1956–57 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France

1956–57 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France
ManagerClarrie Fahy
Cyril Connell Sr.
Tour captain(s)Ken Kearney
Top point scorer(s)Gordon Clifford 94
Top try scorer(s)Ian Moir 13
Top test point scorer(s)Gordon Clifford 22
Top test try scorer(s)Keith Holman 4
Summary
P W D L
Total
28 18 01 09
Test match
06 04 00 02
Opponent
P W D L
 Great Britain
3 1 0 2
 France
3 3 0 0
Tour chronology
Previous tour1952-53
Next tour1959-60

The 1956–57 Kangaroo tour was the ninth Kangaroo tour, in which the Australian national rugby league team travelled to Great Britain and France and played twenty-eight matches, including the Ashes series of three Test matches against Great Britain and three Test matches against the French. It followed the tour of 1952-53 and the next was staged in 1959-60.

The squad's leadership

The team was captained by Ken Kearney with Clive Churchill as vice-captain. Tour co-managers were Clarrie Fahy and Cyril Connell Sr. The latter's son, Cyril Connell Jr. was a playing member of the touring party.[1]
In the three matches in which neither Kearney nor Churchill played, the Kangaroos were captained by Cyril Connell Jr.

Touring squad

The Rugby League News published a photo and details of the touring team including the players' ages and weights.[2] Various newspapers published the names of the touring squad when it was selected in September 1956.[1]
Match details - listing surnames of both teams and the point scorers - were included in E.E. Christensen's Official Rugby League Yearbook, as was a summary of the players' point-scoring.[3]
Banks, Connell, Davies, Doyle, Flannery, Furner, McGovern, Payne, Tyquin and Watson were selected from Queensland clubs. Adams and Marsh were selected from clubs in New South Wales Country areas. The balance of the squad had played for Sydney-based clubs during the 1956 season.

Player Position Age Weight Club Tests
on
Tour 		Games Tries Goals FG Points
Clive Churchill Fullback 29 11.0 (70) South Sydney 2 15 0 10 3 26
Gordon Clifford Fullback 26 12.0 (76) Newtown 4 12 2 43 1 94
Denis Flannery Wing 27 12.10 (81) Ipswich Brothers 5 16 12 0 0 36
Don Adams Wing 22 12.6 (79) Newcastle 2 15 11 0 0 33
Des McGovern Wing 28 13.3 (84) Toowoomba All Whites 3 9 6 0 0 18
Ian Moir Wing 24 11.4 (72) South Sydney 2 16 13 0 0 39
Alex Watson Centre 23 13.10 (87) Brisbane Western Suburbs 5 18 1 0 0 3
Dick Poole Centre 25 13.2 (83) Newtown 6 17 7 0 0 21
Kevin O'Brien Centre 24 12.12 (82) St George 0 11 6 0 0 18
Tom Payne Centre 21 12.6 (79) Toowoomba All Whites 1 13 3 0 0 9
Bob Banks Five-eighth 26 12.6 (79) North Rockhampton 6 18 5 0 1 17
Ian Johnston Five-eighth 29 12.8 (80) Western Suburbs 0 9 7 0 0 21
Keith Holman Halfback 28 11.9 (74) Western Suburbs 6 17 10 5 0 40
Cyril Connell Jr. Halfback 26 10.10 (68) North Rockhampton 0 14 10 17 0 64
Ian Doyle Lock 24 13.1 (83) Toowoomba All Whites 4 16 2 0 0 6
Tom Tyquin Lock 23 14.4 (91) South Brisbane 3 16 2 0 0 6
Norm Provan Second-row 24 15.6 (98) St George 3 15 3 0 0 9
Kel O'Shea Second-row 23 15.4 (97) Western Suburbs 6 14 2 0 0 6
Bernie Purcell Second-row 28 13.10 (87) South Sydney 0 7 0 12 0 24
Don Furner Second-row 23 14.7 (92) Toowoomba Souths 1 11 0 3 0 6
Brian Davies Prop 26 14.10 (93) Brisbane Brothers 3 12 5 1 0 17
Roy Bull Prop 26 15.5 (98) Manly-Warringah 6 21 2 0 0 6
Bryan Orrock Prop 25 15.7 (98) St George 2 5 0 0 0 0
Bill Marsh Prop 27 14.12 (94) Cootamundra 2 17 5 0 0 15
Ken Kearney Hooker 32 13.7 (86) St George 6 19 2 1 0 8
Ernest Hammerton Hooker 29 11.11 (75) South Sydney 0 11 0 0 0 0

