1980 New Zealand rugby league tour of Great Britain and France
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The 1980 New Zealand rugby league tour of Great Britain and France was a tour by the New Zealand national rugby league team. The test series between the New Zealand national rugby league team and Great Britain was drawn one all, as was the test series between New Zealand and France.
The Kiwis were 6-1 outsiders ahead of the tour. Great Britain had won seven of the last nine encounters and the New Zealand side was almost entirely domestic based, with captain Mark Graham, Danny Campbell and Nolan Tupaea the only overseas professionals. Following the tour Fred Ah Kuoi (North Sydney Bears), James Leuluai, Dane O'Hara and Gary Kemble (Hull F.C.) and Mark Broadhurst (Manly-Warringah) subsequently secured professional contracts.[1]
The Test series was broadcast across the United Kingdom via the BBC with chief commentator Eddie Waring and his co-commentator, former Great Britain halfback and then Salford coach Alex Murphy. The series was broadcast in New Zealand via Television New Zealand with former Kiwi fullback Des White providing the commentary.[2]