| 1979 Great Britain Lions tour | |
| Date: | 25 May 1979 – 13 August 1979 |
| Manager: | Harry Womersley Dick Gemmell |
| Coach: | Eric Ashton |
| Captain: | Doug Laughton |
| Top Point Scorer: | John Woods (171) |
| Top Try Scorer: | Steve Evans (16) |
| Matchplayed: | 27 |
| Matchwon: | 21 |
| Matchdraw: | 1 |
| Matchlost: | 5 |
| Testplayed: | 6 |
| Testwon: | 2 |
| Testdraw: | 0 |
| Testlost: | 4 |
| Played1: | 3 |
| Won1: | 0 |
| Draw1: | 0 |
| Lost1: | 3 |
| Played2: | 3 |
| Won2: | 2 |
| Draw2: | 0 |
| Lost2: | 1 |
| Previous: | 1974 |
| Next: | 1984 |
The 1979 Great Britain Lions tour was the Great Britain national rugby league team's 16th tour of Australasia and took place from May to August 1979. A total of 27 matches were played against local club and representative sides during the tour, including a three match Test match series against Australia and New Zealand respectively.
In March 1979, a 30-man squad was selected for the tour, with Doug Laughton appointed as captain.[1] The squad included Widnes prop Jim Mills, who was banned from playing in New Zealand due to an incident in 1975 when Mills played for Wales against New Zealand.[2] Despite an appeal to overturn the ban, the International Board confirmed the ban would be upheld.[3]
After the squad was selected, John Bevan and Stuart Wright were forced to withdraw due to injury, and were replaced by Roy Mathias and David Barends.[4] Ken Kelly also suffered an injury shortly before the tour departed, and was replaced by John Holmes.[5]
| Name | Position | Club | Apps | Tests | Tries | Goals | Drop goals | Points | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward | 16 | 5 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 17 | ||||
| Back | 16 | 2 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 30 | ||||
| Forward | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Forward | 14 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 12 | ||||
| Back | 19 | 6 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 48 | ||||
| Back | 10 | 5 | 3 | 18 | 1 | 46 | ||||
| Back | 15 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 18 | ||||
| Forward | 14 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | ||||
| Forward | 14 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 15 | ||||
| Back | 13 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7 | ||||
| Back | 17 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 24 | ||||
| Forward | 13 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | ||||
| Back | 14 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 18 | ||||
| Forward | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Forward | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | ||||
| Forward | 12 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | ||||
| Forward | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | ||||
| Back | 17 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 30 | ||||
| Forward | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | ||||
| Back | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 8 | ||||
| Back | 13 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 19 | ||||
| Back | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | ||||
| Forward | 13 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | ||||
| Forward | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Back | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | ||||
| Forward | 12 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | ||||
| Back | 11 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 12 | ||||
| Back | 15 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 18 | ||||
| Forward | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Back | 7 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | ||||