Test Venues

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

Wigan Bradford Swinton
Central Park Odsal Stadium Station Road
Capacity: 48,000 Capacity: 60,000 Capacity: 40,000

Match Results

The tour began in Great Britain with a series a matches, but the first Test Match of the tour was played against France in Paris. The tourists returned to Great Britain for more matches against English clubs and a three Test Match series against Great Britain. The team then returned to France to play a Second and Third Test against France (the fifth and sixth Tests of the tour), plus matches against club and other representative teams.

October 10 Liverpool 12–40 Australia Knotty Ash, Liverpool
3.00pm
 Tries: 2
Greenhough
Hunt
Goals: 3
Wood (3) 		Tries: 10
Don Adams (4)
Denis Flannery (3)
Kel O'Shea
Keith Holman
Bob Banks
Goals: 4
Clive Churchill (3)
Brian Davies
Field Goals: 1
Clive Churchill
Attendance: 4,712
Gate: £ 595
Referee: C.F. Appleton
October 13 Leeds 18–13 Australia Headingley, Leeds
3.00pm
 Tries: 4
McLellan
Robinson
Pratt
Prior
Goals: 3
Dunn (3) 		Tries: 3
Ian Moir (2)
Keith Holman
Goals: 2
Gordon Clifford (2)
Attendance: 24,459
Gate: £ 3,483
Referee: R. Gelder
October 15 Hull F.C. / Hull Kingston Rovers XIII 14–37 Australia Boothferry Park, Hull
7.15pm
 Tries: 2
Gittoes
Coulson
Goals: 4
Buckle (4) 		[4]
Tries: 9
Brian Davies (2)
Ian Moir (2)
Dick Poole (2)
Denis Flannery
Roy Bull
Cyril Connell Jr.
Goals: 4
Don Furner (3)
Clive Churchill
Field goals: 1
Clive Churchill
Attendance: 17,172
Gate: £ 2,680
Referee: M. Coates
October 18 Barrow 11–25 Australia Craven Park, Barrow-In-Furness
3.30pm
 Tries: 3
Lewthwaite (2)
Castle
Goals: 1
Ball 		[5]
Tries: 5
Bob Banks
Don Adams
Bill Marsh
Dick Poole
Keith Holman
Goals: 4
Bernie Purcell (4)
Field goals: 1
Clive Churchill
Attendance: 9,988
Gate: £ 1,102
Referee: E. Clay
October 20 Whitehaven 14–11 Australia Whitehaven
3.00pm
 Tries: 2
Tembey
Smith
Goals: 4
McKeown (4) 		[6][7]
Tries: 3
Bill Marsh
Denis Flannery
Cyril Connell Jr.
Goals: 1
Clive Churchill
Attendance: 10,840
Gate: £ 1,253
Referee: R. Thomas
October 24 Bradford Northern 11–23 Australia Odsal Stadium, Bradford
7.30pm
 Tries: 3
Davies (3)
Goals: 1
Seddon 		[8]
Tries: 5
Des McGovern (2)
Gordon Clifford
Bill Marsh
Cyril Connell Jr.
Goals: 4
Gordon Clifford (4)
Attendance: 2,743
Gate: £ 451
Referee: N.T. Railton
October 27 Warrington 21–17 Australia Wilderspool, Warrington
3.00pm
 Tries: 5
Challinor (2)
Gilfidder (2)
Horton
Goals: 3
Bath (3) 		[9]
Tries: 3
Dick Poole (2)
Denis Flannery
Goals: 4
Bernie Purcell (4)
Attendance: 15,613
Gate: £ 2,163
Referee: G. Scott
October 29 Rugby League XIII 15–19 Australia Kirkhall Lane, Leigh
7.30pm
 Tries: 3
Shar
Pitchford
Bolton
Goals: 3
Jones (3) 		[10][11]
Tries: 3
Des McGovern (2)
Tom Tyquin
Goals: 5
Gordon Clifford (5)
Attendance: 7,811
Gate: £ 1,127
Referee: N.T. Railton

