# 1980 New Zealand rugby league tour of Great Britain and France

The 1980 New Zealand rugby league tour of Great Britain and France was a tour by the New Zealand national rugby league team. The test series between the New Zealand national rugby league team and Great Britain was drawn one all, as was the test series between New Zealand and France.
The Kiwis were 6-1 outsiders ahead of the tour. Great Britain had won seven of the last nine encounters and the New Zealand side was almost entirely domestic based, with captain Mark Graham, Danny Campbell and Nolan Tupaea the only overseas professionals. Following the tour Fred Ah Kuoi (North Sydney Bears), James Leuluai, Dane O'Hara and Gary Kemble (Hull F.C.) and Mark Broadhurst (Manly-Warringah) subsequently secured professional contracts.
The Test series was broadcast across the United Kingdom via the BBC with chief commentator Eddie Waring and his co-commentator, former Great Britain halfback and then Salford coach Alex Murphy. The series was broadcast in New Zealand via Television New Zealand with former Kiwi fullback Des White providing the commentary.

## Squad

New Zealand were coached by Ces Mountford and captained by Mark Graham.
| Player | Club | Position(s) | Tests | Matches | Tries | Goals | F/Goals | Points |
| Fred Ah Kuoi | Richmond Rovers | Five-eighth, Centre | 5 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Ray Baxendale | Runanga | Second-row, Lock | 3 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Mark Broadhurst | Marist-Western Suburbs | Prop | 5 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Danny Campbell | Wigan | Second-row | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tony Coll | Marist | Second-row | 3 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Bruce Dickison | Sydenham | Centre | 4 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Barry Edkins | NA | Second-row, Lock | 1 | 7 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 18 |
| Kevin Fisher | Huntly South | Wing | 1 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bruce Gall | NA | Second-row | 0 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Mark Graham (c) | Brisbane Norths | Lock | 5 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Bernie Green | Runanga | Centre | 0 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Bill Kells | Ngaruwahia | Five-eighth, Halfback | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gary Kemble | Ellerslie Eagles | Fullback, Wing | 1 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 24 |
| James Leuluai | Mt Wellington | Fullback, Centre, Five-eighth | 3 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Rick Muru | Taniwharau | Prop | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Michael O'Donnell | Marist-Western Suburbs | Fullback, Centre | 5 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 13 |
| Dane O'Hara | Bay Roskill | Wing, Centre | 5 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| Gary Prohm | Otahuhu Leopards | Second-row, Wing | 4 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Alan Rushton | Eastern Suburbs | Prop, Hooker | 4 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Gordon Smith | Waro-rakau | Halfback | 4 | 7 | 1 | 15 | 0 | 33 |
| Howie Tamati | Waitara Bears | Hooker | 1 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Kevin Tamati | Upper Hutt Tigers | Prop | 5 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Paul Te Ariki | Wellington | Prop, Second-row | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nolan Tupaea | Wigan | Five-eighth, Centre | 0 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Shane Varley | Point Chevalier Pirates | Halfback | 0 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Graeme West | Hawera | Second-row | 5 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| John Whittaker | Warrington | Centre | 4 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 |

