2001 Kangaroo tour

Background

The 2001 Kangaroo tour was initially cancelled by the Australian Rugby League (ARL) but after strong public opinion in both Great Britain and Australia, it went ahead. However, the only games played were the three tests, marking the first Kangaroo Tour to not play against any British club or provincial teams. The 2001 tour was also the first since 1933–34 not to include a Test match against France along with The Ashes series.

Touring Squad

The team was coached by Chris Anderson who was making his third Kangaroo Tour, and first as coach, after playing in the 1978 and 1982 tours, the second in 1982 as a member of the famed "Invincibles". Team captain was Brad Fittler, the youngest ever Kangaroo tourist in 1990 at the age of 18, was making his third and last Kangaroo Tour after being part of the successful 1990 and 1994 touring teams. Fittler was also the only member of the squad that had previously taken part in a Kangaroo tour.

Ashes series

Test Venues

The three Ashes series tests took place at the following venues.

Results

|- bgcolor="#CCCCFF" | Date | Opponent | Score | Ground | Referee | Crowd | Report |- bgcolor="#FFFFFF" | November 11 | **** | 20 – 12 | Alfred McAlpine Stadium, Huddersfield | R. Connolly (GB) | 21,458

1st Test

bg = #eeeeee | team1 = | team2 = | score = 20 – 12 | report = | points1 = Tries Paul Sculthorpe (2) Jamie Peacock Goals Andy Farrell (3) Paul Sculthorpe (2) | points2 = Tries Adam MacDougall Andrew Johns Goals Andrew Johns (2) | date = 11 November 2001 | stadium = Kirklees Stadium, Huddersfield | attendance = 21,758 | referee = Robert Connolly GBR | manofmatch = Paul Sculthorpe |

Great Britain led 12 nil at half time but after the break Australia came back strongly. The home side were able to get the upset in the end.

2nd Test

bg = #eeeeee | team1 = | team2 = | score = 12 – 40 | report = | points1 = Tries Leon Pryce Paul Sculthorpe

Goals Andy Farrell (2) | points2 = Tries Andrew Johns (2) Braith Anasta Brad Fittler Ben Kennedy Darren Lockyer Adam MacDougall Goals Andrew Johns (6) | date = 17 November 2001 | stadium = Reebok Stadium, Bolton | attendance = 22,152 | referee = Bill Harrigan AUS | manofmatch = Andrew Johns |

After trailing 40 nil at half time, Great Britain's two tries in the final ten minutes were too little too late. The main contributors of Australia's victory were scrum half back Andrew Johns, who scored two tries and kicked all but one of the six conversions, and fullback Darren Lockyer.

3rd Test

For the first time since the 1986 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France, the Lions and Kangaroos had met in Wigan. bg = #eeeeee | team1 = | team2 = | score = 8 – 28 | report = | points1 = Tries Paul Johnson

Goals Andy Farrell (2) | points2 = Tries Trent Barrett (2) Matthew Gidley Darren Lockyer Brad Meyers Goals Andrew Johns (3) Brad Fittler | date = 24 November 2001 | stadium = JJB Stadium, Wigan | attendance = 25,011 | referee = Bill Harrigan AUS | manofmatch = Trent Barrett |

Great Britain scored the opening try of the match early in the first half, but by the break trailed 12-6 behind Australia. During the first half of the game, Australia's coach Chris Anderson suffered a heart attack and was taken to hospital.

Statistics

Leading Try Scorer

• 3 by Andrew Johns

Leading Point Scorer

• 34 by Andrew Johns (3 tries, 11 goals)

Largest Attendance

• 25,011 - Third test vs Great Britain at JJB Stadium

References

References

1. (16 October 2001). "Ashes tour back on". [[BBC News]].
2. [http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/ashes-series-2001/game-1/great-britain-vs-australia/summary.html 1st Test Report]
3. Gordos, Phil. (11 November 2001). "Great Britain stun Aussies". [[BBC Sport]].
4. (11 November 2001). "Clockwatch: GB 20-12 Australia". [[BBC News]].
5. [http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/ashes-series-2001/game-2/great-britain-vs-australia/summary.html 2nd Test Report]
6. (17 November 2001). "Johns warns against complacency". [[BBC News]].
7. (17 November 2001). "Clockwatch: GB 12-40 Australia". [[BBC News]].
8. Chowdhury, Saj. (17 November 2001). "Australia humiliate Lions". [[BBC Sport]].
9. [http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/ashes-series-2001/game-3/great-britain-vs-australia/summary.html 3rd Test Report]
10. Chowdhury, Saj. (24 November 2001). "Kangaroos seal Ashes triumph". [[BBC Sport]].
11. (24 November 2001). "Clockwatch: GB 8-28 Australia". [[BBC News]].
12. Chowdhury, Saj. (25 November 2001). "Aussie coach suffers heart attack". [[BBC Sport]].