Australia national rugby league team

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This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Australia women's national rugby league team.

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"Australian Kangaroos" redirects here. For the marsupial, see kangaroo.
Australia
Badge of Australia team
Nickname The Kangaroos
Governing body Australian Rugby League Commission
Region Asia-Pacific
Head coach Mal Meninga
Captain Cameron Smith
Most caps Darren Lockyer (59)
Top try-scorer Darren Lockyer (35)
Top point-scorer Johnathan Thurston (342)
RLIF ranking 2nd
Colours
First international
 New Zealand 11–10 Australia 
(Sydney, Australia; 9 May 1908)
Biggest win
 Russia 4–110 Australia 
(Hull, England; 4 November 2000)
Biggest defeat
 New Zealand 49–25 Australia 
(Brisbane, Australia; 28 July 1952)
 New Zealand 24–0 Australia 
(Leeds, England; 26 November 2005)
World Cup
Appearances 14 (first time in 1954)
Best result Winners, 1957; 1968; 1970; 1975; 1977; 1988; 1992; 1995; 2000; 2013

The Australian national rugby league team (or the Kangaroos) have represented Australia in senior men's rugby league football competition since the establishment of the 'Northern Union game' in Australia in 1908. Administered by the Australian Rugby League, the Kangaroos are ranked second in the RLIF World Rankings. The team are the most successful in Rugby League World Cup history, having contested all 14 and winning 10 of them, failing to reach the final only once, in the inaugural tournament in 1954. Only four nations have beaten Australia in test matches, and Australia have an overall win percentage of 67%.

Dating back to 1908, Australia are the fourth oldest national side after England, New Zealand and Wales. The team were first assembled in 1908 for a tour of Great Britain.[1] The majority of the Kangaroos' games since then have been played against Great Britain and New Zealand. In the first half of the 20th century, Australia's international competition came from alternating tours to Great Britain and New Zealand, with Australia playing host to these teams in non-tour years. On tours to Great Britain (and later France), Australia was known as the Kangaroos. Great Britain dominated in the early years, and Australia did not win a Test against the Lions until 11 November 1911 under captain Chris McKivat. Australia did not win a series at home against Great Britain until 1920 or abroad until 1958.

Since 7 July 1994 the team's official nickname has been the Kangaroos, though they had unofficially been referred to as such since 1908. Previously, the Australian team was only referred to as the Kangaroos when on tours of Great Britain or France. In 1997 Australia was also represented by a Super League Australia team, drawing on players from that year's Super League competition. While in the past players for the side had been selected from clubs in various leagues around the country, in recent years the side has consisted exclusively of players from clubs of the National Rugby League.

History

Official Rankings as of December 2015[2]
Rank Change Team Points
1 Steady  New Zealand 897.00
2  Australia 719.00
3  England 655.00
4  Samoa 280.00
5  France 209.00
6 Increase  Ireland 162.00
7 Decrease  Fiji 147.00
8 Increase  Wales 132.00
9 Decrease  Scotland 121.00
10 Steady  United States 102.00
11 Increase  Serbia 72.00
12 Steady  Italy 65.00
13  Canada 62.00
14 Decrease  Papua New Guinea 60.00
15 Increase  Russia 46.00
16 Decrease  Tonga 40.00
17 Increase  Belgium 40.00
18  Malta 32.00
19 Steady  Germany 28.00
20  Lebanon 27.00
21 Increase  Spain 26.00
22 Decrease  Cook Islands 23.00
23  Ukraine 22.00
24 Steady  Greece 21.00
25 Increase  Denmark 20.00
26 Decrease  Norway 19.00
27 Increase  Jamaica 16.00
28 Decrease  Netherlands 15.00
29 Decrease  Sweden 15.00
30 Steady  Czech Republic 14.00
31 Decrease  South Africa 13.00
32 Steady  Niue 4.00
33  Hungary 2.00
34  Latvia 2.00
35  Morocco 0.00

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See also: History of rugby league

Rugby football has been played in Australia since the 1860s. In 1863 Sydney University became the first rugby club to be formed in Sydney, and would play games amongst themselves or against the crews of visiting British ships. The Sydney Football Club (1865) and the Wallaroos (1870) followed, and inter-club competition commenced. By 1880, there were 100 clubs across the country, and rugby quickly became the dominant winter sport for Sydney.

