1990 Great Britain Lions tour

The 1990 Great Britain Lions tour was a tour by the Great Britain national rugby league team of Papua New Guinea and New Zealand which took place from May to July 1990.

1990 Great Britain Lions tour
Date	20 May 1990 – 15 July 1990
Manager	Maurice Lindsay
Coach(es)	Mal Reilly
Tour captain(s)	Mike Gregory
Top point scorer(s)	Jonathan Davies (92)
Top try scorer(s)	Paul Eastwood (9)
Summary	P W D L
Total	15 10 00 05
Test match	05 03 00 02
Opponent	P W D L
Papua New Guinea	2 1 0 1
New Zealand	3 2 0 1
Tour chronology
Previous tour	1988
Next tour	1992

Touring squad

An initial 28-man squad was selected for the tour in April 1990. Warrington's Des Drummond and Widnes' David Hulme and Paul Hulme were all unavailable for selection for "private reasons".^[1]

Ellery Hanley, Shaun Edwards, Andy Platt and Paul Loughlin all withdrew from the originally selected squad due to injury, while Steve Hampson and Les Holliday withdrew for personal reasons. Mike Gregory was chosen as tour captain as a result of the absence of Hanley and Edwards.^[2]

Name	Club	Apps	Tests	Tries	Goals	Drop goals	Points	Notes
Denis Betts	Wigan	10	5	4	0	0	16
Chris Bibb	Featherstone Rovers	8	1	1	0	0	4
David Bishop	Hull Kingston Rovers	6	0	1	0	0	4
Phil Clarke	Wigan	7	1	1	0	0	4
Jonathan Davies	Widnes	11	5	6	34	0	92
Martin Dermott	Wigan	8	2	1	0	1	5
John Devereux	Widnes	5	0	2	0	0	8	^[a]
Paul Dixon	Leeds	10	5	2	0	0	8
Paul Eastwood	Hull	10	2	9	18	0	72
Keith England	Castleford	10	5	0	0	0	0
Karl Fairbank	Bradford Northern	7	1	2	0	0	8
Deryck Fox	Featherstone Rovers	9	1	2	0	0	8
Carl Gibson	Leeds	11	5	6	0	0	24
Bobbie Goulding	Wigan	9	5	2	0	1	9
Mike Gregory (c)	Warrington	9	5	0	0	0	0
Shaun Irwin	Castleford	9	3	1	0	0	4
Lee Jackson	Hull	7	3	0	0	0	0
Ian Lucas	Wigan	6	0	0	0	0	0
Joe Lydon	Wigan	6	3	0	0	0	0
David Lyon	Warrington	2	0	2	0	0	8	^[b]
Martin Offiah	Widnes	4	3	2	0	0	8
Daryl Powell	Sheffield Eagles	5	5	0	0	0	0
Roy Powell	Leeds	11	5	1	0	0	4
Gary Price	Wakefield Trinity	6	0	1	0	0	4
Garry Schofield	Leeds	9	5	7	0	1	29
Roger Simpson	Bradford Northern	5	0	3	0	0	12
Kelvin Skerrett	Bradford Northern	5	3	1	0	0	4
Ian Smales	Featherstone Rovers	7	0	1	0	0	4
Graham Steadman	Castleford	4	0	1	0	0	4	^[c]
Anthony Sullivan	Hull Kingston Rovers	0	0	0	0	0	0	^[a]
Alan Tait	Widnes	4	2	1	0	0	4	^[b]

Papua New Guinea

20 May 1990	Southern Zone	18 – 40	Great Britain	Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby^[6]
	Tries: Igo, P. Lae, Ganiga Goals: P. Lae (3)	Report	Tries: Garry Schofield (3), Paul Eastwood (2), Jonathan Davies, Carl Gibson Goals: Jonathan Davies (6)	Attendance: 5,066 Referee: Graham Anui

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23 May 1990	Northern and Highland Zones	10 – 24	Great Britain	Lae Oval, Lae^[7]
	Tries: Elara Goals: Sambu (3)	Report	Tries: Chris Bibb, Paul Dixon, Roger Simpson, Jonathan Davies Goals: Paul Eastwood (4)	Attendance: 2,550 Referee: Aiwa Olni

