# 1993 New Zealand rugby league tour of Great Britain and France

The 1993 New Zealand rugby league tour of Great Britain and France was a tour by the New Zealand national rugby league team. The New Zealand national rugby league team lost a series 0-3 against Great Britain but defeated Wales and France in one-off test matches. They also won games against Wigan, St Helens, Widnes, Leeds and the Great Britain under 23's.

## Background

New Zealand last toured Great Britain in 1989.
Earlier in 1993, New Zealand had drawn 14-all with the Kangaroos at Mt Smart Stadium. This was the first ever draw between the two countries. They then lost 8-16 on a very wet Palmerston North Showgrounds before finishing the 1993 Trans-Tasman Test series by going down 4-16 at Lang Park in Brisbane.
The New Zealand squad for those matches was: Morvin Edwards, Sean Hoppe, Jarrod McCracken, Dave Watson, Daryl Halligan, Tea Ropati, Gary Freeman (C), Se'e Solomona, Duane Mann, Brent Todd, Gary Mercer, Quentin Pongia, Tawera Nikau, Tony Kemp, Brendon Tuuta, Jason Donnelly, Stephen Kearney, Gavin Hill and John Lomax while Howie Tamati was the coach and Richard Bolton was the manager. All of this squad, with the exception of Gavin Hill and Tony Kemp, were also selected for the tour of Great Britain and France. However, before the tour, they lost McCracken (surgery) and Brent Todd (injury). The Kiwis would also be without first choice goal kicking fullback Matthew Ridge who had suffered a season ending knee injury earlier in the year while playing for Manly. However, with the presence of other known Superboots Daryl Halligan and Wigan's Frano Botica, the Kiwi squad lacked nothing for goal kicking.
The Frank Endacott-coached Junior Kiwis toured Great Britain at the same time as the senior Kiwis, winning 11 of their 12 matches. Their captain, Henry Paul, was called up from the Junior Kiwis to join the main squad mid-tour. Test veteran utility back Dave Watson was also added to the touring squad after playing a starring role at fullback for Bradford Northern in their 17–10 win over the Kiwis in the second game of the tour.

## Squad

This was the first time that no Auckland-based players were in the squad.
| Name | Club | Tests | Tries | Goals | FGs | Points |
| Peter Edwards | Upper Hutt Tigers | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jason Williams | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Whetu Taewa | Halswell Hornets | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Blair Harding | Papanui Tigers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mark Nixon | Hornby Panthers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Iva Ropati | Oldham | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Gene Ngamu | Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Aaron Whittaker | Halswell Hornets | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brent Stuart | Addington | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jason Lowrie | Eastern Suburbs Roosters | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Paul Johnson | Papanui Tigers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Denvour Johnston | Randwick Kingfishers | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Robert Piva | Porirua City | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jason Mackie | Takahiwai Warriors | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Logan Edwards | Marist-Western Suburbs | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| David Lomax | Wainuiomata Lions | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Simon Angell | Hornby Panthers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Morvin Edwards | Balmain Tigers | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sean Hoppe | Canberra Raiders | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Jarrod McCracken | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dave Watson | Bradford Northern | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Daryl Halligan | North Sydney Bears | 3 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 28 |
| Tea Ropati | St. Helens | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gary Freeman (c) | Eastern Suburbs Roosters | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Se'e Solomona | Oldham | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Henry Paul | Waitakere City Raiders | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Duane Mann | Warrington | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brent Todd | Gold Coast Seagulls | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gary Mercer | Leeds | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Quentin Pongia | Canberra Raiders | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tawera Nikau | Castleford | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brendon Tuuta | Featherstone Rovers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jason Donnelly | St. George Dragons | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Stephen Kearney | Western Suburbs Magpies | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kevin Iro | Leeds | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Frano Botica | Wigan | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 10 |
| Tony Kemp | Newcastle Knights | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| John Lomax | Canberra Raiders | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Richie Blackmore | Castleford | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Howie Tamati was the coach and Richard Bolton was the manager.

## Fixtures

The New Zealand side played a total of five test matches while on their European tour and one test in New Zealand before leaving.