| Forward | 11 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Forward | 12 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | ||||
| Back | 17 | 4 | 12 | 67 | 1 | 171 |
North Queensland: Frank Daisy, S. Bax, Michael Windeatt, Ron Clark, Rob Gallagher, M. Aguis, N. Appo, Trevor Deakin, Bob Abbott, Nick Moroko, Vern Daisy, John Kynaston, Peter Luppi (c). Reserves – Bruce Barclay, Greg Dowling. Coach – Peter Luppi
Great Britain: Peter Glynn, Eric Hughes, John Joyner, John Woods, Roy Mathias, Steve Evans, Gary Stephens, Jim Mills, David Watkinson, Brian Lockwood, Trevor Skerrett, George Nicholls, Doug Laughton (c). Reserves – Mike Smith, Mel James
----Central Queensland: Greg Rehbein, Lionel Cullen, Greg Reynolds, Michael Goode, Chris Downie, Stuart Nobbs, Geoff Cowburn, Alan Cruasaz, Gordon Reid, Terry Farrar, Jamie Mitchell, John Bidgood, Graham Horstman. Reserves – Trevor Johnson. Coach – Paul BarrettGreat Britain: Peter Glynn, Phil Hogan, Eric Hughes, Mike Smith, Roy Mathias, Roger Millward (c), Steve Nash, Mel James, Graham Liptrot, Charlie Stone, Tommy Martyn, Mick Adams, Steve Norton. Reserves – John Joyner, David Watkinson
----Wide Bay: Mike Rosin, Dean jeffries, Pat O'Brien, Doug Kelly, Duncan Campbell, Greg Sutton, Ernie Edwards (c), Brian Geary, Bill Foreman, Billy Trevor, Kim McKenna, Bryan Niebling, Butch Cox. Reserves – Greg Henry, John Curran. Coach –Great Britain: Roger Millward, Roy Mathias, Eric Hughes, John Woods, Peter Glynn, Steve Evans, Gary Stephens, Jim Mills, David Watkinson, Charlie Stone, George Nicholls, Tommy Martyn, Doug Laughton (c). Reserves – Phil Hogan
----North Coast: Garry Chapman, Steve Bartier, Lance Randall, Greg Pensini, Gary Paxton, Phil Amidy, Tony Kennedy, Tony Price, Errol Ruprecht, Gary McQuillan, Rod Pattison, David Clay, Greg Warwick. Reserves – Gary Donnelly, David Welsh. Coach –Great Britain: John Woods, Mike Smith, John Joyner, Phil Hogan, Roy Mathias, Steve Evans, Steve Nash, Mel James, Graham Liptrot, Mick Adams, Trevor Skerrett, Steve Norton (c). Reserves – Alan Redfearn, Jeff Grayshon
----Northern Division: Robert Thomas, Les Cleal, Brian Walden, Bernie Briggs, Noel Cleal, Shane Matthews, Wayne Smith, Len Reardon, Maurice Thompson, Mick Lewis, Ian Kearney, Jim Leis, Tony Dean. Reserves – Gary Whackett, Phil Coleman. Coach – Don AdamsGreat Britain: Keith Mumby, David Barends, Steve Evans, John Woods, Peter Glynn, Roger Millward (c), Gary Stephens, Mel James, David Ward, Charlie Stone, Tommy Martyn, Jeff Grayshon, Len Casey. Reserves – Eric Hughes, Mick Adams
----Queensland: Colin Scott, Brad Backer, Mark Payne, Chris Close, Ian Dauth, Alan Smith, Larry Brigginshaw, Peter Apps, Jay Hoffman, Rohan Hancock, Greg Platz (c), Bob Cock, Norm Carr. Reserves – Wally Lewis, Wayne Lindenberg. Coach – John McDonaldGreat Britain: Keith Mumby, David Barends, John Joyner, Mike Smith, Roy Mathias, John Woods, Alan Redfearn, Jim Mills, David Ward, Trevor Skerrett, George Nicholls, Doug Laughton (c), Steve Norton. Reserves – Steve Evans, Len Casey
----Toowoomba: Cec Docherty, Mike Williams, Alan Smith, Wayne Balderson, Warren Green, Mick Ryan, Greg Robison, Rohan Hancock, Joel Duke, Ian Lindenmeyer, Peter Connell, Greg Platz (c), Trevor Dunemann. Reserves – Willy Weatherall, Scott Barkla, Wayne Jensen, Murray Challinor. Coach – Jeff GillGreat Britain: Keith Mumby, David Barends, Peter Glynn, Phil Hogan, Roy Mathias, John Holmes, Steve Nash, Mel James, David Watkinson, Brian Lockwood (c), Tommy Martyn, Len Casey, Mick Adams. Reserves – Gary Stephens, Graham Liptrot, Jeff Grayshon
----Greek born Canterbury-Bankstown hooker George Peponis became just the second player to captain the Australian team despite not being born in Australia, taking over from the first player to do so, the recently retired Warrington born 1978 Kangaroo tour captain Bob Fulton.
