History of The Great Britain National Rugby League Team - Early Years

Early Years

On 18 January 1908, the first ever Great Britain test match took place at Headingley, versus New Zealand. At the time, Great Britain were referred to as the "Northern Union" - they won the game 14-6 before a crowd of 8,000. The second test went to New Zealand by 18-6, before 14,000 in Stamford Bridge, London. The third test was played at Cheltenham, and 4,000 watched New Zealand win 8-5.

The first Kangaroos arrived in England on 27 September 1908, they toured Britain losing more games than they won. They played their first ever test against the Northern Union in December in Loftus Road, London; a last minute penalty against the Kangaroos for an obstruction play handed England a goal and a 22-all draw in front of a crowd of 2,000. The second test in Newcastle in January 1909 attracted a crowd of 22,000, and the Northern Union won 15-5. The third test was played at Villa Park, Birmingham, the Northern Union winning again 6-5 before a crowd of 9,000. The Australians suggested that the series should be named "the Ashes" after the cricket series of the same name.

The first British tour of the Southern Hemisphere began on 4 June 1910 captained by James Lomas. The Northern Union played New South Wales in front of 33,000 spectators in Sydney, losing 28-14. But they won the first test in Sydney against Australia 27-20 in front of 42,000 at the old Sydney Showground. They then won the second test in Brisbane 22-17. The tourists also recorded a 13-all draw against a combined Australasian side in front of over 42,000 at the Agricultural Ground. These tests have been credited as making rugby league the predominate code of rugby football in Australia, a situation which continues to this day. Upon arriving in Auckland on 17 July, the team was accorded a mayoral reception. On 30 July, they defeated New Zealand 52-20.

The second Lions tour down under in 1914, led by Harold Wagstaff, became the stuff of legend. They played three Tests in eight days with the first two in three days. After sharing the first two tests, Great Britain finished with only 10 men due to injuries, but still managed to hang on for a 14-6 victory in Sydney in July 1914. It was dubbed "Rorke's Drift test", after a battle in the Anglo-Zulu War.