| Tour: | 1954 |
| Team: | Great Britain |
| Yearstart: | 1954 |
| Yearfinish: | 1954 |
| Destination: | Australia & New Zealand |
| Manager: | Hector Rawson Tom Hesketh |
| Captain: | Dickie Williams |
| Top Point Scorer: | Lewis Jones (278) |
| Top Try Scorer: | Billy Boston (36) |
| Top Test Point Scorer: | Lewis Jones (50) |
| Top Test Try Scorer: | Billy Boston (6) |
| Matchplayed: | 32 |
| Matchwon: | 21 |
| Matchdraw: | 1 |
| Matchlost: | 10 |
| Testplayed: | 6 |
| Testwon: | 3 |
| Testdraw: | 0 |
| Testlost: | 3 |
| Played1: | 3 |
| Won1: | 1 |
| Draw1: | 0 |
| Lost1: | 2 |
| Played2: | 3 |
| Won2: | 2 |
| Draw2: | 0 |
| Lost2: | 1 |
| Previous: | 1950 |
| Next: | 1958 |
The 1954 Great Britain Lions tour was a tour by the Great Britain national rugby league team of Australia and New Zealand which took place between May and August 1954. Captained by Dickie Williams, the tour involved a schedule of 32 games: 22 in Australia and 10 in New Zealand, with two three-match Test Series against both nations.
The tour began inauspiciously, with Great Britain losing four of their first seven matches, including the First Test against Australia in Sydney. Moving into the Queensland leg, the Lions' results improved, and they won all nine of their matches in the state. This included victory in the Second Test in Brisbane.
A common feature of many of the tour matches was rough play, punches being throw in and out of tackles. The July 10 match against New South Wales was abandoned by the referee seventeen minutes into the second half due to persistent brawling by the players.
One week after the abandoned game, Australia won the Third Test to claim the Ashes by a 2–1 margin.
Moving to New Zealand, Great Britain lost the Second Test, but recovered to win the Third Test and the series, by a 2–1 margin.
The tour concluded with three matches in five days back in Australia at Sydney, Canberra and Maitland.
Despite being a British team – five of the squad were Welsh, two from Scotland and hooker Tom McKinney from Northern Ireland – the team played, and were often referred to by both the press at home and away, as England.
This was the first Lions tour where the touring party travelled to Australia by air, instead of by ship.[1]
| Player | Age | Weight | Club | Tests on Tour | Games in Aus | Games in NZ | Tries | Goals | FG | Points | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| align=left | 29 | 13 st. 0 lb. (83 kg) | align=left | 5 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 0 | align=right | 33 | |||||
| align=left | 20 | 13 st. 9 lb. (87 kg) | align=left | 5 | 12 | 36 | 0 | 0 | align=right | 108 | |||||
| align=left | 22 | 14 st. 5 lb. (91 kg) | align=left | 3 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 0 | align=right | 6 | |||||
| align=left | 21 | 14 st. 0 lb. (89 kg) | align=left | 1 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 0 | align=right | 9 | |||||
| align=left | 26 | 12 st. 4 lb. (78 kg) | align=left | 1 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 0 | align=right | 21 | |||||
| align=left | 27 | 12 st. 0 lb. (76 kg) | align=left | 8 | 0 | 14 | 0 | align=right | 28 | ||||||
| align=left | 29 | 5 st. 9 lb. (36 kg) | align=left | 1 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | align=right | 18 | |||||
| align=left | 31 | 11 st. 9 lb. (74 kg) | align=left | 1 | 10 | 9 | 29 | 0 | align=right | 85 | |||||
