1948 New Zealand rugby league tour of Australia

1948 New Zealand rugby league tour of Australia
ManagerVic Simpson
Bill Swift
Tour captain(s)Patrick Smith
Top point scorer(s)Warwick Clarke 42
Top try scorer(s)Dave Redmond 3
Top test point scorer(s)Warwick Clarke 16
Top test try scorer(s)Dave Redmond 2
Summary
P W D L
Total
08 06 00 02
Test match
02 01 00 01
Opponent
P W D L
 Australia
2 1 0 1
Tour chronology
Previous tour1938 by to
1946 by
1947-48 to
Next tour1949 by to
1950 by
1952 by

The 1948 New Zealand rugby league tour of Australia was the fourteenth tour by New Zealand's national rugby league team, and the eleventh tour to visit Australia. The eight-match tour included two Test Matches, which were the first played by New Zealand in Australia since 1909.
Captained by Pat Smith, the Kiwis returned home having won six and lost two of their games. The team won the first test match of the tour but lost the second.

Squad

Player Pos. Age[1] Weight Province Tests
on
Tour 		Games Tries Goals FG Points
Doug Anderson Centre 21 11 st. 8 lb. (73 kg) Auckland 0 4 1 0 0 3
Bob Aynsley Hooker 26 13 st. 2 lb. (83 kg) West Coast 0 3 0 0 0 0
Des Barchard Halfback 25 12 st. 2 lb. (77 kg) Auckland 2 5 2 0 0 6
Vic Belsham Five-eighth 22 10 st. 8 lb. (67 kg) Auckland 0 4 0 0 0 0
Warwick Clarke Fullback 28 11 st. 4 lb. (72 kg) Auckland 2 6 0 21 0 42
Rex Cunningham Halfback 25 11 st. 5 lb. (72 kg) Auckland 1 5 1 0 0 3
Joe Duke Second-row 30 13 st. 6 lb. (85 kg) Canterbury 0 4 1 0 0 3
Jack Forrest Wing 24 12 st. 9 lb. (80 kg) West Coast 2 4 1 0 0 3
Abby Graham Five-eighth 28 11 st. 2 lb. (71 kg) Auckland 2 6 2 0 0 6
Albert Hambleton Prop 23 14 st. 4 lb. (91 kg) South Auckland 2 5 2 0 0 6
Travers Hardwick Lock 26 13 st. 2 lb. (83 kg) Auckland 2 6 0 0 0 0
Sandy Hurndell Second-row 21 14 st. 10 lb. (93 kg) Auckland 2 6 1 0 0 3
Joffe Johnson Prop 30 15 st. 0 lb. (95 kg) Auckland 0 4 0 0 0 0
Allen Laird Lock 24 12 st. 8 lb. (80 kg) Auckland 0 3 2 0 0 6
Charlie McBride Second-row 23 13 st. 2 lb. (83 kg) West Coast 2 7 2 0 0 6
Bill McKenzie Wing 23 12 st. 7 lb. (79 kg) Canterbury 0 3 0 0 0 0
John Newton Prop 27 14 st. 12 lb. (94 kg) West Coast 2 4 1 0 0 3
Dave Redmond Wing 24 12 st. 4 lb. (78 kg) Auckland 2 6 3 0 0 9
Maurie Rich Fullback 23 12 st. 8 lb. (80 kg) Auckland 0 4 0 8 0 16
Maurie Robertson Centre 22 11 st. 10 lb. (74 kg) Auckland 2 6 0 0 0 0
Patrick Smith Hooker 32 14 st. 10 lb. (93 kg) Canterbury 2 6 0 0 0 0
Allan Wiles Centre 27 12 st. 4 lb. (78 kg) Auckland 1 3 1 0 0 3

Ken Mountford, who was initially selected in the touring party, withdrew due to injury and was replaced by Allen Laird.[2]
The touring squad were the first rugby league team to fly to Australia.[3]
The Rugby League News published pen portraits of the tourists: backs, forwards and the co-managers.