In 1888 an English team visited Australasia, playing rugby rules in Queensland, New South Wales and New Zealand, and Australian rules football in Victoria and South Australia. In 1899, an Australian team was formed for the first time using players from Queensland and New South Wales. They played a series of Tests against a British team.

1900s

By 1907, Sydney club rugby games were attracting up to 20,000 people, with all profits going to the Southern Rugby Football Union, as the sport at the time was officially an amateur one. This caused discontent among players, and in 1908 the New South Wales Rugby Football League and Queensland Rugby League were formed.

An Australian national rugby league team was first formed during the first season of rugby league in Australia, the 1908 NSWRFL Premiership season. The team, which was made of players from the NSWRFL with a few Queensland rugby rebels added, first played against the "professional All Blacks" on the return leg of their tour of Australia and Great Britain.

Later that year the Australian team arranged to go on a tour of its own. The first Kangaroos arrived in England on 27 September 1908, and played their first ever test against the Northern Union in December in London. It finished 22 all in front of a crowd of 2,000. The second test in Newcastle in January 1909 attracted a crowd of 22,000, and the Northern Union won 15–5. The third test was played at Villa Park, Birmingham, the Northern Union winning again 6–5 before a crowd of 9,000. The Australians suggested that the series should be named 'The Ashes' after the cricket series of the same name.

In 1909, when the new "Northern Union" code was still in its infancy in Australia, a match between the Kangaroos and the Wallabies was played before a crowd of around 20,000, with the Rugby League side winning 29–26.[3]

1910s

The first British tour of the Southern Hemisphere began on 4 June 1910, when the Northern Union played New South Wales in front of 33,000 spectators in Sydney, losing 28–14. But they won the first test in Sydney against Australia 27–20 in front of 42,000. They then won the second test in Brisbane 22–17. In Auckland, on 30 July, they defeated New Zealand 52–20. The 1910 Great Britain Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand was the first ever, and Australia were beaten for the Ashes in two tests, faring slightly better as "Australasia" with two Kiwis added to their squad.

The 1914 Great Britain Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand was the second time the British toured down under. The Australians, captained by Sid Deane for all three tests,[4] got one victory but lost the series in the famous decider, the "Rorke's Drift Test".[5]

The 1911–12 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain was undertaken by an 'Australasian' squad which included four New Zealanders. They won the Ashes for the first time and for the next half a century no other touring team would do so on British soil. Australia also went on a tour of New Zealand in 1919.

1920s

The 1920 Great Britain Lions tour saw Australia win the Ashes for the first time on home soil. The 1921–22 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain also included a New Zealander and was ostensibly an Australasian side. In January 1922, an "England" side defeated Australia 6–0 at The Willows, Salford, to win back the Ashes that had been lost in 1920. They would not be lost again until 1950.

The Australian national team first wore green and gold in a hooped design, on Saturday 23 June 1928, when they met Great Britain in the first Test at the Brisbane Exhibition Ground. Britain led 10–2 after 25 minutes, 13–7 at half time and, after a nervous second half, eventually claimed the Test 15–12. The England team won both the 1928 series in Australia and New Zealand by two tests to one. They were presented with the Ashes Trophy by the Australians, which the two countries have competed for ever since.

The 1929–30 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain was the fourth Kangaroo tour, and took the Australian team all around England and also into Wales. The tour also featured the ninth Ashes series which comprised four Test matches and was won by Great Britain.

1930s

The first test of the 1932 Ashes series between Australia and Great Britain drew a world record international rugby league attendance of 70,204 to the Sydney Cricket Ground. This attendance would stand as the world record until the 1992 World Cup Final played at Wembley Stadium, and as of 2013 remains the record attendance for a rugby league test played in Australia. The Jim Sullivan led Lions triumphed over the Herb Steinohrt led Australians 8–6.

