The 1985 Kangaroo Tour of New Zealand was a mid-season tour of New Zealand by the Australia national rugby league team. The Australians played six matches on tour, including the final two games of a three-game test series against the New Zealand with the first test taking place in Brisbane on 18 June. The NZ tour began on 19 June and finished on 10 July.[1]
While he was named Australian coach, Terry Fearnley had also been appointed as New South WalesState of Origin coach in 1985. The Blues won their first ever Origin series in 1985 after winning games 1 and two. In what was to prove a case of bad planning, the test series and the tour of New Zealand were scheduled to take place between games 2 and 3 of the Origin series.
Rumours soon surfaced that Fearnley and Lewis did not get along on tour. Lewis later confirmed this by admitting in television interviews that the pair hated each other while Fearnley openly admitted that in light of the circumstances he could have done a better job in bringing the team together. Lewis also publicly stated that he believed Fearnley openly favoured the teams vice-captain, NSW's Wayne Pearce as well as the rest of the Kangaroos who were in his NSW team. At one point before the third test in Auckland, Lewis claimed to have caught Fearnley and Pearce going over team selection in Fearnely's hotel room, something strongly denied by the pair.
Fearnley himself created controversy on the tour. In the book King Wally which was published in 1987, Wally Lewis claimed that Fearnley had said of team member Michael O'Connor (a NSW player) "Can't play, no heart. Lucky he can kick goals or he wouldn't be here". The publishing of this story led to some animosity over the coming years between Lewis and O'Connor despite them being regular test team mates until the end of 1989. But the biggest controversy came from the team selection for the third test. Fearnley dropped four players from the second test win, all Queenslanders (Chris Close, Mark Murray, Greg Dowling and Greg Conescu - Close and Dowling dropped to the bench), which caused all hell to break loose and prompted Queensland Rugby League Chairman, SenatorRon McAuliffe, to publicly condemn the dropping of the four Queensland players from a winning Test side, saying "Its a football assassination and beyond all reasoning. And there can be no reasonable excuse for it".[2]
With the replacement players in place (Steve Ella, Des Hasler, Peter Tunks and Benny Elias), the disjointed Kangaroos would go on to lose the third test 18–0, the first time they had been held scoreless since losing 19–0 to Great Britain in 1956. Such was the animosity in the group between the NSW and Qld players that according to second row forward Paul Vautin (a Queenslander), dropped players Mark Murray and Greg Conescu acted as the Australian teams statisticians for the game. In his book Fatty: The Strife and Times of Paul Vautin, he told that both recorded a number of errors that were actually made by team mates to the players who replaced them in the side, Hasler and Elias.[3]
Immediately prior to the tour, the first test took place at Lang Park in Brisbane on 18 June. This match is most remembered for the sideline fight between rival prop forwards Greg Dowling and Kevin Tamati after the pair had been sent to the sin-bin for fighting.[4]
^"Rugby League - Filipaina hauled from reserves to subdue 'dangerous' Lewis". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 18 Jun 1985. p. 22. Retrieved 31 Dec 2021.
^"Free-running Test sways in Australia's favour". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 19 Jun 1985. p. 40. Retrieved 31 Dec 2021.
^"Rugby League: NZ opener will prove Test case". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 22 Jun 1985. p. 12. Retrieved 31 Dec 2021.
^"Meninga stars in big win". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 24 Jun 1985. p. 27. Retrieved 31 Dec 2021.
^"Times Sport Sports results, details". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 24 Jun 1985. p. 26. Retrieved 31 Dec 2021.
^"Rugby League - Australia dwarfed by NZ experience". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 30 Jun 1985. p. 29. Retrieved 1 Jan 2022.
^Foster, Michael (1 Jul 1985). "Tension shows in trans-Tasman Test - Australia seizes chance for its brilliant break". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. p. 28. Retrieved 1 Jan 2022.
^"Rugby League - Players run ragged in tough workout". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 3 Jul 1985. p. 48. Retrieved 31 Dec 2021.
^"Rugby League - Lively Hasler impresses in victory romp". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 4 Jul 1985. p. 26. Retrieved 31 Dec 2021.
^"Times sport - Ella steps out of shadows". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 7 Jul 1985. p. 5. Retrieved 31 Dec 2021.
^"Rugby League - Kiwis humble the champions 18-0". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 8 Jul 1985. p. 20. Retrieved 31 Dec 2021.
^"Injured Lewis in doubt". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 9 Jul 1985. p. 20. Retrieved 31 Dec 2021.
^"Rugby League - Australians end tour ferociously". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 10 Jul 1985. p. 40. Retrieved 31 Dec 2021.
