| 1984 Great Britain Lions tour | |
| Date: | 18 May 1984 – 5 August 1984 |
| Manager: | Dick Gemmell |
| Coach: | Frank Myler |
| Captain: | Brian Noble |
| Top Point Scorer: | Mick Burke (80) |
| Top Try Scorer: | Ellery Hanley (12) |
| Matchplayed: | 24 |
| Matchwon: | 16 |
| Matchdraw: | 0 |
| Matchlost: | 8 |
| Testplayed: | 7 |
| Testwon: | 1 |
| Testdraw: | 0 |
| Testlost: | 6 |
| Played1: | 3 |
| Won1: | 0 |
| Draw1: | 0 |
| Lost1: | 3 |
| Played2: | 3 |
| Won2: | 0 |
| Draw2: | 0 |
| Lost2: | 3 |
| Played3: | 1 |
| Won3: | 1 |
| Draw3: | 0 |
| Lost3: | 0 |
| Previous: | 1979 |
| Next: | 1988 |
The 1984 Great Britain Lions tour was the Great Britain national rugby league team's 17th tour of Australasia and took place from May to August 1984. A total of 24 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, and one Test match against Papua New Guinea.
It was the first tour since 1950 in which Great Britain lost both series against Australia and New Zealand, and the first tour ever where they failed to win a Test against either team. They did however defeat Papua New Guinea in their only Test match.
In preparation for the tour, Great Britain coach Frank Myler and tour manager Dick Gemmell invited a squad of 44 players to attend a series of training camps during the summer of 1983.[1] In February 1984, a squad of 41 players was named, which would participate in weekly training sessions at Fartown, Huddersfield. Some clubs were unhappy with being asked to release players during the middle of the season, most notably Widnes, who had 10 players selected for the training squad. Prior to the second Test match against France on 17 February 1984, Widnes refused to make their players available for the training sessions – John Basnett was the only Widnes player who attended. Myler responded by excluding the absent players from Test selection, with Basnett being the only Widnes player named thus far.[2]
Prior to the final squad for the tour being named, a number of players became unavailable for selection for various reasons. Steve Evans was unavailable due to his wedding plans in the summer, while John Woods withdrew due to "family and business commitments".[3] Peter Smith announced he would not be available due to a shoulder injury.[4] David Watkinson was also ruled out due to injury, suffering a broken leg in the first Test match against France.[5] David Hall had recently taken over a public house and asked not to be considered, while John Wood withdrew for family reasons.
A 30-man squad for the tour was selected in April 1984.[6] The squad included 18-year-old Garry Schofield, who became Great Britain's youngest ever tourist. After the squad was named, Len Casey was dropped after receiving a six-month suspension,[7] while Great Britain captain Trevor Skerrett was ruled out due to injury. Wayne Proctor and Chris Arkwright were called up as replacements, and Brian Noble was named as team captain in place of the injured Skerrett.[8] Shortly before the tour departed, Arkwright was withdrawn from the squad on medical advice because of a damaged knee, and was replaced by Terry Flanagan.[9]
| Name | Position | Club | Apps | Tests | Tries | Goals | Drop goals | Points | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward | 16 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||||
| Half-back | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||||
| Threequarter | 9 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 24 | ||||
| Forward | 11 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 28 | ||||
| Fullback | 15 | 7 | 2 | 36 | 0 | 80 | ||||
| Forward | 12 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Forward | 13 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||||
| Threequarter | 10 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 28 | ||||
| Forward | 10 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 10 | ||||
| Threequarter | 11 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | ||||
| Threequarter | 17 | 7 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 44 | ||||
| Threequarter | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Forward | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | ||||
| Threequarter | 8 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Forward | 13 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Half-back | 14 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 13 | ||||
| Half-back | 17 | 7 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 54 | ||||
| Forward | 16 | 6 | 2 | 15 | 0 | 38 | ||||
| Half-back | 10 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 13 | ||||
| Threequarter | 11 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||||
| Threequarter | 14 | 4 | 4 | 26 | 0 | 68 | ||||
| Fullback | 16 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Half-back | 10 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||||
| (c) | Forward | 14 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 24 | |||
| Forward | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Forward | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Forward | 11 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 24 | ||||
| Forward | 13 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||||
| Threequarter | 11 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 40 | ||||
| Threequarter | 11 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 24 | ||||
| Forward | 9 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
Northern Territory: Brian Doyle, Trevor Given, Scott Masterson, Brian Smith, Roy Albion, Steve Larder, Robert Harrison (c), Wayne Brown, Ray Lumby, Mick Jaeger, Noel Simmonds, Bruce McGuire, Kim Blackburn. Reserves – Dave Ryan, Phil Brown, John Adler. Coach – Ernie Wanka.
