1956_New_Zealand_rugby_league_tour_of_Australia

1956 New Zealand rugby league tour of Australia

1956 New Zealand rugby league tour of Australia

Add article description


The 1956 New Zealand rugby league tour of Australia was the eighteenth tour by New Zealand's national rugby league team, and the thirteenth tour to visit Australia. The fifteen-match tour included three Test Matches.
The touring team began with a pair of wins but then lost the next two, against Newcastle and the First Test in Sydney. Five strong performances in Queensland followed, with wins by wide margins in high-scoring matches. In contrast, the Second Test was a low-scoring match, Australia winning 8 to 2 to secure their first Trans-Tasman series win since 1935. New Zealand lost the Third Test, and thus the series three-nil, and also the two tour matches that followed.

Quick Facts Manager, Coach(es) ...

Leadership

The team was captained by Tommy Baxter.[1]

The touring team was managed by Ron McGregor.[2]

Squad

The Rugby League News published a Team Photo, Player Details (Occupation, Age, Height and Weight) and pen portraits of the tourists: Backs and Forwards which listed their provincial team.

More information Player, Pos. ...

Matches

May 30 Western Division 16–19 New Zealand Lithgow
Tries: 2
Laurie Bennett
Alex Whitby
Goals: 5
Barry Russell (5)

Result[4]
Tries: 5
Vern Bakalich (2)
Ron Ackland
Jock Butterfield
Frank Mulcare
Goals: 2
Pat Creedy (2)

Attendance: 6,620
Gate: AU£ 1,062
Referee: Eric McIlhatton
Team list:

Western NSW: FB: Barry Russell (age 22), WG: William Miller (23) ( Parkes), CE: Ray Quinnell (23), CE: Alex Whitby (23), WG: Joseph Cohen (23), FE: Jack McIntosh (25), HB: William Roberts (26) (Orange), LK: John Gain (23) ( Parkes), SR: Jack Perrin (24) ( Parkes), SR: Patrick Weldon (21) (Orange), PR: Hilton Bonham (20) (Bathurst), HK: John Kelly (24), PR: Laurie Bennett (26) (Lithgow).
Ken Van Heekeren (24) and Frank Border (27) were selected as reserves, but did not play.
New Zealand: FB: Pat Creedy, WG: Vern Bakalich, CE: Ron Ackland, CE: Cyril Eastlake, WG: Reese Griffiths, FE: George Menzies, HB: Sel Belsham, LK: Frank Mulcare, SR: Jim Riddell, SR: Cliff Johnson, PR: John Bond, HK: Jock Butterfield, PR: John Yates.


June 2 New South Wales 17–26 New Zealand Sydney Cricket Ground
Tries: 3
Don Adams
Graham Laird
Peter O'Connor
Goals: 4
Ron Willey (4)
Program
Database
Tries: 4
Bill Sorensen (3)
Frank Mulcare
Goals: 7
Des White (7)

Attendance: 35,492
Gate: AU£ 5,008
Referee: C. Brown
Team list:

New South Wales: FB: Ron Willey (age 28) ( Manly), WG: Ross Kite (24) ( St George), CE: Dick Poole (25) ( Newtown), CE: Tony Paskins (27) ( Easts), WG: Don Adams (22) ( Maitland), FE: Graham Laird (22) ( Parramatta), HB: Col Donohoe (26) ( Souths), LK: Peter O'Connor (25) ( Young), SR: Don Schofield (25) ( Cessnock), SR: Henry Holloway (25) ( Newtown), PR: Roy Bull (26) ( Manly), HK: Ken Kearney (30) ( St George), PR: Les Hampson (22) ( Newtown).
Bryan Orrock (25) ( St George) and Keith Holman (28) ( Wests) were selected as reserves but did not play.
New Zealand: FB: Des White, WG: Vern Bakalich, CE: Bill Sorensen, CE: Tommy Baxter, WG: Cyril Eastlake, FE: George Menzies, HB: Sel Belsham, LK: Frank Mulcare, SR: Cliff Johnson, SR: Jim Riddell, PR: Duncan MacRae, HK: Jock Butterfield, PR: Henry Maxwell.


