# 1996 Great Britain Lions tour

The 1996 Great Britain Lions tour was a rugby league tour by the Great Britain team which took place from September to November 1996. The tour included games in Papua New Guinea, Fiji and New Zealand, however due to the ongoing Super League war and with the Australian team under the control of the Australian Rugby League, the team did not play any matches in Australia. The tour was generally considered as a disaster, with Great Britain failing to win any games in New Zealand, and several players being sent home early from the tour in order to cut costs.

## Touring squad

Great Britain coach Phil Larder selected a 32-man squad to take on the tour. A notable omission from the squad was Martin Offiah, who took part in the previous three Great Britain tours, but had told Larder he did not have the enthusiasm for another six-week tour. Several changes were made to the initial squad selected, as Gary Connolly, Lee Jackson and Jason Robinson were informed they would not be allowed to play due to their contracts with the ARL. There were also a number of other withdrawals, with John Bentley returning to rugby union, and Shaun Edwards, Paul Newlove and Steve McNamara all ruled out due to injury.
Former Wigan second row forward Denis Betts, who was playing with the New Zealand-based Auckland Warriors in the Australian Rugby League premiership, made history with his selection. The 25 test veteran became the first player selected to tour while playing in the Australian premiership and not in the English premiership.
Larder's assistant coaches on the tour were Clive Griffiths and Gary Hetherington and the tour manager was Phil Lowe. Andy Farrell was appointed as the tour captain, with Denis Betts named as vice-captain.
Prior to the Second Test against New Zealand, 11 players in the squad were sent home early from the tour as a cost-cutting measure.
| Name | Club | Position | Appearances | Tests | Tries | Goals | DGs | Points |
| Denis Betts (vc) | Auckland Warriors | Second-row | 6 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| David Bradbury | Oldham | Second-row | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Paul Broadbent | Sheffield Eagles | Prop | 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mick Cassidy | Wigan Warriors | Second-row | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Jason Critchley | Keighley Cougars | Wing | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Keiron Cunningham | St Helens | Hooker | 6 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Bernard Dwyer | Bradford Bulls | Prop | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Andy Farrell (c) | Wigan Warriors | Loose forward | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Bobbie Goulding | St Helens | Scrum-half | 6 | 5 | 4 | 23 | 1 | 63 |
| Karle Hammond | St Helens | Stand-off | 6 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Neil Harmon | Leeds Rhinos | Prop | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Iestyn Harris | Warrington Wolves | Stand-off | 6 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| Joey Hayes | St Helens | Wing | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Alan Hunte | St Helens | Wing | 6 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| Chris Joynt | St Helens | Second-row | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| James Lowes | Bradford Bulls | Hooker | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Barrie-Jon Mather | Western Reds | Centre | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Nathan McAvoy | Salford Red Devils | Wing | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brian McDermott | Bradford Bulls | Prop | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steve Molloy | Featherstone Rovers | Prop | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Adrian Morley | Leeds Rhinos | Second-row | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Terry O'Connor | Wigan Warriors | Prop | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rowland Phillips | Workington Town | Loose forward | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Daryl Powell | Keighley Cougars | Centre | 7 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Steve Prescott | St Helens | Fullback | 4 | 0 | 1 | 17 | 0 | 38 |
| Kris Radlinski | Wigan Warriors | Fullback | 6 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Jon Roper | Warrington Wolves | Wing | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Paul Sculthorpe | Warrington Wolves | Loose forward | 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Keith Senior | Sheffield Eagles | Centre | 6 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Tony Smith | Castleford Tigers | Scrum-half | 5 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| Stuart Spruce | Bradford Bulls | Fullback | 6 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Anthony Sullivan | St Helens | Wing | 6 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Tulsen Tollett | London Broncos | Stand-off | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |

## Papua New Guinea

* 28 September 1996
| Papua New Guinea | 30 – 32 | Great Britain |
| Tries: Ben Biri (2) Robert Sio David Gomia Stanley Gene Adrian Lam Goals: Elias Paiyo (3) | | Tries: Kris Radlinski (2) Anthony Sullivan Bobbie Goulding Keiron Cunningham Goals: Bobbie Goulding (6) |
* Lae Oval, Lae Attendance: 10,000 Referee: Steve Clark
| Papua New Guinea | Great Britain |
| FB | 1 | Robert Sio |
| RW | 2 | James Kops |
| RC | 3 | Marcus Bai |
| LC | 4 | Robert Tela |
| LW | 5 | David Gomia |
| FE | 6 | Stanley Gene |
| HB | 7 | Adrian Lam (c) |
| PR | 8 | Ben Biri |
| HK | 9 | Elias Paiyo |
| PR | 10 | Raymond Kahl |
| SR | 11 | Nande Yer |
| SR | 12 | David Westley |
| LF | 13 | Bruce Mamando |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | Simon Kundi |
| IC | 15 | Ruben Ruing |
| IC | 16 | Max Tiri |
| IC | 17 | Obert Batia |
| Coach: ||
| FB | 1 | Stuart Spruce |
| RW | 2 | Joey Hayes |
| RC | 3 | Kris Radlinski |
| LC | 4 | Alan Hunte |
| LW | 5 | Anthony Sullivan |
| SO | 6 | Iestyn Harris |
| SH | 7 | Bobbie Goulding |
| PR | 8 | Paul Broadbent |
| HK | 9 | Keiron Cunningham |
| PR | 10 | Terry O'Connor |
| SR | 11 | Denis Betts |
| SR | 12 | Chris Joynt |
| LK | 13 | Andy Farrell (c) |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | Tony Smith |
| IC | 15 | Rowland Phillips |
| IC | 16 | Daryl Powell |
| IC | 17 | Paul Sculthorpe |
| Coach:Bob Bennett ||
| Phil Larder ||