Great Britain: Keith Mumby, Des Drummond, Ronnie Duane, Ellery Hanley, Des Foy, Steve Donlan, Ray Ashton, Keith Rayne, Brian Noble (c), Andy Goodway, Mick Worrall, David Hobbs, Harry Pinner. Reserves – John Joyner, Neil Holding, Lee Crooks
----Riverina: John Maguire, Brian Dennis, Michael Rawiri, John Sellar (c), Brian Costello, Tony Trudgett, Duncan Ward, Noel Hogan, Tony Morgan, Mick Lewis, Michael Scarfone, Graham Stockton, Ron Pilon. Reserves – Cliff Lyons, Trevor Pryce. Coach – Geoff FosterGreat Britain: Mick Burke, Garry Clark, Joe Lydon, Ellery Hanley, Garry Schofield, Mike Smith, Andy Gregory, Brian Case, Kevin Beardmore, Lee Crooks, Terry Flanagan, Andy Goodway, Mick Adams (c). Reserves – Neil Holding, Chris Burton
----North Coast: Andy Mulvany, Wayne Buckley, Chris Cordner, Gary Night, Greg Davis, Rocky Laurie (c), Tony Hinton, Matt Welsh, Andrew Key, Daryl Warwick, Terry Corfe, Mark Hurrell, Glen Anderson. Reserves – Steve Foley, Jim Coombes, Richard Laurie, Maurie Kelly. Coach – Kevin HardyGreat Britain: Keith Mumby, Des Drummond, Joe Lydon, John Joyner, Garry Clark, Steve Donlan, Neil Holding, Keith Rayne, Brian Noble (c), Mike O'Neill, Wayne Proctor, Mick Worrall, Mick Adams. Reserves – Ray Ashton, David Hobbs, Chris Burton
----Western Division: Marty Gordon, Les Haynes, Mark Smith, Ray Spurr, Wilfred Williams, Steve McWhirter (c), Lee Douglas, Colin Wright, Ian Jackson, Alan McPhail, Brad Jayett, Steve Miller, Mark Horton. Reserves – Neil Moy, Ken Fisher. Coach – Ted GoodwinGreat Britain: Mick Burke, Des Drummond, Joe Lydon, Keith Mumby, Des Foy, Tony Myler, Ray Ashton, Keith Rayne, Brian Noble (c), Lee Crooks, Chris Burton, Andy Goodway, Harry Pinner. Reserves – Garry Schofield, David Hobbs
----North Sydney: Wayne Portlock, Alan Sheppard, Neigel Tait, Simon Brockwell, Andrew Simons, Wayne Lonergan, Laurie Spina, Lindsay Johnson, Phil Ritchie, Don McKinnon, Bob Cooper, Peter Cross, Graeme Jennings (c). Reserves – Stephen Casey, Chris Luckman, Errol Hillier. Coach – John HayesGreat Britain: Mick Burke, Garry Clark, Garry Schofield, Keith Mumby, Des Foy, Steve Donlan, Andy Gregory, Keith Rayne, Kevin Beardmore, Lee Crooks, David Hobbs, Andy Goodway, Mick Adams (c). Reserves – Mick Worrall, Brian Case
----Newcastle Firsts: Neville Elwin, Mark Bates, Kyle Connor, Craig Dedman, Glenn Murray, Greg Eager, Craig Higgins, Milton Burrows, Rex Wright, John Farrar, Mal Graham, Michael Pitman, Gary Martine (c). Reserves – Robert Taylor, Peter Garbutt. Coach – Terry PannowitzGreat Britain: Mick Burke, Garry Clark, Ellery Hanley, Mike Smith, John Basnett, Garry Schofield, Neil Holding, Mike O'Neill, Brian Noble (c), Lee Crooks, David Hobbs, Mick Worrall, Terry Flanagan. Reserves – Joe Lydon, Harry Pinner
----Wally Lewis won a well publicised power struggle between the NSW Rugby League and their Queensland Rugby League counterparts for the vacated Australian captaincy. NSW wanted their captain Ray Price to have the Australian captaincy as he was retiring from representative football at the end of the series. Queensland naturally went for their State of Origin captain Lewis. With the 1986 Kangaroo Tour only just over 2 years away, the Australian Rugby League settled the issue by naming Lewis as the 12th Queenslander to captain Australia.