## Great Britain
### Test Venues

The three tests took place at the following venues.
| Wigan | Bradford | Leeds |
| Central Park | Odsal Stadium | Elland Road |
| Capacity: 35,000 | Capacity: 40,000 | Capacity: 32,500 |
* Sunday 28 September
| Blackpool Borough | 5 – 23 | New Zealand |
| Tries: Michael Chester Goals: William Oxley (1) | | Tries: James Leuluai (2), Bruce Dickison, Rick Muru, Nolan Tupaea Goals: Gary Kemble (4) |
* Borough Park, Blackpool Attendance: 1,312 Referee: Ron Moore
Blackpool Borough: Ron Oldham, Michael Chester, Steve Tilly, John Heritage, William Oxley, James Arnold, James Green, Paul Gamble, Don Parry, John Waterworth, Peter Frodsham, Philip Holmes, John Corcoran. Res – Kevin Hanley. Coach – Geoff Lyon
New Zealand: James Leuluai, Bernie Green, John Whittaker, Bruce Dickison, Gary Kemble, Nolan Tupaea, Shane Varley, Rick Muru, Howie Tamati, Kevin Tamati, Ray Baxendale, Bruce Gall, Barry Edkins. Res – Gary Prohm
* Sunday 5 October
| Hull F.C. | 10 – 33 | New Zealand |
| Tries: Vince Farrar, Tim Wilby Goals: Sammy Lloyd (2) | | Tries: Tony Coll (2), Mark Graham (2), Dane O'Hara (2), Alan Rushton, Gordon Smith, Kevin Tamati Goals: Michael O'Donnell (3) |
* Boothferry Park, Kingston upon Hull Attendance: 15,945 Referee: Billy Thompson
Hull F.C.: George Robinson, Graham Walters, Chris Harrison, Tim Wilby, Paul Prendiville, Ian Wilson, Clive Pickerill, Keith Tindall, Ian Crowther, Vince Farrar, Charles Birdsall, Keith Boxall, Sammy Lloyd. Res – Robert Gaitley, Charlie Stone. Coach – Arthur Bunting
New Zealand: Michael O'Donnell, Kevin Fisher, James Leuluai, Bruce Dickison, Dane O'Hara, Fred Ah Kuoi, Gordon Smith, Mark Broadhurst, Alan Rushton, Kevin Tamati, Graeme West, Tony Coll, Mark Graham (c). Res – John Whittaker, Paul Te Ariki
* Wednesday 8 October
| Cumbria | 9 – 3 | New Zealand |
| Tries: Arnie Walker Goals: Ian Ball (3) | | Tries: Graeme West Goals: |
* Recreation Ground, Whitehaven Attendance: 4,070 Referee: Harry Hunt
Cumbria: Steve Tickle, John Bulman, Peter Stoddart, Ian Ball, Chris Camilleri, Ian Rudd, Arnie Walker, Terry Bowman, Alan McCurrie, John Cunningham, Vince Fox, Les Gorley, Bill Pattinson
New Zealand: Gary Kemble, Kevin Fisher, James Leuluai, Bruce Dickison, Dane O'Hara, Fred Ah Kuoi, Shane Varley, Rick Muru, Howie Tamati, Alan Rushton, Graeme West, Tony Coll, Mark Graham (c)
* Sunday 12 October
| St Helens | 11 – 6 | New Zealand |
| Tries: Les Jones Goals: Clive Griffiths (4) | | Tries: Bernie Green, Nolan Tupaea Goals: |
* Knowsley Road, St. Helens Attendance: 6,000 Referee: John McDonald
St Helens: Clive Griffiths, Les Jones, Denis Litherland, Roy Haggerty, Roy Mathias, Brian Parkes, Neil Holding, Mel James, Dennis Nulty, Michael Hope, Eric Chisnall, George Nicholls, Harry Pinner. Res – John Smith, Keiron Pickavance. Coach – Kel Coslett
New Zealand: James Leuluai, Bernie Green, John Whittaker, Fred Ah Kuoi, Nolan Tupaea, Bill Kells, Gordon Smith, Mark Broadhurst, Howie Tamati, Kevin Tamati, Paul Te Ariki, Bruce Gall, Gary Prohm
* Tuesday 14 October
| Bradford Northern | 15 – 10 | New Zealand |
| Tries: David Barends (2), Alan Parker (2) Goals: Alan Redfearn (3) | | Tries: Bruce Dickison, Howie Tamati Goals: Michael O'Donnell (2) |
* Odsal Stadium, Bradford Attendance: 4,553 Referee: John McDonald
Bradford Northern: John Green, David Barends, Les Gant, Derek Parker, Alan Parker, Nigel Stephenson, Alan Redfearn, Jim Fiddler, Brian Noble, Phil Sanderson, Dennis Trotter, Gary Van Bellen, Graham Idle. Res – Stephen Ferres, Gary Hale. Coach – Peter Fox
New Zealand: Michael O'Donnell, Bernie Green, John Whittaker, Bruce Dickison, Gary Kemble, Nolan Tupaea, Bill Kells, Paul Te Ariki, Howie Tamati, Ray Baxendale, Bruce Gall, Gary Prohm, Barry Edkins

