The 1994 Kangaroo Tour was the 18th and last Kangaroo Tour played in the conventional format, where the Australian side plays a number of matches against British and French clubs or provincial outfits, in additions to the Test matches. The outbreak of the Super League war in early 1995 meant that the next Kangaroo tour, set for 1998, never eventuated; although shortened, test only tours were staged in 2001 and 2003.
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Australia continued its dominance, winning both Test series against Great Britain and France, suffering only one loss (against Great Britain in the First Test at Wembley, just as they had done in 1990), and remained undefeated against British club outfits in a streak stretching back to the 1978 tour.
The team was coached by Bob Fulton who was making his fourth Kangaroo tour (1973 and 1978 as a player, the latter as captain, and 1990 as coach). Team captain Mal Meninga created history by becoming the first and so far only player to make four tours as a player. He also became the first player to captain consecutive tours. His four tours included being a member of two undefeated teams, first as a member of "The Invincibles" in 1982, and the second with "The Unbeatables" in 1986. Fulton and Meninga also became the first pair to be the Coach and Captain on consecutive Kangaroo tours. Laurie Daley, the New South Wales State of Origin captain who had captained the Australian team to a 14-all draw with New Zealand in Auckland in 1993 with Meninga missing due to suspension, was named as the tours vice-captain
Balmain Tigers Second-rower Paul Sironen became just the fourth forward to be selected for three Kangaroo tours, having previously toured in 1986 and 1990.
This was the last full strength Australian side to take the field until after the resolution of the Super League war (1998).
The Kangaroo tour was televised back to Australia on the Nine Network with commentary provided by Nine's rugby league commentary team of Ray Warren (making a rare appearance overseas due to a fear of flying), 1982 and 1986 Kangaroo tourist Peter Sterling, and 13 test veteran for Australia Paul Vautin. Following the second test Vautin was forced to return to Australia for medical reasons. He was replaced in the commentary box by former Great Britain halfback Alex Murphy who had provided sideline comments for Nine during the first two tests.
By Club
The touring side was represented by 20 New South Welshmen (N) and 8 Queenslanders (Q).
Great Britain
The first match against Great Britain at London's Wembley Stadium featured pre-match entertainment by Cliff Richard.
The 1994 Ashes series again broke the record aggregate crowd for the series in Great Britain with 140,430 attending the three Tests, beating the record of 133,684 set on the 1990 Kangaroo Tour. As with the 1982, 1986 and 1990 tours, the game against Wigan at Central Park drew the biggest club game attendance of the Kangaroo Tour.
The Kangaroos played an international tour match against Wales at Ninian Park in Cardiff on 30 October wearing their non-Test Australian jumpers for the game (for the first time in Kangaroo Tour history, the Kangaroos non-Test jumpers included yellow hoops around the waist leaving the traditional jumper to be used only in the Tests). In the first meeting of the two nations since the 1982 Kangaroo tour, the Australians ran in eight tries to one in a 46-4 win, played on a heavy ground and in driving rain before 8,729 fans. The match proved to be spiteful and produced two dark spots. Welsh dual international John Devereux suffered a badly broken jaw after he accidentally collided with Mal Meninga's left shoulder when attempting to tackle the Australian captain. Later an all-in-brawl erupted after Kangaroos second-rower Paul Sironen reacted to a high tackle from Welsh halfback Kevin Ellis on Kangaroo halfback Allan Langer.
The 1994 Kangaroos scored 535 points on the British leg of the tour (96 tries, 75 goals, 1 field goal), while conceding only 108 points (17 tries, 20 goals).
