The Wallabies vs. The Lions: The Story Beyond the Numbers
The Lions antipodean tours explored through the Rugby Australia Archives.
The British & Irish Lions tours are a significant event in the rugby calendar, representing a unique historical force that challenges Southern Hemisphere giants like Australia.
Since their first official encounter in 1899, there have been 23 Test matches between Australia (the Wallabies) and the British & Irish Lions, with Australia winning 6 and the Lions winning 17. Across 9 series played, Australia has won 2, and the Lions have won 7.
NSW v England, Association Cricket Ground, Sydney (1888) by NSW Rugby UnionRugby Australia
1888 | Early Lions Dominance and Australian Emergence
The very first Lions tour predated the official Wallabies team, with the Lions competing against colonial teams and club sides across Australia and New Zealand. The Lions achieved a strong record in Australia, with 14 wins and two draws from 16 matches.
The tour was a private venture, not officially backed by the Rugby Football Union (RFU). The team even tried out Australian Rules Football during the trip. More than 25,000 fans crammed into the Melbourne Cricket Ground to see the Lions vs Carlton. The home side won by 14-3.
Team Photographs, Australia vs Great BritainRugby Australia
1899 | The first official Test series in Australia
This tour marked the first official Test series in Australasia and the first time a British Isles team officially toured Australia. Australia, playing its first-ever Test match as a national rugby team, achieved a significant 13-3 victory in the first test.
This match drew a record crowd of 30,000 spectators at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The Australian team notably wore the blue jersey of New South Wales in Sydney and the maroon jersey of Queensland in Brisbane, but with an Australian Coat of Arms on the chest for each match.
Official Souvenir Programme, New South Wales v England Official Souvenir Programme, New South Wales v England (1899) by John Sands, SydneyRugby Australia
Despite Australia's initial win, the British Lions ultimately won the series 3-1 after their captain, Matthew Mullineux, dropped himself from the team, a decision seen as a turning point. This period showed initial Australian promise but the Lions quickly asserted their dominance
Official Souvenir Programme, Metropolitan Team v England Official Souvenir Programme, Metropolitan Team v England (1899) by John Sands, SydneyRugby Australia
W.S. Corr refereed three matches during the 1899 British tour to Australia, New South Wales vs Great Britain, Australia vs Great Britain – 2nd Test and Australia vs Great Britain – 3rd Test.
Australian Team (1904)Rugby Australia
1904 | Demolitions
The Lions squad was significantly stronger, including prominent Welsh internationals. They dominated every game in Australia, winning the Test series 3-0 with "demolitions" of the Wallabies (17-0, 17-3, 16-0).
In the first Test, Australia was reduced to fourteen men for most of the game due to an injury, as replacements were not then allowed. This period solidified the Lions' position as the superior force.
Australia v England Program Australia v England Program (1904) by John Sands, SydneyRugby Australia
The Referee - Australia beats Britain in Great Rugby (1930) by The RefereeRugby Australia
1930 | Australia's Breakthrough
Organisers struggled to attract top British talent, and the Lions arrived in Australia fatigued after a grueling tour including New Zealand. This tour featured only one Test match against Australia, making it a winner-takes-all series.
The Sydney Mail (1930) by The Sydney MailRugby Australia
Australia achieved a narrow 6-5 victory, marking their first-ever Test series victory over the Lions. This match saw the Australian team notably wear green and gold jerseys for the first time.
The victory was secured by an "incredible last-ditch tackle" by fullback Alec Ross on Ivor Jones just a yard from the try line in the final moments. This was an iconic win that broke a long drought and showed what Aussie Grit could do.
New South Wales v Great Britain (1930)Rugby Australia
Australia v Great Britain - The 1950 Tour Australia v Great Britain - The 1950 Tour (1950)Rugby Australia
1950 | Renewed Lions Dominance
The Lions returned to Australia after a 20-year hiatus. The British Isles won both Tests, demonstrating dominance: 19-6 (August 19, Brisbane Cricket Ground) and 24-3 (August 26, Sydney Cricket Ground).
This tour is noted as the first time the British Isles team wore red jerseys and officially adopted the name 'The British Lions'.
Australia v British Lions (1959)Rugby Australia
1959 | British Lions tour to Australia, New Zealand & Canada
The British Isles continued their strong performance, winning both Test matches: 17-6 (June 6, Exhibition Ground, Brisbane) and 24-3 (June 13, Sydney Sports Ground).
Australia v British Isles - The 1959 Lions Tour (1959) by Melba Studios, SydneyRugby Australia
New South Wales v Lions (1959)Rugby Australia
Ken Catchpole 1959 Waratah Jersey
In 1959, after just eight first grade matches and at the age of 19, Catchpole made his debut for New South Wales when they beat the British Lions 18-14 and inflicted the only loss of their tour. He was also a reserve for Australia for both Tests.
