Rugby League Lions 1924

The 1924 Lions again wore a white strip but for the first time their jerseys featured an embellishment that would go on to define their identity: a red and blue vee.

Captained by Jonty Parkin of Wakefield Trinity, the Lions won the Ashes series 2-1 but were defeated by an identical margin in the three-Test series in New Zealand.

Parkin’s courage was highlighted in the second Test when he had to play with heavily-bandaged ankles. On telling tour manager Harry Dannatt that he found it painful to walk, the skilful half-back was told to “go out there and try running instead.” He did so, and scored his side’s only try on a mudbath of a pitch as Great Britain secured the Ashes with a 5-3 win in Syndey.

The tour saw the emergence of a player who would become a veritable colossus in the game, Wigan full-back Jim Sullivan. The Welshman made an immediate impression on his international debut in the first Test against Australia, kicking a penalty from 55 yards out with his first touch of the ball, one of five goals in the Lions’ 22-3 victory.

Sullivan was one of eight debutant Lions in the first Test; three more made their Test bows in the second Test; and in the ill-tempered third Test in Brisbane, Batley loose forward Frank Gallagher became the first Lion to be sent off in a Test Down Under.

The three Tests in New Zealand were played over an eight-day period and included the first-ever Test at Carlaw Park, won 16-8 by the Kiwis, their first victory over Britain since Cheltenham during the ‘All Golds’ tour of 1908.

New Zealand clinched the series with a 13-11 victory in Wellington but the return of Parkin and Sullivan, who had both been diagnosed with diphtheria, saw the Lions win the third Test 31-18 in Dunedin.

The tour recorded record receipts of more than £30,000: each Lion was awarded an extra £10 before leaving New Zealand to purchase souvenirs for family and friends. The players also received an equal share of one third of the tour’s profits.

Tour Summary