Cumbria: John Routledge, David Seeds, Kevin Pape, Paul Burns, Jon Roper, Martin Birkett, Dean Marwood (c), Jon Neill, Steve McCurrie, Colin Armstrong, David Elliot, Russ Walker, Simon Knox. Res - Lee Anderson, Stephen Holgate, Neil Shaw, Leigh Smith
Australia: Tim Brasher, Wendell Sailor, Paul McGregor, Terry Hill, Rod Wishart, Greg Florimo, Kevin Walters, Ian Roberts, Jim Serdaris, Glenn Lazarus, Paul Sironen (c), Steve Menzies, Brad Fittler. Res - David Fairleigh
Leeds: Alan Tait, Jim Fallon, Kevin Iro, Craig Innes, Francis Cummins, Garry Schofield (c), Patrick Entat, Neil Harmon, James Lowes, Esene Faimalo, George Mann, Richie Eyres, Gary Mercer. Res - Graham Holroyd, Nick Fozzard, Marcus Vassilakopoulos. Coach - Doug Laughton
Australia: Brett Mullins, Andrew Ettingshausen, Mal Meninga (c), Steve Renouf, Michael Hancock, Laurie Daley, Allan Langer, Dean Pay, Jim Serdaris, Paul Sironen, David Furner, Jason Smith, Brad Fittler. Res - Kevin Walters, Wendell Sailor, David Fairleigh, Steve Menzies
Wigan: Gary Connolly, Jason Robinson, Henry Paul, Va'aiga Tuigamala, Martin Offiah, Frano Botica, Shaun Edwards (c), Kelvin Skerrett, Martin Hall, Neil Cowie, Dennis Betts, Andy Farrell, Phil Clarke. Res - Paul Atcheson, Mick Cassidy, Barrie McDermott, Terry O'Connor. Coach - Graeme West
Australia: Brett Mullins, Wendell Sailor, Mal Meninga (c), Steve Renouf, Michael Hancock, Laurie Daley, Ricky Stuart, Ian Roberts, Steve Walters, Dean Pay, Paul Sironen, Bradley Clyde, Brad Fittler. Res - Kevin Walters, Tim Brasher, David Fairleigh, Steve Menzies
Castleford: Richard Goddard, Chris Smith, Richie Blackmore, Phil Eden, Jon Wray, Tony Kemp, Tony Smith, Lee Crooks (c), Richard Russell, Dean Sampson, Martin Ketteridge, Andy Hay, Ian Smales. Res - Paul Darley, Nathan Sykes, Lynton Morris, Terry McAllister. Coach - John Joyner
Australia: Tim Brasher, Andrew Ettingshausen, Terry Hill, Paul McGregor, Rod Wishart, Kevin Walters, Allan Langer (c), Paul Harragon, Jim Serdaris, Glenn Lazarus, David Furner, Jason Smith, Greg Florimo. Res - Ricky Stuart, Wendell Sailor, David Fairleigh, Steve Menzies
Halifax: Steve Hampson, John Bentley, John Schuster, Graeme Hallas, Mark Preston, Michael Hagan, Wayne Parker, Karl Harrison (c), Roy Southernwood, John Fieldhouse, Paul Moriarty, Mark Perrett, Gary Divorty. Res - Richard Smith, Steve Greenwood, Lee Harland, Johnny Lawless. Coach - Steve Simms
Australia: Brett Mullins, Tim Brasher, Mal Meninga (c), Andrew Ettingshausen, Wendell Sailor, Laurie Daley, Ricky Stuart, Glenn Lazarus, Allan Langer, Paul Harragon, Paul Sironen, Bradley Clyde, Brad Fittler. Res - Greg Florimo, Ian Roberts, Dean Pay, Kevin Walters
With Kangaroos hooker Steve Walters being rested before the first test due to a back injury and Jim Serdaris unavailable due to a cracked rib suffered 4 days earlier against Castleford that sidelined him for two weeks, coach Bob Fulton had Ricky Stuart and Allan Langer playing halfback and hooker respectively in the first half before having them swap positions in the second. The day prior to the game, the Kangaroos had a training session at Thrum Hall to get used to the ground which had a distinctive 3.6 metre slope from the grandstand wing to the outer side of the ground. During this session Michael Hancock suffered an AC joint injury which would keep him out of action for 3 weeks and effectively end his test career. He was replaced in the run-on side by Tim Brasher.
1st Test
The first Test of the 1994 Kangaroo Tour was again played at London's Wembley Stadium, and attracted 57,034 fans, a record Test Match crowd in England breaking the previous record of 54,569 who had attended the opening Ashes test at Wembley in 1990. As of 2016 this remains England's largest non-World Cup international rugby league attendance.