| align=left | 26 | 11 st. 6 lb. (73 kg) | align=left | 1 | 14 | 13 | 0 | 0 | align=right | 39 | |||||
| align=left | 20 | 14 st. 10 lb. (93 kg) | align=left | 3 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 0 | align=right | 18 | |||||
| align=left | 25 | 12 st. 10 lb. (81 kg) | align=left | 2 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | align=right | 6 | |||||
| align=left | 31 | 11 st. 0 lb. (70 kg) | align=left | 5 | 12 | 5 | 0 | 0 | align=right | 15 | |||||
| align=left | 24 | 14 st. 7 lb. (92 kg) | align=left | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | align=right | 3 | ||||||
| align=left | 22 | 13 st. 10 lb. (87 kg) | align=left | 6 | 12 | 7 | 0 | 0 | align=right | 21 | |||||
| align=left | 23 | 12 st. 6 lb. (79 kg) | align=left | 6 | 13 | 8 | 125 | 2 | align=right | 278 | |||||
| align=left | 26 | 14 st. 7 lb. (92 kg) | align=left | 4 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | align=right | 6 | |||||
| align=left | 19 | 12 st. 10 lb. (81 kg) | align=left | 5 | 10 | 28 | 0 | 0 | align=right | 84 | |||||
| align=left | 29 | 14 st. 13 lb. (95 kg) | align=left | 4 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | align=right | 9 | |||||
| align=left | 26 | 14 st. 10 lb. (93 kg) | align=left | 6 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | align=right | 3 | |||||
| align=left | 29 | 11 st. 11 lb. (75 kg) | align=left | 3 | 12 | 8 | 0 | 0 | align=right | 24 | |||||
| align=left | 24 | 15 st. 2 lb. (96 kg) | align=left | 3 | 14 | 6 | 0 | 0 | align=right | 18 | |||||
| align=left | 28 | 14 st. 0 lb. (89 kg) | align=left | 2 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | align=right | 3 | |||||
| align=left | 23 | 11 st. 7 lb. (73 kg) | align=left | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | align=right | 6 | ||||||
| align=left | 27 | 13 st. 10 lb. (87 kg) | align=left | 5 | 13 | 6 | 0 | 0 | align=right | 18 | |||||
| align=left | 24 | 14 st. 8 lb. (93 kg) | align=left | 3 | 14 | 5 | 0 | 0 | align=right | 15 | |||||
| align=left | 29 | 11 st. 4 lb. (72 kg) | align=left | 3 | 12 | 8 | 0 | 0 | align=right | 24 |
| Western Division: FB: Ron Beaumont (Canowindra), WG: P. Weldon (Trangie), CE: Joe Cohen (Wellington), CE: Laurie Burke (St Patrick's), WG: Peter Marks (Warren), FE: Peter Bracken (Parkes), HB: Keith Deacon (Dubbo), LK: R. Harben (Baradine), SR: Frank Hogan (St Patrick's), SR: Ron Potter (Our Boys), PR: R. Border (Coonabarabran), HK: Ken Fogarty (Forbes), PR: Bryan Cameron (Trangie), Coach: Frank Bell (Arms Factory). Great Britain: FB: Jack Cunliffe, WG: Billy Boston, CE: Terry O'Grady, CE: Doug Greenall, WG: Lewis Jones, FE: Phil Jackson, HB: Alf Burnell, LK: Ken Traill, SR: Brian Briggs, SR: Nat Silcock, PR: Jim Bowden, HK: Tom McKinney, PR: John Henderson. |
| Newcastle: FB: Dave Parkinson (age 31) (Cessnock), WG: Bill Callinan (Maitland), CE: Geoff Hawkey (20) (Centrals), CE: Frank Threlfo (22) (Maitland), WG: Don Adams (21) (Maitland), FE: Merv Walters (Cessnock), HB: Bobby Banks (24) (Waratah Mayfield), LK: Barry Levido (24) (Cessnock), SR: Don Schofield (23) (Cessnock), SR: Doug Chappell (23) (Kurri), PR: Fred Brown (26) (Maitland), HK: Bob Crane (30) (Norths), PR: Doug Hawke (24) (Norths), Coach: Frank Hawthorne (Centrals). Great Britain: FB: Ted Cahill, WG: Andrew Turnbull, CE: Doug Greenall, CE: Ernie Ashcroft, WG: Frank Castle, FE: Raymond Price, HB: Gerry Helme, LK: Dave Valentine, SR: Charlie Pawsey, SR: Brian Briggs, PR: Alan Prescott, HK: Tommy Harris, PR: Jack Wilkinson. |
