The 1911–12 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain was the second ever Kangaroo tour and was actually a tour by an "Australasian" squad that included four New Zealand players in addition to 24 Australian representatives. It took place over the British winter of 1911–12 and this time, to help promote the game of Rugby league in New Zealand, the Northern Rugby Football Union invited a combined Australian and New Zealand team. They became the first tourists to win the Ashes. and the last to do so on British soil for over half a century. The tour was a success in performance and organisation. Matches were well attended, the squad's touring payments were maintained throughout and the players all shared in a bonus at the tour's end.

Touring squad

Prior to the tour a three-way series of matches between New South Wales, Queensland and New Zealand was organised as a basis of selection for the tour. The New South Welshmen dominated the touring side, with four New Zealanders and only one Queenslander selected. However counted amongst the New South Welshmen was Con Sullivan, who had moved to Australia from New Zealand a few years before. Due to family and business commitments, rugby league great Dally Messenger declined to tour with the 1911–12 Kangaroos. His friend and teammate Sandy Pearce also chose not to go. Chris McKivat who had captained the 1908 Wallabies to Olympic Gold was at age 32 a natural selection as tour captain. The Heads/Middleton reference describes McKivat as being revered on that tour – a magnificent general, tough, durable and an inspiration to the men around him. It quotes Johnny Quinlan the tour co-manager "He always set a splendid example in conduct and training – a natural leader" Tour vice-captain was Paddy McCue. Tour managers were Charles H Ford and John Quinlan. The team sailed to England on the RMS Orvieto. The tourists were paid £4/5/ per week and received a bonus of £178 each.

New South Wales All eight teams of the New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership were represented in the touring squad.

Bob Stuart, forward for Annandale Bob Craig, forward for Balmain Charles "Chook" Fraser, fullback for Balmain Arthur "Pony" Halloway, half for Balmain Charles McMurtrie, forward for Balmain Dan Frawley, three-quarter for Eastern Suburbs Bob Williams, forward for Eastern Suburbs Peter Burge, forward for Glebe (c) Chris McKivat, half for Glebe Billy Farnsworth, half for Newtown Viv Farnsworth, three-quarter for Newtown Paddy McCue, forward for Newtown

Joe Murray, forward for Newtown Webby Neill, fullback for Newtown Bill Noble, forward for Newtown Charlie Russell, three-quarter for Newtown Tom Berecry, North Sydney Albert Broomham, North Sydney Con Sullivan, forward for North Sydney W. A. Cann, forward for South Sydney Steve Darmody, South Sydney Herb Gilbert, three-quarter for South Sydney Howard Hallett, fullback for South Sydney Tedda Courtney, forward for Western Suburbs

New Zealand The New Zealand players that accompanied the Australians on tour have been listed in the Australian Rugby League's Kangaroos players register.

George A. Gillett (forward) Arthur Francis (forward)

Charlie Savory (forward) Frank Woodward (half)

Queensland Robert "Harold" Nicholson of Queensland was also selected for the tour but withdrew.