## Fiji

* 5 October 1996
| Fiji | 4 – 72 | Great Britain |
| Tries: Samuela Marayawa Goals | | Tries: Bobbie Goulding (3) Stuart Spruce (2) Alan Hunte (2) Daryl Powell (2) Anthony Sullivan Andy Farrell Keith Senior Mick Cassidy Goals: Bobbie Goulding (10) |
* Prince Charles Park, Nadi Attendance: 5,000 Referee: Jim Stokes
| Fiji | Great Britain |
| FB | 1 | Waisale Sovatabua |
| RW | 2 | P. Baravilula |
| RC | 3 | Manoa Thompson |
| LC | 4 | Joe Tamani |
| LW | 5 | S. Tulevu |
| FE | 6 | I. Ratudina |
| HB | 7 | Kaleveti Naisoro |
| PR | 8 | Pio Nakubuwai (c) |
| HK | 9 | M. Kaidroki |
| PR | 10 | Malakai Kaunivalu |
| SR | 11 | Josaia Dakuitoga |
| SR | 12 | Ian Saigatu |
| LF | 13 | Livai Nalagilagi |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | Vula Dakuitoga |
| IC | 15 | Samuela Marayawa |
| IC | 16 | Waisale Vatubua |
| IC | 17 | Ulaiasi Wainidroa |
| Coach: ||
| FB | 1 | Stuart Spruce |
| RW | 2 | Alan Hunte |
| RC | 3 | Kris Radlinski |
| LC | 4 | Daryl Powell |
| LW | 5 | Anthony Sullivan |
| SO | 6 | Iestyn Harris |
| SH | 7 | Bobbie Goulding |
| PR | 8 | Paul Broadbent |
| HK | 9 | Keiron Cunningham |
| PR | 10 | Brian McDermott |
| SR | 11 | Denis Betts |
| SR | 12 | Paul Sculthorpe |
| LK | 13 | Andy Farrell (c) |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | Tony Smith |
| IC | 15 | Keith Senior |
| IC | 16 | Steve Molloy |
| IC | 17 | Mick Cassidy |
| Coach: ||
| Phil Larder ||

## New Zealand
### First Test

* 18 October 1996
| New Zealand | 17 – 12 | Great Britain |
| Tries: John Timu (2) Goals: Matthew Ridge (4) Field Goals: Matthew Ridge | | Tries: Alan Hunte Denis Betts Goals: Bobbie Goulding (2) |
* Ericsson Stadium, Auckland Attendance: 7,400 Referee: Bill Harrigan
| New Zealand | Great Britain |
| FB | 1 | Matthew Ridge (c) |
| RW | 2 | Sean Hoppe |
| RC | 3 | Richie Blackmore |
| LC | 4 | John Timu |
| LW | 5 | Richie Barnett |
| FE | 6 | Gene Ngamu |
| HB | 7 | Stacey Jones |
| PR | 8 | Grant Young |
| HK | 9 | Syd Eru |
| PR | 10 | Quentin Pongia |
| SR | 11 | Tony Iro |
| SR | 12 | Stephen Kearney |
| LF | 13 | Tyran Smith |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | Marc Ellis |
| IC | 15 | Joe Vagana |
| IC | 16 | Ruben Wiki |
| IC | 17 | Logan Swann |
| Coach: ||
| Frank Endacott ||
| FB | 1 | Stuart Spruce |
| RW | 2 | Alan Hunte |
| RC | 3 | Kris Radlinski |
| LC | 4 | Daryl Powell |
| LW | 5 | Anthony Sullivan |
| SO | 6 | Iestyn Harris |
| SH | 7 | Bobbie Goulding |
| PR | 8 | Paul Broadbent |
| HK | 9 | Keiron Cunningham |
| PR | 10 | Terry O'Connor |
| SR | 11 | Denis Betts |
| SR | 12 | Paul Sculthorpe |
| LK | 13 | Andy Farrell (c) |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | Tony Smith |
| IC | 15 | Chris Joynt |
| IC | 16 | Keith Senior |
| IC | 17 | Adrian Morley |
| Coach: ||
| Phil Larder ||

