The tour, undertaken just one year after the end of World War Two, became famous both for the method of transport to Australia – a Royal Navy aircraft carrier – and because the team was the first side to be unbeaten in an Australian Ashes Test series.
The 26 tourists captained by Gus Risman were nicknamed the Indomitables, after the warship, were away from home for five months and played 27 games.
Also among was tour party was Eddie Waring, a journalist who was to have a long career and influence on the game of rugby league
A crowd of 64,527 demonstrated the hunger for post-war football in Sydney and resulted in an 8 – 8 draw at the city’s renowned cricket ground. Tries were scored by Willie Horne and Frank Whitcombe for the tourists.
It was the resumption of Ashes hostilities after a nine-year gap and the game was the 40th test match between the two nations,
In a fierce forward battle in Brisbane’s second test GB hooker Joe Egan was sent off close to the end of the game but a 14 – 5 victory meant that the tourists had retained the Ashes. Arthur Basset, of Halifax, scored a hat-trick of ties to cap a memorable test match debut.
The series was wrapped up back in Sydney with the biggest margin of victory winning 20 – 7, after Australia star Arthur Clues was sent off.
The team flew on for seven more matches in New Zealand but were unsuccessful in the Test match losing in Auckland 13 – 8 on a muddy surface at Carlaw Park. A notable debutant in this Test was Wales and Bradford titan Trevor Foster.
Tourists Gus Risman and Willie Horne went on much later to become members of the Rugby League Hall of Fame.
Tour Summary
| Played | 27 |
| Won | 21 |
| Drawn | 1 |
| Lost | 5 |
| For | |
|---|---|
| Tries | 181 |
| Goals | 120 |
| Points | 783 |
| Against | |
| Tries | 48 |
| Goals | 65 |