# 1989 British Lions tour to Australia

In 1989, the British Lions toured Australia for the first time since 1971. Unlike previous tours to Australia, the Lions did not play any matches in New Zealand, this being the first Australia-only tour since 1899. The side was captained by Finlay Calder.
The Lions suffered a 30–12 defeat in the first test in Sydney on 1 July, then their heaviest defeat by Australia. In this first test, Australia scored four tries, and flyhalf Michael Lynagh kicked 5 from 6. For the second and third tests, changes included Mike Teague, recovered from injury, at blindside flanker; Rob Andrew replacing Craig Chalmers at fly-half; and Jeremy Guscott and Scott Hastings coming into the centre positions. The team became the only Lions team ever to come from 1–0 down to win a series, winning the second test in Brisbane 19–12 and the third test in Sydney 19–18. The Lions completed their tour with a victory of a combined ANZAC team. Teague was named player of the series.

## Results

    Scores and results list Bristish Lions' points tally first.
| Opponent | Score | Score | Score | Date | Venue | Status | Reports | Reports |
| Opponent | Result | For | Against | Date | Venue | Status | Preview | Match |
| Western Australia | Won | 44 | 0 | 10 Jun 1989 | Perry Lakes, Perth | Tour match | | |
| Australia B | Won | 23 | 8 | 14 Jun 1989 | Melbourne | Tour match | | |
| Queensland | Won | 19 | 15 | 19 Jun 1989 | Ballymore, Brisbane | Tour match | | |
| Queensland B | Won | 30 | 6 | 21 Jun 1989 | Cairns | Tour match | | |
| New South Wales | Won | 23 | 21 | 24 Jun 1989 | North Sydney Oval | Tour match | | |
| New South Wales B | Won | 39 | 19 | 27 Jun 1989 | Apex Oval, Dubbo | Tour match | | |
| Australia | Lost | 12 | 30 | 1 Jul 1989 | Sydney Football Stadium | Test match | | |
| ACT | Won | 41 | 25 | 4 Jul 1989 | Seiffert Oval, Queanbeyan | Tour match | | |
| Australia | Won | 19 | 12 | 8 Jul 1989 | Ballymore, Brisbane | Test match | | |
| Australia | Won | 19 | 18 | 15 Jul 1989 | Sydney Football Stadium | Test match | | |
| NSW Country | Won | 72 | 13 | 19 Jul 1989 | Newcastle | Tour match | | |
| ANZAC XV | Won | 19 | 15 | 23 Jul 1989 | Ballymore, Brisbane | Tour match | | |

## Squad
### Backs

| Name | Home country | Club | Notes |
| Rob Andrew | England | Wasps | |
| Gary Armstrong | Scotland | Jedforest | |
| Craig Chalmers | Scotland | Melrose | |
| Tony Clement | Wales | Swansea | |
| Paul Dean | Ireland | St Mary's College | |
| John Devereux | Wales | Bridgend | |
| Peter Dods | Scotland | Gala | |
| Ieuan Evans | Wales | Llanelli | |
| Jeremy Guscott | England | Bath | replaced injured Will Carling |
| Mike Hall | Wales | Bridgend | |
| Gavin Hastings | Scotland | London Scottish | |
| Scott Hastings | Scotland | Watsonians | |
| Robert Jones | Wales | Swansea | |
| Brendan Mullin | Ireland | London Irish | |
| Chris Oti | England | Wasps | |
| Will Carling | England | Harlequins | Selected but withdrew due to injury |
| Rory Underwood | England | Leicester and RAF | |

### Forwards

| Name | Home country | Club |
| Paul Ackford | England | Harlequins |
| Finlay Calder (capt) | Scotland | Stewart's Melville FP |
| Gareth Chilcott | England | Bath |
| Wade Dooley | England | Preston Grasshoppers |
| Mike Griffiths | Wales | Bridgend |
| John Jeffrey | Scotland | Kelso |
| Donal Lenihan | Ireland | Cork Constitution |
| Brian Moore | England | Nottingham |
| Bob Norster | Wales | Cardiff |
| Dean Richards | England | Leicester |
| Andy Robinson | England | Bath |
| Steve Smith | Ireland | Ballymena |
| David Sole | Scotland | Edinburgh Academicals |
| Mike Teague | England | Gloucester |
| Derek White | Scotland | London Scottish |
| Dai Young | Wales | Cardiff |