## Great Britain
### Test Venues

The three Great Britain vs New Zealand tests took place at the following venues.
| London | Wigan | Leeds |
| Wembley Stadium | Central Park | Headingley |
| Capacity: 82,000 | Capacity: 25,000 | Capacity: 22,000 |

### Wales Test

The Kiwis opened their tour with what was their first test against Wales since the 1975 Rugby League World Cup. That game, won 25-24 by the Welsh, was also played in Swansea but at the St. Helen's Rugby and Cricket Ground. This game was played at the Vetch Field.
* Monday 4 October 1993
| Wales | 19 – 24 | New Zealand |
| Tries: Gerald Cordle (2) Goals: Jonathan Davies (5/7) Field Goals: Jonathan Griffiths (1) | | Tries: Jason Mackie Iva Ropati Sean Hoppe Goals: Daryl Halligan (6/7) |
* Vetch Field, Swansea Attendance: 6,073 Referee: John Connolly Player of the Match: Quentin Pongia
| Wales | New Zealand |
| FB | 1 | Phil Ford |
| RW | 2 | Gerald Cordle |
| RC | 3 | Allan Bateman |
| LC | 4 | John Devereux |
| LW | 5 | Anthony Sullivan |
| SO | 6 | Johnathan Davies (c) |
| SH | 7 | Kevin Ellis |
| PR | 8 | Mark Jones |
| HK | 9 | Barry Williams |
| PR | 10 | Dai Young |
| SR | 11 | Ian Marlow |
| SR | 12 | Rowland Phillips |
| LK | 13 | Jonathan Griffiths |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | Adrian Hadley |
| IC | 15 | Rob Ackerman |
| IC | 16 | |
| IC | 17 | |
| Coach: ||
| Clive Griffiths ||
| FB | 1 | Morvin Edwards |
| RW | 2 | Daryl Halligan |
| RC | 3 | Iva Ropati |
| LC | 4 | Whetu Taewa |
| LW | 5 | Sean Hoppe |
| FE | 6 | Gene Ngamu |
| HB | 7 | Gary Freeman (c) |
| PR | 8 | John Lomax |
| HK | 9 | Duane Mann |
| PR | 10 | Brent Stuart |
| SR | 11 | Stephen Kearney |
| SR | 12 | Quentin Pongia |
| LK | 13 | Jason Mackie |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | Jason Williams |
| IC | 15 | Robert Piva |
| IC | 16 | |
| IC | 17 | |
| Coach: ||
| Howie Tamati ||
A disallowed try in the dying minutes was all that came between Wales pulling off the result of the decade in an exciting clash at Swansea.
Wales led for much of the first half. Two kicked penalties from Jonathan Davies and a drop goal from John Griffiths gave the impetus and on 27 minutes Davies put in a fantastic 40 yard kick to set up the flying Gareth Cordle to score Wales' first try.
However New Zealand were kept in the game by a succession of goals from the classy kicker Daryl Harrigan, and when Quentin Pongia punished a rare weak kick from Davies to set up Mackie just before half-time, the Kiwis took a narrow lead.
Ropati extended the lead to 7 points after the restart before Jiffy's magic took hold on the game again. He kicked a penalty and then repeated the trick of the first half, sending another long kick over the defence to give Cordle his second. Wales smelt victory at 17-16 but almost immediately a lost ball from Devereux allowed Mackie to set up the strong running Sean Hoppe. Both sides exchanged penalties and with a few minutes to go John Devereux took advantage of a hoisted bomb to send Wales into rapture with what they thought was the winning try. Agonisingly for the home side, reserve back Adrian Hadley was correctly ruled offside and Wales' last chance to steal the match was gone.
A famous victory had eluded Wales; nevertheless they had sent a clear message that they were building up to the World Cup and would be willing to take on anybody.
* Tuesday 5 October
| Bradford Northern | 17 – 10 | New Zealand |
| Tries: Goals: | | Tries: Goals: |
* Odsal Stadium, Bradford Attendance: 5,015 Referee: Russell Smith Player of the Match: Deryck Fox
Bradford Northern: Dave Watson, Gerald Cordle, Steve McGowan, Darrel Shelford, Brimah Kebbie, Neil Summers, Deryck Fox, Paul Grayshon, Trevor Clark, Jon Hamer, Roy Powell, Paul Medley, Karl Fairbank. Res – Daio Powell, Carl Winterburn, Adam Greenwood, Keith Mumby. Coach – Peter Fox
New Zealand: Peter Edwards, Whetu Taewa, Jason Williams, Blair Harding, Jason Donnelly, Mark Nixon (c), Aaron Whittaker, Robert Piva, Denvour Johnston, Jason Lowrie, Simon Angell, David Lomax, Logan Edwards. Res – Gary Freeman, Quentin Pongia, Daryl Halligan, Paul Johnson
Kiwi forward Quentin Pongia was suspended for one game after being sent off for a high tackle.
* Sunday 10 October
| Wigan | 18 – 25 | New Zealand |
| Tries: Shaun Edwards, Neil Cowie, Martin Hall Goals: Andy Farrell (3/3) | | Tries: Sean Hoppe (2), Gene Ngamu, Whetu Taewa, Jason Mackie Goals: Gene Ngamu (1/5) Field Goals: Daryl Halligan (1) |
* Central Park, Wigan Attendance: 13,669 Referee: Robin Whitfield
Wigan: Joe Lydon, Jason Robinson, Dean Bell (c), Gary Connolly, Sam Panapa, Frano Botica, Shaun Edwards, Neil Cowie, Martin Hall, Ian Gildart, Denis Betts, Andy Farrell, Phil Clarke. Res - Paul Stevens, Barrie-Jon Mather, Mick Cassidy, Martin Dermott. Coach - John Dorahy
New Zealand: Daryl Halligan, Sean Hoppe, Iva Ropati, Whetu Taewa, Jason Williams, Gene Ngamu, Gary Freeman (c), John Lomax, Duane Mann, Brent Stuart, Stephen Kearney, Robert Piva, Jason Mackie. Res - Aaron Whittaker, David Lomax, Jason Donnelly, Jason Lowrie
Surprisingly, Kiwi coach Howie Tamati elected to have Gene Ngamu kicking the goals despite the presence of 'superboot' Daryl Halligan at fullback in place of Morvin Edwards who was suffering from the flu. The ploy almost backfired as Ngamu only kicked one goal from five attempts. The match was highlighted by Sean Hoppe's 90 metre intercept try in the second half in which he left both Gary Connolly and Sam Panapa in his wake. Frano Botica, who would represent the Kiwis later in the test series, played against his national squad for Wigan.
* Tuesday 12 October
| Castleford | 16 – 4 | New Zealand |
| Tries: St. John Ellis (3), Simon Middleton Goals: | | Tries: Goals: |
* Wheldon Road, Castleford Attendance: 4,927 Referee: David Campbell
Castleford: Graham Steadman, St. John Ellis, Richie Blackmore, Grant Anderson, Simon Middleton, Tony Kemp, Mike Ford, Lee Crooks (c), Richard Russell, Tony Morrison, Mike Ketteridge, Andrew Hay, Ian Smales. Res – Jason Flowers, Keith England, Tony Smith, Dean Sampson. Coach – John Joyner

