The 1911-12 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain was the second ever Kangaroo tour and was actually a tour by an "Australasia" team, which included four New Zealand players, rather than the Australian team alone.[1] It took place over the British winter of 1911-12 and this time, to help promote the game of Rugby league in New Zealand, the Northern Rugby Football Union invited an 'Australasian' team for the 1911-12 tour. They became the first tourists to win the Ashes[2] and the last to do so on British soil for over half a century.[3]
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Prior to the tour a three-way series of matches between New South Wales, Queensland and New Zealand was organised as a basis of selection for the tour[4]. The New South Welshmen dominated the touring side, with four New Zealanders and only one Queenslander selected. However counted amongst the New South Welshmen was Con Sullivan, who had moved to Australia from New Zealand a few years before. The tourists were paid £4/5/ per week and received a bonus of £178 each.[5] Due to family and business commitments, rugby league great Dally Messenger declined to tour with the 1911-12 Kangaroos[6]. The team sailed to England on the RMS Orvieto.
Tour managers were Charles H Ford and John Quinlan.
Chris McKivat who had captained the 1908 Wallabies to Olympic Gold was at age 32 a natural selection as tour captain. Tour vice-captain was Paddy McCue. The Heads/Middleton reference describes McKivat as being revered on that tour – a magnificent general, tough, durable and an inspiration to the men around him. It quotes Johnny Quinlan the tour co-manager "He always set a splendid example in conduct and training – a natural leader"[7]
All eight teams of the New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership were represented in the touring squad.
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The New Zealand players that accompanied the Australians on tour have been listed in the Australian Rugby League's Kangaroos players register[8].
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Robert "Harold" Nicholson of Queensland was also selected for the tour but withdrew[9].
Played: 35 Won: 28 Drew: 2 Lost: 5 Ashes: Australia 2-0
7 October 1911 win v Wales, 28-20 at Ebbw Vale, Wales (7,000)
18 October 1911 win v England, 11-6 at Fulham, England (6,000)
Test # 12
| 8 November 1911 | Australasia | 19 - 10 | Great Britain | St James' Park, Newcastle Attendance: 5,317 |
| Tries: V. Farnsworth (2) Hallett Goals: |
Tries: Goals: |
6 December 1911 loss v England, 3-5 at Nottingham (3,000)
Test # 13
| 16 December 1911 | Australasia | 11 - 11 | Great Britain | Tynecastle Stadium, Edinburgh Attendance: 8,000 |
Test # 14
| 1 January 1912 | Australasia | 33 - 8 | Great Britain | Villa Park, Birmingham Attendance: 4,000 |
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