In scene's of poor sportsmanship, some elements of the 30,190 SCG crowd actually booed Wally Lewis when he was announced as he ran onto the field. With Queensland having dominated state football during the early 1980s, their captain and Kingpin Lewis was seen as the enemy to the Sydney crowds, even when wearing the Australian team colours.
With less than 5 seconds remaining in the test, reserve Lions forward David Hobbs was sent off for a sickening hit on Australian hooker Greg Conescu. Television replays showed Conescu running from dummy half before Hobbs hit him with a raised elbow, hitting him in the mouth and resulting in the loss of some of his top teeth. Conescu was stretchered from the field and was still in the hands of the Australian team Dr. Bill Monoghan when local TV broadcaster Channel 9's Darrell Eastlake did his post match interview inside the SCG change rooms with the player of the match, new Australian captain Wally Lewis.
Hobbs had only been on the field for 8 minutes before his send-off.[10]
----Wide Bay: Gary Birmingham, Les Kiss, Paul Gorman, Mike Curran, Neville King, Jim Browning, Ray Ovens, Mike McDougall, David Gerrard, Steve Molineux, Ray Harch, Ray Berkery, Ron Slater (c). Reserves – Noel Glazier, Bill Dansey. Coach – John ReddyGreat Britain: Joe Lydon, Garry Clark, Mike Smith, Ellery Hanley, John Basnett, John Joyner (c), Andy Gregory, Mike O'Neill, Kevin Beardmore, Brian Case, Wayne Proctor, Terry Flanagan, Harry Pinner. Reserves – Tony Myler, Mick Worrall
----Central Queensland: Shane Tupaea, Warren McLaughlin, Andrew McDonald, Russell Miller, Mike Curran, Jamie Jansen, Geoff Hunt, David Day, Craig Taylor, Peter Blackadder, Steve George, Michael Anderson, Ian Brazier. Reserves – Peter Golder, Tony Hansan. Coach – Bill NosworthhyGreat Britain: Mick Burke, Des Drummond, Garry Schofield, Keith Mumby, Ellery Hanley, Tony Myler, Andy Gregory, Keith Rayne, Brian Noble (c), Andy Goodway, Wayne Proctor, Chris Burton, Mick Worrall. Reserves – Ray Ashton, Mick Adams
----North Queensland: Rod Brunker, Larry Foran, Harry Deemal, Glen Pengelly, Dale Shearer, Darryl Duncan, Robbie Price, Marshall Colwell (c), Frank Baker, Mike Smith, Paul Bleakney, Les Morrissey, Kevin Bocos. Reserves – Bob Keogh, Bruce Barclay. Coach – Will Cordwell Great Britain: Joe Lydon, Des Drummond, Ellery Hanley, Mike Smith, John Basnett, John Joyner (c), Ray Ashton, Lee Crooks, Kevin Beardmore, Brian Case, Wayne Proctor, Mike O'Neill, Harry Pinner. Reserves – Des Foy, Mick Adams----Toowoomba: Peter Gill, Steve Gibson, Greg Milne, Jeff Coutts, Bryan Tynan, Robbie Tew, Wayne Smith, Peter McKinnon, Paul Fitzgerald, Neil McCullagh, Mark Hohn, Robbert Hanna, Dan Stains. Reserves – Wayne Reis, Graham Smith. Coach – Don OxenhamGreat Britain: Steve Donlan, Garry Clark, Mike Smith, Des Foy, John Basnett, John Joyner (c), Andy Gregory, Mike O'Neill, Kevin Beardmore, Brian Case, Wayne Proctor, David Hobbs, Harry Pinner. Reserves – Ray Ashton, Mick Adams
----Mal Meninga's selection ahead of Brett Kenny and goal kicking Ross Conlon for the test at Lang Park drew criticism from south of the border in Sydney. The future Australian team captain and Rugby League Immortal wasn't in great playing or goal kicking form either for Souths Magpies in the Brisbane premiership or Queensland earlier in the season and it was generally believed that his selection was only to have another Queenslander in the Australian team in Brisbane to draw a bigger crowd.