Tour

May 22 New South Wales 23–17 New Zealand Sydney Cricket Ground
Tries: 5
Len Smith
Norm Jacobson
Eddie Tracey
Johnny Graves
Les Cowie
Goals: 4
Keith Froome (4) 		Program
Report[4]
Tries: 3
Jack Forrest
Allen Laird
John Newton
Goals: 4
Warwick Clarke (4)
Attendance: 43,505
Referee: George Bishop
Team list:

New South Wales: FB: Noel Pidding (21) ( St George), WG: Norm Jacobson (28) ( Newtown), CE: Len Smith (28) ( Newtown), CE: Eddie Tracey (24) ( Canterbury), WG: Johnny Graves (20) ( South Sydney), FE: Wally O'Connell (25) ( Easts), HB: Keith Froome (26) ( Newtown), LK: Les Cowie (22) ( South Sydney), SR: Fred De Belin (26) ( Balmain), SR: Jack Rayner (26) ( South Sydney), PR: Frank Farrell (30) ( Newtown), HK: Kevin Schubert (20) ( Wollongong), PR: Jack Holland (24) ( St George).
New Zealand FB: Warwick Clarke, WG: Jack Forrest, CE: Allan Wiles, CE: Maurie Robertson, WG: Bill McKenzie, FE: Abby Graham, HB: Rex Cunningham, LK: Allen Laird, SR: John Newton, SR: Charlie McBride, PR: Sandy Hurndell, HK: Patrick Smith, PR: Joffe Johnson.

May 23 Combined Country 16–30 New Zealand Wollongong Showground
Tries: 4
Bobby Dimond
Bill Burgess
Johnny Hawke
Ron Rowles
Goals: 2
Fred Chew (2) 		Article[5]
Report[6][7]
Report
Tries: 6
Albert Hambleton (2)
Des Barchard (2)
Charlie McBride
Joe Duke
Goals: 6
Maurie Rich (6)
Attendance: 10,000
Gate: AU£ 1,069
Referee: M. Ibbotson
Team list:

NSW Country PR: Ron Mann ( Western Suburbs), HK: Ted Dawson ( Waratah Mayfield), PR: Alf Gibbs ( South Newcastle), SR: Bill Burgess ( Waratah Mayfield), SR: Don Stait ( Portland), LK: Billy Edwards ( Harden), HB: Jim Scoular ( Lakes United), FE: Johnny Hawke ( Canberra), WG: Bobby Dimond ( Dapto), CE: Bill Halvorsen ( Cessnock), CE: Ned Andrews ( South Newcastle), WG: Ron Rowles ( C.B.C.), FB: Fred Chew ( Parkes).
New Zealand FB: Maurie Rich, WG: Dave Redmond, CE: Abby Graham, CE: Maurie Robertson, WG: Doug Anderson, FE: Vic Belsham, HB: Des Barchard, LK: Travers Hardwick, SR: Charlie McBride, SR: Albert Hambleton, PR: Joe Duke, HK: Bob Aynsley, PR: Patrick Smith.

1st Test

May 29
Australia  19–21  New Zealand
Tries: 1
Jack Rayner
Goals: 8
Johnny Graves (5)
Keith Froome (3) 		Program
Report[8]
Database
 Tries: 3
Dave Redmond (2)
Charlie McBride
Goals: 6
Warwick Clarke (6)
Sydney Cricket Ground
Attendance: 55,866
Referee: T. McMahon Jnr
Team list:

Australia FB: Noel Pidding (age 21) ( St George), WG: Pat McMahon (21) (Toowoomba), CE: Len Smith (28) ( Newtown), CE: Len Pegg (25) ( Souths), WG: Johnny Graves (20) ( South Sydney), FE: Wally O'Connell (25) ( Easts), HB: Keith Froome (26) ( Newtown), LK: Ignatius Tyquin (27) ( Souths), SR: Fred De Belin (26) ( Balmain), SR: Jack Rayner (26) ( South Sydney), PR: Frank Farrell (30) ( Newtown), HK: Kevin Schubert (20) ( Wollongong), PR: Eddie Brosnan (27) ( Brothers).
New Zealand FB: Warwick Clarke, WG: Jack Forrest, CE: Maurie Robertson, CE: Allan Wiles, WG: Dave Redmond, FE: Abby Graham, HB: Des Barchard, LK: Travers Hardwick, SR: Sandy Hurndell, SR: Charlie McBride, PR: Albert Hambleton, HK: Patrick Smith, PR: John Newton.

