The 1974 Great Britain Lions tour was the Great Britain national rugby league team's 15th tour of Australasia and took place from May to August 1974. A total of 28 matches were played against local club and representative sides during the tour, including a three match Test match series against Australia and New Zealand respectively.

Touring squad

In March 1974, a 26-man squad was selected for the tour, with Chris Hesketh appointed as captain.[1]

After the squad was selected, Keith Fielding withdrew from the tour as his wife was expecting a baby in June. He was replaced by John Butler.[2] Mike Nicholas was also forced to withdraw due to injuries sustained in the 1974 Challenge Cup final, and was replaced by Jimmy Thompson.[3]

Results

Australia

26 May 1974
Darwin 2 – 41 Great Britain
30 May 1974
North Queensland 5 – 30 Great Britain
2 June 1974
Central Queensland 0 – 38 Great Britain
4 June 1974
Wide Bay 12 – 24 Great Britain
6 June 1974
Ipswich 8 – 36 Great Britain
9 June 1974
Queensland 12 – 13 Great Britain

First Test

15 June 1974
Australia 12 – 6 Great Britain
Tries: Orr
Goals: Langlands (4)
 [4]
 Goals: Clawson (2), Watkins
Lang Park, Brisbane
Attendance: 30,280
Referee: Don Lancashire
16 June 1974
Toowoomba 16 – 42 Great Britain
18 June 1974
Brisbane 20 – 15 Great Britain
20 June 1974
North Coast 9 – 19 Great Britain
23 June 1974
North Division NSW 14 – 38 Great Britain
26 June 1974
West Division NSW 10 – 25 Great Britain
29 June 1974
New South Wales 12 – 9 Great Britain
30 June 1974
Illawarra 22 – 26 Great Britain

Second Test

6 July 1974
Australia 11 – 16 Great Britain
Tries: Coote, Fulton, Lang
Goals: Cronin
 [5]
 Tries: Chisnall, Dixon, Gill
Goals: Gray (3)
Drop goals: Gray
Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Attendance: 48,006
Referee: Keith Page
7 July 1979
Monaro 7 – 34 Great Britain
10 July 1974
Riverina 10 – 36 Great Britain
13 July 1974
Newcastle 14 – 24 Great Britain

Third Test

20 July 1974
Australia 22 – 18 Great Britain
Tries: Coote, Langlands, McCarthy, Williamson
Goals: Langlands (5)
 [6]
 Tries: Dyl, Richards
Goals: Gray (6)
Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Attendance: 55,505
Referee: Keith Page
21 July 1974
Southern NSW 16 – 10 Great Britain

New Zealand

24 July 1974
North Island 17 – 37 Great Britain

First Test

27 July 1974
New Zealand 13 – 8 Great Britain
Tries: Stirling
Goals: Collicoat (5)
 [7]
 Tries: Bevan, Nash
Goals: Clawson
Carlaw Park, Auckland
Attendance: 10,466
Referee: John Percival
30 July 1974
Maoris 16 – 19 Great Britain
1 August 1974
Wellington 11 – 39 Great Britain

Second Test

4 August 1974
New Zealand 8 – 17 Great Britain
Goals: Collicoat (4)
 [8]
 Tries: Dyl, Hesketh, Redfearn
Goals: Gray (4)
Addington Showgrounds, Christchurch
Attendance: 6,316
Referee: Peter Yaxley
6 August 1974
South Islands 2 – 33 Great Britain

Third Test

10 August 1974
New Zealand 0 – 20 Great Britain
[9]
 Tries: Bevan (2), Dyl, Hesketh
Goals: Gray (4)
Carlaw Park, Auckland
Attendance: 11,574
Referee: John Percival
13 August 1974
Auckland 11 – 2 Great Britain

References

  1. ^ Mather, Harold (5 March 1974). "Dream comes true for Hesketh". The Guardian. London. p. 25. ProQuest 185792319.
  2. ^ Mather, Harold (13 March 1974). "Leeds are let down by backs". The Guardian. London. p. 21. ProQuest 185663378.
  3. ^ "Oxley is league's choice". The Guardian. London. 16 May 1974. p. 28. ProQuest 185632872.
  4. ^ "Ashes Series 1974 Series - Game 1". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  5. ^ "Ashes Series 1974 Series - Game 2". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  6. ^ "Ashes Series 1974 Series - Game 3". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  7. ^ "New Zealand vs Great Britain 1974 Series - Game 1". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  8. ^ "New Zealand vs Great Britain 1974 Series - Game 2". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  9. ^ "New Zealand vs Great Britain 1974 Series - Game 3". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
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