On the 1933–34 tour New South Wales winger Dave Brown played in 32 matches, including all 3 Tests, scoring 285 points, at the time the greatest number ever attained by an Australian player on tour.[6]

An exhibition match between Australia and Great Britain at Paris' Stade Pershing in December 1933 inspired the beginnings of rugby league in France.[7]

1940s

Albert Johnston was a national selector in 1946 and coach of the national side for the 1946 first post-WWII Anglo-Australian series. Australia's 1948-49 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France was their seventh tour to the UK. They played the Ashes series against a side officially called Great Britain.

1950s

During the 1951 French rugby league tour of Australia and New Zealand, Australia lost the three-Test series to the powerful French team.

The 1954 Rugby League World Cup was the first such tournament held in either rugby code. Australia failed to reach the final.

For the 1956–57 Kangaroo tour a record eleven Queenslanders were selected in the touring squad. Great Britain defeated Australia 19–0 at Station Road, Swinton, to take the Ashes series 2–1.

Australia hosted and won the 1957 World Cup.

For the 1959–60 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain, the home nation retained the Ashes by winning the Test series 2–1 by the following results.

  • First Test – Great Britain 14–22 Australia at Station Road, Swinton.
  • Second Test – Great Britain 11–10 Australia at Headingley, Leeds.
  • Third Test – Great Britain 18–12 Australia at Central Park, Wigan.

This was the last British Ashes win on home soil.

1960s

For the 1960 World Cup no final was held, but the last game, which was between the previously undefeated Great Britain and Australia sides, made it the tournament decider. Great Britain won 10–3.

Harry Bath was selected manager, coach and as the sole selector for the Australian national team's 1962 Ashes series.

After ten previous tours of Britain, the 1963 Kangaroo tour saw Australia's first ever Ashes victory on British soil. They have not lost a series in Britain since.[8]

Harry Bath coached the national side to World Cup glory in the 1968 World Cup. He also coached the team on a tour of New Zealand in 1969.

1970s

The last time that Great Britain won the Ashes was in 1970. They won the series 2–1 in Australia. Out of 24 games played Great Britain won 22, drew one and lost one – making them the most successful British tourists so far. Harry Bath again coached Australia to victory in the 1970 World Cup. Bath also coached the team on a tour of New Zealand in 1971. On that tour Geoff Starling became the youngest player to ever represent Australia. He was 18 years and 181 days old when playing a tour match against a New Zealand XIII at Huntly.[9]

Australia lost the 1972 World Cup to Great Britain in controversial circumstances. Australian half back Dennis Ward was denied what seemed a fair try by being ruled offside by the French referee after catching a kick put up by Graeme Langlands. Film of the try appears to show him at least 3 metres behind the kicker. The World Cup final was tied at 10–10 after full-time and was still locked after extra time. Great Britain were awarded the victory due to a higher points table placing after the pool rounds of the competition.

On the 1978 Kangaroo tour Great Britain beat Australia in the second test at Bradford, 18–14, before a crowd of 26,447. It took ten years, and fifteen consecutive test defeats before Britain were able to defeat the Kangaroos again, starting with Australia's 3–0 whitewash of the Lions during their 1979 Australasian tour. However, the Australians were surprisingly defeated by the French team in both tests played at the end of the 1978 tour. This was the last defeat of the Kangaroos in a series until 2005.

1980s

The 1980s was the decade in which Australia began to truly dominate world rugby league. Along with the emergence of State of Origin football came a new crop of superstar players who would lead Australia throughout the 1980s. Players such as Peter Sterling, Mal Meninga, Wayne Pearce, Brett Kenny, Eric Grothe and Wally Lewis came to prominence on the 1982 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France. Australia's performance was taken into a new dimension by the tourists, also known as 'the Invincibles', when they became the first team to win every game of the tour (fifteen games) including the first test by 40–4 at Hull in front of 26,771 spectators.