### 1st Test

* Saturday 16 October 1993
| Great Britain | 17 – 0 | New Zealand |
| Tries: Jason Robinson (2) John Devereux Goals: Jonathan Davies (2) Field Goals: Jonathan Davies (1) | | Tries: Goals: |
* Wembley Stadium, London Attendance: 36,131 Referee: Greg McCallum
| Great Britain | New Zealand |
| FB | 1 | Johnathan Davies |
| LW | 2 | Jason Robinson |
| RC | 3 | Paul Newlove |
| LC | 4 | Gary Connolly |
| RW | 5 | John Devereux |
| SO | 6 | Garry Schofield (c) |
| SH | 7 | Shaun Edwards |
| PR | 8 | Karl Harrison |
| HK | 9 | Martin Dermott |
| PR | 10 | Karl Fairbank |
| SR | 11 | Denis Betts |
| SR | 12 | Chris Joynt |
| LK | 13 | Phil Clarke |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | Daryl Powell |
| IC | 15 | Richard Eyres |
| IC | 16 | Alan Tait |
| IC | 17 | Sonny Nickle |
| Coach: ||
| Mal Reilly ||
| FB | 1 | Morvin Edwards |
| RW | 2 | Daryl Halligan |
| RC | 3 | Kevin Iro |
| LC | 4 | Dave Watson |
| LW | 5 | Sean Hoppe |
| FE | 6 | Gene Ngamu |
| HB | 7 | Gary Freeman (c) |
| PR | 8 | John Lomax |
| HK | 9 | Duane Mann |
| PR | 10 | Brent Stuart |
| SR | 11 | Stephen Kearney |
| SR | 12 | Quentin Pongia |
| LK | 13 | Tawera Nikau |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | Jason Mackie |
| IC | 15 | Jason Williams |
| IC | 16 | Whetu Taewa |
| IC | 17 | Jason Lowrie |
| Coach: ||
| Howie Tamati ||
* Wednesday 20 October
| St Helens | 8 – 14 | New Zealand |
| Tries: Goals: | | Tries: Goals: |
* Knowsley Road, St Helens Attendance: 8,170
St Helens: David Lyon, Mike Riley, Phil Veivers, Paul Loughlin, Alan Hunte, Tea Ropati, Jonathan Griffiths, Jon Neill, Bernard Dwyer, George Mann, Chris Joynt, Sonny Nickle, Shane Cooper (c). Res – Les Quirk, Adam Fogerty, Augustine O'Donnell. Coach – Eric Hughes
* Sunday 24 October
| Leeds | 6 – 35 | New Zealand |
| Tries: Kevin Iro Goals: Simon Irving | | Tries: Goals: |
* Headingley, Leeds Attendance: 6,820 Referee: John Holdsworth
Leeds: Alan Tait, Jim Fallon, Kevin Iro, Simon Irving, Jonathan Scales, Garry Schofield (c), Gareth Stephens, Neil Harmon, James Lowes, Gary Rose, Ian Scott, Richie Eyres, Gary Mercer. Res – Graham Holroyd, Andy Gregory, Jim Leatham, Francis Cummins. Coach – Doug Laughton
* Tuesday 26 October
| Great Britain U/21 | 24 – 37 | New Zealand |
| Tries: Goals: | | Tries: Goals: |
* Derwent Park, Workington Attendance: 3,099