| Riverina: FB: Peter McGrath (Temora), WG: Johnny Graves (Cootamundra), CE: Wal Towers (Gundagai), CE: Gerry Lowe (Cowra), WG: Jim Denaher (Ungarie), FE: Brian Longhurst (Gundagai), HB: Doug Cameron (Young), LK: Peter O'Connor (Young), SR: Len Henman (Temora), SR: Kenneth Fitzgerald (Tarcutta), PR: Nevyl Hand (Gundagai), HK: Ken Mulrooney (Kangaroos), PR: G. Robinson (Young). Albert Paul (Griffith) and Tom Ryan (Temora) were selected but withdrew owing to injury. Great Britain: FB: Ted Cahill, WG: Andrew Turnbull, CE: Phil Jackson, CE: Ernie Ashcroft, WG: Terry O'Grady, FE: Dickie Williams, HB: Alf Burnell, LK: Ken Traill, SR: Geoff Gunney, SR: Charlie Pawsey, PR: John Henderson, HK: Tom McKinney, PR: Jim Bowden. |
| Sydney: FB: Clive Churchill (age 27) (Souths), WG: Ross Kite (22) (St George), CE: Dick Poole (23) (Newtown), CE: Merv Lees (21) (St George), WG: Kevin Hole (21) (St George), FE: Johnny Dougherty (22) (Souths), HB: Keith Holman (26) (Wests), LK: Harold Crocker (26) (Parramatta), SR: Norm Provan (22) (St George), SR: Jack Rayner (33) (Souths), PR: Roy Bull (24) (Manly), HK: Ken Kearney (28) (St George), PR: Don Evenden (24) (Norths). Great Britain: FB: Jack Cunliffe, WG: Billy Boston, CE: Doug Greenall, CE: Ernie Ashcroft, WG: Lewis Jones, FE: Dickie Williams, HB: Gerry Helme, LK: Dave Valentine, SR: Nat Silcock, SR: Jack Wilkinson, PR: Jim Bowden, HK: Tommy Harris, PR: John Henderson. |
| Southern Division: FB: Darcy Russell (Wests), WG: Brian Carlson (21) (C.B.C.), CE: Harry Wells (22) (Wollongong), CE: Johnny Rouse (Nowra), WG: Jack Lumsden (Wests), FE: Col Donohue (Corrimal), HB: Noel Hill (Thirroul), SR: Noel Mulligan (28) (C.B.C.), SR: Angus Miller (Berry), LK: Jack Quinn (Gerringong), PR: Austin Lawler (C.B.C.), HK: Neville Gosson (Bargo), PR: Bruce Noble (21) (Jamberoo). Great Britain: FB: Ted Cahill, WG: Terry O'Grady, CE: Doug Greenall, CE: Jack Cunliffe, WG: Frank Castle, FE: Raymond Price, HB: Alf Burnell, LK: Ken Traill, SR: Dave Valentine, SR: Charlie Pawsey, PR: Alan Prescott, HK: Tom McKinney, PR: Jack Wilkinson. |
| New South Wales: FB: Clive Churchill (age 27) (Souths), WG: Noel Pidding (27) (Maitland), CE: Dick Poole (23) (Newtown), CE: Harry Wells (22) (Wollongong), WG: Brian Carlson (21) (C.B.C. Wollongong), FE: Johnny Dougherty (22) (Souths), HB: Keith Holman (26) (Wests), LK: Harold Crocker (26) (Parramatta), SR: Norm Provan (22) (St George), SR: Jack Rayner (33) (Souths), PR: Roy Bull (28) (Manly), HK: Ken Kearney (24) (St George), PR: Jim Evans (24) (Newtown). The following were named as reserves but did not play: Bill Garvin (22) (Balmain) and Barry Levido (22) (Cessnock). Great Britain: FB: Ted Cahill, WG: Terry O'Grady, CE: Doug Greenall, CE: Ernie Ashcroft, WG: Frank Castle, FE: Phil Jackson, HB: Gerry Helme, LK: Dave Valentine, SR: Nat Silcock, SR: Charlie Pawsey, PR: Alan Prescott, HK: Tom McKinney, PR: Jack Wilkinson. |
