Rugby League Lions 1914

The second Lions tour was captained by Huddersfield’s celebrated ‘Prince of Centres’ Harold Wagstaff, who led his men to Ashes success with victories in the first (23-5) and third (14-6) Tests after Australia had levelled the series with a 12-7 win in the second Test. All three games were played in Sydney.

The Lions sailed to Australia aboard the steam cruiser RMS Otranto, which would go on to become a troop ship in the Great War before being wrecked off the coast of Scotland in 1918 with the loss of 470 lives, mainly American servicemen.

There were no such tragedy for the Northern Union boys, but there were plenty of warfare parallels associated with the series decider, which became known as the ‘Rorke’s Drift Test’ after the famous battle between British soldiers and Zulus which had taken place just 25 years earlier in 1879.

Playing their third Test in eight days, the Lions were beset by injury problems and the tour manager. J Clifford had requested the match be delayed. But with the first two matches having pulled in 95,000 spectators, both the Northern Union committee and their Australian counterparts were keen to cash in on the interest.

Over-ruling the objections of the team, the Northern Union ordered them to play, prompting Mr Clifford to deliver a rousing speech before the game, echoing the sentiments of Lord Nelson: “You are playing in a game of football this afternoon, but more than that, you are playing for England and more, even, you are playing for Right versus Wrong. You will win because you have to win. Don’t forget that message from home: ‘England expects that every man will do his duty.’”

A few minutes after kick-off, Halifax’s Welsh winger Frank Williams twisted his leg so badly he could only hobble; Cumbrian Douglas Clark broke his thumb before snapping his collar bone, forcing him from the field; Williams injured his bad leg again and was helped off; and Oldham three-quarter Billy Hall was carried off with concussion.

Reduced to 10 men and with 30 minutes to go, the Lions not only defended a 9-3 lead, they extended it with a dazzling try by Arthur ‘Chick’ Johnson of Widnes, who dribbled the ball half the length of the field to score. Alf Wood converted and though Australia narrowed the gap with a try by Sid Deane, the Lions held firm for an incredible 14-6 win.

The tourists were again unbeaten in New Zealand, winning all five games, including the solitary Test 16-13 in Auckland.

By the time the Lions returned home, the Great War was underway and within 24 hours of stepping off the ship, three members of the team – Alf Wood (Oldham), Billy Jarman (Leeds) and Walter Roman (Rochdale Hornets) – reported to their Regiments as Army reservists to serve King and country. True heroes all.

Tour Summary