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First Test

27 May 1990

Papua New Guinea	20 – 18	Great Britain
Tries: Tuiyo Evei Stanley Haru Goals: Bal Numapo (5) Field Goal: Bal Numapo (1) Stanley Haru (1)	^[8]	Try: Paul Eastwood Jonathan Davies Bobbie Goulding Goals: Jonathan Davies (3)

Danny Leahy Oval, Goroka^[9]^[10] Attendance: 11,598 Referee: Dennis Hale

Papua New Guinea

Great Britain

FB 1 Ipisa Wanega RW 2 Arnold Krewanty RC 3 Phillip Boge LC 4 Bal Numapo LW 5 Mea Morea FE 6 Stanley Haru HB 7 Gigmai Onguglo PR 8 Bobby Ako HK 9 Michael Matmillo PR 10 Tuyio Evei SR 11 Joe Gispe SR 12 Arebo Taumaku (c) LK 13 Michael Angara Substitutions: IC 14 Goru Arigae IC 15 Noah Kool Coach:   Skerry Palanga

FB 1   Alan Tait RW 2   Paul Eastwood RC 3   Daryl Powell LC 4   Jonathan Davies LW 5   Carl Gibson SO 6   Garry Schofield SH 7   Bobbie Goulding PR 8   Roy Powell HK 9   Lee Jackson PR 10   Paul Dixon SR 11   Denis Betts SR 12   Karl Fairbank LK 13   Mike Gregory (c) Substitutions: IC 14   Shaun Irwin IC 15   Keith England Coach:   Mal Reilly

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30 May 1990	Island Zone	4 – 50	Great Britain	Queen Elizabeth Oval, Rabaul^[11]
		Report		Attendance: 3,538 Referee: Moses Tolingling (New Ireland)

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Second Test

This was Great Britain's second match in the 1989-1992 Rugby League World Cup

2 June 1990

Papua New Guinea	8 – 40	Great Britain
Tries: Gigmai Ongugo Goals: Bal Numapo (2)	^[12]	Tries: Carl Gibson (2) Paul Eastwood Bobbie Goulding Paul Dixon Daryl Powell Garry Schofield Goals: Jonathan Davies (6)

Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby^[13]^[14] Attendance: 7,837 Referee: Dennis Hale

Papua New Guinea

Great Britain

FB 1 Ipisa Wanega RW 2 Arnold Krewanty RC 3 Phillip Boge LC 4 Bal Numapo LW 5 Mea Morea FE 6 Stanley Haru HB 7 Gigmai Ongugo PR 8 Ati Lomutopa HK 9 Michael Matmillo PR 10 Tuyio Evei SR 11 Joe Gispe SR 12 Aribo Taumaku (c) LK 13 Michael Angara Substitutions: IC 14 Max Tiri IC 15 Chris Itam Coach:   Skerry Palanga

FB 1   Alan Tait RW 2   Paul Eastwood RC 3   Jonathan Davies LC 4   Daryl Powell LW 5   Carl Gibson SO 6   Garry Schofield SH 7   Bobbie Goulding PR 8   Roy Powell HK 9   Lee Jackson PR 10   Keith England SR 11   Denis Betts SR 12   Paul Dixon LK 13   Mike Gregory (c) Substitutions: IC 14   Deryck Fox IC 15   Phil Clarke Coach:   Mal Reilly

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New Zealand

See also: 1990 New Zealand rugby league season

10 June 1990	Presidents XIII	22 – 23	Great Britain	McLean Park, Napier
	Tries: Mark Nixon (2), Sam Panapa, P.Tuimavave Goals: Morvin Edwards (3)	Report	Tries: Carl Gibson, Martin Dermott, Jonathan Davies Goals: Paul Eastwood (5) Field Goals: Garry Schofield	Attendance: 3,163 Referee: Jim Stokes

Presidents XIII: Morvin Edwards, Warren Mann, Mark Nixon, Paddy Tuimavave, Sam Panapa, Dean Clark, Stu Galbraith, Adrian Shelford, Peter Ropati, George Mann, Taime Tagaloa, Francis Leota, Mike Kuiti. Res - Kelly Shelford, Esene Faimalo

Great Britain: Chris Bibb, John Devereux, Daryl Powell, Jonathan Davies, Carl Gibson, Garry Schofield, Bobbie Goulding, Ian Lucas, Martin Dermott, Keith England, Denis Betts, Paul Dixon, Phil Clarke. Res - Roy Powell, David Bishop

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13 June 1990	Canterbury	18 – 10	Great Britain	Addington Showgrounds, Christchurch
	Tries: Dorreen, Whittaker, Leek Goals: Cully (3)	Report	Tries: David Bishop, Alan Tait Goals: Paul Eastwood (1)	Attendance: 1,338 Referee: Dennis Hale

Canterbury: Hall, Whetu Taewa, Michael Dorreen, Rodger, Kaisa, Mark Nixon, Aaron Whittaker, Ricky Cowan, Wayne Wallace, Simanu, Leck, Culley, Logan Edwards. Res - Angell, Seru.