New Lions coach Ellery Hanley who had captained the team in the 1988 and 1990 Ashes series, and was at the time still playing for Leeds, became the first black person to coach or manage a major national team of any sport in Great Britain. Australian coach Bob Fulton was in charge for what would be his 25th test.
Despite Great Britain captain and halfback Shaun Edwards being after 25 minutes for a high shot on Australian second rower Bradley Clyde, the Lions put in another brilliant performance at Wembley and, as they had done in the first Test of the 1990 Kangaroo Tour defeated the Kangaroos 8-4. Lions fullback Jonathan Davies put in a Man of the Match performance, including a 50-metre solo try in the first half after being put into a gap by Denis Betts then outpacing Australian fullback Brett Mullins to score in the corner. Davies was also a solid last line of defence, repelling many breaks by the Kangaroos, until he dived on a loose ball close to his line and was fallen on by team mate Barrie McDermott resulting a dislocated shoulder midway through the second half saw him leave the field and later be ruled him out for the rest of the series.
Typical of Davies' play on the day, midway through the second half Kangaroos lock Brad Fittler made a break down the middle of the field only 25 metres out with Allan Langer in support and only the Lions fullback to beat. Fittler passed to Langer who should have had a clear 15 metre run to the line, however Davies had anticipated the pass and made the decision to go for Langer, bringing the Australian halfback down in a try saving tackle. As Langer was tackled, Fittler threw his arms up in disbelief, realising that if he had thrown a dummy to Langer, he would likely have scored under the posts. As he did at Wembley in the 1992 World Cup Final, Steve Renouf crossed for Australia's only try of the game late in the second half. Replacement forward David Furner, making his test debut, had a sideline conversion to tie the game at 6-all but his kick sailed wide of the posts. Bobbie Goulding then kicked penalty goal in injury time to give the Lions a well deserved 8-4 win.
After coming off following the hit by Edwards, Bradley Clyde returned to the game in the first half, but did not return to the game in the second half. While walking with Ricky Stuart in the Wembley tunnel to the change rooms at half time, Clyde collapsed and was taken to hospital for a precautionary CT scan. Clyde was given the all-clear but required a second scan the next morning after waking up still slightly dazed.
Sheffield: Brad Hayes, Lynton Stott, Richard Price, Mark Gamson, Richard Picksley, David Mycoe, Ryan Sheridan, Paul Broadbent, Darren Turner, Alex Thompson, Paul Carr, Ian Hughes, Anthony Farrell (c). Res - Bright Sodje, Karl Randall, Carl Briggs, Alan Boothroyd. Coach - Gary Hetherington
Australia: Brett Mullins, Tim Brasher, Paul McGregor, Terry Hill, Rod Wishart, Kevin Walters, Ricky Stuart (c), Glenn Lazarus, Steve Walters, Dean Pay, David Fairleigh, Steve Menzies, Jason Smith. Res - Andrew Ettingshausen, Greg Florimo, Wendell Sailor
The Kangaroos took out their frustration at having lost the first test at Wembley on the hapless Sheffield Eagles at the Don Valley Stadium. In their highest score since defeating Bramley 92-7 during the 1921-22 Kangaroo tour, the Aussies ran in 14 tries to nil in humiliating the home side 80-2. Sheffield's only score came early in the first half from a penalty goal by David Mycoe. Australian centre Paul McGregor suffered a hamstring injury unfortunately which ended his tour. His replacement Andrew Ettingshausen would cross for 3 of Australia's 14 tries, his last being an 80-metre run where Eagles winger Lynton Stott failed to make any ground on him.
Wales
The Kangaroos played a non-test international against Wales at Ninian Park in Cardiff in what was the first meeting of the two countries since the 1982 Kangaroo tour when Australia won 37-7 at the same venue.
Although the Kangaroos were facing another country in Wales, the match was not given test status. Indeed, the Kangaroos wore their tour jumpers for the game and not their test jumpers.
The match, played in wet and muddy conditions in Cardiff, was a spiteful affair with several all-in brawls. For Welsh centre John Devereux the match was largely forgettable. Nine minutes into the game he attempted to tackle Australian captain Mal Meninga but unfortunately came into contact with Meninga's shoulder. All agreed that the contact was accidental, but the impact broke Devereux's jaw in two places.
