# 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.
Due to the advent of the Jet Age which had made international travel times much shorter (a Jumbo Jet airplane could travel between Sydney and London in a day compared to the weeks it took a ship at sea), and with a slimed down tour itinerary (the 1973 Kangaroos played 19 games compared to the 27 played by the 1967-68 Kangaroos), this was the first Kangaroo Tour of Great Britain and France to be held inside of a single calendar year.

## 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.
| Player | Club | Position(s) | Tests | Games | Tries | Goals | F/Goals | Points |
| Arthur Beetson (vc) | Eastern Suburbs Roosters | Prop | 5 | 16 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Ray Branighan | Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles | Centre, Wing, Fullback | 4 | 13 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 25 |
| Mick Cronin | Gerringong Lions | Centre | 2 | 12 | 7 | 28 | 0 | 77 |
| Graham Eadie | Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles | Fullback | 2 | 10 | 4 | 9 | 0 | 30 |
| Bob Fulton | Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles | Centre, Five-eighth | 5 | 14 | 20 | 0 | 1 | 61 |
| Ted Goodwin | St George Dragons | Wing, Centre | 3 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
| Bill Hamilton | Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles | Prop | 0 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| John Lang | Eastern Suburbs Tigers (Qld) | Hooker | 1 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Graeme Langlands (c) | St George Dragons | Fullback, Centre | 1 | 8 | 4 | 27 | 0 | 66 |
| Ken Maddison | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | Second-row | 4 | 13 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| Bob McCarthy (vc) | South Sydney Rabbitohs | Second-row | 2 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| John O'Neill | Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles | Prop | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bob O'Reilly | Parramatta Eels | Prop | 4 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Warren Orr | Wests Panthers (Qld) | Wing | 0 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Tim Pickup | North Sydney Bears | Five-eighth, Halfback | 4 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Greg Pierce | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | Lock, Second-row | 1 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Terry Randall | Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles | Second-row, Lock | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Tom Raudonikis (vc) | Western Suburbs Magpies | Halfback | 4 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Steve Rogers | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | Centre | 0 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Paul Sait | South Sydney Rabbitohs | Second-row, Lock | 4 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Geoff Starling | Balmain Tigers | Centre, Lock | 5 | 13 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Gary Stevens | South Sydney Rabbitohs | Second-row | 3 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| David Waite | Wests Wollongong | Wing | 4 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Elwyn Walters | South Sydney Rabbitohs | Hooker | 4 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Dennis Ward | Western Suburbs Rosellas | Halfback | 0 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Lionel Williamson | Newtown Bluebags | Wing | 3 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
1973 NSWRFL Premiers Manly-Warringah provided a record 6 players to the Kangaroos while the team they defeated in the Grand Final Cronulla-Sutherland, provided 3 players. Surprisingly, no players were selected from either of the 1973 Brisbane Rugby League Grand Finalists, winners Fortitude Valley or runners up Redcliffe.
Of the 26 player squad, 21 were from New South Wales and 5 from Queensland, with 3 of the Queenslanders picked Sydney teams (team vice captain Arthur Beetson (Easts), Souths hooker Elwyn Walters and Newtown winger Lionel Williamson). Brisbane Easts hooker John Lang and Brisbane Wests winger Warren Orr were the only players picked from Queensland based clubs.

## 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 |

### The Ashes series
#### 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) | | Tries: Ray Branighan Bob Fulton Goals: Graeme Langlands (3) |
* Wembley Stadium, London Attendance: 9,874 Referee: Billy Thompson Player of the Match: Phil Lowe
| Great Britain | Australia |
| FB | 1 | Paul Charlton |
| RW | 2 | Clive Sullivan (c) |
| RC | 3 | Syd Hynes |
| LC | 4 | Chris Hesketh |
| LW | 5 | John Atkinson |
| SO | 6 | David Topliss |
| SH | 7 | Steve Nash |
| PR | 8 | Terry Clawson |
| HK | 9 | Colin Clarke |
| PR | 10 | Brian Lockwood |
| SR | 11 | Phil Lowe |
| SR | 12 | George Nicholls |
| LK | 13 | Ray Batten |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | |
| IC | 15 | |
| Coach: ||
| Jim Challinor ||
| FB | 1 | Graeme Langlands (c) |
| RW | 2 | Ray Branighan |
| RC | 3 | Bob Fulton |
| LC | 4 | Geoff Starling |
| LW | 5 | Ted Goodwin |
| FE | 6 | Tim Pickup |
| HB | 7 | Tommy Raudonikis |
| PR | 8 | Bob O'Reilly |
| HK | 9 | Elwyn Walters |
| PR | 10 | Arthur Beetson |
| SR | 11 | Bob McCarthy |
| SR | 12 | Ken Maddison |
| LF | 13 | Paul Sait |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | |
| IC | 15 | |
| Coach: ||
| Graeme Langlands ||