Tour schedule Played: 35 Won: 28 Drew: 2 Lost: 5 Ashes: Australia 2–0 DateOpponentLocationResultScoreAttendanceMatch 123 September 1911 Midlands/Southern EnglandThe Butts Ground, CoventryWon20–11 3,000Match 225 September 1911 YorkshireBramall Lane, SheffieldWon33–13 4,000Match 330 September 1911 Broughton RangersWheater's Field, Broughton, SalfordWon18–812,000Match 42 October 1911 LancashireEwood Park, BlackburnWon25–12 5,000Match 57 October 1911Bridgend Field, Ebbw Vale, WalesWon28–20 7,000Match 611 October 1911 WidnesLowerhouse Lane, WidnesWon23–0 5,000Match 714 October 1911 St. HelensKnowsley Road, St. HelensWon16–512,000Match 818 October 1911 England XIIICraven Cottage, LondonWon11–6 6,000Match 922 October 1911 HunsletParkside, HunsletDraw3–3 4,000Match 1025 October 1911 Northern League XIIIGoodison Park, LiverpoolWon16–3 6,000Match 1128 October 1911 WiganCentral Park, WiganLost2–725,000Match 121 November 1911 SwintonChorley Road, SwintonWon28–9 4,000Match 134 November 1911 Hull F.C.The Boulevard, HullWon26–7 6,000Match 148 November 1911St James' Park, NewcastleWon19–10 5,317Match 1511 November 1911 OldhamWatersheddings, OldhamLost8–1410,000Match 1615 November 1911 LeighMather Lane, LeighWon13–12 6,000Match 1718 November 1911 Wakefield TrinityBelle Vue, WakefieldWon24–10 5,000Match 1822 November 1911 CumberlandAthletic Ground, MaryportWon5–26,000Match 1925 November 1911 BarrowCavendish Park, BarrowWon44–8 6,500Match 2029 November 1911 RuncornCanal Street, RuncornWon23–7 2,000Match 212 December 1911 Huddersfield Fartown, HuddersfieldLost7–2117,000Match 226 December 1911 England XIIITrent Bridge, NottinghamLost3–5 3,000Match 239 December 1911 SalfordThe Willows, SalfordWon6–3 4,000Match 2413 December 1911 YorkClarence Street, YorkWon16–8 1,500Match 2516 December 1911Tynecastle Stadium, Edinburgh, ScotlandDraw11–11 8,000Match 2620 December 1911/ Wales/West EnglandAshton Gate, BristolWon23–3 1,000Match 2723 December 1911 Rochdale HornetsAthletic Grounds, Rochdale Won 18–6 4,500Match 2826 December 1911 HalifaxThrum Hall, HalifaxWon23–510,000Match 2930 December 1911 WarringtonWilderspool, WarringtonWon34–6 8,500Match 301 January 1912Villa Park, BirminghamWon33–8 4,000Match 316 January 1912 LeedsHeadingley, LeedsWon8–6 1,000Match 3213 January 1912 Hull Kingston RoversCraven Street, HullWon5–2 7,000Match 3320 January 1912 BarrowCavendish Park, BarrowWon22–5 1,500Match 3427 January 1912 BatleyMount Pleasant, BatleyLost5–13 2,000Match 3531 January 1912 Northern League XIIICentral Park, WiganWon20–12 2,000Match 363 February 1912 RuncornCanal Street, RuncornWon54–6 1,500

Test matches First Ashes Test Test No. 12

Great BritainPositionAustralasiaJim SharrockFBCharles FraserWill DaviesWGAlbert BroomhamBert JenkinsCEHoward HallettHarold WagstaffCEHerb GilbertJoe MillerWGCharles RussellJohnny Thomas (c)SOViv FarnsworthFred SmithSHChris McKivat (c)James ClampittPRArthur FrancisOliver BurghamHKPaddy McCueFred HarrisonPRBilly CannBen GronowSRTedda CourtneyBilly WinstanleySRBob WilliamsAlbert AveryLFBob Craig Coach

In this match, Australia's Charles Fraser became Australia's youngest Test player at 18 years and 301 days, a record which would stand until 2007.

Second Ashes Test Test No. 13

Great BritainPositionAustralasiaAlf WoodFBHoward HallettAlbert JenkinsonWGCharles RussellJim Lomas (c)CEViv FarnsworthHarold WagstaffCEHerb GilbertBilly BattenWGDan FrawleyJim DaviesSOBill FarnsworthFred SmithSHChris McKivat (c)Fred HarrisonPRArthur FrancisTommy WoodsHKPaddy McCueBilly WinstanleyPRBilly CannDick RamsdaleSRBill NobleDoug ClarkSRTedda CourtneyBen GronowLFBob Craig Coach

McKivat lead the way for Australia dominating the rucks and scoring a vital try. Renowned Australian journalist Claude Corbett was acting as one of the touch judges and referee Renton, over-ruled his goal decision on one of the Australian conversion attempts.Alan Whiticker, Captaining the Kangaroos (2004) New Holland p44

Third Ashes Test Test No. 14

Great BritainPositionAustralasiaAlf WoodFBHoward HallettBilly BattenWGDan FrawleyJim Lomas (c)CEViv FarnsworthBert JenkinsCEHerb GilbertAlbert JenkinsonWGTom BerecryFred SmithSOBill FarnsworthJim DaviesSHChris McKivat (c)Dick RamsdalePRCon SullivanBilly WinstanleyHKPaddy McCueDoug ClarkPRBilly CannTommy WoodsSRBob WilliamsFred HarrisonSRBill NobleAlbert AveryLFBob Craig Coach

Great Britain only needed to win the third Test to tie the series and keep the Ashes but were reduced to 12 men early in the encounter after an injury to Dick Ramsdale. Great Britain led 8–0 early but had no answer to the Australian attack as they ran in nine tries.

This would be the first (and final) time the Kangaroos would win The Ashes on British soil until the 1963–64 Kangaroo tour.

References

External links

Ashes series 1911 at rugbyleagueproject.org