Wales were also without their best player and inspirational captain Jonathan Davies who had dislocated his right shoulder in the first Ashes Test just 8 days earlier at Wembley. In his absence the Dragons were captained by front row forward David Young.
St Helens: Steve Prescott, Andy Haigh, Scott Gibbs, Anthony Sullivan, Chris Arkwright, Tommy Martyn, Shane Cooper (c), Jon Neill, Phil Veivers, Adam Fogerty, Ian Pickavance, Sonny Nickle, Apollo Perelini. Res - Bernard Dwyer, Andy Dannatt, Jonathan Griffiths. Coach - Eric Hughes
Australia: Tim Brasher, Rod Wishart, Andrew Ettingshausen, Terry Hill, Wendell Sailor, Greg Florimo, Kevin Walters (c), Paul Sironen, Jim Serdaris, Paul Harragon, David Fairleigh, Steve Menzies, Jason Smith. Res - David Furner, Dean Pay
Although Kevin Walters captained the Kangaroos against St Helens, tour captain Mal Meninga (a former St Helens player) was part of Australia's bench for the game, though both he and Ricky Stuart were not used by coach Fulton.
2nd Test
With Lions captain Shaun Edwards out suspended for his high tackle on Bradley Clyde in the first Test, the captaincy was handed to his Wigan teammate Phil Clarke. On the morning of the match, reserve Australian forward David Fairleigh was forced to withdraw from the team with a virus that had swept through the Kangaroos squad in the days leading up to the game. He was replaced on the bench by veteran Paul Sironen in what would prove to be his 21st and final test for Australia.
In defense of The Ashes, the Kangaroos came out firing, scoring seven tries to one, kick-started by captain Mal Meninga's 70m intercept run off a Bobby Goulding pass. Meninga put Andrew Ettingshausen in for his 10th try of the tour with a perfectly timed pass just as flying Lions winger Martin Offiah was about to tackle him. From there, the floodgates opened and the only question was how much would the Kangaroos win by. Rod Wishart made a welcome return to the Test team for the first time since the 10-33 loss to the Lions in Melbourne in the 2nd Test of the 1992 Lions tour. Wishart's goal kicking proving invaluable and he booted seven goals from nine attempts while also making a number of line breaks.
Kangaroos front row forward Ian Roberts was forced from the field midway through the first half with a deep gash above his right eye. Roberts had gone low to tackle Denis Betts who in the process of trying to break the tackle, accidentally stepped on Roberts' head.
Following Ettingshausen's opening try, the Kangaroos began to cut loose in defence of The Ashes. Bradley Clyde powered his way over after a Ricky Stuart mid-field bomb had been left alone by the Lions defence and minutes later a 60-metre break by Rod Wishart had the British defence in tatters allowing Brett Mullins to score under the posts and give Australia an 18-4 half time lead. Great Britain's only score in the first half came from two penalty goals to halfback Bobbie Goulding.
Laurie Daley raced through a huge gap between Lee Jackson and Karl Harrison to score soon after half time, and 10 minutes later Gary Connolly sprinted out of the Lions defensive line, creating a gap exploited by an on debut Greg Florimo who sent Steve Renouf in for an easy try. The Lions began to come alive thanks to enterprising play by veteran Garry Schofield who sent Paul Newlove over for the Lions only try of the game. Daley then put a scare in the Australian camp when he hurt his knee sliding over an exposed sprinkler head behind the dead ball line while attempting to score. Moments later Mal Meninga capped off a welcome return to form with an over the shoulder pass that sent Brett Mullins on a 65-metre run to score under the posts giving Australia a 38-8 win and keeping the series alive going to Elland Road.