#### 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) | | Tries: Bob McCarthy Goals: Graham Eadie (5) |
* Headingley, Leeds Attendance: 16,674 Referee: Billy Thompson Player of the Match: Graham Eadie
| Great Britain | Australia |
| FB | 1 | Paul Charlton |
| RW | 2 | Clive Sullivan (c) |
| RC | 3 | Syd Hynes |
| LC | 4 | Chris Hesketh |
| LW | 5 | John Atkinson |
| SO | 6 | David Topliss |
| SH | 7 | Steve Nash |
| PR | 8 | Terry Clawson |
| HK | 9 | Colin Clarke |
| PR | 10 | Brian Lockwood |
| SR | 11 | Phil Lowe |
| SR | 12 | John Mantle |
| LK | 13 | Ray Batten |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | David Eckersley |
| IC | 15 | Colin Dixon |
| Coach: ||
| Jim Challinor ||
| FB | 1 | Graham Eadie |
| RW | 2 | Lionel Williamson |
| RC | 3 | Geoff Starling |
| LC | 4 | Ray Branighan |
| LW | 5 | Ted Goodwin |
| FE | 6 | Bob Fulton |
| HB | 7 | Tommy Raudonikis |
| PR | 8 | Bob O'Reilly |
| HK | 9 | Elwyn Walters |
| PR | 10 | Arthur Beetson |
| SR | 11 | Bob McCarthy (c) |
| SR | 12 | Gary Stevens |
| LF | 13 | Paul Sait |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | Ken Maddison |
| IC | 15 | |
| Coach: ||
| 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 | | 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 Player of the Match: Ken Maddison
| Great Britain | Australia |
| FB | 1 | Paul Charlton |
| RW | 2 | Alan Smith |
| RC | 3 | Syd Hynes |
| LC | 4 | Chris Hesketh |
| LW | 5 | Clive Sullivan (c) |
| SO | 6 | David Eckersley |
| SH | 7 | Roger Millward |
| PR | 8 | Terry Clawson |
| HK | 9 | Colin Clarke |
| PR | 10 | Mick Harrison |
| SR | 11 | George Nicholls |
| SR | 12 | Phil Lowe |
| LK | 13 | Doug Laughton |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | David Watkins |
| IC | 15 | Colin Dixon |
| Coach: ||
| Jim Challinor ||
| FB | 1 | Graham Eadie |
| RW | 2 | Lionel Williamson |
| RC | 3 | Geoff Starling |
| LC | 4 | Ray Branighan |
| LW | 5 | David Waite |
| FE | 6 | Bob Fulton |
| HB | 7 | Tommy Raudonikis (c) |
| PR | 8 | Bob O'Reilly |
| HK | 9 | Elwyn Walters |
| PR | 10 | Arthur Beetson |
| SR | 11 | Ken Maddison |
| SR | 12 | Gary Stevens |
| LF | 13 | Paul Sait |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | Tim Pickup |
| IC | 15 | |
| Coach: ||
| 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

| Date | Opponent | Score | Ground | Referee | Crowd |
| 9 December | France | 9 – 21 | Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan | G. Jameau (FRA) | 5,109 |
| 12 December | France XIII | 12 – 24 | Stade Chaban-Delmas, Bordeaux | | 2,523 |
| 16 December | France | 3 – 14 | Stade des Minimes, Toulouse | M. Caillol (FRA) | 7,060 |

### French Tests
#### First test

* Sunday, 9 December 1973
| France | 9 – 21 | Australia |
| Tries: Michel Molinier André Ruiz Goals Roger Garrigue (1) Field Goals: Roger Garrigue (1) | | 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 | Australia |
| FB | 1 | Maurice de Matos |
| RW | 2 | Serge Marsolan |
| RC | 3 | Michel Molinier |
| LC | 4 | André Ruiz |
| LW | 5 | Jean-Claude Marty |
| SO | 6 | Patrick Rives |
| SH | 7 | Roger Garrigue (c) |
| PR | 8 | Christian Carré |
| HK | 9 | Jacques Franc |
| PR | 10 | Charles Thénégal |
| SR | 11 | Jean-Jacques Cologni |
| SR | 12 | Jean-Paul Sauret |
| LK | 13 | Georges Bonet |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | Marius Frattini |
| IC | 15 | Serge Gleyzes |
| Coach: ||
| FB | 1 | Ray Branighan |
| RW | 2 | Lionel Williamson |
| RC | 3 | Bob Fulton |
| LC | 4 | Michael Cronin |
| LW | 5 | David Waite |
| FE | 6 | Tim Pickup |
| HB | 7 | Tommy Raudonikis (c) |
| PR | 8 | Arthur Beetson |
| HK | 9 | John Lang |
| PR | 10 | John O'Neill |
| SR | 11 | Greg Pierce |
| SR | 12 | Elwyn Walters |
| LF | 13 | Geoff Starling |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | Ted Goodwin |
| IC | 15 | |
| Coach: ||
| 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: | | Tries: Ray Branighan Michael Cronin Bob Fulton Ken Maddison Goals: Michael Cronin (1) |
* Stade des Minimes, Toulouse Attendance: 2,000 Referee: Marcel Caillol
| France | Australia |
| FB | 1 | José Calle |
| RW | 2 | Serge Marsolan |
| RC | 3 | Michel Molinier |
| LC | 4 | André Ruiz |
| LW | 5 | Jean-Claude Marty |
| SO | 6 | Michel Mazaré |
| SH | 7 | Roger Garrigue (c) |
| PR | 8 | Victor Serrano |
| HK | 9 | Jacques Franc |
| PR | 10 | Christian Carré |
| SR | 11 | Jean-Paul Sauret |
| SR | 12 | Jean-Jacques Cologni |
| LK | 13 | Serge Gleyzes |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | Georges Bonet |
| IC | 15 | Lambert Brunet |
| Coach: ||
| FB | 1 | Ray Branighan |
| RW | 2 | Ted Goodwin |
| RC | 3 | Michael Cronin |
| LC | 4 | Geoff Starling |
| LW | 5 | David Waite |
| FE | 6 | Bob Fulton |
| HB | 7 | Tim Pickup |
| PR | 8 | Bob O'Reilly |
| HK | 9 | Elwyn Walters |
| PR | 10 | Arthur Beetson (c) |
| SR | 11 | Ken Maddison |
| SR | 12 | Gary Stevens |
| LF | 13 | Paul Sait |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | |
| IC | 15 | |
| Coach: ||
| Graeme Langlands ||