1973 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France

The 1973 Kangaroo Tour was the thirteenth Kangaroo Tour, and saw the Australian national rugby league team travel to Europe and play nineteen matches against British and French club and representative rugby league teams, in addition to three Test matches against Great Britain and two Tests against the French. It followed the tour of 1967-68 and the next was staged in 1978.

1973 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France
ManagerCharles Gibson
Albert Bishop
Coach(es)Graeme Langlands
Tour captain(s)Graeme Langlands
Bob McCarthy
Tom Raudonikis
Arthur Beetson
Top point scorer(s)Mick Cronin 77
Top try scorer(s)Bob Fulton 20
Top test point scorer(s)Bob Fulton 15
Top test try scorer(s)Bob Fulton 5
Summary
P W D L
Total
19 17 00 02
Test match
05 04 00 01
Opponent
P W D L
 Great Britain
3 2 0 1
 France
2 2 0 0
Tour chronology
Previous tour1967-68
Next tour1978

The squad's leadership

The team was captain-coached by Graeme Langlands making his third Kangaroo Tour. Managers of the team were Albert Bishop and Charlie Gibson with Alf Richards as the team trainer.

Touring squad

The following players were in the touring squad.[1]

1973 NSWRFL Premiers Manly-Warringah provided a record 6 players to the Kangaroos.

Great Britain

The Ashes series against Great Britain saw an aggregate crowd of 36,567 attending the Test series

Test Venues

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

London Leeds Warrington
Wembley Headingley Wilderspool
Capacity: 100,000 Capacity: 30,000 Capacity: 15,000
Sunday, 30 September Salford 12 – 15 Australia The Willows, Salford
3.30pm
 Tries: 2
Ian Holland
Keith Fielding
Goals: 3
David Watkins (3)		 [2] Tries: 3
Bob Fulton (3)
Goals: 3
Graeme Langlands (3)
Attendance: 11,064
Gate £4,711
Referee: M. J. Naughton
Wednesday, 3 October Wakefield Trinity 9 – 13 Australia Belle Vue, Wakefield
Tries: 1
D. Topliss
Goals: 3
T. Crook (3)		 [3] Tries: 3
Bill Hamilton
Steve Rogers
David Waite
Goals: 2
Graham Eadie (2)
Attendance: 5,863
Gate £2,004
Referee: R. Jackson
Sunday, 7 October Dewsbury 3 – 17 Australia Old Crown Flatt ground, Dewsbury
3.30pm
 Tries: nil
Goals: 1
N. Stephenson
Field goals: 1
N. Stephenson		 [4] Tries: 3
Bob Fulton (2)
Paul Sait
Goals: 4
Graeme Langlands (4)
Attendance: 5,865
Gate £2,059
Referee: G. Kershaw
Wednesday, 10 October Castleford 10 – 16 Australia Wheldon Road, Castleford
7.30pm
 Tries: nil
Goals: 5
S. Lloyd (5)		 Tries: 4
Graham Eadie
Mick Cronin
Ray Branighan
Ken Maddison
Goals: 2
Graham Eadie (2)
Attendance: 2,419
Gate £947
Referee: K. Allatt
Sunday, 14 October Widnes 10 – 25 Australia Naughton Park, Widnes
3.00pm
 Tries: 2
T. Warburton
D. Macko
Goals: 2
R. Dutton (2)		 [5] Tries: 7
Graeme Langlands (2)
Bob Fulton
Warren Orr
Tom Raudonikis
Gary Stevens
Bob McCarthy
Goals: 2
Graeme Langlands
Mick Cronin
Attendance: 5,185
Gate £1,710
Referee: Harry Hunt
Friday, 19 October Oldham 10 – 44 Australia Watersheddings, Oldham
7.30pm
 Tries: 2
P. Astbury
J. Blair
Goals: 2
T. Clawson (2)		 [6] Tries: 10
Geoff Starling (4)
Ken Maddison (2)
Bob McCarthy
Paul Sait
Ted Goodwin
Mick Cronin
Goals: 7
Mick Cronin (7)
Attendance: 2,895
Gate £991
Wednesday, 24 October Cumberland Cumbria 2 – 28 Australia Recreation Ground, Whitehaven
2.15pm
 Tries: nil
Goals: 1
R. Nicholson		 [7] Tries: 6
Ted Goodwin (2)
David Waite (2)
Graham Eadie
Mick Cronin
Goals: 5
Mick Cronin (5)
Attendance: 3,666
Gate £1,258
Referee: Mick Naughton
Sunday, 28 October Bradford Northern 14 – 50 Australia Odsal, Bradford
3.00pm
 Tries: 2
A. Long
G. Joyce
Goals: 4
E. Tees (4)		 [8] Tries: 12
Bob Fulton (4)
Tom Raudonikis (2)
Arthur Beetson (2)
Terry Randall
Tim Pickup
Ted Goodwin
Geoff Starling
Goals: 7
Graeme Langlands (7)
Attendance: 5,667
Referee: F. Lindop