June 4 Newcastle 20–5 New Zealand Newcastle Sports Ground
Tries: 4
Fred Brown
Doug Hawke
Don Adams
Brian Carlson
Goals: 4
Russ Naughton (4)

Result[5]
Tries: 1
Henry Maxwell
Goals: 1
Des White

Attendance: 12,500
Gate: AU£ 2,247
Referee: G. Hallwood
Team list:

Newcastle: FB: Russ Naughton ( Lakes United), WG: Don Adams ( Maitland), CE: J. Fitzpatrick, CE: Neil McDonnell ( Lakes United), WG: Brian Carlson ( Souths), FE: Warren Foley ( Waratah Mayfield), HB: Bobby Banks ( Waratah Mayfield), LK: Bill Smith ( Waratah Mayfield), SR: Kurri Chapple ( Kurri), SR: Don Schofield ( Cessnock), PR: Doug Hawke ( Norths), HK: Ken Fogarty ( Maitland), PR: Fred Brown ( Maitland).
New Zealand: FB: Des White, WG: Gordon Moncur, CE: Tommy Baxter, CE: Tom Hadfield, WG: Arnold Green, FE: Bill Sorensen, HB: Pat Creedy, LK: Rex Percy, SR: John Yates, SR: Duncan MacRae, PR: Mauriohooho Murray, HK: John Lasher, PR: Henry Maxwell.


1st Test

More information Australia, 12–9 ...
June 9
2.30pm
Sydney Cricket Ground
Attendance: 46,766
Gate: AU£ 15,905
Referee: John Casey
Team list:

Australia: FB: Ken McCrohon (23) ( Brisbane Western Suburbs), WG: Don Adams ( Maitland), CE: Alex Watson (23) ( Brisbane Western Suburbs), CE: Dick Poole (25) ( Newtown), WG: Ian Moir (24) ( South Sydney), FE: Cyril Connell Jr (26) ( North Rockhampton), HB: Keith Holman (28) ( Western Suburbs), LK: Ian Doyle (24) ( Toowoomba All Whites), SR: Ignatius Tyquin (23) ( South Brisbane), SR: Kel O'Shea (22) ( Western Suburbs), PR: Roy Bull (26) ( Manly-Warringah), HK: Ken Kearney (30) ( St George), PR: Brian Davies (25) ( Brisbane Brothers).
Tom Payne (21) ( Toowoomba All Whites) and Don Furner (23) ( Toowoomba Souths) were selected as reserves but did not play.
Brian Carlson (23) ( South Newcastle) was selected for this match but withdrew.
New Zealand: FB: Des White, WG: Vern Bakalich, CE: Tommy Baxter, CE: Bill Sorensen, WG: Cyril Eastlake, FE: George Menzies, HB: Sel Belsham, LK: Frank Mulcare, SR: Cliff Johnson, SR: Jim Riddell, PR: Duncan MacRae, HK: Jock Butterfield, PR: Henry Maxwell.


June 11 Brisbane 8–26 New Zealand Brisbane Exhibition Ground
Night game
Tries: 2
J. Duncan (2)
Goals: 1
Brian Davies

Result[8]
Tries: 6
Bill Sorensen
Tom Hadfield
Cyril Eastlake
John Yates
Arnold Green
Pat Creedy
Goals: 4
Bill Sorensen (2)
Pat Creedy (2)

Attendance: 14,367
Gate: AU£ 2,020
Referee: John Casey
Team list:

Brisbane: FB: Ken McCrohon ( Wests), WG: B. Pryor ( Souths), CE: J. Mulgrew ( Valleys), CE: Norm Pope ( Valleys), WG: Bill Monkland ( Wests), FE: Norm Reynolds ( Wests), HB: Darcy Ryan ( Wests), LK: John Bruton ( Brothers), SR: J. Duncan ( Brothers), SR: Tom Tyquin ( Souths), PR: Brian. Davies ( Brothers), HK: Alan Hornery ( Wests), PR: Norm McFadden ( Valleys).
New Zealand: FB: Pat Creedy, WG: Ron Ackland, CE: Bill Sorensen, CE: Arnold Green, WG: Tom Hadfield, FE: Cyril Eastlake, HB: Sel Belsham, LK: Frank Mulcare, SR: John Yates, SR: Jim Riddell, PR: Mauriohooho Murray, HK: John Lasher, PR: John Bond.


