Rugby League Lions 1950

The tourists made Ashes history by being the first tour party to travel to the other side of the world by airplane to contest 25 games in all, 19 in Australia and a further six in New Zealand.

The party was captained by Ernest Ward and although the team managed to win 19 of its games the Ashes were won 2 – 1 by Australia by virtue of the green and golds taking the final two test matches.

The team contained a then record seven Wigan players.

There was a further scheduled fixture against a Western Districts team that wasn’t played because the tourists chartered plane could not land due to bad weather.

The British team won the first Test match, at Sydney Cricket Ground, 6 -4 but it was not a display of open rugby. Played on a pitch that had seen bad weather and two curtain-raisers players from both sides were almost unrecognisable after the opening minutes. The game also contained 66 scrums just to add to the morass.

Up to Brisbane for the second test that was the first all-ticket match played in Australia and saw 35,000 snap up their chance to be there.

It became the first time Australia had beaten Great Britain since 1937 and was not without some controversy as two tourists Bradshaw and Gee were sent off for disputing the referee’s decisions. In all Mr Ballard ruled three ‘tries’ out and Australia celebrated a momentous win.

The home side then grabbed the Ashes for the first time in 30 years with a dour 5 – 2 win on a Sydney Cricket Ground that had tons of sand dumped on it to make it slightly more playable.

Those 30 years of hurt for Australia was, at that time, the longest barren patch in the history of the Ashes.

Australia’s wait was ended with Ron Roberts long-striding try dash towards the corner flag in the 65th minute. The balance of power in rugby league had swung to the green and gold.

The squad then crossed the Tasman sea to New Zealand losing both test matches in a disappointing finale.

Tour Summary