First Test

In the first rugby league international played at Wembley since 1963, the Lions shocked the then unbeaten Australian's 21-12 in front of just 9,874 fans. The match had been moved to Wembley from the Central Park ground in Wigan at the request of the Australian team management.

Saturday, 3 November 1973
Great Britain  21 – 12  Australia
Tries:
Phil Lowe (2)
Colin Clarke
Brian Lockwood
Goals:
Terry Clawson (4)
Field Goals:
Steve Nash (1)		 [9] [10]
 Tries:
Ray Branighan
Bob Fulton

Goals:
Graeme Langlands (3)
Wembley Stadium, London
Attendance: 9,874
Referee: Billy Thompson England
Player of the Match: Phil Lowe
Great Britain
Australia
FB1 Paul Charlton
RW2 Clive Sullivan (c)
RC3 Syd Hynes
LC4 Chris Hesketh
LW5 John Atkinson
SO6 David Topliss
SH7 Steve Nash
PR8 Terry Clawson
HK9 Colin Clarke
PR10 Brian Lockwood
SR11 Phil Lowe
SR12 George Nicholls
LK13 Ray Batten
Substitutions:
IC14
IC15
Coach:
England Jim Challinor
FB1 Graeme Langlands (c)
RW2 Ray Branighan
RC3 Bob Fulton
LC4 Geoff Starling
LW5 Ted Goodwin
FE6 Tim Pickup
HB7 Tommy Raudonikis
PR8 Bob O'Reilly
HK9 Elwyn Walters
PR10 Arthur Beetson
SR11 Bob McCarthy
SR12 Ken Maddison
LF13 Paul Sait
Substitutions:
IC14
IC15
Coach:
Australia Graeme Langlands
Wednesday, 7 November Hull Kingston Rovers 9 – 25 Australia Craven Park, Hull
7.30pm
 Tries: 1
G. Dunn
Goals: 3
Roger Millward (3)		 [11] Tries: 5
Mick Cronin (2)
Graham Eadie (2)
Bob McCarthy
Goals: 5
Mick Cronin (5)
Attendance: 5,150
Gate £1,747
Referee: P. Geraghty
Saturday, 10 November Huddersfield 2 – 32 Australia Fartown, Huddersfield
Tries: nil
Goals: 1
F. Davies		 [12] Tries: 8
Bob Fulton (3)
Ray Branighan (2)
Arthur Beetson
David Waite
Mick Cronin
Goals:
Graeme Langlands (4)
Attendance: 1,333
Gate £451
Referee: R. Wood
Sunday, 11 November Leigh 4 – 31 Australia Hilton Park, Leigh
Tries: nil
Goals: 2
J. Fiddler (2)		 Tries: 7
Graeme Langlands (2)
Ted Goodwin
Steve Rogers
Warren Orr
Tim Pickup
John Lang
Goals: 5
Graeme Langlands (5)
Attendance: 2,607
Gate £826
Referee: A. Givvons
Tuesday, 13 November St. Helens 11 – 7 Australia Knowsley Road, St. Helens
Tries: 1
F. Wilson
Goals: 4
K. Coslett (4)		 [13] Tries: 1
Geoff Starling
Goals: 2
Mick Cronin (2)
Attendance: 10,013
Gate £3,419
Referee: T. Keane
Sunday, 18 November Featherstone Rovers 13 – 18 Australia Post Office Road, Featherstone
3.00pm
 Tries: 2
L. Tonks
W. Harris
Goals: 3
H. Box (3)
Field Goals: 1
S. Nash		 Tries: 4
Ray Branighan (2)
Bob Fulton
Elwyn Walters
Goals: 3
Mick Cronin (3)
Attendance: 5,659
Gate £7,776
Referee: S. Shepherd

Second Test

The second test at Headingley in Leeds saw the Australian's tie the series at one game all with a 14-6 win in front of the tours largest attendance of 16,674.