Meninga would go on to have a strong game in the Green and Gold, scoring a second half try (for which he copped knees in the back from Chris Burton after he scored), although his goal kicking was slightly off only kicking 3/7. This saw him retained for the third Test in Sydney.
Recalled Queensland and Manly-Warringah second rower Paul Vautin copped an accidental elbow to the cheek in the 76th minute of the game from Lions replacement Mick Adams causing a fractured cheek bone. TV replays showed it to be accidental. Vautin was one of 3 tackling Adams and in bracing himself with his ball carrying right arm, Fatty coming in from the right side copped the elbow. It would see him miss 3 weeks of the Winfield Cup.
Wally Lewis was felled 3 times during the game after late tackles. In a case of mistaken identity, British front rower Keith Rayne was sent to the sin-bin for 10 minutes during the first half for an offence (late high elbow on Lewis) actually committed by Mick Adams. Rayne was also sent to the bin for 5 minutes in the 73rd minute when he caught Lewis with a late swinging arm that sparked a short-lived all-in mele. In the Australian set after that all-in, another mele was almost sparked when Lions captain Brian Noble went in for another late swinging arm on Lewis, only for his opposing captain to raise his own right elbow which caught Noble high and by surprise. Kiwi referee Ray Shrimpton was able to calm things before it got out of hand again.
Great Britain scored arguably their best try on tour in the second half. In a move started on their own 22 by Tony Myler running from dummy-half and passing the ball to Neil Holding who moved the ball on to a running Garry Schofield who got the ball outside to speedster Des Drummond. Drummond stepped inside of a tiring Vautin and then back outside to evade Lewis before passing back to a still alive Schofield. The Hull teenager then sped diagonally across the field into Australia's half evading a diving Mark Murray in the process before linking with Drummond back on the inside as fullback Garry Jack loomed. Shadowed by Kerry Boustead, Drummond then got the ball back to Andy Goodway in support who managed to get the ball to a flying Schofield as Jack took him down by the legs. Holding off a Boustead's last-ditch effort over the last 3 metres, Scofield scored his second try of the series in the corner.[11]
----Northern Rivers: Peter O'Neill, Dale Miles, Alan Howie, Mick Ryan, Gerry O'Neill, Troy Hughes, Tony Kennedy, Ron Ferris, Jay Clarke (c), Kel Judd, Scott Dorrough, Mark Brokenshire, Shane Miles. Reserves – David Hall. Coach – Stan DamroGreat Britain: Joe Lydon, Des Drummond, Garry Schofield, Mike Smith (c), Garry Clark, Steve Donlan, Andy Gregory, Mike O'Neill, Kevin Beardmore, Brian Case, Wayne Proctor, David Hobbs, Harry Pinner. Reserves – Des Foy, Mick Worrall