| Australia: FB: Clive Churchill (age 27) (South Sydney), WG: Noel Pidding (27) (Maitland), CE: Ken McCaffery (22) (Toowoomba Souths), CE: Alex Watson (24) (Brisbane Western Suburbs), WG: Brian Carlson (21) (C.B.C. Wollongong), FE: Bob Banks (23) (Toowoomba Newtown), HB: Keith Holman (26) (Western Suburbs), LK: Harold Crocker (26) (Parramatta), SR: Norm Provan (22) (St George), SR: Kel O'Shea (20) (Ayr), PR: Roy Bull (28) (Manly-Warringah), HK: Ken Kearney (28) (St George), PR: Duncan Hall (28) (Brisbane Western Suburbs). The following were named as reserves but did not play: Harry Wells (22) (Wollongong) and Brian Davies (23) (Booval Swifts). Great Britain: FB: Jack Cunliffe, WG: Lewis Jones, CE: Ernie Ashcroft, CE: Phil Jackson, WG: Frank Castle, FE: Raymond Price, HB: Gerry Helme, LK: Ken Traill, SR: Dave Valentine, SR: Nat Silcock, PR: Alan Prescott, HK: Tom McKinney, PR: Jack Wilkinson. |
| Brisbane: FB: Norm Pope (22) (Valleys), WG: Wally McDonald (27) (Valleys), CE: Noel Hurley (Valleys), CE: Alex Watson (22) (Wests), WG: Garry Barnett (Valleys), FE: Keith Brown (Wynnum), HB: Ken Booth (Easts), LK: Jack Jones (Valleys), SR: Stan Hassum (Norths), SR: Norm McFadden (Valleys), PR: Duncan Hall (28) (Wests), HK: Johnny Flynn (Wests), PR: Don Davey (Norths). Leo Johnson (Souths) was selected in the Brisbane team but did not play owing to injury. Great Britain: FB: Ted Cahill, WG: Billy Boston, CE: Phil Jackson, CE: Lewis Jones, WG: Terry O'Grady, FE: Dickie Williams, HB: Gerry Helme, LK: Dave Valentine, SR: Brian Briggs, SR: Charlie Pawsey, PR: Jim Bowden, HK: Tommy Harris, PR: John Henderson. |
| Queensland: FB: Norm Pope (age 22) (Valleys), WG: Bob Buckley (23) (Ayr), CE: Alex Watson (22) (Wests), CE: Ken McCaffery (24) (Toowoomba Souths), WG: Denis Flannery (26) (Ipswich Brothers), FE: Bob Banks (23) (Toowoomba Newtown), HB: Cyril Connell Jr (26) (Toowoomba Newtown), LK: Kel O'Shea (20) (Ayr), SR: Brian Davies (24) (Booval Swifts), SR: Bernie Drew (25) (Ipswich Railways), PR: Duncan Hall (28) (Wests), HK: Alan Hornery (28) (Booval Swifts), PR: Jack Rooney (27) (Toowoomba All Whites). Great Britain: FB: Ted Cahill, WG: Billy Boston, CE: Phil Jackson, CE: Lewis Jones, WG: Terry O'Grady, FE: Dickie Williams, HB: Gerry Helme, LK: Dave Valentine, SR: Brian Briggs, SR: Charlie Pawsey, PR: Jim Bowden, HK: Tom McKinney, PR: John Henderson. |
| Wide Bay: FB: Angie Venardos (North Coast), WG: Jim Gowdie (Gympie), CE: Cec Cooper (Bundaberg), CE: Noel Hawthorne (North Coast), WG: B. Jamieson (Gympie), FE: Ted Barnes (Bundaberg), HB: D. Nixon (Bundaberg), LK: M. Ziebath (Lower South Burnett), SR: Don Bowes (Rovers), SR: H. Symonds (Bundaberg), PR: P. Iszlaub (Lower South Burnett), HK: Keith Weston (Western Suburbs), PR: WP. Hegerty (Cherbourg). Great Britain: FB: Jack Cunliffe, WG: Billy Boston, CE: Doug Greenall, CE: Dickie Williams, WG: Terry O'Grady, FE: Raymond Price, HB: Alf Burnell, LK: Geoff Gunney, SR: Charlie Pawsey, SR: Jack Wilkinson, PR: John Henderson, HK: Tommy Harris, PR: Jim Bowden. |
| North Queensland Southern Districts/Zone: FB: Lou Della-Vedova (Magpies), WG: Bill Rasmussen (Bucas), CE: Ike Sturgeon (Marian), CE: Ron O'Brien (Bucas), WG: Brian Dimmock (Collinsville), FE: Les Kieseker (Magpies), HB: Doug Shew (Marian), LK: Hume Ronald (Carltons), SR: Kevin Elliott (Magpies), SR: Charlie Ogilvie (Magpies), PR: Ross Ryan (Bucas), HK: Don McKenzie (Magpies), PR: Ross Primrose (Carltons). Great Britain: FB: Lewis Jones, WG: Billy Boston, CE: Ernie Ashcroft, CE: Doug Greenall, WG: Nat Silcock, FE: Raymond Price, HB: Alf Burnell, LK: Geoff Gunney, SR: Brian Briggs, SR: Jack Wilkinson, PR: Jim Bowden, HK: Tom McKinney, PR: Tommy Harris. |