June 13 Toowoomba 25–33 New Zealand Toowoomba
Tries: 5
Leo Johnson
Athol Halpin
Des McGovern
Tom Payne
Bob Buckley
Goals: 5
Don Furner (5)

Result[9]
Tries: 7
Rex Percy (2)
Ron Ackland (2)
Tom Hadfield
Bill Sorensen
Henry Maxwell
Goals: 6
Des White (6)

Attendance: 6,142
Gate: AU£ 1,327
Referee: Frank Ballard
Team list:

Toowoomba: FB: Athol Halpin ( All Whites), WG: Des McGovern (age 28) ( All Whites), CE: Tom Payne (21) ( All Whites), CE: Les Hardy ( Souths), WG: Bob Buckley ( All Whites), FE: H. Walker ( Souths), HB: Sammy Hunter (25) ( Souths), LK: Ian Doyle (24) ( All Whites), SR: Jim Payne (19) ( All Whites), SR: Don Furner (23) ( Souths), PR: Ron Proudfoot (22) ( Newtown), HK: Leo Johnson ( Newtown), PR: Kev Boshammer ( All Whites), Coach: Duncan Thompson (Toowoomba ).
New Zealand: FB: Des White, WG: Ron Ackland, CE: Tom Hadfield, CE: Bill Sorensen, WG: Gordon Moncur, FE: Cyril Eastlake, HB: Sel Belsham, LK: Rex Percy, SR: Cliff Johnson, SR: John Yates, PR: Henry Maxwell, HK: Jock Butterfield, PR: Duncan MacRae.


June 16 Queensland 26–40 New Zealand Brisbane
Tries: 6
Des McGovern
Alex Watson
Bob Buckley
Tom Tyquin
Don Furner
Gary Parcell
Goals: 4
Cyril Connell Jr (3)
Don Furner

Database
Tries: 8
George Menzies (2)
Vern Bakalich
Tom Hadfield
Tommy Baxter
Frank Mulcare
Mauriohooho Murray
Ron Ackland
Goals: 8
Des White (8)

Attendance: 28,261
Gate: AU£ 4,138
Referee: John Casey
Team list:

Queensland: FB: Ken McCrohon (age 23) ( Wests), WG: Des McGovern (28) ( Toowoomba All Whites), CE: Alex Watson (23) ( Wests), CE: Tom Payne (21) ( Toowoomba All Whites), WG: Bob Buckley ( Toowoomba All Whites), FE: Cyril Connell Jr (26) ( North Rockhampton), HB: Sammy Hunter (25) ( Toowoomba Souths), LK: Tom Tyquin (23) ( Souths), SR: Gary Parcell ( Ipswich Brothers), SR: Don Furner (23) ( Toowoomba Souths), PR: Brian Davies (25) ( Brisbane Brothers), HK: Alan Hornery ( Wests), PR: Ron Proudfoot (22) ( Toowoomba Newtown).
New Zealand: FB: Des White, WG: Tom Hadfield, CE: Bill Sorensen, CE: Tommy Baxter, WG: Vern Bakalich, FE: George Menzies, HB: Sel Belsham, LK: Frank Mulcare, SR: Jim Riddell, SR: Cliff Johnson, PR: Henry Maxwell, HK: Jock Butterfield, PR: Duncan MacRae, RF: Mauriohooho Murray, RB: Ron Ackland.


June 17 Central Queensland 22–60 New Zealand Rockhampton
Tries: 6
G. Little (2)
Allan Rycen
Ollie Smith
Bob Banks
P. Millroy
Goals: 2
Ken Jenkins (2)
Tries: 14
Rex Percy (6)
Reese Griffiths (3)
Vern Bakalich (2)
Bill Sorensen
Tom Hadfield
Mauriohooho Murray
Goals: 9
Des White (9)

Attendance: 5,800
Gate: AU£ 1,451
Referee: N. Castley
Team list:

