The Ashes (rugby league)

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The Ashes is the name given to the trophy awarded to the winner of rugby league test series between Great Britain and Australia. The title comes from that of the similar series between England and Australia in cricket.

On 27 September 1908, the first touring Australian rugby league side arrived in England, and played their first ever Test against the Great Britain side in December in London. Two further Tests were played. The Australians suggested that the series should be called "The Ashes" and the name stuck.

The format used is that three matches are played, with the winning team being decided on the basis of most matches won. If one team has already won two matches the series is already won, however the final game is usually still played. In the 1929/30 Ashes series both the teams won one game and one game was tied; it was therefore decided to hold a further match to determine the outcome.

The British side has not always been termed Great Britain; in the past the titles Northern Union XIII and The Lions have also been used.

Since 1964 the Harry Sunderland medal is awarded to the best Australian player in a home Ashes series. The Ashes is a rugby league.

Year Home Team Result Away Team
1908/9 Northern Union (GB) 2-0 Australia
1910/9 Australia 0-2 Northern Union (GB)
1911 Great Britain 0-2 Australia
1914 Australia 1-2 Northern Union (GB)
1920 Australia 2-1 Northern Union (GB)
1921/2 Great Britain 3-1 Australia
1924 Australia 1-2 The Lions
1928 Australia 1-2 The Lions
1929/30 The Lions (GB) 2-1-1 Australia
1932 Australia 1-2 The Lions (GB)
1933 The Lions (GB) 3-0 Australia
1936 Australia 1-2 The Lions (GB)
1937 The Lions (GB) 2-1 Australia
1946 Australia 0-2 The Lions (GB)
1948 Great Britain 3-0 Australia
1950 Australia 2-1 Great Britain
1952 Great Britain 2-1 Australia
1954 Australia 2-1 Great Britain
1956 Great Britain 2-1 Australia
1958 Australia 1-2 Great Britain
1959 Great Britain 2-1 Australia
1962 Australia 1-2 Great Britain
1963 Great Britain 2-1 Australia
1966 Australia 2-1 Great Britain
1967 Great Britain 2-1 Australia
1970 Australia 1-2 Great Britain
1973 Great Britain 1-2 Australia
1974 Australia 2-1 Great Britain
1978 Great Britain 1-2 Australia
1979 Australia 3-0 Great Britain
1982 Great Britain 0-3 Australia
1984 Australia 3-0 Great Britain
1986 Great Britain 0-3 Australia
1988 Australia 2-1 Great Britain
1990 Great Britain 1-2 Australia
1992 Australia 2-1 Great Britain
1994 Great Britain 1-2 Australia
2001 Great Britain 1-2 Australia
2003 Great Britain 0-3 Australia

Overall Record

Great Britain 22-20 Australia


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