen-year professional career (1978–1997), he played for Bradford Northern, Wigan, Balmain, Western Suburbs and Leeds. He won 36 ca ...

Shaun Edwards Shaun Edwards, OBE (born 17 October 1966) is an English rugby union coach and former rugby league player, who is the defence coach for the France national team. A or , Edwards is the most decorated player in rugby league history, with 37 win ...

Andy Platt Andrew Platt (born 9 October 1963) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played as a and forward in the 1980s and 1990s. A Great Britain international representative , he played for English clubs St Helens, Wigan, W ...

and

Paul Loughlin Paul John Loughlin (born 28 July 1966) is an English former rugby league who played for his hometown team St Helens, the Bradford Bulls, the Huddersfield Giants and the Swinton Lions. Loughlin was born in St. Helens, Lancashire, England. He ...

all withdrew from the originally selected squad due to injury, while

Steve Hampson Stephen Hampson (born 14 August 1961) is a former rugby union and professional rugby league footballer from Airdrie, Scotland, who played as a in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, and coached rugby league in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. He played ...

and Les Holliday withdrew for personal reasons.

Mike Gregory Michael Keith Gregory (20 May 1964 – 19 November 2007) was an English professional rugby league footballer and coach. As a player, Gregory played either as a second-row or loose forward, and spent most of his club career at Warrington, ma ...

was chosen as tour captain as a result of the absence of Hanley and Edwards.

Papua New Guinea

---- ----

First Test

---- ----

Second Test

This was Great Britain's second match in the 1989-1992 Rugby League World Cup ----

Test Venues

The three tests took place at the following venues.

New Zealand

Presidents XIII:

Morvin Edwards Morvin Renata Tewhetu Aroha Edwards (born 8 May 1968) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who following the footsteps of his father Sam Edwards former NZ Kiwi rugby league player, Morvin represented New Zealand. His pos ...

, Warren Mann, Mark Nixon, Paddy Tuimavave,

Sam Panapa Samuel Lameko Panapa is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s. He represented three countries in his career: Tokelau, New Zealand and Western Samoa. Panapa played his club football in Aucklan ...

, Dean Clark,

Stu Galbraith Stu Galbraith (born 22 April 1967) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who played for Chorley Borough, Rochdale Hornets The Rochdale Hornets are a professional rugby league club from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, ...

Adrian Shelford Adrian Tremain Shelford (4 January 1964 – 19 September 2003) was a New Zealand rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s. He played at representative level for New Zealand, and at club level for Wigan and Wakefield Trinity in ...

Peter Ropati Peter Ropati is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer and commentator who played as a professional for Leigh. Ropati is from a large rugby league family that includes brothers Joe, Iva, Tea and Romi. Playing career Ropati began playin ...

, George Mann, Taime Tagaloa,

Francis Leota Francis Poipoi Leota is a New Zealand rugby league player who represented New Zealand between 1989 and 1990, including in games that counted towards the 1992 World Cup. Early years Leota attended De La Salle College and played rugby union un ...

Mike Kuiti Michael James Kuiti (born 18 March 1963 in Foxton, New Zealand) is a New Zealand rugby league player who played professionally in England and represented New Zealand, including in test matches that counted towards the 1992 World Cup. Currently ...

. Res -

Kelly Shelford Kelly Shelford (born 4 May 1966) is a New Zealand rugby league player who represented New Zealand, including in Test matches that counted towards the 1992 World Cup. Playing career Shelford was a Manukau Magpies junior and played for the clu ...

, Esene Faimalo Great Britain:

Chris Bibb Christopher "Chris" Howard Bibb (born 3 June 1968) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s. He played at representative level for Great Britain and Yorkshire, and at club level for Featherston ...

, John Devereux,

Daryl Powell Daryl A. Powell (born 21 July 1965) is an English rugby league coach and former professional rugby league footballer. He is the head coach of Wakefield Trinity who play in the Super League. He played as a in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s for t ...

, Jonathan Davies, Carl Gibson,

Garry Schofield Garry Edward Schofield OBE (born 1 July 1965) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s, and is a member of the British Rugby League Hall of Fame. At the time of his retirement he was the most- ...

Bobbie Goulding Robert Dennis "Bobbie" Goulding (born 4 February 1972), also known by the nickname of "Bobbie Dazzler", is an English former professional rugby league footballer, and coach, who played in the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and 2010s, and has coached in ...

Ian Lucas Ian Colin Lucas (born 18 September 1960) is a British Labour Party politician, who was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Wrexham, Wales from 2001 to 2019. He was Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Business and Regulatory Reform in ...

Martin Dermott Martin Dermott (born 25 September 1967) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played as a in the 1980s and 1990s, and was capped 11 times for Great Britain. He played for Wigan and the Warrington Wolves. Background Ma ...

, Keith England,

Denis Betts Denis Charles Betts (born 14 September 1969) is an English rugby league coach and former player. He is the head-coach of Wigan Warriors Women and a former assistant coach of the England national team. A , Betts played in the 1980s, 1990s and ...