Central Queensland: FB: Ray Robinson ( Railways), WG: Allan Rycen ( Railways), CE: Ray Thomas ( Fitzroys), CE: G. Little ( Brothers), WG: Malcolm Spencer ( Railways), FE: Bob Banks ( Norths), HB: Ken Jenkins ( Norths), LK: Ollie Smith ( Brothers), SR: Nev Callaghan ( Fitzroys), SR: Pat Sear ( Norths), PR: C. Harkin ( Brothers), HK: P. Millroy ( Norths), PR: Brian Cridland ( Norths).
New Zealand: FB: Des White, WG: Vern Bakalich, CE: Tom Hadfield, CE: Tommy Baxter, WG: Reese Griffiths, FE: Bill Sorensen, HB: Keith Roberts, LK: Rex Percy, SR: Jock Butterfield, SR: Ossie Butt, PR: John Bond, HK: John Lasher, PR: Mauriohooho Murray.


June 20 North Queensland 8–53 New Zealand Townsville
Tries: 2
Danny Clifford
Ken Woodward
Goals: 1
Albert Roberts
Tries: 15
Keith Roberts (4)
John Lasher (3)
Arnold Green (2)
Bill Sorensen (2)
Gordon Moncur
Reese Griffiths
Henry Maxwell
Cyril Eastlake
Goals: 4
Bill Sorensen (3)
Cyril Eastlake

Attendance: 4,000
Gate: AU£ 963
Referee: H. Gilbert
Team list:

North Queensland: FB: Bevan Hoyle (Townsville), WG: Albert Roberts (Townsville), CE: Len Blaik (Townsville), CE: Ron Tait ( Innisfail), WG: Morry Breen ( Innisfail), FE: Thorpe Scott (Townsville), HB: Ken Woodward (Cairns), LK: Hugh Kelly (age 23) (Cairns), SR: Danny Clifford (Tully), SR: Elton Rasmussen ( Mackay Magpies), PR: John Blankensee (Cairns), HK: Ron Griffiths (Cairns), PR: Ken Herbert (Townsville).
New Zealand: FB: Cyril Eastlake, WG: Gordon Moncur, CE: Reese Griffiths, CE: Tommy Baxter, WG: Arnold Green, FE: Bill Sorensen, HB: Keith Roberts, LK: Rex Percy, SR: Jock Butterfield, SR: Ossie Butt, PR: Duncan MacRae, HK: John Lasher, PR: Henry Maxwell.


2nd Test

More information Australia, 8–2 ...
June 23
Brisbane
Attendance: 28,361
Gate: AU£ 9,827
Referee: Darcy Lawler
Team list:

Australia: FB: Gordon Clifford ( Newtown), WG: Don Adams ( Maitland), CE: Dick Poole ( Newtown), CE: Alex Watson ( Brisbane Western Suburbs), WG: Des McGovern ( Toowoomba All Whites), FE: Cyril Connell Jr ( North Rockhampton), HB: Keith Holman ( Western Suburbs), LK: Ian Doyle ( Toowoomba All Whites), SR: Tom Tyquin ( South Brisbane), SR: Kel O'Shea ( Western Suburbs), PR: Brian Davies ( Brisbane Brothers), HK: Ken Kearney ( St George), PR: Roy Bull ( Manly-Warringah).
New Zealand: FB: Des White, WG: Vern Bakalich, CE: Cyril Eastlake, CE: Bill Sorensen, WG: Tom Hadfield, FE: George Menzies, HB: Sel Belsham, LK: Frank Mulcare, SR: Henry Maxwell, SR: Cliff Johnson, PR: Jim Riddell, HK: Jock Butterfield, PR: Duncan MacRae.


June 24 Wide Bay 5–29 New Zealand Maryborough
Tries: 1
L. Hooper
Goals: 1
A. Brunkie
Tries: 7
Arnold Green (3)
John Bond (2)
Keith Roberts
Rex Percy
Goals: 4
Des White (4)

Attendance: 1,326
Gate: AU£ 349
Referee: Vic Vercoe
Team list:

Wide Bay: FB: A. Brunkie, WG: L. Kavanagh, CE: W. Beck, CE: P. Clarke, WG: W. Hannen, FE: B. Sherwood, HB: G. Norris, LK: L. Hooper, SR: R. Marles, SR: T. Drysdale, PR: R. King, HK: Keith Weston, PR: M. Ziebath.
New Zealand: FB: Des White, WG: Cyril Eastlake, CE: Reese Griffiths, CE: Gordon Moncur, WG: Arnold Green, FE: George Menzies, HB: Keith Roberts, LK: Rex Percy, SR: Jim Riddell, SR: Ossie Butt, PR: Mauriohooho Murray, HK: John Lasher, PR: John Bond.