Warrington: Lee Penny, Mark Forster, Iestyn Harris, Jon Roper, Jason Lee, Francis Maloney, Greg Mackey, Gary Tees, Tukere Barlow, Bruce McGuire, Paul Cullen, Gary Sanderson, Paul Derbyshire. Res - Chris Rudd, Andrew Bennett, Mark Hilton, Phil Sumner. Coach - Brian Johnson
Australia: Tim Brasher, Wendell Sailor, Greg Florimo, Terry Hill, Michael Hancock, Kevin Walters, Allan Langer (c), David Fairleigh, Jim Serdaris, Paul Sironen, Steve Menzies, David Furner, Jason Smith. Res - Glenn Lazarus
This was the first time the Kangaroos had kept their opposition scoreless on tour.
Bradford: Roger Simpson, Carl Hall, David Fraisse, Paul Newlove, David Myers, Neil Summers, Deryck Fox (c), Roy Powell, Phil Russell, Jason Clegg, Adam Greenwood, Brian McDermott, Paul Medley. Res - John Donohue, David Heron, John Hamer, Carl Winterburn. Coach - Peter Fox
Australia: Brett Mullins, Andrew Ettingshausen, Mal Meninga (c), Steve Renouf, Rod Wishart, Laurie Daley, Ricky Stuart, Dean Pay, Steve Walters, Glenn Lazarus, Jason Smith, Bradley Clyde, Brad Fittler. Res - David Fairleigh, Michael Hancock, David Furner, Allan Langer
This was the second 'clean sheet' in a row for the Kangaroos. It was also the second game in succession against Bradford Northern at Odsal Stadium where they had kept the home side scoreless having also achieved this during the 1986 tour when the Kangaroos won 38-0 (the 1990 Kangaroos had not played Bradford as part of their tour itinerary). Team captain Mal Meninga was the only member of the 1986 side that had won at Odsal to also play in 1994.
This match marked the Kangaroos 50th win in a row against English club and county teams including the 3 games played as part of the mini-tour conducted prior to the 1992 Rugby League World Cup Final played at Wembley.
Great Britain U/21: Steve Prescott, Chris Smith, Richard Goddard, Karle Hammond, Francis Cummins, Nigel Wright, Ryan Sheridan, Alex Thompson (c), John Clarke, Mark Hilton, Mark Perrett, Lee Harland, Scott Martin. Res - Mark Hewitt, Nathan McAvoy, Jez Cassidy, Nathan Sykes
Australia: Tim Brasher, Wendell Sailor, Terry Hill, Andrew Ettingshausen, Michael Hancock, Kevin Walters, Allan Langer (c), Jason Smith, Jim Serdaris, David Fairleigh, Steve Menzies, David Furner, Greg Florimo. Res - Rod Wishart, Brad Fittler
3rd Test
Great Britain coach Ellery Hanley made a number of changes for the third test. In the press before the game there was speculation that Hanley would actually play Phil Clarke at five-eighth and himself at lock, though most were questioning why the man who sparked the Lions in the second test, former captain Garry Schofield, wasn't in the starting side (it was rumoured that personal differences between Leeds team mates Hanley and Schofield is what kept Schofield not only out of the first test team, but on the Lions bench for the final two games). The Lions changes for the decider were: Graham Steadman was dropped and Gary Connolly moved from the centres to his preferred fullback with Paul Newlove moving from the bench to replace Connolly in the centres. Shaun Edwards returned from suspension to captain the side, demoting Bobby Goulding to the bench. Phil Clarke did play 5/8 with Darryl Powell moved to the bench, Chris Joynt from the front row to lock and prop Barrie McDermott into the run on side while Pacey St Helens back rower Sonny Nickle came into the team on the bench replacing Mick Cassidy. Kangaroos coach Bob Fulton made just one change to the side that had comprehensively won the second test with David Fairleigh coming onto the bench to replace Paul Sironen.
Although the Australian's kept the Lions tryless for the game, the third test was a genuine contest. Laurie Daley opened the scoring midway through the first half with a try from his own kick. Near the Great Britain line he chip kicked over Paul Newlove who got a hand to the ball but it deflected up perfectly for the Australian vice-captain who caught the ball and stepped past a wrong footed Gary Connolly and put it down untouched next to the posts. Wishart's easy conversion gave the Australian's a 6-0 lead before a 40-metre Andy Farrell penalty goal saw the score 6-2 before Ricky Stuart slotted a late field goal to see the Kangaroos go into half time with a 7-2 lead.