Saturday, 24 November 1973
Great Britain  6 – 14  Australia
Tries:

Goals:
Terry Clawson (3)		 [14] [15]
 Tries:
Bob McCarthy
Goals:
Graham Eadie (5)
Headingley, Leeds
Attendance: 16,674
Referee: Billy Thompson England
Player of the Match: Graham Eadie
Great Britain
Australia
FB1 Paul Charlton
RW2 Clive Sullivan (c)
RC3 Syd Hynes
LC4 Chris Hesketh
LW5 John Atkinson
SO6 David Topliss
SH7 Steve Nash
PR8 Terry Clawson
HK9 Colin Clarke
PR10 Brian Lockwood
SR11 Phil Lowe
SR12 John Mantle
LK13 Ray Batten
Substitutions:
IC14 David Eckersley
IC15 Colin Dixon
Coach:
England Jim Challinor
FB1 Graham Eadie
RW2 Lionel Williamson
RC3 Geoff Starling
LC4 Ray Branighan
LW5 Ted Goodwin
FE6 Bob Fulton
HB7 Tommy Raudonikis
PR8 Bob O'Reilly
HK9 Elwyn Walters
PR10 Arthur Beetson
SR11 Bob McCarthy (c)
SR12 Gary Stevens
LF13 Paul Sait
Substitutions:
IC14 Ken Maddison
IC15
Coach:
Australia Graeme Langlands

Kangaroos captain-coach Graeme Langlands was ruled out of the second test with a broken hand. To replace him at fullback, Langlands selected Manly-Warringah's 19 year old dual premiership winning fullback Graham Eadie to make his test debut (Eadie, known affectionately as "Wombat", would turn 20 the next day). Eadie was also handed the goal kicking duties on the day and despite a very strong wind making conditions tricky for kickers, kicked 5 goals which proved vital in the Kangaroos 14-6 win over the Lions to keep The Ashes series alive.

After conceding 4 tries in the first test loss at Wembley, the Kangaroos kept their line intact with the Lions only scores coming from 3 goals by prop forward Terry Clawson.

Third Test

The Kangaroos won back The Ashes with a hard fought 15-5 win in trying conditions at Warrington. The pitch at Wilderspool was frozen which suited the Australians who were used to playing on hard grounds at home.

Saturday, 1 December 1973
Great Britain  5 – 15  Australia
Tries:
Roger Millward



Goals:
Roger Millward		 [16] [17]
 Tries:
Ken Maddison (2)
Bob Fulton
Geoff Starling
Elwyn Walters
Goals:
Graham Eadie (0/4)
Ray Branighan (0/2)
Wilderspool, Warrington
Attendance: 10,019
Referee: Billy Thompson England
Player of the Match: Ken Maddison
Great Britain
Australia
FB1 Paul Charlton
RW2 Alan Smith
RC3 Syd Hynes
LC4 Chris Hesketh
LW5 Clive Sullivan (c)
SO6 David Eckersley
SH7 Roger Millward
PR8 Terry Clawson
HK9 Colin Clarke
PR10 Mick Harrison
SR11 George Nicholls
SR12 Phil Lowe
LK13 Doug Laughton
Substitutions:
IC14 David Watkins
IC15 Colin Dixon
Coach:
England Jim Challinor
FB1 Graham Eadie
RW2 Lionel Williamson
RC3 Geoff Starling
LC4 Ray Branighan
LW5 David Waite
FE6 Bob Fulton
HB7 Tommy Raudonikis (c)
PR8 Bob O'Reilly
HK9 Elwyn Walters
PR10 Arthur Beetson
SR11 Ken Maddison
SR12 Gary Stevens
LF13 Paul Sait
Substitutions:
IC14 Tim Pickup
IC15
Coach:
Australia Graeme Langlands

With coach Graeme Langlands still out with a broken hand and looking on from the sidelines, the Kangaroos wrapped up the Ashes with a 15-5 win on the frozen ground at Wilderspool. Man of the match Ken Maddison crossed for two tries while Warrington born Bob Fulton, centre Geoff Starling and hooker Elwyn Walters also crossed for tries. For the Lions, their only score came from a try and goal from Hull Kingston Rovers halfback Roger Millward.