### First Test

* Saturday 18 October
| Great Britain | 14 – 14 | New Zealand |
| Tries: Chris Camilleri Mike Smith Goals: George Fairbairn (4) | | Tries: Fred Ah Kuoi Tony Coll Goals: Gordon Smith (4/5) |
* Central Park, Wigan Attendance: 7,031 Referee: Billy Thompson Player of the Match: Fred Ah Kuoi
| Great Britain | New Zealand |
| FB | 1 | George Fairbairn (c) |
| RW | 2 | Chris Camilleri |
| RC | 3 | John Joyner |
| LC | 4 | Mike Smith |
| LW | 5 | Keith Bentley |
| SO | 6 | Steve Hartley |
| SH | 7 | Kevin Dick |
| PR | 8 | Roy Holdstock |
| HK | 9 | David Watkinson |
| PR | 10 | Trevor Skerrett |
| SR | 11 | Jeff Grayshon |
| SR | 12 | Les Gorley |
| LF | 13 | Len Casey |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | |
| IC | 15 | Harry Pinner |
| Coach: ||
| Johnny Whiteley ||
| FB | 1 | Michael O'Donnell |
| RW | 2 | Kevin Fisher |
| RC | 3 | James Leuluai |
| LC | 4 | Bruce Dickison |
| LW | 5 | Dane O'Hara |
| FE | 6 | Fred Ah Kuoi |
| HB | 7 | Gordon Smith |
| PR | 8 | Mark Broadhurst |
| HK | 9 | Alan Rushton |
| PR | 10 | Kevin Tamati |
| SR | 11 | Graeme West |
| SR | 12 | Tony Coll |
| LK | 13 | Mark Graham (c) |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | Ray Baxendale |
| IC | 15 | |
| Coach: ||
| Ces Mountford ||
* Wednesday 22 October
| Hull Kingston Rovers | 12 – 20 | New Zealand |
| Tries: Paul Harkin, Phil Lowe Goals: Phil Hogan (2) Steve Hubbard (1) | | Tries: Bruce Gall (3), John Whittaker Goals: Barry Edkins (3) Gary Kemble (1) |
* Craven Park, Kingston upon Hull Attendance: 9,516 Referee: Fred Lindop
Hull Kingston Rovers: Dave Hall, Steve Hubbard, Mike Smith, Phil Hogan, Wally Youngman, Steve Hartley, Paul Harkin, Roy Holdstock, Raymond Price, David Watkinson, Phil Lowe, Len Casey, Mick Crane. Res – Ian Robinson, Graham Douglas. Coach – Roger Millward
New Zealand: Gary Kemble, Gary Prohm, John Whittaker, James Leuluai, Dane O'Hara, Nolan Tupaea, Shane Varley, Mark Broadhurst, Howie Tamati, Bruce Gall, Graeme West, Ray Baxendale, Barry Edkins. Res – Paul Te Ariki
* Sunday 26 October
| Leeds | 5 – 25 | New Zealand |
| Tries: David Smith Goals: Kevin Dick (1) | | Tries: Mark Graham (2), Tony Coll, James Leuluai, John Whittaker Goals: Gordon Smith (5) |
* Headingley, Leeds Attendance: 5,662 Referee: Ron Campbell
Leeds: Willie Oulton, Alan Smith, David Smith, Neil Hague, John Atkinson, John Holmes, Kevin Dick, Neil Lean, David Ward, Steve Pitchford, Graham Eccles, John Carroll, David Heron. Res – Gary Hetherington, Roy Dickinson. Coach – Robin Dewhurst
New Zealand: Michael O'Donnell, Kevin Fisher, John Whittaker, James Leuluai, Dane O'Hara, Fred Ah Kuoi, Gordon Smith, Mark Broadhurst, Alan Rushton, Kevin Tamati, Graeme West, Tony Coll, Mark Graham (c). Res – Rick Muru
* Wednesday 29 October
| Warrington | 11 – 7 | New Zealand |
| Tries: Edwin Hunter, Tommy Martyn Goals: Steve Hesford (2) Field Goals: Anthony Waller (1) | | Tries: Shane Varley Goals: Barry Edkins (1) Gary Kemble (1) |
* Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington Attendance: 5,680 Referee: Vince Moss
Warrington: Derek Finnegan, Richard Thackray, Ian Duane, John Bevan, Steve Hesford, Jimmy Fairhurst, Alan Gwilliam, Neil Courtney, Anthony Waller, Brian Case, Tommy Martyn, Ian Potter, Edwin Hunter. Res – Billy Benyon, Bob Eccles. Coach – Billy Benyon
New Zealand: Gary Kemble, Bernie Green, Nolan Tupaea, Bruce Dickison, Gary Prohm, Bill Kells, Shane Varley, Rick Muru, Howie Tamati, Bruce Gall, Paul Te Ariki, Ray Baxendale, Barry Edkins. Res – Dane O'Hara