Chris Close, Mal Meninga, Bligh Davidson, Mark Murray, Ross Strudwick, Dave Brown, John Lang, John Barber, J. McLoud, Des Morris (c), Norm Carr. Reserves – Mick Neill, Wally Lewis. Coach – Henry HollowayGreat Britain: Keith Mumby, David Barends, Steve Evans, Eric Hughes, Peter Glynn, John Holmes, Alan Redfearn (c), Mel James, Graham Liptrot, Charlie Stone, Tommy Martyn, Len Casey. Reserves – Trevor Skerrett
----Southern Division: Les Williams, Wayne Sharpe, Peter Hall, Peter Benny, Glen Fitzgibbon, Greg Martin, Les Hannah, John Burke, Connell Byrne, Ron Warren (c), Peter Jirgens, Steve Gilligan, Jim Hindmarsh. Reserves – Brad Murray, Daryl Warwick. Coach – John ArmstrongGreat Britain: Keith Mumby, David Barends, Steve Evans, Eric Hughes, Roy Mathias, Peter Glynn, Steve Nash, Mel James, David Watkinson, Brian Lockwood (c), Trevor Skerrett, George Nicholls, Len Casey. Reserves – Jeff Grayshon
----Newcastle Firsts: Jim Batey, Tony Filipuzzi, Neville Elwin, Owen Wallace, Ziggy Niszczot, Pat Smith (c), Rick Griffith, Dave Stafford, Allan Dagwell, Doug Lucas, Dave Edwards, Terry Donnelly, Peter Howlett. Reserves – Chris Lawler, Bob Everson. Coach – Allan ThomsonGreat Britain:Keith Mumby, David Barends, John Joyner, Peter Glynn, Eric Hughes, John Holmes, Gary Stephens, Charlie Stone, David Ward, Brian Lockwood (c), Jeff Grayshon, Mick Adams, Steve Norton. Reserves – Steve Nash, Len Casey
----Riverina: Robert Styles, Scott Hargrave, Anthony Wealand, Peter Rands (c), Brian Rosetto, Ernie Benton, Phil Bishop, Len Bertoldo, Larry Dimistrovsky, Brendon Lindsay, Greg Longhurst, Steve MacDonald, Ian O'Connell. Reserves – Greg Watt, Kerry Hemsley. Coach – Ron CroweGreat Britain: George Fairbairn, David Barends, Steve Evans, John Woods, Eric Hughes (c), John Holmes, Steve Nash, John Burke, David Watkinson, Trevor Skerrett, George Nicholls, Phil Hogan, Mick Adams. Reserves – Roy Mathias, Len Casey
----Great Britain: Keith Mumby, George Fairbairn, Steve Evans, Peter Glynn, Roy Mathias, Alan Redfearn (c), Gary Stephens, John Burke, David Watkinson, Charlie Stone, Graham Liptrot, Jeff Grayshon, Len Casey. Reserves – David Barends, Doug Laughton
----Western Division: John O'Connor, David Michael, Brian Johnston, Brian Godfrey, Tom Bunsworth, Steve Hall, Steve McWhirter, Ross Gibson, Col Dennis, Roger Beetson, Ross McDermott, Gary Taylor (c), Luke Rosser. Reserves – Mike Fish, Marshall Peachey. Coach – Bob WeirGreat Britain: Keith Mumby, David Barends, John Woods, Peter Glynn, Eric Hughes, David Topliss, Gary Stephens, John Burke, Graham Liptrot, Mel James, Brian Lockwood (c), Phil Hogan, Mick Adams. Reserves – Roy Mathias, David Watkinson
----New South Wales: Allan McMahon, Neville Glover, John Dorahy, Peter Mortimer, Terry Fahey, Tony Trudgett, Steve Mortimer, Bruce Starkey, Ray Brown, Ron Hilditch, Steve Kneen, Geoff Gerard, Greg Pierce (c). Reserves – Steve Morris, Greg Cook. Coach – Frank StantonGreat Britain: George Fairbairn, Eric Hughes, John Joyner, John Woods, Roy Mathias, David Topliss, Alan Redfearn, Trevor Skerrett, David Watkinson, George Nicholls (c), Jeff Grayshon, Phil Hogan, Mick Adams. Reserves – Steve Evans, David Ward
----Monaro: Sam Vucago, Ross Knox, Simon Brockwell, Peter McGrath, David Hegarty, John Ballesty (c), Mick Schell, Stan Jurd, John Purcell, Doug Cameron, Ian Freeman, Wayne Brownlie, Colin Clarke. Reserves – Mike McCarthy, David Reid. Coach – Don FurnerGreat Britain: Keith Mumby, Steve Evans, Peter Glynn, John Woods, Mike Smith, John Holmes, Gary Stephens, Jim Mills, Graham Liptrot, Charlie Stone, Brian Lockwood (c), Mick Adams, Steve Norton. Reserves –
