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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]
New Zealand were coached by Ces Mountford and captained by Mark Graham.
Test Venues
The three tests took place at the following venues.
| Wigan | Bradford | Leeds |
|---|---|---|
| Central Park | Odsal Stadium | Elland Road |
| Capacity: 35,000 | Capacity: 40,000 | Capacity: 32,500 |
 |
 |
 |
Blackpool Borough  |
5 – 23 |  New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Michael Chester Goals: William Oxley (1) |
[3] |
Tries: James Leuluai (2), Bruce Dickison, Rick Muru, Nolan Tupaea Goals: Gary Kemble (4) |
Sunday 28 September |
Blackpool Borough: Ron Oldham, Michael Chester, Steve Tilly, John Heritage, William Oxley, James Arnold, James Green, Paul Gamble, Don Parry, John Waterworth, Peter Frodsham, Philip Holmes, John Corcoran. Res – Kevin Hanley. Coach – Geoff Lyon
New Zealand: James Leuluai, Bernie Green, John Whittaker, Bruce Dickison, Gary Kemble, Nolan Tupaea, Shane Varley, Rick Muru, Howie Tamati, Kevin Tamati, Ray Baxendale, Bruce Gall, Barry Edkins. Res – Gary Prohm
Hull F.C.  |
10 – 33 | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Vince Farrar, Tim Wilby Goals: Sammy Lloyd (2) |
[4] |
Tries: Tony Coll (2), Mark Graham (2), Dane O'Hara (2), Alan Rushton, Gordon Smith, Kevin Tamati Goals: Michael O'Donnell (3) |
Sunday 5 October |
Hull F.C.: George Robinson, Graham Walters, Chris Harrison, Tim Wilby, Paul Prendiville, Ian Wilson, Clive Pickerill, Keith Tindall, Ian Crowther, Vince Farrar, Charles Birdsall, Keith Boxall, Sammy Lloyd. Res – Robert Gaitley, Charlie Stone. Coach – Arthur Bunting
New Zealand: Michael O'Donnell, Kevin Fisher, James Leuluai, Bruce Dickison, Dane O'Hara, Fred Ah Kuoi, Gordon Smith, Mark Broadhurst, Alan Rushton, Kevin Tamati, Graeme West, Tony Coll, Mark Graham (c). Res – John Whittaker, Paul Te Ariki
Cumbria  |
9 – 3 | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Arnie Walker Goals: Ian Ball (3) |
[5] |
Tries: Graeme West Goals: |
Wednesday 8 October |
Cumbria: Steve Tickle, John Bulman, Peter Stoddart, Ian Ball, Chris Camilleri, Ian Rudd, Arnie Walker, Terry Bowman, Alan McCurrie, John Cunningham, Vince Fox, Les Gorley, Bill Pattinson
New Zealand: Gary Kemble, Kevin Fisher, James Leuluai, Bruce Dickison, Dane O'Hara, Fred Ah Kuoi, Shane Varley, Rick Muru, Howie Tamati, Alan Rushton, Graeme West, Tony Coll, Mark Graham (c)
St Helens  |
11 – 6 | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Les Jones Goals: Clive Griffiths (4) |
[6] |
Tries: Bernie Green, Nolan Tupaea Goals: |
Sunday 12 October |
St Helens: Clive Griffiths, Les Jones, Denis Litherland, Roy Haggerty, Roy Mathias, Brian Parkes, Neil Holding, Mel James, Dennis Nulty, Michael Hope, Eric Chisnall, George Nicholls, Harry Pinner. Res – John Smith, Keiron Pickavance. Coach – Kel Coslett
New Zealand: James Leuluai, Bernie Green, John Whittaker, Fred Ah Kuoi, Nolan Tupaea, Bill Kells, Gordon Smith, Mark Broadhurst, Howie Tamati, Kevin Tamati, Paul Te Ariki, Bruce Gall, Gary Prohm
Bradford Northern  |
15 – 10 | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: David Barends (2), Alan Parker (2) Goals: Alan Redfearn (3) |
[7] |
Tries: Bruce Dickison, Howie Tamati Goals: Michael O'Donnell (2) |