In 1985, Australia made a six-match tour of New Zealand, with Wally Lewis the first Queenslander since Arthur Beetson in 1974 to be named as captain. The Kangaroos won five of those matches, and the Test series 2–1. Australia won the first Test in Brisbane 26–20. On Sunday 30 June 1985, Australia met New Zealand in the second Test at Carlaw Park, Auckland. The Test was a 20,000 sell-out, with all tickets accounted for weeks before the match. The Kiwis dominated long periods of the game but ninety seconds from time the Kiwis lost possession close to half way. John Ribot scored a try and Australia won 10–6.

During the 1986 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France a then record northern hemisphere crowd of 50,383 attended the first test of the Ashes series at Old Trafford. The Australians won 38–16. On 16 December 1986 the Kangaroos set a new record for largest-ever winning margin in a Test match at 52 – 0 against France. In their two Tests against France, the Australians ran in 96 points[10] and conceded just a single penalty. After suffering such heavy losses, France decided to call off their proposed tour of Australia. This became the second consecutive tour of Europe in which Australia had won all their games. By the end of the tour, Terry Lamb had become the only player to appear in every match on a Kangaroo Tour. For this tour Bob Lindner gained selected for the Australian national team, the last player to do so from a non-NSWRL club.

Australia crashed to a defeat on Tuesday 21 July 1987, when the Kangaroo dominance of the international game suffered a setback. New Zealand were their opponents in a match which had been arranged to fill the gap created by the non-appearance of France. New Zealand won the game 13–6. The next four internationals between Australia and New Zealand were all staged in New Zealand, and all were won by the Kangaroos.

During the 1988 Great Britain Lions tour the Ashes were successfully retained by Australia by winning the first two Tests, however Great Britain won the third, ending a winning streak between the two teams that stretched back to 1978. Later that month, Australia's 62-point win over Papua New Guinea set a new record for largest winning margin in international rugby league. Their winger Michael O'Connor also set a new record for most points scored by an individual in international rugby league.[11] The 1985–1988 Rugby League World Cup culminated in the final against New Zealand at Auckland's Eden Park, which Australia won.

In 1989 the Kangaroos toured New Zealand, taking a record-breaking twelve Queenslanders in the squad.[12]

1990s

Great Britain defeated Australia 19–12 in the first test at Wembley in 1990 in front of a new record home crowd of 54,567. However, the next two tests were narrowly lost, 14–10 and 14–0.

During the 1992 Great Britain Lions tour of Australasia the British lost the first test 22–6 in Sydney, won the 2nd Ashes test 33–10 in Melbourne, but lost the 3rd test 16–10 in Brisbane. The 1992 World Cup final at Wembley set a record attendance for a rugby league international that still stands today: a crowd of 73,631 saw Australia defeat Great Britain 10–6.

The 1994 Kangaroo Tour was the last time the Australian national team played matches against British provincial teams, in addition to the Tests. Australia continued its dominance, winning both Test series against Great Britain and France, suffering only one loss (against Great Britain in the First Test), and remained undefeated against British club outfits in a streak stretching back to 1978. Australia adopted the name 'Kangaroos' for 4 July 1994 test against France, since then the team has been known by this name.

The Australian team that contested and won the 1995 Rugby League World Cup consisted only of players from clubs that remained loyal to the Australian Rugby League during the Super League war. This meant several players from Super League-aligned clubs that were already well-established internationals were not selected for the World Cup squad. In 1997 also, due to the Super League war, Australian rugby league was split down the middle by two competitions: the ARL's Optus Cup and Super League's Telstra Cup. As a result, that season there were also two Australian sides:[13]

Great Britain played a home three-Test series against the Australian Super League Test team in 1997 and lost 2–1. The three matches played have been given test status by the UK's Rugby Football League.[14] The Australian Rugby League has decided not to recognise the matches of its rival as tests since the Super League war ended and does not consider the series to be a genuine Ashes contest.[15] Super League's ANZAC Test concept, which is an early season one-off test match against New Zealand was retained and has been played annual ever since.