June 2 Northern NSW 7–13 New Zealand League Park, Armidale
Tries: 1
Cec Fitzsimmons
Goals: 2
Bruce Flint (2) 		Teams[9][10]
Report[11]
Tries: 3
Doug Anderson
Rex Cunningham
Allen Laird
Goals: 2
Maurie Rich (2)
Attendance: 4,000
Referee: H. Morson
Team list:

Northern NSW FB: Bruce Flint ( East Tamworth), WG: Cec Fitzsimmons ( North Tamworth), CE: Trevor Eather ( Boggabri), CE: Phillip Starr ( Guyra), WG: Phil Snell ( West Armidale), FE: T. Curr-Parkes (Barraba), HB: William Bischoff ( West Armidale), LK: Jack Stewart ( Uralla), SR: Cliff McHardie (East Armidale), SR: Cecil Bull ( Guyra), PR: A. Smith ( Boggabri), HK: C. Foxe ( Narrabri), PR: Maurice Dawson ( Glen Innes).
New Zealand FB: Maurie Rich, WG: Bill McKenzie, CE: Maurie Robertson, CE: Doug Anderson, WG: Dave Redmond, FE: Vic Belsham, HB: Rex Cunningham, LK: Allen Laird, SR: Joe Duke, SR: Sandy Hurndell, PR: Albert Hambleton, HK: Patrick Smith, PR: Joffe Johnson.

June 5 Queensland 10–11 New Zealand Brisbane Cricket Ground
Tries: 2
Duncan Hall
Ignatius Tyquin
Goals: 2
Dan O'Connor (2) 		Team[12]
Report[13]
Report[14]
Tries: 1
Allan Wiles
Goals: 4
Warwick Clarke (4)
Attendance: 20,812
Gate: AU£ 2,535
Referee: S.W. Chambers
Team list:

Queensland FB: Dan O'Connor (age 30) ( Norths), WG: Pat McMahon (21) (Toowoomba), CE: Harry Linde (24) ( Tivoli), CE: Len Pegg (25) ( Souths), WG: Jack Horrigan ( Valleys), FE: Harry Griffiths (22) ( Booval Swifts), HB: Billy Thompson (24) (Toowoomba), LK: Ignatius Tyquin (27) ( Souths), SR: Duncan Hall (22) ( Valleys), SR: Ron McLennan (23) ( Easts), PR: Kelly Brennan (28) ( West End), HK: Henry Benton (28) ( Centrals), PR: Eddie Brosnan (27) ( Brothers).
New Zealand FB: Warwick Clarke, WG: Jack Forrest, CE: Allan Wiles, CE: Maurie Robertson, WG: Dave Redmond, FE: Abby Graham, HB: Des Barchard, LK: Travers Hardwick, SR: Sandy Hurndell, SR: Charlie McBride, PR: John Newton, HK: Patrick Smith, PR: Albert Hambleton.

June 6 Rockhampton 2–12 New Zealand Rockhampton Showground
Tries: 0
Goals: 1
Ken Brighton 		Team[15]
Report[16]
Tries: 2
Abby Graham (2)
Goals: 3
Warwick Clarke (3)
Attendance: 3,176
Gate: AU£ 599
Referee: J. Shuttleton
Team list:

Rockhampton FB: R. Graff ( Leichhardts), WG: Ken Brighton ( North Rockhampton), CE: William Cuddy ( Brothers), CE: Des Crow (age 18) ( Brothers), WG: Leo Jeffcoat ( Brothers), FE: P. Carroll ( Leichhardts), HB: Cyril. Connell Jr (age 20) ( Brothers), LK: Norm Dingwall ( Leichhardts), SR: C. Dingwall ( Leichhardts), SR: C. Hunt ( Brothers), PR: Jack Kelly ( Leichhardts), HK: H. Ferricks ( Fitzroys), PR: W. Brighton ( Brothers), Coach: J. Crow.
New Zealand FB: Warwick Clarke, WG: Bill McKenzie, CE: Maurie Rich, CE: Abby Graham, WG: Doug Anderson, FE: Vic Belsham, HB: Rex Cunningham, LK: Allen Laird, SR: Travers Hardwick, SR: Charlie McBride, PR: Joffe Johnson, HK: Bob Aynsley, PR: Joe Duke.

