1980 Kangaroo tour of New Zealand

The 1980 Kangaroo Tour of New Zealand was a mid-season tour of New Zealand by the Australia national rugby league team. The Australians played seven matches on tour, including a two test series against the New Zealand national rugby league team. The tour began on 1 June and finished on 17 June.^[1]

Leadership

As he had been since 1978, Frank Stanton was the coach of the Australian team. Canterbury-Bankstwon hooker, Greek born George Peponis, was the tour captain.

Touring squad

The squad was made up mostly of those playing in the Sydney Premiership. Although not the only Queenslander in the squad, Chris Close was the sole player selected from Queensland after his Man of the Match performance in the 1980 State of Origin game.

Player	Club	Position(s)	Games	Tests	Tries	Goals	F/Goals	Points
Chris Anderson	Canterbury-Bankstown	Wing		2
Kerry Boustead	Eastern Suburbs	Wing, Centre		1
Les Boyd	Manly-Warringah	Second-row, Prop		2
Greg Brentnall	Canterbury-Bankstown	Fullback, Wing, Centre		2
Chris Close	Redcliffe	Centre, Wing		–
Michael Cronin	Parramatta	Wing		2
Garry Dowling	Parramatta	Fullback, Wing		2
Rod Morris	Balmain	Prop		2
George Peponis (c)	Canterbury-Bankstown	Hooker		2
Ray Price	Parramatta	Lock		2
Graham Quinn	St George	Centre		1
Tommy Raudonikis	Newtown	Halfback		2
Rod Reddy	St George	Second-row		2
Alan Thompson	Manly-Warringah	Five-eighth		2
Graeme Wynn	St George	Second-row		–
Craig Young	St George	Prop		2

Tour

The Australian's played seven games on the tour, winning five, losing one with one drawn game.

1st Test

Sunday 1 June

New Zealand	6 – 27	Australia
Tries: Goals: Michael O'Donnell (3)	[2]	Tries: Alan Thompson Kerry Boustead Rod Reddy Craig Young Goals: Michael Cronin (6/8)

Carlaw Park, Auckland Attendance: 12,321 Referee/s: Kevin Steele

New Zealand

Australia

FB 1 Michael O'Donnell RW 2 Kevin Fisher RC 3 Olsen Filipaina LC 4 James Leuluai LW 5 Dane O'Hara FE 6 Gordon Smith HB 7 Shane Varley LK 8 Mark Graham (c) SR 9 Barry Edkins SR 10 Kevin Tamati PR 11 Paul Te Ariki HK 12 Howie Tamati PR 13 Mark Broadhurst Substitutions: IC 14 Graeme West IC 15 Coach: Ces Mountford

FB 1 Garry Dowling RW 2 Chris Anderson RC 3 Michael Cronin LC 4 Greg Brentnall LW 5 Kerry Boustead FE 6 Alan Thompson HB 7 Tommy Raudonikis LF 8 Ray Price SR 9 Les Boyd SR 12 Rod Reddy PR 11 Rod Morris HK 12 George Peponis (c) PR 13 Craig Young Substitutions: IC 14 IC 15 Coach: Frank Stanton

Wednesday 4 June

Māori	10 – 10	Australia
Tries: Goals:	[3]	Tries: Goals:

Carlaw Park, Auckland Attendance: 5,000 Referee/s: John Percival

Friday 6 June

Central Districts	0 – 23	Australia
Tries: Goals:	[4]	Tries: Goals:

Basin Reserve, Wellington Attendance: 4,000

Sunday 8 June

New Zealand XIII	7 – 51	Australia
Tries: Goals:	[5]	Tries: Goals:

Addington Showgound, Christchurch Attendance: 6,000

Wednesday 11 June

South Island	12 – 11	Australia
Tries: Goals:	[6]	Tries: Goals:

Addington Showgound, Christchurch Attendance: 3,000

2nd Test

Sunday 15 June

New Zealand	6 – 15	Australia
Tries: Goals: Michael O'Donnell (3)	[7]	Tries: Les Boyd Michael Cronin Rod Reddy Goals: Michael Cronin (3)

Carlaw Park, Auckland Attendance: 9,706 Referee/s: John Percival

New Zealand

Australia

FB 1 Michael O'Donnell RW 2 Kevin Fisher RC 3 Olsen Filipaina LC 4 James Leuluai LW 5 Dane O'Hara FE 6 Dennis Williams HB 7 Gordon Smith LK 8 Mark Graham (c) SR 9 Barry Edkins SR 10 Tony Coll PR 11 Kevin Tamati HK 12 Howie Tamati PR 13 Mark Broadhurst Substitutions: IC 14 IC 15 Coach: Ces Mountford

FB 1 Garry Dowling RW 2 Chris Anderson RC 3 Michael Cronin LC 4 Greg Brentnall LW 5 Graham Quinn FE 6 Alan Thompson HB 7 Tommy Raudonikis LF 8 Ray Price SR 9 Les Boyd SR 12 Rod Reddy PR 11 Rod Morris HK 12 George Peponis (c) PR 13 Craig Young Substitutions: IC 14 IC 15 Coach: Frank Stanton

Tuesday 17 July

Auckland	7 – 21	Australia
Tries: Goals:	[8]	Tries: Goals:

Carlaw Park, Auckland Attendance: 14,000

Statistics

Largest Test Attendance

• 12,321 - First test vs New Zealand at Carlaw Park

Largest non-test Attendance

• 14,000 - Australia vs Auckland at Carlaw Park

References