France

First test
Sunday, 9 December 1973
France  9 – 21  Australia
Tries:
Michel Molinier
André Ruiz

Goals
Roger Garrigue (1)

Field Goals:
Roger Garrigue (1)		 [18]
 Tries:
Bob Fulton (2)
Ted Goodwin (2)
Geoff Starling
Goals
Ray Branighan (2)
Michael Cronin (1)
Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan
Attendance: 5,109
Referee: Georges Jameau France
France
Australia
FB1Maurice de Matos
RW2Serge Marsolan
RC3Michel Molinier
LC4André Ruiz
LW5Jean-Claude Marty
SO6Patrick Rives
SH7Roger Garrigue (c)
PR8Christian Carré
HK9Jacques Franc
PR10Charles Thénégal
SR11Jean-Jacques Cologni
SR12Jean-Paul Sauret
LK13Georges Bonet
Substitutions:
IC14Marius Frattini
IC15Serge Gleyzes
Coach:
FB1 Ray Branighan
RW2 Lionel Williamson
RC3 Bob Fulton
LC4 Michael Cronin
LW5 David Waite
FE6 Tim Pickup
HB7 Tommy Raudonikis (c)
PR8 Arthur Beetson
HK9 John Lang
PR10 John O'Neill
SR11 Greg Pierce
SR12 Elwyn Walters
LF13 Geoff Starling
Substitutions:
IC14 Ted Goodwin
IC15
Coach:
Australia Graeme Langlands

Second Test

Arthur Beetson became the first aboriginal player to captain Australia in a rugby league Test match.

Sunday, 16 December 1973
France  3 – 14  Australia
Tries:
Jacques Franc



Goals:		 [19]
 Tries:
Ray Branighan
Michael Cronin
Bob Fulton
Ken Maddison
Goals:
Michael Cronin (1)
Stade des Minimes, Toulouse
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Marcel Caillol France
France
Australia
FB1José Calle
RW2Serge Marsolan
RC3Michel Molinier
LC4André Ruiz
LW5Jean-Claude Marty
SO6Michel Mazaré
SH7Roger Garrigue (c)
PR8Victor Serrano
HK9Jacques Franc
PR10Christian Carré
SR11Jean-Paul Sauret
SR12Jean-Jacques Cologni
LK13Serge Gleyzes
Substitutions:
IC14Georges Bonet
IC15Lambert Brunet
Coach:
FB1 Ray Branighan
RW2 Ted Goodwin
RC3 Michael Cronin
LC4 Geoff Starling
LW5 David Waite
FE6 Bob Fulton
HB7 Tim Pickup
PR8 Bob O'Reilly
HK9 Elwyn Walters
PR10 Arthur Beetson (c)
SR11 Ken Maddison
SR12 Gary Stevens
LF13 Paul Sait
Substitutions:
IC14
IC15
Coach:
Australia Graeme Langlands

References
  1. Christensen, E.E. (1974). E.E. Christensen's Official Rugby League Year Book 1974. State Library of NSW, Sydney: New South Wales Rugby League. p. 46.
  2. "Fulton's three tries for 'Roos". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 2 Oct 1973. p. 18. Retrieved 26 Dec 2021.
  3. "Rogers and Fulton impress". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 5 Oct 1973. p. 20. Retrieved 26 Dec 2021.
  4. "Starling tops in league win". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 9 Oct 1973. p. 18. Retrieved 26 Dec 2021.
  5. "Costly win for Kangaroos". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 16 Oct 1973. p. 20. Retrieved 26 Dec 2021.
  6. "Kangaroos hooker has neck injury". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 22 Oct 1973. p. 12. Retrieved 26 Dec 2021.
  7. "Eadie and Randall Test prospects". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 26 Oct 1973. p. 18. Retrieved 26 Dec 2021.
  8. "Starling rated best Kangaroo". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 30 Oct 1973. p. 16. Retrieved 26 Dec 2021.
  9. 1st Ashes Test
  10. "Kangaroos lose first Test". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 5 Nov 1973. p. 12. Retrieved 26 Dec 2021.
  11. "Manly continues to seek Phil Lowe". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 9 Nov 1973. p. 22. Retrieved 26 Dec 2021.
  12. "Kangaroos score 32-2 victory". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 12 Nov 1973. p. 11. Retrieved 26 Dec 2021.
  13. "Eadie Injury A Blow To Kangaroos". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 15 Nov 1973. p. 26. Retrieved 26 Dec 2021.
  14. 2nd Ashes Test
  15. "League series even after 14-6 win". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 26 Nov 1973. p. 14. Retrieved 26 Dec 2021.
  16. 3rd Ashes Test
  17. "15-5 victory clinches Test series". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 3 Dec 1973. p. 16. Retrieved 26 Dec 2021.
  18. 1st Test - France vs Australia
  19. 2ns Test - France vs Australia
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