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| Far North Queensland (North Queensland Northern Districts/Zone): FB: Frank Gill (Kangaroos), WG: Allan Cripps (Uniteds), CE: R. Shambrook (Kangaroos), CE: Pat Farrell (Herbert River), WG: R. Horn (Kangaroos), FE: Hugh Kelly (22) (Ivanhoes), HB: Dick Chant (Ivanhoes), Jim Fallon (Mareeba), HK: R. Carter (Innisfail), Ossie Cumner (Ingham), Bill Allendorf (Brothers), Danny Clifford (Tully), C. Blankensee (Ivanhoes). The following were initially selected for the match but due to injury did not play: Gordon Farrelly (Kangaroos), Mickey Shannon (Herbert River), N. McHardie and Eddie Kratzman (Tully). For the Great Britain team, the account for this match in E.E. Christensen's Official Rugby League Year Book remarks that hooker Tommy Harris played on the wing but omits his name from the accompanying Great Britain team list, which lists Alan Prescott twice, as half-back and prop. On the morning of the match (June 24) the team chosen as published in The Courier-Mail lists 14 players, with one to be omitted. This team differs from that given in the yearbook. The local, Cairns Post match report mentions within the text the eight point-scorers, but no other British players: FB: Ted Cahill, WG: Tommy Harris, CE: Jack Cunliffe, CE: Doug Greenall, WG: Dickie Williams, FE: Raymond Price, HB: Alf Burnell and Geoff Gunney. Hooker Tom McKinney was identified as playing in The Courier-Mail match report, winning "the scrums, 25 to 16, after leading 18 to 12 at half-time." Alan Prescott was listed in both The Courier-Mail team list and the yearbook, but not mentioned in The Courier-Mail or Cairns Post match reports. Four players listed in both The Courier-Mail team list but not in the yearbook, and not mentioned in the yearbook are: PR: Jack Wilkinson, John Henderson, Brian Briggs and Ken Traill. The above-named 14 players are credited with a match appearance in the Squad statistics. The following four players listed only in the yearbook are not credited with an appearance for this Far North Queensland match: LK: Dave Valentine, SR: Charlie Pawsey, SR: Nat Silcock, PR: Jim Bowden. |
| North Queensland: FB: Nev Linde (age 23) (Ayr), WG: Bob Buckley (Ayr), CE: Gordon Farrelly (Kangaroos), CE: Graham Laird (Magpies), WG: Graham \ Geoff Nash (Tully), FE: Brian Dimmock (Collinsville), HB: Jack Russell-Green (Ayr), LK: Ross Primrose (Carltons), SR: Roy Greenwood (Tully), SR: Bill Duell (Ayr), PR: Jack (Jerry) McAuliffe (Brothers), HK: Ron Griffiths (Ivanhoes), PR: Hume Ronald (Carltons), Coach: Len Pegg (age 32). Great Britain: FB: Lewis Jones, WG: Billy Boston, CE: Ernie Ashcroft, CE: Phil Jackson, WG: Terry O'Grady, FE: Dickie Williams, HB: Gerry Helme, LK: Dave Valentine, SR: Charlie Pawsey, SR: Nat Silcock, PR: Jim Bowden, HK: Tom McKinney, PR: Alan Prescott. |
| Australia: FB: Clive Churchill (South Sydney), WG: Noel Pidding (Maitland), CE: Noel Hazzard (Roma), CE: Alex Watson (Brisbane Western Suburbs), WG: Brian Carlson (C.B.C. Wollongong), FE: Bob Sullivan (North Sydney), HB: Keith Holman (Western Suburbs), LK: Harold Crocker (Parramatta), SR: Norm Provan (St George), SR: Kel O'Shea (Ayr), PR: Duncan Hall (Brisbane Western Suburbs), HK: Ken Kearney (St George), PR: Roy Bull (Manly-Warringah). The following were named as reserves but did not play: Cyril Connell Jr (Toowoomba Newtown) and Brian Davies (Booval Swifts). Great Britain: FB: Lewis Jones, WG: Billy Boston, CE: Phil Jackson, CE: Ernie Ashcroft, WG: Terry O'Grady, FE: Dickie Williams, HB: Gerry Helme, LK: Dave Valentine, SR: Nat Silcock, SR: Charlie Pawsey, PR: Jim Bowden, HK: Tom McKinney, PR: Alan Prescott. |