Great Britain: Alan Tait, Paul Eastwood, Shaun Irwin, Joe Lydon (c), Roger Simpson, Graham Steadman, Deryck Fox, Ian Lucas, Lee Jackson, Karl Fairbank, Ian Smales, Gary Price, David Bishop. Res - Roy Powell, Mike Gregory

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17 June 1990	Auckland	24 – 13	Great Britain	Carlaw Park, Auckland
	Tries: Sam Panapa (2), Mike Patton, Tawera Nikau Goals: Peter Brown (4)	Report	Tries: Kelvin Skerrett, Graham Steadman Goals: Jonathan Davies (2) Field Goals: Bobbie Goulding	Attendance: 7,614 Referee: Keith Blackler

Auckland: Paddy Tuimavave, Mike Patton, Sam Panapa, Iva Ropati, Warren Mann, Mike McClennan, Stu Galbraith, Peter Brown, Peter Ropati, Se'e Solomona, Tawera Nikau, Taime Tagaloa, Tony Tuimavave. Res - Francis Leota

Great Britain: Chris Bibb, Carl Gibson, Joe Lydon, Garry Schofield, Jonathan Davies, Graham Steadman, Bobbie Goulding, Kelvin Skerrett, Martin Dermott, Keith England, Denis Betts, Roy Powell, Mike Gregory (c). Res - Alan Tait, Paul Dixon

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20 June 1990	Kiwi Colts	10 – 22	Great Britain	Davies Park, Huntly
	Tries: Iva Ropati, Fisher Goals: Kelly Shelford (1)	Report	Tries: Paul Eastwood (3), Phil Clarke Goals: Jonathan Davies (3)	Attendance: 972 Referee: Jim Stokes

Kiwi Colts: Paul Nahu, Hall, Iva Ropati, Mike Patton, Whetu Taewa, Kelly Shelford, Stu Galbraith, John Lomax, Fisher, Simcott, Taime Tagaloa, Logan Edwards, Tony Tuimavave. Res - Rodger, Quentin Pongia

Great Britain: Roger Simpson, Paul Eastwood, Shaun Irwin, Daryl Powell, John Devereux, Jonathan Davies, Deryck Fox, Roy Powell, Lee Jackson, Karl Fairbank, Phil Clarke, Ian Smales, David Bishop. Res - Gary Price

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First Test

24 June 1990

New Zealand	10 – 11	Great Britain
Tries: Kevin Iro Sam Panapa Goals: Peter Brown (1)	^[15]	Tries: Jonathan Davies Carl Gibson Goals: Jonathan Davies (1) Field Goals: Garry Schofield

Palmerston North Showgrounds, Palmerston North Attendance: 8,073 Referee: David Manson

New Zealand

Great Britain

FB 1   Darrell Williams RW 2   Tony Iro RC 3   Kevin Iro LC 4   Tony Kemp LW 5   Sam Panapa FE 6   Dean Clark HB 7   Gary Freeman PR 8   Brent Todd HK 9   Duane Mann PR 10   Peter Brown SR 11   Tawera Nikau SR 12   Mark Horo LF 13   Hugh McGahan (c) Substitutions: IC 14   Morvin Edwards IC 15   George Mann Coach:   Bob Bailey

FB 1   Chris Bibb RW 2   Jonathan Davies RC 3   Joe Lydon LC 4   Carl Gibson LW 5   Martin Offiah SO 6   Garry Schofield SH 7   Bobbie Goulding PR 8   Kelvin Skerrett HK 9   Martin Dermott PR 10   Keith England SR 11   Denis Betts SR 12   Paul Dixon LK 13   Mike Gregory (c) Substitutions: IC 14   Darryl Powell IC 15   Roy Powell Coach:   Mal Reilly

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27 June 1990	Wellington	30 – 22	Great Britain	Porirua Park, Porirua
	Tries: Molemau, Victor Aramoana, Morvin Edwards, Geoffrey Tangira Goals: Gilbert (7)	Report	Tries: Karl Fairbank, Ian Smales, Jonathan Davies, David Lyon Goals: Jonathan Davies (3)	Attendance: 845 Referee: Neville Kesha

Wellington: Peter Edwards, Molemau, David Ewe, Morvin Edwards, Victor Aramoana, Gilbert, Geoffrey Tangira, John Lomax, Barry Harvey (c), Robert Piva, O'Sullivan, Esene Faimalo, Mike Kuiti.