External linksedit
October 31, 2023
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The 1985 Kangaroo Tour of New Zealand was a mid season tour of New Zealand by the Australia national rugby league team The Australians played six matches on tour including the final two games of a three game test series against the New Zealand with the first test taking place in Brisbane on 18 June The NZ tour began on 19 June and finished on 10 July 1 Contents 1 Leadership 2 Controversy 3 Touring squad 4 First test 5 Tour 5 1 Second test 5 2 Third test 6 References 7 External linksLeadership editAfter long time coach Frank Stanton stepped down from representative coaching duties after Australia s successful defense of The Ashes in 1984 against the touring Great Britain Lions the Australian Rugby League appointed former World Cup and Parramatta Eels coach Terry Fearnley as head coach of the Kangaroos The team was captained by Wally Lewis who had also captained the team in 1984 Controversy editWhile he was named Australian coach Terry Fearnley had also been appointed as New South Wales State of Origin coach in 1985 The Blues won their first ever Origin series in 1985 after winning games 1 and two In what was to prove a case of bad planning the test series and the tour of New Zealand were scheduled to take place between games 2 and 3 of the Origin series Rumours soon surfaced that Fearnley and Lewis did not get along on tour Lewis later confirmed this by admitting in television interviews that the pair hated each other while Fearnley openly admitted that in light of the circumstances he could have done a better job in bringing the team together Lewis also publicly stated that he believed Fearnley openly favoured the teams vice captain NSW s Wayne Pearce as well as the rest of the Kangaroos who were in his NSW team At one point before the third test in Auckland Lewis claimed to have caught Fearnley and Pearce going over team selection in Fearnely s hotel room something strongly denied by the pair Fearnley himself created controversy on the tour In the book King Wally which was published in 1987 Wally Lewis claimed that Fearnley had said of team member Michael O Connor a NSW player Can t play no heart Lucky he can kick goals or he wouldn t be here The publishing of this story led to some animosity over the coming years between Lewis and O Connor despite them being regular test team mates until the end of 1989 But the biggest controversy came from the team selection for the third test Fearnley dropped four players from the second test win all Queenslanders Chris Close Mark Murray Greg Dowling and Greg Conescu Close and Dowling dropped to the bench which caused all hell to break loose and prompted Queensland Rugby League Chairman Senator Ron McAuliffe to publicly condemn the dropping of the four Queensland players from a winning Test side saying Its a football assassination and beyond all reasoning And there can be no reasonable excuse for it 2 With the replacement players in place Steve Ella Des Hasler Peter Tunks and Benny Elias the disjointed Kangaroos would go on to lose the third test 18 0 the first time they had been held scoreless since losing 19 0 to Great Britain in 1956 Such was the animosity in the group between the NSW and Qld players that according to second row forward Paul Vautin a Queenslander dropped players Mark Murray and Greg Conescu acted as the Australian teams statisticians for the game In his book Fatty The Strife and Times of Paul Vautin he told that both recorded a number of errors that were actually made by team mates to the players who replaced them in the side Hasler and Elias 3 Terry Fearnley stepped down as Australian coach following the tour He would be replaced in 1986 by 1956 57 Kangaroo tourist and Canberra Raiders head coach Don Furner As a result of the problems during the tour the Australian Rugby League made a number of decisions for future Australian teams including No current State of Origin coach can also be the current Australian coach Mid season test series will take place after the Origin series and not during one to avoid bringing the NSW vs Qld rivalry into the Australian team Touring squad editPlayer Club