| Northern NSW: FB: Brian Graham (17) (South Grafton), WG: John Rowlings (Armidale), CE: Bruce Grace (Gunnedah), CE: Jim Daley (Casino All Stars), WG: George Smith (Nambucca), FE: Noel McKay (18) (Bowraville), HB: Barry McConnell (Tweed), LK: Les Reid (Scone), SR: Monty Porter (East Tamworth), SR: George Alaban (Diggers), PR: Harry Melville (Scone), HK: Alf Hardman (Moree), PR: Arthur Henderson (Moree). Great Britain: FB: Jack Cunliffe, WG: Billy Boston, CE: Phil Jackson, CE: Doug Greenall, WG: Nat Silcock, FE: Raymond Price, HB: Alf Burnell, LK: Ken Traill, SR: Geoff Gunney, SR: Brian Briggs, PR: Alan Prescott, HK: Jack Wilkinson, PR: John Henderson. |
| New South Wales: FB: Clive Churchill (age 27) (Souths), WG: Noel Pidding (27) (Maitland), CE: Harry Wells (22) (Wollongong), CE: Merv Lees (21) (St George), WG: Brian Carlson (21) (C.B.C. Wollongong), FE: Dick Poole (23) (Newtown), HB: Keith Holman (26) (Wests), LK: Peter Diversi (22) (Norths), SR: Norm Provan (22) (St George), SR: Jack Rayner (33) (Souths), PR: Jim Evans (24) (Newtown), HK: Ken Kearney (28) (St George), PR: Roy Bull (24) (Manly). The following were named as reserves but did not play: Ross Kite (22) (St George) and Don Evenden (24) (Norths), Great Britain: FB: Geoff Gunney, WG: Brian Briggs, CE: Jack Cunliffe, CE: Doug Greenall, WG: Jack Wilkinson, FE: Raymond Price, HB: Alf Burnell, LK: Ken Traill, SR: Charlie Pawsey, SR: John Henderson, PR: Alan Prescott, HK: Dickie Williams, PR: Tommy Harris. |
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| Australia: FB: Clive Churchill (age 27) (South Sydney), WG: Brian Carlson (21) (C.B.C. Wollongong), CE: Harry Wells (22) (Wollongong), CE: Alex Watson (22) (Brisbane Western Suburbs), WG: Noel Pidding (27) (Maitland), FE: Bob Banks (23) (Toowoomba Newtown), HB: Keith Holman (26) (Western Suburbs), LK: Peter Diversi (22) (North Sydney), SR: Norm Provan (22) (St George), SR: Kel O'Shea (21) (Ayr), PR: Brian Davies (23) (Booval Swifts), HK: Ken Kearney (28) (St George), PR: Duncan Hall (28) (Brisbane Western Suburbs), Roy Bull (Manly-Warringah) was selected but withdrew owing to injury. The following were named as reserves but did not play: Dick Poole (23) (Newtown) and Don Evenden (24) (North Sydney). Great Britain: FB: Lewis Jones, WG: Billy Boston, CE: Phil Jackson, CE: Ernie Ashcroft, WG: Terry O'Grady, FE: Dickie Williams, HB: Gerry Helme, LK: Dave Valentine, SR: Nat Silcock, SR: Charlie Pawsey, PR: Alan Prescott, HK: Tom McKinney, PR: Jim Bowden. |
| For Māori the following 14 players were selected, with one to be omitted: R. Haggie, A. Berryman, J. Gibbons, J. Wright, T. Penny, William Sorensen, G. Turner, J. Wills, D. Diamond, John Yates, H. Maxwell, N. Rakena, R. Royal, J. Ratima. For Great Britain: centre Doug Greenall scored a try. He was not, however, amongst the 13 players named prior to the match: FB: Jack Cunliffe, WG: Terry O'Grady, CE: Ernie Ashcroft, CE: Phil Jackson, WG: Frank Castle, FE: Raymond Price, HB: Alf Burnell, LK: Ken Traill, SR: Nat Silcock, SR: Brian Briggs, PR: Alan Prescott, HK: Tommy Harris, PR: John Henderson. |