2nd Test

June 12
Australia  13–4  New Zealand
Tries: 3
Ignatius Tyquin
Len Pegg
Pat McMahon
Goals: 2
Keith Froome (2) 		Report[17]
Report[18]
Database
 Tries: 0
Goals: 2
Warwick Clarke (2)
Brisbane Cricket Ground
Attendance: 23,013
Gate: AU£ 3,689
Referee: S. Chambers
Team list:

Australia FB: Clive Churchill (age 21) ( South Sydney), WG: Pat McMahon (20) (Toowoomba), CE: Len Smith (31) ( Newtown), CE: Len Pegg (26) ( Souths) captain-coach, WG: Johnny Graves (20) ( South Sydney), FE: Wally O'Connell (25) ( Easts), HB: Keith Froome (26) ( Newtown), LK: Ignatius Tyquin (29) ( Souths), SR: Fred De Belin (27) ( Balmain), SR: Duncan Hall (22) ( Valleys), PR: Jack Holland (25) ( St George), HK: Kevin Schubert (20) ( Wollongong), PR: Nevyl Hand ( North Sydney).
New Zealand FB: Warwick Clarke, WG: Jack Forrest, CE: Abby Graham, CE: Maurie Robertson, WG: Dave Redmond, FE: Rex Cunningham, HB: Des Barchard, LK: Travers Hardwick, SR: Charlie McBride, SR: Sandy Hurndell, PR: Albert Hambleton, HK: Patrick Smith, PR: John Newton.

June 14 Newcastle 9–10 New Zealand Newcastle Sports Ground
Tries: 1
Ned Andrews
Goals: 3
Ron Crossley (3) 		Teams[19][20]
Report[21]
Tries: 2
Dave Redmond
Sandy Hurndell
Goals: 2
Warwick Clarke (2)
Attendance: 8,000
Gate: AU£ 566
Referee: W. Jackson
Team list:

Newcastle FB: Les Gilbert ( Northern Suburbs), WG: Terry Sullivan ( Western Suburbs), CE: Ron Golden ( Lakes United), CE: Ned Andrews ( South Newcastle), WG: Ron Crossley ( Northern Suburbs), FE: Horry Banks ( Western Suburbs), HB: Len Walton ( South Newcastle), LK: Jack Hutchinson ( Northern Suburbs), SR: Ivor Rees ( Kurri Kurri), SR: William Wylie ( Waratah Mayfield), PR: Alf Gibbs ( South Newcastle), HK: Ted Dawson ( Waratah Mayfield), PR: Gus Briggs ( Central Newcastle).
New Zealand FB: Warwick Clarke, WG: Dave Redmond, CE: Vic Belsham, CE: Doug Anderson, WG: Maurie Rich, FE: Des Barchard, HB: Rex Cunningham, LK: Travers Hardwick, SR: Charlie McBride, SR: Sandy Hurndell, PR: Joffe Johnson, HK: Bob Aynsley, PR: Joe Duke.

Sources

Acronym Item Years Database App Notes
Direct Online Access
RLN Rugby League News 1920-1973 Trove Match Program in Sydney, Team Lists, Team Photos, Articles
RLP Rugby League Project 1907–present Website Test Match teams & scorers.
Sun The Sun (Sydney) 1910-1954 Trove Match Reports, Articles.
DT The Daily Telegraph (Sydney) 1931-1954 Trove Match Reports, Articles.
CM The Courier-Mail 1933-1954 Trove Match Reports, Articles.
- Various Regional Newspapers 1891-1954 Trove Match Reports, Given Names of Players
Offline Resources
EECYB E.E. Christensen's Official Rugby League Year Book 1946-1978 Copies at
State Library of NSW		 Teams, Point Scorers, Report. 1949 Yearbook covers the 1948 tour.