The 1998 Kangaroo Tour was cancelled because of the Super League war. With the Super League war finally over in 1998, Great Britain travelled to the Southern Hemisphere for the first Rugby League Tri-Nations tournament with Australia and New Zealand in 1999.

Chris Anderson took over from Wayne Bennett as coach of the team in March 1999.[16]

2000s

The new millennium started with the 2000 World Cup which Australia won.

In 2001 the Australians arrived in Britain for the first Ashes series since 1994. Great Britain surprised everyone by winning the first test, but lost the next two.

In July 2002, Australia handed Great Britain their worst ever test defeat by defeating them 64–10 in a Sydney test match.

In 2003 the New Zealand Rugby League counted its 100th international match against Australia, because they take World Cup matches and Super League tests into account.[17]

In November 2003, Great Britain lost an Ashes series 0–3 on home soil. The margin was extremely small in each game, 22–18 in game 1, 23–20 in game 2 and 18–12 in game 3 and it was known as Brett Kimmorley's greatest series as he orchestrated Australia's last minute victories. However, the dominance of the Australian team over the last generation has begun to slip since 2003.

In 2003 and 2005 New Zealand won the Bill Kelly Memorial Trophy from Australia. Australia won the first two Rugby League Tri-Nations competitions in 1999 and 2004, before being defeated by New Zealand in the final of the 2005 competition on 26 November 2005.[18] Prior to that defeat Australia had not lost a Test series since December 1978, when they were defeated by France in both Test matches. On 4 November 2006, Australia lost to Great Britain 23–12 [1]. It was a huge upset, and the first time since 1988 that the Kangaroos had been beaten by Great Britain in Sydney. The match was Australia's 3rd match of the 2006 Tri-Nations series, having already secured a place in the final with two wins against New Zealand earlier in the tournament 30–18 and 20–15. The Australian side reclaimed the title of Tri-Nations champions on 25 November with a victory over the New Zealand side in the final by 16–12 with a try in the second period of extra time by captain Darren Lockyer.[19]

In 2007 Australia played two test matches, both against New Zealand and both emphatic victories. The first 30–6 and the second 58–0.[20]

The Australian Kangaroos line up to face the New Zealand haka, Rugby League World Cup, 2008

Australia hosted the 2008 Rugby League World Cup and did not have to qualify. They did not lose a match until the final, which they lost to New Zealand, who became world champions for the first time. Following this loss, Ricky Stuart was replaced as coach by Tim Sheens, then the most experienced NRL coach.

Sheens' first match against the Kiwis in 2009 saw a record-equalling ten Queensland representatives, including an all maroon backline and front row,[21] reflecting the state's dominance in the annual State of Origin series. Queenslanders also scored all of the points in the 38–10 victory.

The Kangaroos competed against New Zealand, England and France in the 2009 Four Nations tournament in Britain, defeating England in the final.

2010s

Australia lost the 2010 Four Nations final to New Zealand.

The Kangaroos won the 2011 Four Nations final against England.

The 2013 Rugby League World Cup was held in Britain and was won by Australia after defeating New Zealand in front of the largest rugby league international attendance in history.

In 2015 coach Tim Sheens resigned after rumours he'd be sacked anyway after poor performances in the 2014 Four Nations and suffering 3 consecutive defeats to New Zealand for the first time since 1953.[22] In December 2015 Queensland Maroons coach Mal Meninga announced he'd leave his role as the coach of the Queensland representative side to coach the Australian national team.

Record

Below is table of the official representative rugby league matches played by Australia at test level up until 3 May 2015:

Opponent Played Won Lost Drawn Win % For Aga Diff
 England 13 10 2 1 76.92% 345 166 +179
 Fiji 6 6 - - 100.00% 366 24 +342
 France 59 43 14 2 72.88% 1,414 537 +877
 Great Britain 137 72 60 5 52.55% 2,287 1,707 +580
 Ireland 1 1 - - 100.00% 50 0 +50
 New Zealand 132 95 34 3 71.97% 2,985 1,768 +1,217
 Papua New Guinea 11 11 - - 100.00% 580 68 +512
 Rest of World 1 1 - - 100.00% 28 8 +20
 Russia 1 1 - - 100.00% 110 4 +106
 Samoa 2 2 - - 100.00% 110 28 +84
 South Africa 3 3 - - 100.00% 174 33 +141
 United States 1 1 - - 100.00% 62 0 +62
 Wales 4 4 - - 100.00% 150 55 +95
Total 369 250 108 11 67.48% 8,631 4,350 +4,281