### Second Test

* Sunday 2 November
| Great Britain | 8 – 12 | New Zealand |
| Tries: Goals: George Fairbairn (4/5) | | Tries: Michael O'Donnell Dane O'Hara Goals: Gordon Smith (3/4) Michael O'Donnell (0/2) |
* Odsal Stadium, Bradford Attendance: 10,946 Referee: Fred Lindop Player of the Match: Mark Broadhurst
| Great Britain | New Zealand |
| FB | 1 | George Fairbairn (c) |
| RW | 2 | Des Drummond |
| RC | 3 | John Joyner |
| LC | 4 | Mike Smith |
| LW | 5 | Chris Camilleri |
| SO | 6 | Ken Kelly |
| SH | 7 | Kevin Dick |
| PR | 8 | Roy Holdstock |
| HK | 9 | Keith Elwell |
| PR | 10 | Glyn Shaw |
| SR | 11 | Jeff Grayshon |
| SR | 12 | Len Casey |
| LF | 13 | Harry Pinner |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | Steve Evans |
| IC | 15 | Les Gorley |
| Coach: ||
| Johnny Whiteley ||
| FB | 1 | Michael O'Donnell |
| RW | 2 | Gary Prohm |
| RC | 3 | James Leuluai |
| LC | 4 | John Whittaker |
| LW | 5 | Dane O'Hara |
| FE | 6 | Fred Ah Kuoi |
| HB | 7 | Gordon Smith |
| PR | 8 | Mark Broadhurst |
| HK | 9 | Alan Rushton |
| PR | 10 | Kevin Tamati |
| SR | 11 | Graeme West |
| SR | 12 | Tony Coll |
| LK | 13 | Mark Graham (c) |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | Ray Baxendale |
| IC | 15 | Kevin Fisher |
| Coach: ||
| Ces Mountford ||
* Wednesday 5 November
| Great Britain U/24 | 14 – 18 | New Zealand |
| Tries: Steve Evans, Neil Holding Goals: Mick Burke (4) | | Tries: Dane O'Hara (2), Ray Baxendale, Graeme West Goals: Gary Kemble (2) Barry Edkins (1) |
* Craven Cottage, London Attendance: 2,397 Referee: Stan Wall
Great Britain U/24: Mick Burke, Richard Thackray, David Stephenson, Gary Hyde, Steve Fenton, Steve Evans (c), Neil Holding, Gary Van Bellen, Paul O'Neill, Brian Case, Kevin Ward, Vince Fox, Terry Flanagan. Res – Keith Bentley, Mike O'Neill. Coach – Johnny Whiteley
New Zealand: Michael O'Donnell, Gary Kemble, Gary Prohm, Dane O'Hara, Kevin Fisher, Fred Ah Kuoi, Shane Varley, Mark Broadhurst, Howie Tamati, Bruce Gall, Graeme West, Ray Baxendale, Barry Edkins. Res – Dane O'Hara
* Sunday 9 November
| Widnes | 14 – 7 | New Zealand |
| Tries: Keith Elwell, Mick George Goals: Mick Burke (4) | | Tries: Dane O'Hara Goals: Gordon Smith (2) |
* Naughton Park, Widnes Attendance: 6,416 Referee: Stan Wall
Widnes: Mick Burke, Stuart Wright, Mick George, Eddie Cunningham, Keith Bentley, Eric Hughes, Tony Myler, Brian Hogan, Keith Elwell, Glyn Shaw, Mike O'Neill, Eric Prescott, Mick Adams. Res – Wayne Rutene, Fred Whitfield. Coach – Doug Laughton
New Zealand: Michael O'Donnell, Kevin Fisher, John Whittaker, James Leuluai, Dane O'Hara, Fred Ah Kuoi, Gordon Smith, Mark Broadhurst, Alan Rushton, Kevin Tamati, Graeme West, Ray Baxendale, Tony Coll. Res – Shane Varley, Bruce Gall
* Tuesday 11 November
| Leigh | 5 – 22 | New Zealand |
| Tries: Keith Elwell, Mick George Goals: Mick Burke (4) | | Tries: Dane O'Hara Goals: Gordon Smith (2) |
* Hilton Park, Leigh Attendance: 3,166 Referee: Stan Wall
Leigh: Peter Alstead, David Bullough, David Dunn, Steve Donlan, Philip Fox, Alan Fairhurst, Ken Green, Anthony Cooke, Les Wall, Terry Bowman, Ian Hobson, Alan Rathbone, Tom Gittins. Res – Alan Keaveney, Ray Tabern. Coach – Alex Murphy
New Zealand: Gary Kemble, Bernie Green, Bruce Dickison, Nolan Tupaea, Gary Prohm, Bill Kells, Shane Varley, Rick Muru, Howie Tamati, Danny Campbell, Paul Te Ariki, Bruce Gall, Barry Edkins. Res – Kevin Fisher, Alan Rushton