Position s Games Tries Goals F Goals PointsNoel Cleal nbsp Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Second row CentreChris Close nbsp Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Centre WingGreg Conescu nbsp Brothers Gladstone HookerGreg Dowling nbsp Wynnum Manly Seagulls PropBenny Elias nbsp Balmain Tigers HookerSteve Ella nbsp Parramatta Eels Centre Five eighthJohn Ferguson nbsp Eastern Suburbs Roosters WingDes Hasler nbsp Manly Warringah Sea Eagles HalfbackGarry Jack nbsp Balmain Tigers FullbackWally Lewis c nbsp Wynnum Manly Seagulls Five eighthMal Meninga nbsp Souths Magpies CentreMark Murray nbsp Redcliffe Dolphins HalfbackMichael O Connor nbsp St George Dragons Centre WingWayne Pearce vc nbsp Balmain Tigers LockJohn Ribot nbsp Redcliffe Dolphins WingSteve Roach nbsp Balmain Tigers PropPeter Tunks nbsp Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs PropPaul Vautin nbsp Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Lock Second rowPeter Wynn nbsp Parramatta Eels Second rowFirst test editImmediately prior to the tour the first test took place at Lang Park in Brisbane on 18 June This match is most remembered for the sideline fight between rival prop forwards Greg Dowling and Kevin Tamati after the pair had been sent to the sin bin for fighting 4 Tuesday 18 JuneAustralia nbsp 26 20 nbsp New ZealandTries 5 John Ribot 2 Noel Cleal Chris Close Steve Roach Goals 3 Mal Meninga 2 6 John Ribot 1 1 5 6 7 Tries 3 Dean Bell Olsen Filipaina Hugh McGahan Goals 4 Olsen Filipaina 4 Lang Park BrisbaneAttendance 22 000Referee Julien Rascagneres nbsp Player of the Match Olsen Filipaina nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp Australia nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp New ZealandFB 1 nbsp Garry JackLW 2 nbsp John RibotRC 3 nbsp Chris CloseLC 4 nbsp Mal MeningaRW 5 nbsp John FergusonFE 6 nbsp Wally Lewis c HB 7 nbsp Mark MurrayPR 8 nbsp Greg DowlingHK 9 nbsp Greg ConescuPR 10 nbsp Steve RoachSR 11 nbsp Noel ClealSR 12 nbsp Peter WynnLF 13 nbsp Wayne PearceSubstitutions IC 14 nbsp Steve EllaIC 15 nbsp Peter TunksCoach nbsp Terry Fearnley FB 1 nbsp Gary KembleLW 2 nbsp Dean BellRC 3 nbsp Gary ProhmLC 4 nbsp James LeuluaiRW 5 nbsp Dane O HaraFE 6 nbsp Olsen FilipainaHB 7 nbsp Clayton FriendPR 8 nbsp Owen WrightHK 9 nbsp Howie TamatiPR 10 nbsp Kevin TamatiSR 11 nbsp Kurt SorensenSR 12 nbsp Mark Graham c LK 13 nbsp Hugh McGahanSubstitutions IC 14 nbsp Riki CowanIC 15 nbsp Mark EliaCoach nbsp Graham LoweTour editThe Australian s played six games on the tour winning five Sunday 23 June South Island nbsp 0 56 nbsp Australia Queen Elizabeth II Park ChristchurchTries nil Goals nil 8 9 10 11 Tries 11 Mal Meninga 3 John Ribot 2 Des Hasler 2 Wally Lewis Garry Jack John Ferguson Michael O Connor Goals 6 Mal Meninga 6 Attendance 6 800Referee Don WilsonPlayer of the Match Mal MeningaWednesday 26 June Central Districts nbsp 4 24 nbsp Australia Basin Reserve WellingtonTries Goals 12 Tries Goals Attendance 5 500Second test edit The Australian s escaped with a 10 6 win over New Zealand thanks to a last minute try to winger John Ribot Sunday 30 JuneNew Zealand nbsp 6 10 nbsp AustraliaTries James Leuluai Goals Olsen Filipaina 1 13 14 15 Tries John Ribot Goals Mal Meninga 2 John Ribot 1 Carlaw Park AucklandAttendance 19 132Referee Julien Rascagneres nbsp Player of the Match Olsen Filipaina nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp New Zealand nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp AustraliaFB 1 nbsp Gary KembleLW 2 nbsp Dean BellRC 3 nbsp Gary ProhmLC 4 nbsp James LeuluaiRW 5 nbsp Dane O HaraFE 6 nbsp Olsen FilipainaHB 7 nbsp Clayton FriendPR 8 nbsp Owen WrightHK 9 nbsp Howie TamatiPR 10 nbsp Kevin TamatiSR 11 nbsp Kurt SorensenSR 12 nbsp Mark Graham c LK 13 nbsp Hugh McGahanSubstitutions IC 14 nbsp Joe RopatiIC 15 nbsp Riki CowanCoach nbsp Graham Lowe FB 1 nbsp Garry JackLW 2 nbsp John RibotRC 3 nbsp Chris CloseLC 4 nbsp Mal MeningaRW 5 nbsp John FergusonFE 6 nbsp Wally Lewis c HB 7 nbsp Mark MurrayPR 8 nbsp Greg DowlingHK 9 nbsp Greg ConescuPR 10 nbsp Steve RoachSR 11 nbsp Paul VautinSR 12 nbsp Peter WynnLF 13 nbsp Wayne PearceSubstitutions IC 14 nbsp Noel ClealIC 15 nbsp