----Northern Division: Greg Donnelly, Miles Archdale, Mick McCann, John Lennan (c), Robert Brady, Kevin Hill, Robbie McCormack, Merv Haywood, Brad Frazer, Ross Whitaker, Jack Thompson, Geoff Carr, Greg McCormack. Reserves – Joe Craigie, Arthur Earl. Coach – Jim CoxGreat Britain: Joe Lydon, Des Drummond, Ellery Hanley, Mike Smith, Garry Clark, Tony Myler, Ray Ashton, Keith Rayne, Kevin Beardmore, Brian Case, David Hobbs, Mike O'Neill, Mick Adams (c). Reserves – Neil Holding, Wayne Proctor
----Northern Districts: George Huriwai, Shane Horo, George Baker, Terry Rapana, Chris Curtis, Russell Stewart, Neville Ramsey, Pat Poasa, Terrance Perihi, James Toa, Tom Murray, Darren Harris, Rusty Campbell. Reserves – Glenn Donaldson, Dick Smeath. Coach – Laurie Stubbing
Great Britain: Keith Mumby, Garry Clark, Mike Smith, John Joyner (c), John Basnett, Steve Donlan, Andy Gregory, David Hobbs, Kevin Beardmore, Keith Rayne, Wayne Proctor, Mike O'Neill, Mick Adams. Reserves – Garry Schofield, Brian Case
----Great Britain: Keith Mumby, Des Drummond, Joe Lydon, Des Foy, John Basnett, John Joyner (c), Andy Gregory, Keith Rayne, Kevin Beardmore,Lee Crooks, Wayne Proctor, Mike O'Neill, Terry Flanagan. Reserves – Ellery Hanley, Chris Burton
----Central Districts: Dale Miritana, Willie Tangira, George Lajpold, Lou Kapa, Wayne Rutene, Lance Pupuke, Gerard Katene, Rodney Rasmussen (c), Mike Kuiti, Whare Henry, Bruce Harvey, Sam Stewart, Chappie Pine. Reserves – Dick Uluave, Alan Jackson. Coach –Great Britain: Mick Burke, Garry Clark, Steve Donlan, Mike Smith, John Basnett, Tony Myler, Andy Gregory, Keith Rayne, Brian Noble (c), Mike O'Neill, Terry Flanagan, Brian Case, John Joyner. Reserves – Joe Lydon
----Great Britain: Keith Mumby, Garry Clark, Ellery Hanley, John Joyner (c), John Basnett, Steve Donlan, Neil Holding, David Hobbs, Kevin Beardmore, Lee Crooks, Chris Burton, Mike O'Neill, Terry Flanagan. Reserves – Mick Burke, Mick Adams
----Great Britain: Mick Burke, Des Drummond, Ellery Hanley, Keith Mumby, John Basnett, Steve Donlan, Andy Gregory, Keith Rayne, Brian Noble (c), Andy Goodway, David Hobbs, Wayne Proctor, Terry Flanagan. Reserves – Mike Smith
| Papua New Guinea | Position | Great Britain | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathias Kitimun | FB | Mick Burke | |
| N. Karai | WG | Des Drummond | |
| David Noifa | CE | Ellery Hanley | |
| Bal Numapo | CE | Keith Mumby | |
| Bob Tolik | WG | Joe Lydon | |
| Gessau Gebob | FE/SO | Tony Myler | |
| Poka Kila | HB/SH | Andy Gregory | |
| Joe Tep (c) | PR | Keith Rayne | |
| F. Asorifa | HK | Brian Noble (c) | |
| Robert Jakis | PR | Andy Goodway | |
| Robert Kubak | SR | Terry Flanagan | |
| Roy Loitive | SR | David Hobbs | |
| Arebo Taumaku | LK/LF | Mick Adams | |
| Jimmy Peter | Int. | Steve Donlan | |
| Pora Wek | Int. | Wayne Proctor | |
| ?? | Coach | Frank Myler |
Leading try scorer
Leading point scorer
Largest attendance
Largest non-test attendance