----New Zealand Māori: Nick Wright, Toa Fepuleai, Tariana Wharekura, Dennis Williams, John Heremaia, Ray Harris, Dennis Key, Rick Muru, Murray Netzler (c), Pat Poasa, Warren Rangi, Ian Bell, Kevin Jenkinson. Reserves –, . Coach –
Great Britain: Keith Mumby, David Barends, Mike Smith, Peter Glynn, Roy Mathias, John Holmes, Gary Stephens, John Burke, Graham Liptrot, Mel James, Charlie Stone, Brian Lockwood (c), Mick Adams. Reserves –
----Northern Districts: Michael Tahu, John Heremaia, Charles Morgan, George Samuels, Kevin Fisher (c), Bill Kells, Dave Barlow, Pat Poasa, Paul Ravlich, Paddy Mathews, Warren Rangi, Trevor Bayley, Steve Dunston. Reserves – Philip Hetet, Jack Tahuri. Coach –
Great Britain: Keith Mumby, David Barends, Steve Evans, Peter Glynn, Roy Mathias, David Topliss, Alan Redfearn, John Burke, Graham Liptrot, Mel James, Brian Lockwood (c), Charlie Stone, Steve Norton. Reserves – John Woods, David Watkinson
----Central Districts: P. Truuts, P. Tippens, Paul Christensen, Gary Butler, Dick Uluave, Bill Rona, Jack Knuckey, Paul Te Ariki, Howie Tamati, Kerry White, Graeme West (c), N. Pekopo, Mike Butler. Reserves – J. Mitchell, Brent Peri. Coach –Great Britain: George Fairbairn, Eric Hughes, John Joyner, Mike Smith, Roy Mathias, John Holmes, Gary Stephens, Mel James, David Ward, Charlie Stone, Jeff Grayshon, Steve Norton (c). Reserves – John Burke
----Wellington: Warren Collicoat, Alan Brooks, Tariana Wharekura, Arlan Taylor, Mark Petersen, Nolan Tupaea, Gary Campbell, Whetu Henry, Kevin Tamati (c), Steve Brewster, Whare Henry, Tamu Tua, John Whittaker. Reserves – Wayne Rutene, James Porter, Bruce Tatnell, Lawrence Tekahiki. Coach – Clarke TarawatiGreat Britain: Keith Mumby, David Barends, Steve Evans, Mike Smith, John Woods, David Topliss, Alan Redfearn, John Burke, Graham Liptrot, Trevor Skerrett, George Nicholls (c), Len Casey, Phil Hogan. Reserves – John Joyner, David Watkinson
--------West Coast: Peter O'Neill, Stephen Low, Mike McEwen, Bernard Green, Greg Mooney, Chris Menzies, Gordon Smith, Peter Harris, John Griffin, Wayne Dwyer, Tony Coll (c), Ray Baxendale, Michael Whitehead. Reserves – Alan Atkinson. Coach –
Great Britain: George Fairbairn, David Barends, Peter Glynn, John Woods, Roy Mathias, David Topliss, Alan Redfearn, John Burke, Graham Liptrot, Mel James, Charlie Stone, Brian Lockwood (c), Phil Hogan. Reserves –
----| New Zealand | Position | Great Britain | |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Leuluai | FB | George Fairbairn | |
| Kevin Fisher | WG | Steve Evans | |
| Olsen Filipaina | CE | John Joyner | |
| Lewis Hudson | CE | Mike Smith | |
| Dane O'Hara | WG | Eric Hughes | |
| Fred Ah Kuoi (c) | FE/SO | John Holmes | |
| Shane Varley | HB/SH | Gary Stephens | |
| Mark Broadhurst | PR | Trevor Skerrett | |
| Howie Tamati | HK | David Ward | |
| Kevin Tamati | PR | George Nicholls (c) | |
| Barry Edkins | SR | Len Casey | |
| Tony Coll | SR | Jeff Grayshon | |
| Mark Graham | LK/LF | Mick Adams | |
| John Smith | Int. | John Woods | |
| Paul Ravlich | Int. | Phil Hogan | |
| Cecil Mountford | Coach | Eric Ashton |
Auckland: Gary Kemble, Toa Fepuleai, Olsen Filipaina, Ken Anderson, James Leuluai, Fred Ah Kuoi (c), Shane Varley, Wayne Robertson, Murray Netzler, Doug Gailey, Owen Wright, Alan McCarthy, Gary Prohm. Reserves – John Smith, Ian Bell. Coach – Don Hammond
Great Britain: Keith Mumby, David Barends, John Woods, Peter Glynn, Roy Mathias, David Topliss, Alan Redfearn, John Burke, David Watkinson, Mel James, Brian Lockwood (c), Charlie Stone, Phil Hogan. Reserves –
----Leading try scorer
Leading point scorer
Largest attendance
Largest non-test attendance