References

  1. ^ Age as given in the ‘’Rugby League News’’ for the first match against New South Wales
  2. ^ "League Replacement - Team for Australia". Gisborne Herald. Gisborne: Gisborne Herald Company. 15 May 1948. p. 5. Retrieved 27 Dec 2020 – via National Library of New Zealand - Papers Part.
  3. ^ New South Wales Rugby Football League. (29 May 1948). "Kiwis Make Rugby League History". The Rugby League News. 29 (10). Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League. nla.obj-644034424. Retrieved 28 Dec 2020 – via Trove.
  4. ^ Corbett, W.F. (22 May 1948). "N.S.W. Beats New Zealand 23-17; League Thriller". The Sun (Sydney). Sydney: National Library of Australia. p. 6. Retrieved 14 Dec 2020.
  5. ^ "Rugby League - New Zealand at S'ground". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 20 May 1948. p. 10. Retrieved 14 Dec 2020.
  6. ^ "Rugby League". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 27 May 1948. p. 10. Retrieved 14 Dec 2020.
  7. ^ "Kiwis Defeat Country". South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 27 May 1948. p. 17. Retrieved 14 Dec 2020.
  8. ^ Corbett, W.F. (29 May 1948). "New Zealand Wins Sensational Test By 21-19". The Sun (Sydney). Sydney: National Library of Australia. p. 6. Retrieved 14 Dec 2020.
  9. ^ "Visit of Kiwis". Armidale Express. Armidale: National Library of Australia. 28 May 1948. p. 15. Retrieved 15 Dec 2020.
  10. ^ "Kiwi Visit". Armidale Express. Armidale: National Library of Australia. 31 May 1948. p. 10. Retrieved 15 Dec 2020.
  11. ^ "Spotlight on Sport - Rugby League - Kiwi Calculations Upset - Internationals Hard pressed By Northern Side". Armidale Express. Armidale: National Library of Australia. 4 Jun 1948. p. 14. Retrieved 15 Dec 2020.
  12. ^ "Q.R.L. Team Thompson As Half-Back". The Queensland Times. Ipswich: National Library of Australia. 1 Jun 1948. p. 3. Retrieved 27 Dec 2020.
  13. ^ Kearney, L.H. (6 Jun 1948). "Queensland gave Kiwis League battle fright". Sunday Mail. Brisbane: National Library of Australia. p. 10. Retrieved 23 Dec 2020.
  14. ^ "Cunning Kick Clipped Queensland". Truth. Brisbane: National Library of Australia. 6 Jun 1948. p. 12. Retrieved 27 Dec 2020.
  15. ^ "Rockhampton Team". The Morning Bulletin. Rockhampton: National Library of Australia. 31 May 1948. p. 4. Retrieved 27 Dec 2020.
  16. ^ "Mighty Defence Marks R'ton-Kiwi Match". The Morning Bulletin. Rockhampton: National Library of Australia. 7 Jun 1948. p. 4. Retrieved 27 Dec 2020.
  17. ^ Reid, R.W. (12 Jun 1948). "L. Pegg's Brilliant Attacks". Brisbane Telegraph. Brisbane: National Library of Australia. p. 3. Retrieved 27 Dec 2020.
  18. ^ Kearney, L.H. (13 Jun 1948). "Australians Hit Back Hard To Beat Kiwi". Sunday Mail. Brisbane: National Library of Australia. p. 10. Retrieved 27 Dec 2020.
  19. ^ "The Teams". The Newcastle Sun. Newcastle: National Library of Australia. 14 Jun 1948. p. 8. Retrieved 14 Dec 2020.
  20. ^ Roulston, R. S. (7 Jun 1948). "Attacking Team To Meet Kiwis". The Newcastle Sun. Newcastle: National Library of Australia. p. 8. Retrieved 15 Dec 2020.
  21. ^ "Kiwis Win 10-9 In Final Burst". Newcastle Morning Herald. Newcastle: National Library of Australia. 15 Jun 1948. p. 3. Retrieved 14 Dec 2020.