### 2nd Test

* Saturday 30 October 1993
| Great Britain | 29 – 12 | New Zealand |
| Tries: John Devereux (2) Paul Newlove Martin Offiah Garry Schofield Goals: Jonathan Davies (4/7) Field Goals: Garry Schofield (1) | | Tries: Iva Ropati Dave Watson Goals: Frano Botica (2/3) |
* Central Park, Wigan Attendance: 16,502 Referee: Greg McCallum
| Great Britain | New Zealand |
| FB | 1 | Johnathan Davies |
| RW | 2 | John Devereux |
| RC | 3 | Paul Newlove |
| LC | 4 | Gary Connolly |
| LW | 5 | Martin Offiah |
| SO | 6 | Garry Schofield (c) |
| SH | 7 | Shaun Edwards |
| PR | 8 | Karl Harrison |
| HK | 9 | Lee Jackson |
| PR | 10 | Karl Fairbank |
| SR | 11 | Sonny Nickle |
| SR | 12 | Chris Joynt |
| LK | 13 | Phil Clarke |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | Daryl Powell |
| IC | 15 | Richard Eyres |
| IC | 16 | Alan Tait |
| IC | 17 | Michael Jackson |
| Coach: ||
| Mal Reilly ||
| FB | 1 | Morvin Edwards |
| RW | 2 | Frano Botica |
| RC | 3 | Kevin Iro |
| LC | 4 | Iva Ropati |
| LW | 5 | Sean Hoppe |
| FE | 6 | Tony Kemp |
| HB | 7 | Gary Freeman (c) |
| PR | 8 | Se'e Solomona |
| HK | 9 | Duane Mann |
| PR | 10 | Brent Stuart |
| SR | 11 | Stephen Kearney |
| SR | 12 | Quentin Pongia |
| LK | 13 | Jason Mackie |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | Jason Williams |
| IC | 15 | John Lomax |
| IC | 16 | Whetu Taewa |
| IC | 17 | Gary Mercer |
| Coach: ||
| Howie Tamati ||
Martin Offiah's standing as the fastest player in rugby league took a beating during the second half when after making a break, he was unceremoniously bundled into touch after a 40-metre run by Kevin Iro. Offiah, recalled to the Lions test side after missing the first test at Wembley through injury, had a 3-metre head start on the Kiwi centre.
* Tuesday 2 November
| Widnes | 10 – 18 | New Zealand |
| Tries: Goals: | | Tries: Goals: |
* Naughton Park, Widnes Attendance: 8,170
Widnes: Stuart Spruce, David Myers, Dave Ruane, Karle Hammond, Adrian Hadley, Christian Tyrer, Bobbie Goulding, Andy Ireland, Steve McCurrie, Rodney Howe, Esene Faimalo, Jon Grieve, Paul Hulme (c). Res – Jason Hunter, Paul Harris, David Smith. Coach – Phil Larder