### 2nd Test

* 25 October 1996
| New Zealand | 18 – 15 | Great Britain |
| Tries: Ruben Wiki (2) Gene Ngamu Goals: Matthew Ridge (3) | | Tries: Alan Hunte Denis Betts Goals: Bobbie Goulding (3) Field Goal: Bobbie Goulding |
* Manawatu Showgrounds, Palmerston North Attendance: 9,000 Referee: Graham Annesley
| New Zealand | Great Britain |
| FB | 1 | Matthew Ridge (c) |
| RW | 2 | Sean Hoppe |
| RC | 3 | Ruben Wiki |
| LC | 4 | John Timu |
| LW | 5 | Richie Barnett |
| FE | 6 | Gene Ngamu |
| HB | 7 | Stacey Jones |
| PR | 8 | Grant Young |
| HK | 9 | Syd Eru |
| PR | 10 | Quentin Pongia |
| SR | 11 | Tony Iro |
| SR | 12 | Stephen Kearney |
| LF | 13 | Tyran Smith |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | Marc Ellis |
| IC | 15 | Joe Vagana |
| IC | 16 | Richie Blackmore |
| IC | 17 | Logan Swann |
| Coach: ||
| Frank Endacott ||
| FB | 1 | Stuart Spruce |
| RW | 2 | Alan Hunte |
| RC | 3 | Kris Radlinski |
| LC | 4 | Daryl Powell |
| LW | 5 | Anthony Sullivan |
| SO | 6 | Iestyn Harris |
| SH | 7 | Bobbie Goulding |
| PR | 8 | Paul Broadbent |
| HK | 9 | Keiron Cunningham |
| PR | 10 | Terry O'Connor |
| SR | 11 | Denis Betts |
| SR | 12 | Paul Sculthorpe |
| LK | 13 | Andy Farrell (c) |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | Barrie-Jon Mather |
| IC | 15 | Karle Hammond |
| IC | 16 | Steve Molloy |
| IC | 17 | Chris Joynt |
| Coach: ||
| Phil Larder ||

### 3rd Test

* 1 November 1996
| New Zealand | 32 – 12 | Great Britain |
| Tries: Sean Hoppe (2) Marc Ellis Ruben Wiki Gene Ngamu Matthew Ridge Goals: Matthew Ridge (4) | | Tries: Denis Betts Adrian Morley Goals: Bobbie Goulding (2) |
* Lancaster Park, Christchurch Attendance: 9,000 Referee: Steve Clark
| New Zealand | Great Britain |
| FB | 1 | Matthew Ridge (c) |
| RW | 2 | Sean Hoppe |
| RC | 3 | Ruben Wiki |
| LC | 4 | John Timu |
| LW | 5 | Marc Ellis |
| FE | 6 | Gene Ngamu |
| HB | 7 | Stacey Jones |
| PR | 8 | Grant Young |
| HK | 9 | Syd Eru |
| PR | 10 | Quentin Pongia |
| SR | 11 | Tony Iro |
| SR | 12 | Stephen Kearney |
| LF | 13 | Tyran Smith |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | Anthony Swann |
| IC | 15 | Joe Vagana |
| IC | 16 | Richie Blackmore |
| IC | 17 | Logan Swann |
| Coach: ||
| Frank Endacott ||
| FB | 1 | Stuart Spruce |
| RW | 2 | Alan Hunte |
| RC | 3 | Kris Radlinski |
| LC | 4 | Daryl Powell |
| LW | 5 | Barrie-Jon Mather |
| SO | 6 | Karle Hammond |
| SH | 7 | Bobbie Goulding |
| PR | 8 | Paul Broadbent |
| HK | 9 | Keiron Cunningham |
| PR | 10 | Terry O'Connor |
| SR | 11 | Denis Betts |
| SR | 12 | Paul Sculthorpe |
| LK | 13 | Andy Farrell (c) |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | Iestyn Harris |
| IC | 15 | Adrian Morley |
| IC | 16 | Chris Joynt |
| IC | 17 | Bernard Dwyer |
| Coach: ||
| Phil Larder ||

## Aftermath

The tour was considered a huge failure. It was only the second time in tour history that the Lions had suffered a 3–0 whitewash in a Test series against New Zealand (the other being in 1984), and the 12–32 loss in the Third Test was the widest margin of defeat suffered by Great Britain in a Test against New Zealand. Financially, the tour made a loss of £296,000.
The lack of success was attributed to the large number of key players who were unavailable for the tour, and the blow to morale caused by sending some of the squad home early. Fatigue was also an issue - due to the British rugby league season switching from winter to summer the previous year, some players had taken part in over 60 games within the space of 14 months. New Zealand Rugby League president Graham Carden was blamed for the tour's financial losses, having failed to adequately promote the Test series, resulting in poor attendances. He was eventually forced to stand down the following year.
Great Britain did not tour in the Southern Hemisphere again for over 20 years until 2019.