June 27 Northern Division 14–15 New Zealand Narrabri
Tries: 4
J. Gurd (2)
C. Kelly
A. Collinson
Goals: 1
C. Robinson
Tries: 3
Rex Percy (2)
Bill Sorensen
Goals: 3
Cyril Eastlake (3)

Attendance: 2,040
Gate: AU£ 566
Referee: K. Hilton
Team list:

Northern NSW: FB: C. Robinson, WG: J. Gurd, CE: R. Lumsden (Urunga), CE: J. Daly, WG: J. Wood, FE: A. Davidson, HB: C. Kelly, LK: G. Smith, SR: Arthur Collinson (Port Macquarie), SR: Guy Brazier (Dorrigo), PR: Lloyd Hudson ( Kempsey), HK: Allan Ferguson ( Armidale), PR: P. Purchase.
New Zealand: FB: Gordon Moncur, WG: Arnold Green, CE: Reese Griffiths, CE: Tom Hadfield, WG: Cyril Eastlake, FE: Bill Sorensen, HB: Keith Roberts, LK: Rex Percy, SR: John Bond, SR: Ossie Butt, PR: Henry Maxwell, HK: John Lasher, PR: Mauriohooho Murray.


3rd Test

More information Australia, 31–14 ...
June 30
2.30pm
Sydney
Attendance: 46,735
Gate: AU£ 14,806
Referee: Darcy Lawler
Team list:

Australia: FB: Norm Pope (24) ( Brisbane Valleys), WG: Don Adams (22) ( Maitland), CE: Dick Poole (25) ( Newtown), CE: Alex Watson (23) ( Brisbane Western Suburbs), WG: Des McGovern (28) ( Toowoomba All Whites), FE: Darcy Henry (24) ( Western Suburbs), HB: Keith Holman (28) ( Western Suburbs), LK: Ian Doyle (24) ( Toowoomba All Whites), SR: Tom Tyquin (23) ( South Brisbane), SR: Kel O'Shea (22) ( Western Suburbs), PR: Roy Bull (27) ( Manly-Warringah), HK: Ken Kearney (30) ( St George), PR: Brian Davies (25) ( Brisbane Brothers).
Ian Moir (24) ( South Sydney) and Don Furner (23) ( Toowoomba Souths) were selected as reserves, but did not play.
New Zealand: FB: Des White, WG: Vern Bakalich, CE: Tommy Baxter, CE: Bill Sorensen, WG: Cyril Eastlake, FE: George Menzies, HB: Sel Belsham, LK: Frank Mulcare, SR: Cliff Johnson, SR: Jim Riddell, PR: Duncan MacRae, HK: Jock Butterfield, PR: Henry Maxwell.


July 1 Southern Division 25–10 New Zealand Wollongong
Tries: 5
L. Johnson
M. Grenfell
D. Spence
J. Lumsden
M. Graham
Goals: 5
D. Russell (5)

Result[11]
Tries: 2
Rex Percy
Mauriohooho Murray
Goals: 2
Cyril Eastlake (2)

Attendance: 6,804
Gate: AU£ 1,016
Referee: Jerry Lane
Team list:

Southern Division: FB: Darcy Russell ( Wests), WG: Jack Lumsden, CE: Matt Graham ( Dapto), CE: Les Jones ( Jamberoo), WG: Don Spence, FE: Stuart Chase ( Berry), HB: Mick Brennan, LK: Mat Grenfell ( Wollongong), SR: Angus Miller ( Berry), SR: Pat Quinn ( Gerringong), PR: Bruce Noble ( Jamberoo), HK: Ted Johnson, PR: Bill Poland ( Corrimal), Coach: Leo Doyle.
New Zealand: FB: Cyril Eastlake, WG: Gordon Moncur, CE: Arnold Green, CE: Tommy Baxter, WG: Reese Griffiths, FE: George Menzies, HB: Keith Roberts, LK: Rex Percy, SR: Mauriohooho Murray, SR: John Bond, PR: Ossie Butt, HK: John Lasher, PR: Henry Maxwell.