, Paul Dixon,

Phil Clarke Philip Clarke (born 16 May 1971) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s. A Great Britain and England international representative back-rower or , he played his club rugby league in England ...

. Res - Roy Powell, David Bishop ---- Canterbury: Hall,

Whetu Taewa Whetu Taewa (born 19 October 1970) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who represented New Zealand six times between 1989 and 1996. Playing career New Zealand Whetu was born on the West Coast, New Zealand and started p ...

, Michael Dorreen, Rodger, Kaisa, Mark Nixon,

Aaron Whittaker Aaron Whittaker (born 9 July 1968) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer. A New Zealand international representative halfback, he played club football in Australia, England and New Zealand. Early years Whittaker grew up ...

Ricky Cowan Areariki Arthur Cowan "Riki" Cowan (born 28 December 1963) is a New Zealand rugby league footballer who represented New Zealand national rugby league team, New Zealand and the Cook Islands national rugby league team, Cook Islands. Playing car ...

Wayne Wallace Wayne John Wallace is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer and coach who represented New Zealand in the 1988 World Cup final. Playing career Wallace played in the Canterbury Rugby League club competition for Hornby, although he spent ...

, Simanu, Leck, Culley,

Logan Edwards Samuel Logan Edwards (born 18 November 1968) is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer. Domestic career Edwards played for the dominating Canterbury provincial side of the early 1990s alongside such talent as Quentin Pongia, Mike Dorreen ...

. Res - Angell, Seru. Great Britain:

Alan Tait Alan Victor Tait (born 2 November 1964) is a former Scottish dual-code rugby footballer, and now coach. He is a defence coach at the Super 6 side Southern Knights. He was previously head coach at Newcastle Falcons and a former rugby union an ...

Paul Eastwood Paul Eastwood (born 3 December 1965) is an English former rugby league footballer who played as a winger for Hull FC and Hull Kingston Rovers between 1984 and 1996. He was also capped 13 times by Great Britain between 1990 and 1992. Backgroun ...

Shaun Irwin Shaun Irwin (born 8 December 1968) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s. He played at representative level for Great Britain, and at club level for Castleford, Oldham Bears and Featherston ...

, Joe Lydon (c),

Roger Simpson Roger Simpson (born 27 August 1967) is an English former professional rugby league footballer. His most common position was on the , but he played at most positions across the backs throughout his playing career. He started his career at Bradf ...

Graham Steadman Graham Steadman (born 8 December 1961) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s, and coached in the 2000s. He played at representative level for Great Britain and Yorkshire, and at club level f ...

, Deryck Fox,

, Lee Jackson,

Karl Fairbank Karl Fairbank (born 1 June 1963) is a former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s, and coached in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. He played at representative level for Great Britain, and at club level for Bradford ...

, Ian Smales, Gary Price, David Bishop. Res - Roy Powell,

---- Auckland: Paddy Tuimavave,

Mike Patton Michael Allan Patton (born January 27, 1968) is an American singer, songwriter, producer, and voice actor, best known as the lead vocalist of the rock bands Faith No More and Mr. Bungle. He has also fronted and/or played with Tomahawk, The ...

, Iva Ropati, Warren Mann,

Mike McClennan Michael James McClennan (26 January 1944 – October 2019) was a New Zealand rugby league footballer who played for the New Zealand national rugby league team, New Zealand national team. McClennan went on to coach Auckland rugby league team and ...

, Peter Brown,

Se'e Solomona Maseese (Se'e) David Solomona (born 9 March 1965) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who represented both New Zealand and Western Samoa. Background Solomona was born in New Zealand. Playing career Solomona started his ...

Tawera Nikau Tawera Nuieia Nikau (born 1 January 1967) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s. A New Zealand international representative forward, he played club football at a number of different club ...

, Taime Tagaloa,

Tony Tuimavave Antonio (Tony) Emil Tuimavave is a Samoan former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s, who was the head coach of the Ponsonby Ponies from 2010, primarily as a also as a . He was nicknamed The Chief because he ...

. Res -

Great Britain:

, Carl Gibson, Joe Lydon,

, Jonathan Davies,

Kelvin Skerrett Kelvin Skerrett (born 22 May 1966) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s, and Coach (sports), coached in the 2000s. He played at representative level for Great Britain national rugby league t ...

, Keith England,

, Roy Powell,

(c). Res -

, Paul Dixon ---- Kiwi Colts:

Paul Nahu Paul may refer to: People * Paul (given name), a given name, including a list of people * Paul (surname), a list of people * Paul the Apostle, an apostle who wrote many of the books of the New Testament * Ray Hildebrand, half of the singing duo P ...

, Hall, Iva Ropati,

John Lomax John Avery Lomax (September 23, 1867 – January 26, 1948) was an American teacher, a pioneering musicologist, and a folklorist who did much for the preservation of American folk music. He was the father of Alan Lomax, John Lomax Jr. and Bess ...