Great Britain: David Lyon, Paul Eastwood, Shaun Irwin, Daryl Powell, John Devereux, Jonathan Davies, Deryck Fox, Ian Lucas, Lee Jackson, Karl Fairbank, Ian Smales, Gary Price, Phil Clarke Res - Paul Dixon, David Bishop

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1 July 1990	Māori	12 – 20	Great Britain	Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua
	Tries: G. Tangira, Victor Aramoana Goals: Morvin Edwards (2)	Report	Tries: Garry Schofield, Denis Betts, Paul Eastwood Goals: Paul Eastwood (4)	Attendance: 3,184 Referee: Des O'Sullivan

New Zealand Māori: Morvin Edwards, Sean Hoppe, Nahu, Dave Watson, Victor Aramoana, Kelly Shelford, Geoffrey Tangira, John Lomax, Barry Harvey, Jason Lowrie, Tawera Nikau, Mike Kuiti, Ramsey.

Great Britain: Chris Bibb, Paul Eastwood, Carl Gibson, Daryl Powell, Martin Offiah, Garry Schofield, Deryck Fox, Roy Powell, Martin Dermott, Keith England, Denis Betts, Paul Dixon, Mike Gregory (c). Res - Bobbie Goulding, Joe Lydon

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4 July 1990	Taranaki	0 – 24	Great Britain	Pukekura Park, New Plymouth
	Tries: Goals:	Report	Tries: Roger Simpson, David Lyon, Karl Fairbank, Shaun Irwin Goals: Paul Eastwood (4)	Attendance: 2,675 Referee: Dennis Hale

Taranaki: Tumoana, W. Tangira, Gwiazdzinski, Dave Watson, R. Nixon, Smith, Geoffrey Tangira, Robert Piva, Mason, Katene, McAllister, Kitto, Barry Harvey. Res - Martin, Jackson.

Great Britain: Chris Bibb, Paul Eastwood, Shaun Irwin, David Lyon, John Devereux, Roger Simpson, Deryck Fox, Ian Lucas, Ian Smales, Karl Fairbank, Gary Price, Phil Clarke, David Bishop. Res - Roy Powell, Martin Dermott

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Second Test

Former All Black fullback Matthew Ridge made his test debut for New Zealand in the second test. To this point in his career, Ridge had only played 6 games of rugby league for NSWRL club Manly-Warringah before becoming a dual international. His selection saw his Manly teammate Darrell Williams moved from fullback to the centres. Ridge, who would end his rugby league career in 1999 having scored over 1,600 points (with a goal kicking accuracy of around 80%), also took over the goal kicking from Peter Brown.

8 July 1990

New Zealand	14 – 16	Great Britain
Tries: Mark Horo Goals: Matthew Ridge (5)	^[16]	Tries: Denis Betts Martin Offiah Garry Schofield Goals: Jonathan Davies (2)

Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland^[17] Attendance: 7,843 Referee: Bill Harrigan

New Zealand

Great Britain

FB 1   Matthew Ridge RW 2   Tony Iro RC 3   Kevin Iro LC 4   Darrell Williams LW 5   Sam Panapa FE 6   Dean Clark HB 7   Gary Freeman PR 8   Brent Todd HK 9   Duane Mann PR 10   Peter Brown SR 11   Tawera Nikau SR 12   Mark Horo LF 13   Hugh McGahan (c) Substitutions: IC 14   Dean Lonergan IC 15   Tony Kemp Coach:   Bob Bailey