Tournament history

A red box around the year indicates tournaments played within Australia

World Cup

World Cup record
Year Round Position GP W L D
France 1954 Third Place 3/4 3 1 2 0
Australia 1957 Champions 1/4 3 3 0 0
United Kingdom 1960 Second Place 2/4 3 2 1 0
Australia/New Zealand 1968 Champions 1/4 4 4 0 0
United Kingdom 1970 Champions 1/4 4 2 2 0
France 1972 Second Place 2/4 4 2 2 0
World Series 1975 Champions 1/5 9 7 1 1
Australia/New Zealand 1977 Champions 1/4 4 4 0 0
Australia/France/New Zealand/Papua New Guinea/United Kingdom
1985–88		 Champions 1/5 8 6 2 0
Australia/France/New Zealand/Papua New Guinea/United Kingdom
1989–92		 Champions 1/5 9 9 0 0
United Kingdom 1995 Champions 1/10 5 4 1 0
France/United Kingdom 2000 Champions 1/16 6 6 0 0
Australia 2008 Second Place 2/10 5 4 1 0
England/Wales 2013 Champions 1/14 6 6 0 0
Australia/New Zealand 2017 Hosts
Total 10 Titles 14/14 73 60 12 1

Tri-Nations/Four Nations

Tri-Nations/Four Nations record
Year Round Position GP W L D
Australia/New Zealand 1999 Champions 1/3 1 1 1 0
United Kingdom 2004 Champions 1/3 5 3 1 1
United Kingdom 2005 Second Place 2/3 5 4 1 0
Australia/New Zealand 2006 Champions 1/3 5 4 1 0
Tournament Changed to Four Nations
England/France 2009 Champions 1/4 4 3 0 1
Australia/New Zealand 2010 Second Place 2/4 4 3 1 0
England/Wales 2011 Champions 1/4 4 4 0 0
Australia/New Zealand 2014 Second Place 2/4 4 2 2 0
England/Scotland 2016
Total 5 Titles 8/8 35 26 7 2

Culture

Jersey

Primary

For their first twenty odd years of international competition, the Kangaroos' jersey was in a state of flux. When playing in Australia the team would wear sky-blue or maroon, depending on whether they were playing in New South Wales or Queensland. On tours, Australia would wear either the sky blue of New South Wales (as the New South Wales Rugby League organised the tours) or a maroon and sky blue hooped design.

In 1924 the decision was taken to change the national jersey's colours to green and gold. A green jersey with gold bands was used for Australia's next Test series in 1928, making the 1928 Kangaroos the first Australian representative rugby league team to adopt these colours. This design was revived for 25 July 2003 Test against New Zealand. In 1929 the current design, which is green with two gold chevrons, was adopted and first used.

The original blue and maroon broken striped design was revived in 1963 when Australia hosted a touring South African rugby league team who wore green and gold,[23] and again in the Centenary Test at the SCG on 9 May 2008. It was again used in the 2014 Four Nations against England on 2 November 2014 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the "Rorke's Drift Test".

Since 2013, Australia's kits have been supplied by Canterbury of New Zealand. They replaced Classic who lasted between late 1999 to 2012.

Indigenous contribution to the Kangaroos

The indigenous contribution to the Kangaroos is unmatched in Australian national sporting teams.

By way of example, Lionel Morgan was the first indigenous player in any Australian national sporting team in 1960, while Arthur Beetson was the first indigenous captain of any Australian national sporting team in 1973.