Farrell kicked a second goal after the break but that was as close as the Lions got. Wishart was next to score following a long pass by Daley. The Illawarra flyer took the pass and stepped inside Jason Robinson to score in the corner. He missed converting his own try and Australia led 10-4. Play then went back and forth with both sides making breaks but were unable to capitalise. Steve Walters then confirmed himself as Man of the Match when he ran from dummy half and pushed through 3 defenders to score beside the posts with Wishart's conversion giving the Kangaroos a match winning 16-4 lead. Dean Pay then scored his first test try to put the result beyond doubt and ensure Australia kept alive its streak of winning every Ashes series in England since 1962-63. Ricky Stuart looked like scoring his first try but was tackled short of the line. However he was able to get a flick pass away to Pay who scored under the posts giving Wishart an easy conversion. Stuart then got himself on the scoreboard with a field goal to give Australia a 23-4 win.
As he had announced his retirement prior to the end of the 1994 NSWRL season, this was Australian captain Mal Meninga's last game in England. Meninga had made a record four Kangaroo Tours in his career, the only player to do so, and had captained the squad twice, also the only player to do so. Meninga had played 49 games over the four tours (winning 47) and scored a total of 304 points (31 tries*, 95 goals) and was the leading point scorer on the 1982 Kangaroo tour with 166 points (10 tries, 68 goals). Note: Meninga's 10 tries scored on the 1982 tour were when they were worth 3 points. With points adjusted to 4 points per try, Meninga scored a total of 314 points.
Midway through the second half, Kangaroos centre Steve Renouf had a golden opportunity to join a select band of Australians who had scored a try in each test of an Ashes series, but inexplicably dropped a simple pass less than 5 metres from the line with no one near him. Had he scored he would have joined legendary winger Ken Irvine (1962 and 1963), Sam Backo (1988) and Mal Meninga (1990) on that list of players.
Australia: Brett Mullins, Michael Hancock, Steve Renouf, Mal Meninga (c), Rod Wishart, Laurie Daley, Ricky Stuart, Glenn Lazarus, Allan Langer, Dean Pay, Jason Smith, Bradley Clyde, Brad Fittler. Res - Steve Walters, Ian Roberts, Steve Menzies, Tim Brasher
Australia: Tim Brasher, Wendell Sailor, Steve Menzies, Terry Hill, Michael Hancock, Greg Florimo, Kevin Walters, Glenn Lazarus (c), Jim Serdaris, Paul Harragon, David Fairleigh, Dean Pay, Jason Smith. Res - Ricky Stuart, Steve Walters
Test match
This would be the last time Australia played France in a test match until 21 November 2004.
In what was Australian captain Mal Meninga's last game of rugby league, the Kangaroos ran in 13 tries at the Stade de la Méditerranée in Béziers to destroy the hapless French team 74–0, easily surpassing their then world record win of 58–0 over France earlier in the year at Parramatta Stadium in Sydney. Winger Andrew Ettingshausen crossed for a hat-trick while fullback Brett Mullins and centre Steve Renough both crossed for two tries. Other try scorers for the Kangaroos were Laurie Daley, David Fairleigh, Paul Harragon (who had replaced Greg Florimo on the bench), Ricky Stuart who got his first test try, Rod Wishart and Mal Meninga who fittingly scored the final try of the game. Rod wishart also had a good day with the boot landing 11 of his 13-goal attempts to take his point scoring tally to a Kangaroo Tour record of 174 (from 11 games), breaking the record of 170 set by dual rugby international Michael O'Connor on the 1986 Kangaroo Tour (O'Connor had played in 13 games). This was Australia's 11th straight win over France dating back to the French tour of Australasia in 1981.
Statistics
Leading Try Scorer
Leading Point Scorer
Largest Attendance
Largest Club Game Attendance
* Andrew Ettingshausen became the first player to be the leading try scorer on consecutive Kangaroo Tours having also topped the list with 15 in 1990.
** Kangaroo Tour point scoring record beating the previous record of 170 (13 tries, 59 goals) by Michael O'Connor in 1986.
*** The First test attendance of 57,034 remains the largest ever recorded Kangaroo Tour crowd