1st Test vs France

November 1
 France 8–15 Australia 
Tries: 2
Augustin Parent
Jacky Merquey
Goals: 1
Andre Audy 		[12][13][14]
 Tries: 3
Keith Holman (2)
Des McGovern
Goals: 3
Clive Churchill (2)
Keith Holman
Parc de Princes, Paris
Attendance: 10,789
Gate: Fr 4,181,400
Referee: P. Ribas
France Position Australia
Andre Audy FB Clive Churchill
Maurice Voron WG Denis Flannery
Roger Rey CE Dick Poole
Jacky Merquey (c) CE Alex Watson
Andre Savonne WG Des McGovern
Auguste Ambert SO Bob Banks
Guy Lucia SH Keith Holman
François Rinaldi PR Roy Bull
Antranik Apelian HK Ken Kearney (c)
François Montrucolis PR Brian Davies
Robert Medus SR Bill Tyquin
Augustin Parent SR Norm Provan
Jean Rouqueirol LF Kel O'Shea
November 3 York 18–20 Australia York
3.00pm
 Tries: 4
Smith
Webster
Foster
Deighton
Goals: 3
Yorke (3) 		[15]
Tries: 4
Ian Johnston (2)
Brian Davies
Kevin O'Brien
Goals: 4
Bernie Purcell (4)
Attendance: 6,842
Gate: £ 897
Referee: A. Howgate
November 7 Oldham 21–2 Australia Watersheddings, Oldham
3.00pm
 Tries: 3
Pitchford
Etty
Turner
Goals: 6
Ganley (6) 		Tries: nil
Goals: 1
Cyril Connell Jr.
Attendance: 8,458
Gate: £ 1,268
Referee: T. Watkinson
November 10 Huddersfield 10–20 Australia Fartown, Huddersfield
3.00pm
 Tries: 2
Fairbank
Sullivan
Goals: 2
Dyson (2) 		[16]
Tries: 4
Brian Davies
Ian Moir
Tom Tyquin
Don Adams
Goals: 4
Gordon Clifford (4)
Attendance: 12,127
Gate: £ 1,699
Referee: A.E. Durkin

1st Test vs Great Britain

November 17
2.30pm
 Great Britain 21–10 Australia 
Tries: 5
Billy Boston (2)
Jack Grundy
Alan Davies
Mick Sullivan
Goals: 3
Frank Mortimer (3) 		[17][18]
 Tries: 2
Ian Moir
Dick Poole
Goals: 2
Keith Holman (2)
Central Park, Wigan
Attendance: 22,473
Gate: £ 4,844
Referee: N.T. Railton
Great Britain Position Australia
Frank Mortimer FB Clive Churchill
Billy Boston WG Ian Moir
Phil Jackson CE Dick Poole
Alan Davies CE Alex Watson
Mick Sullivan WG Don Adams
Raymond Price SO Bob Banks
Jeff Stevenson SH Keith Holman
Alan Prescott (c) PR Brian Davies
Tommy Harris HK Ken Kearney (c)
Brian Shaw PR Roy Bull
Jack Grundy SR Bill Tyquin
Don Robinson SR Bill Marsh
Edgar Dawson LF Kel O'Shea
November 21 Hunslet 11–27 Australia Parkside, Hunslet
2.30pm
 Tries: 1
Burnell
Goals: 4
Langton (4) 		[19]
Tries: 5
Cyril Connell Jr. (2)
Kevin O'Brien
Denis Flannery
Kel O'Shea
Goals: 6
Gordon Clifford (6)
Attendance: 4,451
Gate: £ 400
Referee: G. Wilson
November 24 St Helens 44–2 Australia Knowsley Road, St Helens
2.30pm
 Tries: 10
Llewellyn (2)
Gaskell
McCabe
Silcock
Karalius
Rhodes
Dickinson
Terry
Prescott
Goals: 7
Rhodes (7) 		[20]
Tries: nil
Goals: 1
Gordon Clifford
Attendance: 15,579
Gate: £ 1,931
Referee: F. Smith