### Third Test

* Saturday 15 November
| Great Britain | 10 – 2 | New Zealand |
| Tries: Des Drummond (2) Goals: Mick Burke (2/3) | | Tries: Goals: Gordon Smith (1/3) Barry Edkins (0/3) |
* Elland Road, Leeds Attendance: 8,210 Referee: Billy Thompson
| Great Britain | New Zealand |
| FB | 1 | Mick Burke |
| RW | 2 | Des Drummond |
| RC | 3 | John Joyner |
| LC | 4 | Steve Evans |
| LW | 5 | John Atkinson |
| SO | 6 | John Woods |
| SH | 7 | Arnold Walker |
| PR | 8 | Trevor Skerrett |
| HK | 9 | Keith Elwell |
| PR | 10 | Len Casey (c) |
| SR | 11 | Mick Adams |
| SR | 12 | Peter Gorley |
| LF | 13 | Steve Norton |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | |
| IC | 15 | |
| Coach: ||
| Johnny Whiteley ||
| FB | 1 | Michael O'Donnell |
| RW | 2 | Gary Prohm |
| RC | 3 | John Whittaker |
| LC | 4 | Bruce Dickison |
| LW | 5 | Dane O'Hara |
| FE | 6 | Fred Ah Kuoi |
| HB | 7 | Gordon Smith |
| PR | 8 | Mark Broadhurst |
| HK | 9 | Alan Rushton |
| PR | 10 | Kevin Tamati |
| SR | 11 | Graeme West |
| SR | 12 | Barry Edkins |
| LK | 13 | Mark Graham (c) |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | Howie Tamati |
| IC | 15 | Ray Baxendale |
| Coach: ||
| Ces Mountford ||