July 4 Southern NSW 16–11 New Zealand Cootamundra
Tries: 4
D. Goldspink (2)
Burns
B. Clay
Goals: 2
J. O'Connell (2)

Result[12]
Tries: 1
Arnold Green
Goals: 4
Des White (4)

Attendance: 6,000
Gate: AU£ 322
Referee: H. T. Grew
Team list:

Southern NSW: FB: J. O'Connell, WG: D. Goldspink, CE: W. Garvin, CE: Brian Clay ( Griffith), WG: Barry Stenhouse, FE: P. Byrne, HB: Doug Cameron ( Young), LK: Peter O'Connor ( Tumbarumba), SR: P. Rankin, SR: Alan Glover, PR: T. McDonald, HK: J. Castles, PR: Ron Crowe, RB: Burns.
New Zealand: FB: Des White, WG: Tom Hadfield, CE: Tommy Baxter, CE: Bill Sorensen, WG: Reese Griffiths, FE: George Menzies, HB: Sel Belsham, LK: Rex Percy, SR: Cliff Johnson, SR: Jim Riddell, PR: Duncan MacRae, HK: Jock Butterfield, PR: Mauriohooho Murray, RB: Arnold Green.


Sources

More information Acronym, Item ...



References

  1. New South Wales Rugby Football League. (1920). "Kiwi Leader". The Rugby League News. (Vol. 37 No. 9 (19 May 1956)). Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League. nla.obj-759209000. Retrieved 14 Feb 2021 via Trove. {{cite journal}}: |issue= has extra text (help)
  2. New South Wales Rugby Football League. (1920). "Kiwi Manager". The Rugby League News. (Vol. 37 No. 11 (26 May 1956)). Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League. nla.obj-759212259. Retrieved 14 Feb 2021 via Trove. {{cite journal}}: |issue= has extra text (help)
  3. Age as given in the ‘’Rugby League News’’ for the first match against New South Wales
  4. "N.Z. League Team Wins At Lithgow". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 31 May 1956. p. 7. Retrieved 14 Feb 2021.
  5. "Newcastle Defeats Kiwis". The Central Queensland Herald. Rockhampton: National Library of Australia. 7 Jun 1956. p. 18. Retrieved 14 Feb 2021.
  6. "Australia Wins League Test". The Central Queensland Herald. Rockhampton: National Library of Australia. 14 Jun 1956. p. 19. Retrieved 14 Feb 2021.
  7. "Football Flashes". St. George Call. Kogarah: National Library of Australia. 14 Jun 1956. p. 7. Retrieved 15 Feb 2021.
  8. "Kiwis Beat Brisbane". The Central Queensland Herald. Rockhampton: National Library of Australia. 14 Jul 1956. p. 19. Retrieved 14 Feb 2021.
  9. "Kiwis Defeat Toowoomba". The Central Queensland Herald. Rockhampton: National Library of Australia. 14 Jul 1956. p. 7. Retrieved 14 Feb 2021.
  10. "Australia Wins Rugby League Test Series". The Central Queensland Herald. Rockhampton: National Library of Australia. 28 Jun 1956. p. 19. Retrieved 14 Feb 2021.
  11. "Kiwis Defeated At Wollongong". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 2 Jul 1956. p. 10. Retrieved 15 Feb 2021.
  12. "Kiwis Beaten At Cootamundra". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 5 Jul 1956. p. 16. Retrieved 14 Feb 2021.
  13. Christison, J.E. (2012). Ipswich Versus International Teams. J.E. Christison. ISBN 978-0-98060-74-2-0.
  14. Christison, J.E. (2012). Ipswich Rugby League - The Bulimba Cup Era. J.E. Christison. ISBN 978-0-98060-74-0-6.
  15. Price, Tony (2015). A History of Mackay Rugby League. CPX Printing and Logistics. ISBN 978-0-646-94056-4.
  16. Price, Tony (2014). More Than The Foley Shield - A History of Rugby League in Queensland. CPX Printing and Logistics. ISBN 978-0-646-92820-3.

Share this article:

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article 1956_New_Zealand_rugby_league_tour_of_Australia, and is written by contributors. Text is available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 International License; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.