2nd Test vs Great Britain

December 1
2.30pm
 Great Britain 9–22 Australia 
Tries: 1
Jeff Stevenson
Goals: 3
Frank Mortimer (3) 		[21][22][23]
 Tries: 4
Keith Holman
Bob Banks
Brian Davies
Roy Bull
Goals: 5
Gordon Clifford (5)
Odsal Stadium, Bradford
Attendance: 23,634
Gate: £ 4,174
Referee: M. Coates
Great Britain Position Australia
Frank Mortimer FB Gordon Clifford
Billy Boston WG Denis Flannery
Phil Jackson CE Alex Watson
Alan Davies CE Dick Poole
Mick Sullivan WG Des McGovern
Raymond Price SO Bob Banks
Jeff Stevenson SH Keith Holman
Alan Prescott (c) PR Brian Davies
Tommy Harris HK Ken Kearney (c)
Brian Shaw PR Roy Bull
Jack Grundy SR Kel O'Shea
Don Robinson SR Don Furner
Derek Turner LF Ian Doyle
December 5 Halifax 6–3 Australia Thrum Hall, Halifax
2.30pm
 Tries: nil
Goals: 3
Owen (3) 		Tries: 1
Ian Moir
Goals: nil
Attendance: 2,254
Gate: £ 280
Referee: J. Clapham
December 8 Wigan 4–32 Australia Central Park, Wigan
2.30pm
 Tries: nil
Goals: 2
Ashton (2) 		Tries: 6
Ian Doyle (2)
Des McGovern
Alex Watson
Denis Flannery
Keith Holman
Goals: 7
Gordon Clifford (7)
Attendance: 15,854
Gate: £ 2,032
Referee: H. Harrison
December 10 Wakefield Trinity 17–12 Australia Belle Vue, Wakefield
2.30pm
 Tries: 3
Hirst
Rollin
Bullock
Goals: 4
Fox (4) 		Tries: 2
Ian Johnston
Cyril Connell Jr.
Goals: 3
Clive Churchill (3)
Attendance: 3,381
Gate: £ 309
Referee: G. Philpott

3rd Test vs Great Britain

December 15
2.30pm
 Great Britain 19–0 Australia 
Tries: 5
Sid Little
Derek Turner
Geoff Gunney
Mick Sullivan
Billy Boston
Goals: 2
Alan Davies (2) 		[24][25]
 Tries: nil
Goals: nil
Station Road, Swinton, Manchester
Attendance: 17,542
Gate: £ 4,224
Referee: F. Gelder
Great Britain Position Australia
Glyn Moses FB Gordon Clifford
Billy Boston WG Denis Flannery
Phil Jackson CE Dick Poole
Alan Davies CE Alex Watson
Mick Sullivan WG Des McGovern
Raymond Price SO Bob Banks
Jeff Stevenson SH Keith Holman
Alan Prescott (c) PR Bryan Orrock
Tommy Harris HK Ken Kearney (c)
Sid Little PR Roy Bull
Jack Grundy SR Bill Tyquin
Geoff Gunney SR Kel O'Shea
Derek Turner LF Ian Doyle
December 18 French Army 11–11 Australia Limoges
Tries: 1
Alberti
Goals: 4
Giriat (4) 		Tries: 3
Don Adams
Kevin O'Brien
Ian Johnston
Goals: 1
Cyril Connell Jr.
Attendance: 3,153
December 20 Albi 20–25 Australia Albi
Tries: 4
Verdier
Bessieres
Tounos
Berthomieu
Goals: 4
Galaup (4) 		[26]
Tries: 5
Cyril Connell Jr. (2)
Bob Banks (2)
Ian Moir
Goals: 5
Cyril Connell Jr. (5)
Attendance: 3,789