| New Zealand: FB: Des White, WG: Cyril Eastlake (Auckland), CE: Ron McKay (Taranaki), CE: Tommy Baxter, WG: Jim Edwards (Auckland), FE: George Menzies (West Coast), HB: Jim Haig, PR: Cliff Johnson (Auckland), HK: Roy Roff, PR: William McLennan (West Coast), SR: John Bond (Canterbury), SR: Frank Mulcare, LK: Alister Atkinson (Canterbury). Great Britain: FB: Lewis Jones, WG: Billy Boston, CE: Phil Jackson, CE: Ernie Ashcroft, WG: Terry O'Grady, FE: Raymond Price, HB: Gerry Helme, PR: Alan Prescott, HK: Tommy Harris, PR: Jack Wilkinson, SR: Geoff Gunney, SR: Charlie Pawsey, LK: Dave Valentine. |
| New Zealand: FB: Des White, WG: Jim Edwards (Auckland), CE: Ron Ackland, CE: Tommy Baxter, WG: Vern Bakalic, FE: William Sorensen (Auckland), HB: Jim Haig, PR: Cliff Johnson (Auckland), HK: Lory Blanchard (Canterbury), PR: William McLennan (West Coast), SR: John Butterfield (Canterbury), SR: Frank Mulcare, LK: Alister Atkinson (Canterbury). Great Britain: FB: Lewis Jones, WG: Billy Boston, CE: Phil Jackson, CE: Doug Greenall, WG: Terry O'Grady, FE: Dickie Williams, HB: Gerry Helme, PR: Alan Prescott, HK: Tommy Harris, PR: Jack Wilkinson, SR: Geoff Gunney, SR: Brian Briggs, LK: Dave Valentine. |
| New Zealand: FB: Des White, WG: Jim Edwards (Auckland), CE: Ron Ackland, CE: Jim Austin (Auckland), WG: Tommy Baxter, FE: William Sorensen (Auckland), HB: Jim Haig, PR: Cliff Johnson (Auckland), HK: Lory Blanchard (Canterbury), PR: William McLennan (West Coast), SR: John Butterfield (Canterbury), SR: Frank Mulcare, LK: Alister Atkinson (Canterbury). Great Britain: FB: Lewis Jones, WG: Billy Boston, CE: Phil Jackson, CE: Ernie Ashcroft, WG: Terry O'Grady, FE: Raymond Price, HB: Alf Burnell, PR: Alan Prescott, HK: Tom McKinney, PR: Jim Bowden, SR: Geoff Gunney, SR: Charlie Pawsey, LK: Ken Traill. |
| New South Wales: FB: Clive Churchill (age 27) (Souths), WG: Brian Carlson (21) (C.B.C. Wollongong), CE: Dick Poole (23) (Newtown), CE: Merv Lees (21) (St George), WG: Ross Kite (22) (St George), FE: Greg Hawick (23) (Souths), HB: Keith Holman (26) (Wests), LK: Peter Diversi (22) (Norths), SR: Norm Provan (22) (St George), SR: Jack Rayner (33) (Souths), PR: Jim Evans (24) (Newtown), HK: Ken Kearney (28) (St George), PR: Roy Bull (24) (Manly). The following were named as reserves but did not play: Bobby Whitton (22) (Newtown) and Harold Crocker (24) (Parramatta). Great Britain: FB: Lewis Jones, WG: Billy Boston, CE: Dave Valentine, CE: Ernie Ashcroft, FE: Raymond Price, HB: Gerry Helme, LK: Ken Traill, SR: Geoff Gunney, SR: Nat Silcock, PR: Jim Bowden, HK: Tom McKinney, PR: Alan Prescott, WG Dickie Williams. |
| Southern NSW: FB: Keith Barnes (Wollongong), WG: Jack Lumsden (Wests), CE: Col Johnson (Cooma Rovers), CE: Alan (Allan) Hawke (Norths), WG: Johnny Graves (Cootamundra), FE: Jim / Jack Gartner (Adaminaby), HB: Doug Cameron (Young), LK: Noel Mulligan (C.B.C.), SR: Angus Miller (Berry), SR: Stan Greenwood (Yass), PR: Ron (Ralph) Foster (Norths), HK: Billy Rayner (Yass), PR: Bill Hodges (Wollongong). Great Britain: FB: Lewis Jones, WG: Nat Silcock, CE: Phil Jackson, CE: Doug Greenall, WG: Dave Valentine, FE: Dickie Williams, HB: Gerry Helme, LK: Ken Traill, SR: Brian Briggs, SR: Jim Bowden, PR: Alan Prescott, HK: Tom McKinney, PR: Jack Wilkinson. |