, Fisher, Simcott, Taime Tagaloa,

. Res - Rodger,

Quentin Pongia Quentin Lee Pongia (9 July 1970 – 18 May 2019) was a New Zealand rugby league footballer who represented New Zealand in the 1990s and 2000s. Background He was the grandson of fellow Kiwi international Jim Calder. His sister Megan Tahapeehi ...

Great Britain:

, John Devereux, Jonathan Davies, Deryck Fox, Roy Powell, Lee Jackson,

, Ian Smales, David Bishop. Res - Gary Price ----

First Test

---- Wellington: Peter Edwards, Molemau,

David Ewe David Ewe is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who represented New Zealand. Playing career Ewe was a Wellington representative and played one match for the New Zealand national rugby league team in 1989 on a tour of Gre ...

Victor Aramoana Victor Aramoana is a New Zealand rugby league player who represented Wellington. Playing career Aramoana made his senior debut in 1983 for the Upper Hutt Tigers in the Wellington Rugby League competition and also played his first match for Well ...

, Gilbert,

Geoffrey Tangira Geoffrey, Geoffroy, Geoff, etc., may refer to: People * Geoffrey (given name), including a list of people with the name Geoffrey or Geoffroy * Geoffroy (surname), including a list of people with the name * Geoffroy (musician) (born 1987), Canadia ...

, Barry Harvey (c), Robert Piva, O'Sullivan, Esene Faimalo,

. Great Britain: David Lyon,

, John Devereux, Jonathan Davies, Deryck Fox,

, Lee Jackson,

, Ian Smales, Gary Price,

Res - Paul Dixon, David Bishop ---- New Zealand Māori:

Sean Hoppe Sean "Shoppe" Edward Hoppe (born 19 January 1971) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who represented New Zealand. Early years As a junior, he played for the Glen Innes Falcons, a feeder club to Ellerslie during the 1 ...

, Nahu,

Dave Watson David Watson (born 20 November 1961) is an English football manager and former professional player. As a player, he was a centre-back from 1980 to 2001. He played his entire career for Norwich City and Everton. With the Toffees he played in ...

, Barry Harvey,

Jason Lowrie Jason Anthony Lowrie (born 22 January 1970) is a New Zealand rugby league coach and former player who represented New Zealand. Background He is the grand-nephew of fellow international Sam Lowrie who was a hooker for Ponsonby in the 1910s and ...

, Ramsey. Great Britain:

, Carl Gibson,

Martin Offiah Martin Nwokocha Offiah MBE ( (''original pronunciation''), (''commonly used'')); born 29 December 1965) is an English former professional rugby league and rugby union footballer who played in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. Offiah was inducted ...

, Deryck Fox, Roy Powell,

, Keith England,

, Paul Dixon,

(c). Res -

, Joe Lydon ---- Taranaki: Tumoana, W. Tangira, Gwiazdzinski,

, R. Nixon, Smith,

, Robert Piva, Mason, Katene, McAllister, Kitto, Barry Harvey. Res - Martin, Jackson. Great Britain:

, David Lyon, John Devereux,

, Deryck Fox,

, Ian Smales,

, Gary Price,

, David Bishop. Res - Roy Powell,

----

Second Test

Former

All Blacks The New Zealand national rugby union team, commonly known as the All Blacks, is the representative men's national team in the sport of rugby union for the nation of New Zealand, which is considered the country's national sport. Famed for th ...

understudy fullback

Matthew Ridge Matthew John Ridge (born 27 August 1968) is a New Zealand television presenter, and a former rugby union and rugby league footballer. A fullback in both codes, Ridge played rugby union for Auckland and became an All Black, but never won an ...

made his test debut for

in the second test (as he'd never actually played a test for the All Blacks, this wouldn't count him as a dual international). To this point in his career, Ridge had only played 6 games of rugby league for

NSWRL 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 ...

club

Manly-Warringah 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 seaso ...

before becoming a dual international. His selection saw his Manly teammate Darrell Williams moved from fullback to the centres and

Tony Kemp Anthony Kemp may refer to: * Anthony Fenn Kemp (1763–1868), Australian soldier, merchant and judge * Anthony Kemp (historian) (1939–2018), English historian * Tony Kemp (rugby league) (born 1968), New Zealand rugby league footballer * Tony Kemp ...

moved to the bench. Ridge, who would end his rugby league career in 1999 having scored over 1,600 points (with a goal kicking accuracy of around 80%), also took over the goal kicking from Peter Brown. ----

Third Test

This was part of the 1989-1992 Rugby League World Cup

Notes

References

External links

Great Britain/England Test Match Results & Match Details
at ''rugbyleagueproject.org'' {{Great Britain Lions tours Great Britain national rugby league team tours Rugby league tours of New Zealand Rugby league tours of Papua New Guinea

1990 Important events of 1990 include the Reunification of Germany and the unification of Yemen, the formal beginning of the Human Genome Project (finished in 2003), the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope, the separation of Namibia from South ...

Great Britain Lions tour Great Britain Lions tour Great Britain Lions tour Great Britain Lions tour