## France
### First Test

* Sunday 23 November
| France | 6 – 5 | New Zealand |
| Tries: Jean-Marc Bourret (2) Goals: | | Tries: Gary Prohm Goals: Michael O'Donnell (1) |
* Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan Attendance: 6,000 Referee: Guy Cattaneo
| France | New Zealand |
| FB | 1 | Marcel Pillon |
| RW | 2 | Jean-Pierre Siré |
| RC | 3 | Jean-Marc Bourret |
| LC | 4 | Christian Laumond |
| LW | 5 | Hugues Ratier |
| SO | 6 | Hervé Guiraud |
| SH | 7 | Ivan Grésèque |
| PR | 8 | Henri Daniel |
| HK | 9 | André Malacamp |
| PR | 10 | Charles Zalduendo |
| SR | 11 | Jean-Jacques Vila |
| SR | 12 | Didier Hermet (c) |
| LK | 13 | Joël Roosebrouck |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | Guy Delaunay |
| IC | 15 | Guy Garcia |
| Coach: ||
| Roger Garrigue ||
| FB | 1 | Gary Kemble |
| RW | 2 | Gary Prohm |
| RC | 3 | John Whittaker |
| LC | 4 | Michael O'Donnell |
| LW | 5 | Dane O'Hara |
| FE | 6 | Fred Ah Kuoi |
| HB | 7 | Gordon Smith |
| PR | 8 | Mark Broadhurst |
| HK | 9 | Alan Rushton |
| PR | 10 | Kevin Tamati |
| SR | 11 | Graeme West |
| SR | 12 | Ray Baxendale |
| LK | 13 | Mark Graham (c) |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | Howie Tamati |
| IC | 15 | Bruce Dickison |
| Coach: ||
| Ces Mountford ||

### Second Test

* Sunday 7 December
| France | 3 – 11 | New Zealand |
| Tries: Jean-Marc Bourret Goals: | | Tries: Dane O'Hara Gary Prohm Gordon Smith Goals: Gordon Smith (1) |
* Stadium Municipal, Toulouse Attendance: 3,000 Referee: Pierre Bonnefont
| France | New Zealand |
| FB | 1 | Marcel Pillon |
| RW | 2 | Jean-Pierre Siré |
| RC | 3 | Jean-Marc Bourret |
| LC | 4 | Hugues Ratier |
| LW | 5 | Bernard Imbert |
| SO | 6 | Hervé Guiraud |
| SH | 7 | Ivan Grésèque |
| PR | 8 | Guy Hermet |
| HK | 9 | André Malacamp |
| PR | 10 | Dominique Verdières |
| SR | 11 | Jean-Jacques Vila |
| SR | 12 | Jean-Pierre Tremouille |
| LK | 13 | Joël Roosebrouck (c) |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | Charles Zalduendo |
| IC | 15 | |
| Coach: Roger Garrigue ||
| FB | 1 | Michael O'Donnell |
| RW | 2 | Gary Prohm |
| RC | 3 | John Whittaker |
| LC | 4 | James Leuluai |
| LW | 5 | Dane O'Hara |
| FE | 6 | Fred Ah Kuoi |
| HB | 7 | Gordon Smith |
| PR | 8 | Mark Broadhurst |
| HK | 9 | Howie Tamati |
| PR | 10 | Kevin Tamati |
| SR | 11 | Graeme West |
| SR | 12 | Tony Coll |
| LK | 13 | Mark Graham (c) |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | Alan Rushton |
| IC | 15 | Bruce Dickison |
| Coach: ||
| Ces Mountford ||

## Statistics

Leading try scorer
* 6 by Dane O'Hara
Leading point scorer
* 33 by Gordon Smith (1 try, 15 goals)
Largest Test attendance
* 10,946 – Second test vs Great Britain at Odsal Stadium
Largest club game attendance
* 15,945 – Hull F.C. vs New Zealand at Boothferry Park