FB 1   Joe Lydon RW 2   Jonathan Davies RC 3   Darryl Powell LC 4   Carl Gibson LW 5   Martin Offiah SO 6   Garry Schofield SH 7   Bobbie Goulding PR 8   Kelvin Skerrett HK 9   Lee Jackson PR 10   Keith England SR 11   Denis Betts SR 12   Paul Dixon LK 13   Mike Gregory (c) Substitutions: IC 14   Shaun Irwin IC 15   Roy Powell Coach:   Mal Reilly

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Third Test

This was part of the 1989-1992 Rugby League World Cup

15 July 1990

New Zealand	21 – 18	Great Britain
Tries: Tony Kemp Tawera Nikau Goals: Matthew Ridge (6) Field Goals: Hugh McGahan	^[18]	Tries: Martin Offiah Roy Powell Garry Schofield Goals: Jonathan Davies (3)

Queen Elizabeth II Park, Christchurch^[19] Attendance: 3,113 Referee: Bill Harrigan

New Zealand

Great Britain

FB 1   Matthew Ridge RW 2   Tony Iro RC 3   Kevin Iro LC 4   Darrell Williams LW 5   Sam Panapa FE 6   Tony Kemp HB 7   Gary Freeman PR 8   Brent Todd HK 9   Duane Mann PR 10   Peter Brown SR 11   Tawera Nikau SR 12   Mark Horo LF 13   Hugh McGahan (c) Substitutions: IC 14   Dean Lonergan IC 15   Morvin Edwards Coach:   Bob Bailey

FB 1   Joe Lydon RW 2   Jonathan Davies RC 3   Darryl Powell LC 4   Carl Gibson LW 5   Martin Offiah SO 6   Garry Schofield SH 7   Bobbie Goulding PR 8   Kelvin Skerrett HK 9   Martin Dermott PR 10   Keith England SR 11   Denis Betts SR 12   Roy Powell LK 13   Mike Gregory (c) Substitutions: IC 14   Paul Dixon IC 15   Shaun Irwin Coach:   Mal Reilly

Notes

1. Anthony Sullivan returned home without playing a match during the tour after suffering an injury in training. He was replaced by John Devereux.^[3]
2. Alan Tait returned home due to injury during the New Zealand leg of the tour. His replacement was David Lyon.^[4]
3. Graham Steadman was sent home due to injury during the New Zealand leg of the tour. No replacement was called up.^[5]

References

1. Fitzpatrick, Paul (12 April 1990). "Tour spot completes Davies's conversion". The Guardian. London. p. 16. ProQuest 187059628.
2. Fitzpatrick, Paul (9 May 1990). "Gregory glad to be captain". The Guardian. London. p. 18. ProQuest 187047592.
3. Sargieson, Barry (23 May 1990). "Blow for Skerrett". The Guardian. London. p. 14 – via ProQuest.
4. Sargieson, Barry (21 June 1990). "Britain power to timely win". The Guardian. London. p. 17 – via ProQuest.
5. Sargieson, Barry (22 June 1990). "Gibson is asked to step inside and fill the gap". The Guardian. London. p. 18 – via ProQuest.
6. Sargieson, Barry (21 May 1990). "Lively Lions keep cool". The Guardian. London. p. 12. ProQuest 187087456.
7. Sargieson, Barry (24 May 1990). "Tourists keep their cool". The Guardian. London. p. 15. ProQuest 187031189.
8. 1st Test - PNG vs Great Britain
9. "1990 First Test: Papua New Guinea 20 Great Britain 18". wigan.rlfans.com. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
10. Sargieson, Barry (28 May 1990). "Tourists befogged in a tear-gas cloud". The Guardian. London. p. 15. ProQuest 187066241.
11. Sargieson, Barry (31 May 1990). "Devereux takes gas in his stride". The Guardian. London. p. 15. ProQuest 187040561.
12. 2nd Test - PNG vs Great Britain
13. "1990 Second Test: Papua New Guinea 8 Great Britain 40". wigan.rlfans.com. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
14. Hadfield, David (3 June 1990). "England get their revenge". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 55.
15. 1st Test - New Zealand vs Great Britain
16. 2nd Test - New Zealand vs Great Britain
17. Hadfield, David (8 July 1990). "Points to Britain, penalties to Kiwis". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 49.
18. 3rd Test - New Zealand vs Great Britain
19. Hadfield, David (15 July 1990). "Ridge performance flawless in NZ victory over Lions". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 45.

External links

• Great Britain/England Test Match Results & Match Details
• New Zealand vs Great Britain 1990 at rugbyleagueproject.org