Tuesday 14 October |
Bradford Northern: John Green, David Barends, Les Gant, Derek Parker, Alan Parker, Nigel Stephenson, Alan Redfearn, Jim Fiddler, Brian Noble, Phil Sanderson, Dennis Trotter, Gary Van Bellen, Graham Idle. Res – Stephen Ferres, Gary Hale. Coach – Peter Fox
New Zealand: Michael O'Donnell, Bernie Green, John Whittaker, Bruce Dickison, Gary Kemble, Nolan Tupaea, Bill Kells, Paul Te Ariki, Howie Tamati, Ray Baxendale, Bruce Gall, Gary Prohm, Barry Edkins
First Test
Great Britain  |
14 – 14 |  New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Chris Camilleri Mike Smith Goals: George Fairbairn (4) |
[8] |
Tries: Fred Ah Kuoi Tony Coll Goals: Gordon Smith (4/5) |
Saturday 18 October |
      Great Britain
|
    New Zealand
|
|
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Hull Kingston Rovers  |
12 – 20 | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Paul Harkin, Phil Lowe Goals: Phil Hogan (2) Steve Hubbard (1) |
[9] |
Tries: Bruce Gall (3), John Whittaker Goals: Barry Edkins (3) Gary Kemble (1) |
Wednesday 22 October |
Hull Kingston Rovers: Dave Hall, Steve Hubbard, Mike Smith, Phil Hogan, Wally Youngman, Steve Hartley, Paul Harkin, Roy Holdstock, Raymond Price, David Watkinson, Phil Lowe, Len Casey, Mick Crane. Res – Ian Robinson, Graham Douglas. Coach – Roger Millward
New Zealand: Gary Kemble, Gary Prohm, John Whittaker, James Leuluai, Dane O'Hara, Nolan Tupaea, Shane Varley, Mark Broadhurst, Howie Tamati, Bruce Gall, Graeme West, Ray Baxendale, Barry Edkins. Res – Paul Te Ariki
Leeds  |
5 – 25 | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: David Smith Goals: Kevin Dick (1) |
[10] |
Tries: Mark Graham (2), Tony Coll, James Leuluai, John Whittaker Goals: Gordon Smith (5) |
Sunday 26 October |
Leeds: Willie Oulton, Alan Smith, David Smith, Neil Hague, John Atkinson, John Holmes, Kevin Dick, Neil Lean, David Ward, Steve Pitchford, Graham Eccles, John Carroll, David Heron. Res – Gary Hetherington, Roy Dickinson. Coach – Robin Dewhurst
New Zealand: Michael O'Donnell, Kevin Fisher, John Whittaker, James Leuluai, Dane O'Hara, Fred Ah Kuoi, Gordon Smith, Mark Broadhurst, Alan Rushton, Kevin Tamati, Graeme West, Tony Coll, Mark Graham (c). Res – Rick Muru
Warrington  |
11 – 7 | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Edwin Hunter, Tommy Martyn Goals: Steve Hesford (2) Field Goals: Anthony Waller (1) |
[11] |
Tries: Shane Varley Goals: Barry Edkins (1) Gary Kemble (1) |
Wednesday 29 October |
Warrington: Derek Finnegan, Richard Thackray, Ian Duane, John Bevan, Steve Hesford, Jimmy Fairhurst, Alan Gwilliam, Neil Courtney, Anthony Waller, Brian Case, Tommy Martyn, Ian Potter, Edwin Hunter. Res – Billy Benyon, Bob Eccles. Coach – Billy Benyon
New Zealand: Gary Kemble, Bernie Green, Nolan Tupaea, Bruce Dickison, Gary Prohm, Bill Kells, Shane Varley, Rick Muru, Howie Tamati, Bruce Gall, Paul Te Ariki, Ray Baxendale, Barry Edkins. Res – Dane O'Hara
Second Test
| Great Britain |
8 – 12 | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Goals: George Fairbairn (4/5) |
[12] |
Tries: Michael O'Donnell Dane O'Hara Goals: Gordon Smith (3/4) Michael O'Donnell (0/2) |
Sunday 2 November |
Great Britain
|
New Zealand
