History of The Great Britain National Rugby League Team - 1980s

1980s

Johnny Whiteley became coach again in 1980 until 1982. He achieved a drawn series against New Zealand but was given a tougher time by the touring Australians.

Rugby league was taken into a new dimension by the 1982 Kangaroos side. The 'Invincibles' became the first team to win every game of the tour (15 games) including the first test by 40-4 at Hull in front of 26,771 spectators. They were captained by Max Krilich and included great players like Mal Meninga, Wally Lewis, Brett Kenny and Peter Sterling. The second test ended 27-6 to the visitors. The third test was held at Headingley which ended 32-8. This was the beginning of an era of Australian dominance.

Frank Myler took over as coach following the invincibles tour. Great Britain toured Australia in 1984 and Garry Schofield made his début. After losing the first two Tests, Britain was expected to capitulate completely in the third Test, which was staged at Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday 7 July 1984.

The Kiwis won the first two Tests in New Zealand and the Lions faced the prospect of losing each match of a three-Test series against the Kiwis for the first time. On Saturday 28 July 1984, the Third Test was held at Carlaw Park, Auckland. The Lions started well and went into a 16-8 lead ion the second half before New Zealand recovered to score 24 points in the last 25 minutes and win 32-16. It was the first time they had scored over 30 points in a Test match against Great Britain.

Maurice Bamford took over as coach in 1984. The ninth Rugby League World Cup was played out between 1985 to 1988, with teams playing each other on a home and away basis. These matches were fitted into the normal international programme of three-match test series between the nations, with a pre-designated match from each series counting as the world cup fixture.

In 1985, Garry Schofield re-wrote the record books by scoring four tries as Great Britain beat New Zealand in a test series at Central Park, Wigan. Ellery Hanley and Shaun Edwards made their full Great Britain debuts against France in 1985 at Headingley. Britain went on to beat France 50-4, a record score.

In 1986 a then record northern hemisphere crowd of 50,383 attends the first test of the Ashes series at Old Trafford. The Australians won 38-16. The 1986 Kangaroos earned the nickname "The Unbeatables".

Mal Reilly was appointed Head Coach and opened with six wins, four against France and two over Papua, in 1987. In 1987, Ellery Hanley was appointed Great Britain captain and on the 1988 tour down under took the Lions the closest they had been for a decade to regaining the Ashes. On 9 July 1988, Great Britain beat Australia 26-12 in Sydney to win the 3rd test, though the series had already been lost. This was the first British victory over Australia in a decade.

The final group stage match of the 1985/88 World Cup qualifier between New Zealand and Great Britain became a sudden death battle for a spot in the final, Britain only needed a draw. In the event the Kiwis came through 12-10, and went on to face Australia in the final at Eden Park, Auckland.

The tenth Rugby League World Cup followed a similar format covering the years 1989 to 1992. In 1989 Great Britain won their first home series since 1965, beating New Zealand by two tests to one. With France and Papua New Guinea being uncompetitive, it became a straight fight between Britain and the Kiwis for the right to meet the Kangaroos in the final. In the event the Lions were able to just edge out the Kiwis on points difference.