| Newcastle Coalfields: FB: Dave Parkinson (Cessnock), WG: Don Adams (Maitland), CE: Bill Sneddon (Cessnock), CE: Colin De Lore (Lakes United), WG: Lester Batey (Cessnock), FE: Ray Allsop (Lakes United), HB: Bobby Banks (Waratah Mayfield), LK: Gus Gray (Lakes United), SR: Doug Hawke (Norths), SR: Tom Pitman (Lakes United), PR: Jack Mantle (Norths), HK: Bob Crane (Norths), PR: Fred Brown (Maitland). Great Britain: FB: Lewis Jones, WG: Doug Greenall, CE: Ernie Ashcroft, CE: Phil Jackson, WG: Nat Silcock, FE: Raymond Price, HB: Gerry Helme, LK: Dave Valentine, SR: Geoff Gunney, SR: Alan Prescott, PR: Brian Briggs, HK: Tommy Harris, PR: Jack Wilkinson. |
Brian Carlson, Clive Churchill, Keith Holman, Ken Kearney, and Norm Provan all appeared in seven matches against Great Britain - in each instance three games for Australia, three for New South Wales and one for Sydney. The most tries scored against the Lions was six, by Brian Carlson. Keith Holman and Ken McCaffery each scored four tries. Noel Pidding scored the most points against the tourists, with 51 from three tries and 21 goals in five matches.
In the Test Series the leading scorers were Noel Pidding 36 (Australia) and Des White 22 (New Zealand). Lewis Jones scored the most points for the Lions against both opponents, 30 against Australia and 20 against New Zealand.
Billy Boston scored six tries in the six tests, including four against New Zealand. Dickie Williams scored three tries against Australia. Brian Carlson scored three tries in the Ashes Tests for Australia. No New Zealander scored more than a single try in their three Test series.
| Acronym | Item | Years | Database App | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Online Access | ||||||
| RLN | Rugby League News | 1920-1973 | align=left | Match Program in Sydney, Team Lists, Team Photos, Articles | ||
| RLP | Rugby League Project | 1907–present | RLP Website | align=left | Test Match teams & scorers. | |
| Sun | The Sun (Sydney) | 1910-1954 | align=left | Match Reports, Articles. | ||
| DT | The Daily Telegraph (Sydney) | 1931-1954 | align=left | Match Reports, Articles. | ||
| CM | The Courier-Mail | 1933-1954 | align=left | Match Reports, Articles. | ||
| - | Various Australian Regional Newspapers | up to 1954 | align=left | Match Reports, Given Names of Players | ||
| - | New Zealand Newspapers | up to 1950 | align=left | Match Reports. | ||
| Offline Resources | ||||||
| EECYB | E.E. Christensen's Official Rugby League Year Book | 1946-1978 | align=left | Teams, Point Scorers, Report. 1955 Yearbook covers the 1954 tour. | ||
| QRLG | Queensland Rugby League Gazette | 1950-1955 | align=left | Program for matches in Brisbane. Collection is predominantly of representative matches. | ||
| RRLG | Rockhampton Rugby League Gazette | 1951-1968 | align=left | Program for matches in Rockhampton. Collection includes club as well as Rockhampton and Central Queensland representative matches. | ||
| - | Ipswich Versus International Teams[2] | 1913-1975 | align=left | Match Report, Given Names & Club of Ipswich Players | ||
| - | The Bulimba Cup Era[3] | 1925-1972 | align=left | Clubs of Ipswich, Toowoomba and Brisbane players. This book includes Bulimba Cup match reports and team lists. | ||
| - | A History of Mackay Rugby League[4] | 1919-2015 | Author's Website | align=left | Given Names & Club of Mackay Players | |
| - | More Than The Foley Shield[5] | 1908-2014 | Author's Website | align=left | Match report, team photos. Given Names & Club of North Queensland Players | |