2nd Test vs France

December 23
 France 6–10 Australia 
Tries: nil


Goals: 3
Gilbert Benausse (2)
Andre Audy 		[27][28]
 Tries: 2
Denis Flannery
Keith Holman
Goals: 1
Gordon Clifford
Field goals: 1
Gordon Clifford
Bordeaux
Attendance: 11,379
Gate: Fr 4,150,000
Referee: P. Ribas
France Position Australia
Andre Audy FB Gordon Clifford
Maurice Voron WG Denis Flannery
Roger Rey CE Alex Watson
Antoine Jiminez CE Dick Poole
Andre Ducasse WG Don Adams
Gilbert Benausse SO Bob Banks
Jean Dop SH Keith Holman
Angélo Boldini PR Bryan Orrock
Antranik Apelian HK Ken Kearney (c)
Guy Berthomieu (c) PR Roy Bull
Gilbert Verdié SR Kel O'Shea
Armand Save SR Norm Provan
Christian Duple LF Ian Doyle
December 26 Carcassonne 12–26 Australia Carcassonne
Tries: 2
Marty
Husson
Goals: 3
Marty (3) 		Tries: 6
Denis Flannery (3)
Ian Johnston
Keith Holman
Cyril Connell Jr.
Goals: 4
Cyril Connell Jr. (4)
Attendance: 3,493
Gate: Fr 922,200
December 31 Catalan 14–20 Australia Perpignan
Tries: nil
Goals: 6
Puig Aubert (6)
Field Goals: 1
Puig Aubert 		[29]
Tries: 4
Ian Moir (2)
Gordon Clifford
Tom Payne
Goals: 4
Gordon Clifford (4)
Attendance: 7,900
Gate: Fr 2,493,550
Referee: M. Roudine

3rd Test vs France

January 3
3.00pm
 France 21–25 Australia 
Tries: 5
Andre Savonne (2)
Jean Nerorezoff
Jacques Fabre
Jacky Merquey

Goals: 3
André Rives (3) 		[30]
 Tries: 5
Dick Poole
Ian Moir
Ken Kearney
Tom Payne
Norm Provan
Goals: 4
Gordon Clifford (4)
Field Goals:
Bob Banks
Lyon
Attendance: 5,743
Gate: Fr 1,580,150
Referee: J. Banneau
France Position Australia
André Rives FB Gordon Clifford
Andre Savonne WG Denis Flannery
Antoine Jiminez CE Tom Payne
Roger Rey CE Dick Poole
Jean Nedorezoff WG Ian Moir
Jacky Merquey (c) SO Bob Banks
Claude Teisseire SH Keith Holman
Henri Delhoste PR Bill Marsh
Louis Michel HK Ken Kearney (c)
Jacques Fabre PR Roy Bull
Guy Berthomieu SR Norm Provan
Augustin Parent SR Kel O'Shea
Christian Duple LF Ian Doyle
January 6 Avignon 11–38 Australia Avignon
3.00pm
 Tries: 1
Savonne
Goals: 4
Pascal (4) 		Tries: 10
Don Adams (2)
Ian Moir (2)
Ian Johnston (2)
Norm Provan (2)
Cyril Connell Jr.
Bill Marsh
Goals: 4
Cyril Connell Jr. (4)
Attendance: 5,061
Gate: Fr 937,100
Referee: M. Casson
January 10 Marseille 7–37 Australia Marseille
3.00pm
 Tries: 1
Carmouze
Goals: 2
Andre (2) 		Tries: 9
Kevin O'Brien (3)
Don Adams (2)
Bill Marsh
Tom Payne
Ken Kearney
Keith Holman
Goals: 5
Cyril Connell Jr. (2)
Keith Holman (2)
Ken Kearney
Attendance: 2,938
Gate: Fr 2,420,350