J.G. Blackwood - 1959 Lions Tour Test Report
Australia v LionsRugby Australia
1966 | A tough era for Australia
The 1966 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia, New Zealand, and Canada was a significant event, with the Lions playing a total of thirty-five matches across the three nations, including eight matches in Australia.
The Lions won every single Test match against Australia from 1950-1966, securing six consecutive Test wins across the three series (2-0 each time). The 31-0 defeat in 1966 was Australia's largest ever losing margin against the Lions.
Australia v LionsRugby Australia
The first test took place on May 28, 1966, at the Sydney Cricket Ground, where Australia lost 8-11 to the British Isles in front of 42,303 spectators. Notable Australian players in this match included Tony Miller and Ken Catchpole.
Australia v LionsRugby Australia
This period represents a significant widening of the performance gap, highlighting a really tough era for Australia.
Team photograph, Australia v British Lions (1989) by Action PhotographicsRugby Australia
1989 | Emergence of the Modern Rivalry
This was the first Lions tour to exclude New Zealand in 90 years, featuring a shorter schedule. Australia delivered a strong statement, winning the first Test 30-12 at the Sydney Football Stadium, their first home Test victory against the Lions since 1930.
Australia vs British Lions at Ballymore, Brisbane (Second Test)Rugby Australia
This win signaled Australia's return as a genuine fierce competitor.
NSW v British Lions, North Sydney Oval, June 24, 1989Rugby Australia
Australia vs British Lions at the Sydney Football Stadium (First Test)Rugby Australia
The Battle of Ballymore
However, the series was marked by "ferocity" and violence in the second Test, with a full-on melee described as the most violent game of rugby that has ever been played. The Lions won that intense second Test 19-12.
The British Isles won the series 2-1. This series demonstrated a significant narrowing of the performance gap and the emergence of a truly competitive rivalry.
Team photograph, Australia v British & Irish Lions (2001)Rugby Australia
2001 | Australia's Turning Point
This tour marked a significant turning point as it was the first time the Lions lost a multi-game series to Australia.
George Gregan passes under pressure (2001) by Dave Rogers (ALLSPORT)Rugby Australia
Taking place from June to July, the tour featured a ten-match program, which included a highly anticipated three-Test series against the Australian Wallabies.
Tom Richards Cup
The Test series was also the first time the Tom Richards Cup was played for, which Australia won.
The series began with the Lions winning the first Test 29–13 at The Gabba in Brisbane on June 30.
Australian loss after the First Test against the British and Irish Lions, Gabba Stadium (Brisbane) (2001) by Nick Wilson (ALLSPORT)Rugby Australia
The Wallabies responded brilliantly in the second Test on July 7 at Colonial Stadium in Melbourne, defeating the Lions 35–14. This dominant performance resulted in Australia's biggest ever points tally at home against the Lions.
This set the stage for a decisive third Test on July 14 at Stadium Australia in Sydney, which Australia held their nerve to win 29–23, securing the series 2–1.
This historic victory, particularly coming back from a one-nil deficit, was immense for Australian rugby, signaling their arrival as genuine and fierce competitors against the Lions.
Wallabies Victory (2001) by Adam Pretty (ALLSPORT)Rugby Australia
In front of an enormous crowd of 84,188 people, this was the highest attendance ever recorded for an Australia-Lions Test.
A Gilbert Virtuo Matchball used in the 2013 Lions Tour of Austraila A Gilbert Virtuo Matchball used in the 2013 Lions Tour of Austraila (2013)Rugby Australia
2013 | A Record-Breaking Decider
The 2013 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia was a highly anticipated event, comprising a nine-match tour for the British & Irish Lions within Australia from June to July 2013, culminating in a three-test series against the Wallabies for the Tom Richards Cup.
The series was incredibly competitive, underlining the fierce modern rivalry between the two teams.
First Test | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane - 22nd June
In the first test the Lions narrowly defeated Australia 23–21. Australia's tries in this match came from Israel Folau (2), while the Lions scored tries through George North and Alex Cuthbert.
Second Test | Etihad Stadium, Melbourne - 29th June
The second test saw Australia bounce back with a narrow 16–15 victory over the Lions, with Adam Ashley-Cooper scoring Australia's sole try.
Final Test | ANZ Stadium, Sydney - 6th July
Lions delivered a dominant performance, defeating Australia 41-16. This 41-point score was the most points the Lions had ever scored against Australia in a test match.
Credits: Story created by Museum, Archives and Art Services for Rugby Australia.
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