Steve EllaCoach nbsp Terry Fearnley Wednesday 3 July Northern Districts 6 52 nbsp Australia Okara Park WhangareiTries Goals 16 17 18 Tries Goals Attendance 1 500Referee Ray ShrimptonPlayer of the Match Peter TunksThird test edit The dead rubber third test also doubled as the first game of the 1985 1988 Rugby League World Cup tournament John Ribot Steve Ella John Ferguson Peter Wynn and Chris Close played their last tests for Australia Sunday 7 JulyNew Zealand nbsp 18 0 nbsp AustraliaTries Clayton Friend 2 James Leuluai Goals Olsen Filipaina 3 19 20 21 Tries Goals Carlaw Park AucklandAttendance 15 327Referee Julien Rascagneres nbsp Player of the Match Clayton Friend nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp New Zealand nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp AustraliaFB 1 nbsp Gary KembleLW 2 nbsp Dean BellRC 3 nbsp Gary ProhmLC 4 nbsp James LeuluaiRW 5 nbsp Dane O HaraFE 6 nbsp Olsen FilipainaHB 7 nbsp Clayton FriendPR 8 nbsp Owen WrightHK 9 nbsp Howie TamatiPR 10 nbsp Kevin TamatiSR 11 nbsp Kurt SorensenSR 12 nbsp Mark Graham c LK 13 nbsp Hugh McGahanSubstitutions IC 14 nbsp Joe RopatiIC 15 nbsp Riki CowanCoach nbsp Graham Lowe FB 1 nbsp Garry JackLW 2 nbsp John RibotRC 3 nbsp Mal MeningaLC 4 nbsp Steve EllaRW 5 nbsp John FergusonFE 6 nbsp Wally Lewis c HB 7 nbsp Des HaslerPR 8 nbsp Peter TunksHK 9 nbsp Benny EliasPR 10 nbsp Steve RoachSR 11 nbsp Paul VautinSR 12 nbsp Peter WynnLF 13 nbsp Wayne PearceSubstitutions IC 14 nbsp Chris CloseIC 15 nbsp Greg DowlingCoach nbsp Terry Fearnley Wednesday 10 July Auckland nbsp 10 50 nbsp Australia Carlaw Park AucklandTries Goals 22 23 24 Tries Goals Attendance 18 000Referee Dennis HaleReferences edit 1985 Kangaroo Tour of New Zealand Rugby League Project McGregor Adrian 1987 King Wally Qld Tandem Press ISBN 9780908884353 Colman Mike 1992 Fatty The Strife and Times of Paul Vautin Sydney Ironbark Press ISBN 9781875471171 Dowling vs Tamati fight 1st Test Australia vs New Zealand Rugby League Filipaina hauled from reserves to subdue dangerous Lewis The Canberra Times Canberra National Library of Australia 18 Jun 1985 p 22 Retrieved 31 Dec 2021 Free running Test sways in Australia s favour The Canberra Times Canberra National Library of Australia 19 Jun 1985 p 40 Retrieved 31 Dec 2021 South Island vs Australia Rugby League NZ opener will prove Test case The Canberra Times Canberra National Library of Australia 22 Jun 1985 p 12 Retrieved 31 Dec 2021 Meninga stars in big win The Canberra Times Canberra National Library of Australia 24 Jun 1985 p 27 Retrieved 31 Dec 2021 Times Sport Sports results details The Canberra Times Canberra National Library of Australia 24 Jun 1985 p 26 Retrieved 31 Dec 2021 Central Districts vs Australia Second Test New Zealand v Australia Rugby League Australia dwarfed by NZ experience The Canberra Times Canberra National Library of Australia 30 Jun 1985 p 29 Retrieved 1 Jan 2022 Foster Michael 1 Jul 1985 Tension shows in trans Tasman Test Australia seizes chance for its brilliant break The Canberra Times Canberra National Library of Australia p 28 Retrieved 1 Jan 2022 Northern Districts vs Australia Rugby League Players run ragged in tough workout The Canberra Times Canberra National Library of Australia 3 Jul 1985 p 48 Retrieved 31 Dec 2021 Rugby League Lively Hasler impresses in victory romp The Canberra Times Canberra National Library of Australia 4 Jul 1985 p 26 Retrieved 31 Dec 2021 Third Test New Zealand v Australia Times sport Ella steps out of shadows The Canberra Times Canberra National Library of Australia 7 Jul 1985 p 5 Retrieved 31 Dec 2021 Rugby League Kiwis humble the champions 18 0 The Canberra Times Canberra National Library of Australia 8 Jul 1985 p 20 Retrieved 31 Dec 2021 Auckland vs Australia Injured Lewis in doubt The Canberra Times Canberra National Library of Australia 9 Jul 1985 p 20 Retrieved 31 Dec 2021 Rugby League Australians end tour ferociously The Canberra Times Canberra National Library of Australia 10 Jul 1985 p 40 Retrieved 31 Dec 2021 External links edit Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 1985 Kangaroo tour of New Zealand amp oldid 1081976736, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