### 3rd Test

Great Britain wrapped up the series 3-0 with a commanding 29-10 win at Headingley in Leeds.
* Saturday 6 November 1993
| Great Britain | 29 – 10 | New Zealand |
| Tries: Phil Clarke Jonathan Davies Karl Fairbank Andy Farrell Martin Offiah Goals: Jonathan Davies (4/6) Field Goals: Jonathan Davies (1) | | Tries: Jason Williams Goals: Frano Botica (3/4) |
* Headingley, Leeds Attendance: 15,139 Referee: Greg McCallum
| Great Britain | New Zealand |
| FB | 1 | Johnathan Davies |
| RW | 2 | John Devereux |
| RC | 3 | Paul Newlove |
| LC | 4 | Gary Connolly |
| LW | 5 | Martin Offiah |
| SO | 6 | Garry Schofield (c) |
| SH | 7 | Shaun Edwards |
| PR | 8 | Karl Harrison |
| HK | 9 | Lee Jackson |
| PR | 10 | Karl Fairbank |
| SR | 11 | Andy Farrell |
| SR | 12 | Chris Joynt |
| LK | 13 | Phil Clarke |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | Daryl Powell |
| IC | 15 | Sonny Nickle |
| IC | 16 | Alan Tait |
| IC | 17 | Michael Jackson |
| Coach: ||
| Mal Reilly ||
| FB | 1 | Dave Watson |
| RW | 2 | Frano Botica |
| RC | 3 | Kevin Iro |
| LC | 4 | Iva Ropati |
| LW | 5 | Sean Hoppe |
| FE | 6 | Tony Kemp |
| HB | 7 | Aaron Whittaker |
| PR | 8 | Se'e Solomona |
| HK | 9 | Denvour Johnston |
| PR | 10 | Brent Stuart |
| SR | 11 | Stephen Kearney (c) |
| SR | 12 | Quentin Pongia |
| LK | 13 | Jason Mackie |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | Richie Blackmore |
| IC | 15 | John Lomax |
| IC | 16 | Whetu Taewa |
| IC | 17 | David Lomax |
| Coach: ||
| Howie Tamati ||
After New Zealand lost the second test, and the series, coach Howie Tamati selected Aaron Whittaker at halfback over the incumbent captain, Gary Freeman. After the match Tamati stated "I didn't believe I could win with Gary, it didn't come off but I believe the decision I made gave us a chance, whereas before we had no chance."
The match was highlighted by an 80-metre try to Lions fullback Jonathan Davies.

## France
### French Test

The Kiwis restored some pride by defeating France 36-11 in the test in Carcassonne.
* Sunday 21 November 1993
| France | 11 – 36 | New Zealand |
| Tries: Bernard Llong Claude Sirvent Goals: Pierre Chamorin (1) Field Goals: Pierre Chamorin (1) | | Tries: Kevin Iro (2) Gary Freeman Daryl Halligan Jason Mackie Whetu Taewa Goals: Daryl Halligan (6) |
* Stade d'Albert Domec, Carcassonne Attendance: 3,500 Referee: John Holdsworth
| France | New Zealand |
| FB | 1 | Frantz Martial |
| RW | 2 | Claude Sirvent |
| RC | 3 | Pierre Chamorin |
| LC | 4 | David Fraisse |
| LW | 5 | Pascal Bomati |
| SO | 6 | Jean-Marc Garcia |
| SH | 7 | Patrick Entat (c) |
| PR | 8 | Bernard Llong |
| HK | 9 | Mathieu Khedemi |
| PR | 10 | Lilian Hébert |
| SR | 11 | Ezzedine Attia |
| SR | 12 | Mark Bourneville |
| LK | 13 | Daniel Divet |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | Pascal Jampy |
| IC | 15 | Thierry Valero |
| IC | 16 | Jean Frison |
| IC | 17 | |
| Coach: ||
| Jean-Christophe Vergeynst ||
| FB | 1 | Morvin Edwards |
| RW | 2 | Daryl Halligan |
| RC | 3 | Kevin Iro |
| LC | 4 | Whetu Taewa |
| LW | 5 | Jason Williams |
| FE | 6 | Tony Kemp |
| HB | 7 | Gary Freeman (c) |
| PR | 8 | Brent Stuart |
| HK | 9 | Denvour Johnston |
| PR | 10 | John Lomax |
| SR | 11 | Jason Lowrie |
| SR | 12 | Quentin Pongia |
| LK | 13 | Jason Mackie |
| Substitutions: ||
| IC | 14 | Iva Ropati |
| IC | 15 | Logan Edwards |
| IC | 16 | Peter Edwards |
| IC | 17 | David Lomax |
| Coach: ||
| Howie Tamati ||

## Aftermath

Following the 0–2–1 series loss to Australia and the 3–0 whitewash by Great Britain, Howie Tamati stepped down as New Zealand's head coach. Frank Endacott was appointed the new New Zealand coach from 1994. The Kiwis were next in Great Britain for the 1995 Rugby League World Cup.