1989 British Lions tour to Australia

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.

1989 British Lions tour to Australia
Date	15 May  – 16 July
Coach(es)	Ian McGeechan
Tour captain(s)	Finlay Calder
Test series winners	British Lions (2–1)
Top test point scorer(s)	Gavin Hastings (28)
← New Zealand 1983 New Zealand 1993 →

1989 British Lions tour to Australia
Summary	P W D L
Total	12 11 00 01
Test match	03 02 00 01
Opponent	P W D L
Australia	3 2 0 1

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.

Results

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	North Sydney Oval	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][1]
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][2]
Australia	Won	19	18	15 Jul 1989	Sydney Football Stadium	Test match	[18]	[19][3]
NSW Country	Won	72	13	19 Jul 1989	Newcastle	Tour match	[20]
ANZAC XV	Won	19	15	23 Jul 1989	Ballymore, Brisbane	Tour match	[21][22]	[23]

Squad

Backs

Name	Home country	Club	Notes
Rob Andrew	England	Wasps
Gary Armstrong	Scotland	Jedforest
Craig Chalmers	Scotland	Melrose
Tony Clement	Wales	Swansea
Paul Dean	Ireland	St Mary's College
John Devereux	Wales	Bridgend
Peter Dods	Scotland	Gala
Ieuan Evans	Wales	Llanelli
Jeremy Guscott	England	Bath	replaced injured Will Carling[24]
Mike Hall	Wales	Bridgend
Gavin Hastings	Scotland	London Scottish
Scott Hastings	Scotland	Watsonians
Robert Jones	Wales	Swansea
Brendan Mullin	Ireland	London Irish
Chris Oti	England	Wasps
Will Carling	England	Harlequins	Selected but withdrew due to injury[24]
Rory Underwood	England	Leicester and RAF

Forwards

Name	Home country	Club	Notes
Paul Ackford	England	Harlequins
Finlay Calder (capt)	Scotland	Stewart's Melville FP
Gareth Chilcott	England	Bath
Wade Dooley	England	Preston Grasshoppers
Mike Griffiths	Wales	Bridgend
John Jeffrey	Scotland	Kelso
Donal Lenihan	Ireland	Cork Constitution
Brian Moore	England	Nottingham
Bob Norster	Wales	Cardiff
Dean Richards	England	Leicester
Andy Robinson	England	Bath
Steve Smith	Ireland	Ballymena
David Sole	Scotland	Edinburgh Academicals
Mike Teague	England	Gloucester
Derek White	Scotland	London Scottish
Dai Young	Wales	Cardiff

References

1. McMurtrie, Bill (3 July 1989). "Lack of quality in crucial areas proves costly". The Glasgow Herald. p. 20. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
2. McMurtrie, Bill (10 July 1989). "Lions manage to regain pride". The Glasgow Herald. p. 18. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
3. McMurtrie, Bill (17 July 1989). "Campese's error ensures that the Lions get their just reward. Australia 18 British Isles 19". The Glasgow Herald. p. 18. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
4. "Nine test players to take on Lions". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 6 June 1989. p. 24. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
5. "Sluggish Lions sneak home". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 15 June 1989. p. 18. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
6. "Qld no match for tourists in front-line duel". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 18 June 1989. p. 16. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
7. "Lions promise fast, open game". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 21 June 1989. p. 46. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
8. "Calm Chalmers saves battered Lions' pride". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 25 June 1989. p. 18. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
9. "Aussies will wilt under Lions' fire". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 28 June 1989. p. 47. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
10. "Hall in Lions line-up". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 29 June 1989. p. 20. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
11. "Dwyer admits to 'rough side'". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 30 June 1989. p. 18. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
12. "Australia 20 Lions 12". ESPN. 1 July 1989. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
13. Foster, Michael (29 June 1989). "Intense training as Lions approach". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. p. 20. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
14. Foster, Michael (4 July 1989). "Times Sport - ACT prode, record to test Lions". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. p. 26. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
15. Foster, Michael (5 July 1989). "Stupid errors cost ACT prized scalp". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. p. 44. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
16. "Lions claw their way to victory". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 9 July 1989. p. 16. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
17. "Lions re-find their roar". ESPN. 8 July 1989. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
18. "Times Sport - ARU condemns violence on Test eve". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 15 July 1989. p. 40. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
19. "Australia 18 Lions 19". ESPN. 15 July 1989. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
20. "Long takes charge for Lions". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 19 July 1989. p. 50. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
21. "Injury woes beset Anzac rugby team". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 18 July 1989. p. 26. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
22. "Lions' final match against Anzacs 'no anti-climax'". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 23 July 1989. p. 16. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
23. "Worries continue as Lions beat Anzacs". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 24 July 1989. p. 22. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
24. Rugby Football Union, "Official programme of 1990 Four Home Unions vs Rest of Europe programme, 1990, Rugby Football Union

External links

• 1989 British Lions tour to Australia at ESPN
• Article on the tour at Lionsrugby
• 1989 British Lions tour to Australia at Lions Tour History
• 1989 British Lions tour to Australia Squad where are they now