References

  1. ^ a b "Connell And Banks Gain Selection In Kangaroos". The Central Queensland Herald. Rockhampton: National Library of Australia. 13 Sep 1956. p. 18. Retrieved 3 Jan 2022.
  2. ^ New South Wales Rugby Football League. (1 October 1956). "Australia's 1956-57 Kangaroos". The Rugby League News. 37 (29). Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League. nla.obj-756032832. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022 – via Trove.
  3. ^ E.E.Christensen (1957). "The 1956-57 Kangaroos". E.E. Christensen's Official Rugby League Yearbook. 11. Sydney: E.E.Christensen.
  4. ^ "Brillian Football by Kangaroos". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 17 Oct 1956. p. 16. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022.
  5. ^ "Strong Barrow Side To Meet Kangaroos". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 18 Oct 1956. p. 20. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022.
  6. ^ "Missed Chances Rob Kangaroos of Win". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 27 Oct 1956. p. 8. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022.
  7. ^ "Poor Kicking Leads To Kangaroos' Defeat". The Central Queensland Herald. Rockhampton: National Library of Australia. 25 Oct 1956. p. 18. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022.
  8. ^ New South Wales Rugby Football League. (1 December 1956). "Kangaroos' Rally Won At Odsal". The Rugby League News. 37 (31). Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League. nla.obj-756066917. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022 – via Trove.
  9. ^ "Warrington Beat Kangaroos 21-17". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 29 Oct 1956. p. 10. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022.
  10. ^ Longworth, Tom (1 December 1956). "Kanga's Floodlit Win - Australians Turned on the Heat". The Rugby League News. 37 (31). Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League. nla.obj-756067861. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022 – via Trove.
  11. ^ "Kangaroos Great In 19-15 Win". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 31 Oct 1956. p. 16. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022.
  12. ^ First Test - France v Australia
  13. ^ Black, Tiger (1 December 1956). "Holman Starred in Paris test". The Rugby League News. 37 (31). Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League. nla.obj-756067007. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022 – via Trove.
  14. ^ "Kangaroos Win 15-8 in France". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 3 Nov 1956. p. 16. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022.
  15. ^ "Kangaroos Defeat York 20-18 in Epic Struggle". The Central Queensland Herald. Rockhampton: National Library of Australia. 8 Nov 1956. p. 18. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022.
  16. ^ "Kangaroos Take Heart From Huddersfield Win". The Central Queensland Herald. Rockhampton: National Library of Australia. 15 Nov 1956. p. 18. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022.
  17. ^ First Test - Great Britain v Australia
  18. ^ Black, Tiger (1 December 1956). "Forward Failed in Wigan Test". The Rugby League News. 37 (31). Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League. nla.obj-756067197. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022 – via Trove.
  19. ^ "Kangaroos' 27-11 Win". The Central Queensland Herald. Rockhampton: National Library of Australia. 29 Nov 1956. p. 18. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022.
  20. ^ "Kangaroos Suffer Worst Defeat". The Central Queensland Herald. Rockhampton: National Library of Australia. 29 Nov 1956. p. 18. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022.
  21. ^ Second Test - Great Britain v Australia
  22. ^ Black, Tiger (1 January 1957). "Test Win - Shock to England". The Rugby League News. 37 (32). Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League. nla.obj-756095561. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022 – via Trove.
  23. ^ "Kangaroos Shock England In 22-9 Test Win". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 3 Dec 1956. p. 9. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022.
  24. ^ Third Test - Great Britain v Australia
  25. ^ "Kangaroos Thrashed By England In Third Test Match". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 17 Dec 1956. p. 12. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022.
  26. ^ "Kangaroos Shine On Firm Ground". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 27 Dec 1956. p. 8. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022.
  27. ^ Second Test - France v Australia
  28. ^ "Kangaroos Beat France In Fine Display". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 25 Dec 1956. p. 12. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022.
  29. ^ "Kangaroos Win Wild Match". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 3 Jan 1957. p. 12. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022.
  30. ^ Third Test - France v Australia