Team: | British Lions |
Yearstart: | 1989 |
Destination: | Australia |
Matchplayed: | 12 |
Matchwon: | 11 |
Matchdraw: | 0 |
Matchlost: | 1 |
Testplayed: | 3 |
Testwon: | 2 |
Testdraw: | 0 |
Testlost: | 1 |
Played1: | 3 |
Won1: | 2 |
Draw1: | 0 |
Lost1: | 1 |
In 1989, the British Lions toured Australia for the first time since 1971. Unlike previous tours to Australia, the Lions did not play any matches in New Zealand, this being the first Australia-only tour since 1899. The side was captained by Finlay Calder.
The Lions suffered a 30–12 defeat in the first test in Sydney on 1 July, then their heaviest defeat by Australia.[1] In this first test, Australia scored four tries, and flyhalf Michael Lynagh kicked 5 from 6. For the second and third tests, changes included Mike Teague, recovered from injury, at blindside flanker; Rob Andrew replacing Craig Chalmers at fly-half; and Jeremy Guscott and Scott Hastings coming into the centre positions. The team became the only Lions team ever to come from 1–0 down to win a series, winning the second test in Brisbane 19–12 and the third test in Sydney 19–18.[2] [3] The Lions completed their tour with a victory of a combined ANZAC team. Teague was named player of the series.
Scores and results list Bristish Lions' points tally first.
Opponent | Score | Date | Venue | Status | Reports | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Result | For | Against | Preview | Match | |||||
Western Australia | Won | 44 | 0 | 10 Jun 1989 | Perry Lakes, Perth | Tour match | |||
Australia B | Won | 23 | 8 | 14 Jun 1989 | Melbourne | Tour match | [4] | [5] | |
Queensland | Won | 19 | 15 | 19 Jun 1989 | Ballymore, Brisbane | Tour match | [6] | ||
Queensland B | Won | 30 | 6 | 21 Jun 1989 | Cairns | Tour match | [7] | ||
New South Wales | Won | 23 | 21 | 24 Jun 1989 | Tour match | [8] | |||
New South Wales B | Won | 39 | 19 | 27 Jun 1989 | Apex Oval, Dubbo | Tour match | [9] | ||
Australia | Lost | 12 | 30 | 1 Jul 1989 | Sydney Football Stadium | Test match | [10] [11] | [12] | |
ACT | Won | 41 | 25 | 4 Jul 1989 | Seiffert Oval, Queanbeyan | Tour match | [13] [14] | [15] | |
Australia | Won | 19 | 12 | 8 Jul 1989 | Ballymore, Brisbane | Test match | [16] [17] | ||
Australia | Won | 19 | 18 | 15 Jul 1989 | Sydney Football Stadium | Test match | [18] | [19] | |
Won | 72 | 13 | 19 Jul 1989 | Newcastle | Tour match | [20] | |||
Won | 19 | 15 | 23 Jul 1989 | Ballymore, Brisbane | Tour match | [21] [22] | [23] |
width=32% | Name | width=15% | Home country | width=22% | Club | width=36% | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wasps | |||||||
Jedforest | |||||||
Melrose | |||||||
Swansea | |||||||
St Mary's College | |||||||
John Devereux | Bridgend | ||||||
Gala | |||||||
Llanelli | |||||||
Bath | replaced injured Will Carling[24] | ||||||
Bridgend | |||||||
Gavin Hastings | London Scottish | ||||||
Watsonians | |||||||
Swansea | |||||||
Brendan Mullin | London Irish | ||||||
Wasps | |||||||
Harlequins | Selected but withdrew due to injury | ||||||
Rory Underwood | Leicester and RAF |
width=32% | Name | width=15% | Home country | width=22% | Club | width=36% | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Paul Ackford | Harlequins | ||||||
Finlay Calder (capt) | Stewart's Melville FP | ||||||
Bath | |||||||
Wade Dooley | Preston Grasshoppers | ||||||
Mike Griffiths | Bridgend | ||||||
Kelso | |||||||
Donal Lenihan | Cork Constitution | ||||||
Nottingham | |||||||
Cardiff | |||||||
Dean Richards | Leicester | ||||||
Bath | |||||||
Steve Smith | Ballymena | ||||||
David Sole | Edinburgh Academicals | ||||||
Gloucester | |||||||
Derek White | London Scottish | ||||||
Dai Young | Cardiff |