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Great Britain U/24  |
14 – 18 | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Steve Evans, Neil Holding Goals: Mick Burke (4) |
[13] |
Tries: Dane O'Hara (2), Ray Baxendale, Graeme West Goals: Gary Kemble (2) Barry Edkins (1) |
Wednesday 5 November |
Great Britain U/24: Mick Burke, Richard Thackray, David Stephenson, Gary Hyde, Steve Fenton, Steve Evans (c), Neil Holding, Gary Van Bellen, Paul O'Neill, Brian Case, Kevin Ward, Vince Fox, Terry Flanagan. Res – Keith Bentley, Mike O'Neill. Coach – Johnny Whiteley
New Zealand: Michael O'Donnell, Gary Kemble, Gary Prohm, Dane O'Hara, Kevin Fisher, Fred Ah Kuoi, Shane Varley, Mark Broadhurst, Howie Tamati, Bruce Gall, Graeme West, Ray Baxendale, Barry Edkins. Res – Dane O'Hara
Widnes  |
14 – 7 | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Keith Elwell, Mick George Goals: Mick Burke (4) |
[14] |
Tries: Dane O'Hara Goals: Gordon Smith (2) |
Sunday 9 November |
Widnes: Mick Burke, Stuart Wright, Mick George, Eddie Cunningham, Keith Bentley, Eric Hughes, Tony Myler, Brian Hogan, Keith Elwell, Glyn Shaw, Mike O'Neill, Eric Prescott, Mick Adams. Res – Wayne Rutene, Fred Whitfield. Coach – Doug Laughton
New Zealand: Michael O'Donnell, Kevin Fisher, John Whittaker, James Leuluai, Dane O'Hara, Fred Ah Kuoi, Gordon Smith, Mark Broadhurst, Alan Rushton, Kevin Tamati, Graeme West, Ray Baxendale, Tony Coll. Res – Shane Varley, Bruce Gall
Leigh  |
5 – 22 | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Keith Elwell, Mick George Goals: Mick Burke (4) |
[15] |
Tries: Dane O'Hara Goals: Gordon Smith (2) |
Tuesday 11 November |
Leigh: Peter Alstead, David Bullough, David Dunn, Steve Donlan, Philip Fox, Alan Fairhurst, Ken Green, Anthony Cooke, Les Wall, Terry Bowman, Ian Hobson, Alan Rathbone, Tom Gittins. Res – Alan Keaveney, Ray Tabern. Coach – Alex Murphy
New Zealand: Gary Kemble, Bernie Green, Bruce Dickison, Nolan Tupaea, Gary Prohm, Bill Kells, Shane Varley, Rick Muru, Howie Tamati, Danny Campbell, Paul Te Ariki, Bruce Gall, Barry Edkins. Res – Kevin Fisher, Alan Rushton
Third Test
| Great Britain |
10 – 2 | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Des Drummond (2) Goals: Mick Burke (2/3) |
[16] |
Tries: Goals: Gordon Smith (1/3) Barry Edkins (0/3) |
Saturday 15 November |
Great Britain
|
New Zealand
|
|
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First Test
France  |
6 – 5 | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Jean-Marc Bourret (2) Goals: |
[17] |
Tries: Gary Prohm Goals: Michael O'Donnell (1) |
Sunday 23 November |
    France
|
New Zealand
|
|
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Second Test
| France |
3 – 11 | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Jean-Marc Bourret Goals: |
[18] |
Tries: Dane O'Hara Gary Prohm Gordon Smith Goals: Gordon Smith (1) |
Sunday 7 December |
France
|
New Zealand
|
|
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Leading try scorer
- 6 by Dane O'Hara
Leading point scorer
- 33 by Gordon Smith (1 try, 15 goals)
Largest Test attendance
- 10,946 – Second test vs Great Britain at Odsal Stadium
Largest club game attendance
- 15,945 – Hull F.C. vs New Zealand at Boothferry Park
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