Remarkably given the 2% indigenous rate of population in Australia, the Kangaroos fielded a run-on team against New Zealand in the 2015 Anzac Test with 7 of the 13 players having indigenous heritage (a staggering 54%). This contrasts markedly to nearly every other Australian national sporting team as at 2015.

War cry

From 1908 to 1967, the Australian team performed a war cry before Tests played in Great Britain and France. The war cry was first performed when the Kangaroos arrived at Tilbury Docks near London. It was developed after war cries had been performed on tours of Britain by the New Zealand All Blacks in 1905, the South African Springboks in 1906 and the New Zealand All Golds in 1907. It is believed that the war cry is derived from an indigenous chant on Stradbroke Island, Queensland, Australia.[citation needed]

Lyrics English translation
Wallee Mullalra Choomooroo Tingal
Nah! Nah! Nah! Nah!
Cannai, Barrang, Warrang, Warrang
Yallah, Yallah, Yallah, Yallah,
Ah! Jaleeba, Booga, Boorooloong
Yarnah meei, meei, meei
Meeyarra, Meeyarra, Jeeleeba, Cahwoon,
Cooeewah, Cooeewah, Wahh, Wooh.
We are a race of fighters, descended from the War Gods-
Beware! Beware! Beware! Beware!
Where we fight there will be great bloodshed-
Go! Go! Go! Go!
We are powerful, but merciful. Are you friends?
Good! Good!
The Kangaroo is dangerous when at bay.
Come on. Come on, Death.

The war cry was performed for the first time in over 40 years before the Rugby League World Cup exhibition game between the Indigenous Dreamtime Team vs. the New Zealand Maōris in 2008. The war cry had not been performed by the Kangaroos since December 1967 in France.

Annual reunion

Each year a Kangaroos reunion function is held at the SCG Members Pavilion on the Saturday before the Grand Final.[24] Former players from all eras[25] travel from around the country to attend the renowned event.[26]

Supporters

The main supporter group of the Australian national team is The Roo Crew.[27][28]

Current squad

The Australia national team squad selected for the 2015 ANZAC Test match[29] (caps and points apply for after the test-match finished):

  • Daly Cherry-Evans, Michael Jennings and Josh Papalii were named as 18th, 19th and 20th man respectively. These three players are selected as replacement players to fill in for any injury or suspension before the test-match begins.
  • Billy Slater was originally selected by Tim Sheens on the 27th of April however, on the following day, Billy declared himself unavailable to play due to a shoulder injury. The 19th man, Michael Jennings, was his replacement.[30]
Other Nat. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Pts Club
Australia Fullback Greg Inglis (1987-01-15) 15 January 1987 (age 37) 34 108 South Sydney colours.svg South Sydney Rabbitohs
Australia Wing Josh Dugan (1990-05-10) 10 May 1990 (age 34) 1 0 St. George colours.svg St. George Illawarra Dragons
Australia Wing Alex Johnston (1995-01-14) 14 January 1995 (age 29) 1 0 South Sydney colours.svg South Sydney Rabbitohs
Australia Centre Will Chambers (1988-05-26) 26 May 1988 (age 36) 1 4 Melbourne colours.svg Melbourne Storm
Tonga Centre Michael Jennings (1988-04-20) 20 April 1988 (age 36) 6 24 Eastern Suburbs colours.svg Sydney Roosters
Australia Five-eighth Johnathan Thurston (1983-04-25) 25 April 1983 (age 41) 33 342 File:North Queensland colours.svg North Queensland Cowboys
Australia Halfback Cooper Cronk (1983-12-05) 5 December 1983 (age 41) 27 56 Melbourne colours.svg Melbourne Storm
Australia Prop Matt Scott (1985-07-30) 30 July 1985 (age 39) 17 4 File:North Queensland colours.svg North Queensland Cowboys
Australia Prop Aaron Woods (1991-03-13) 13 March 1991 (age 33) 5 0 Wests Tigers colours.svg Wests Tigers
Australia Prop Nate Myles (1985-06-24) 24 June 1985 (age 39) 9 0 Gold Coast Titans colours.svg Gold Coast Titans
New Zealand Prop James Tamou (1988-12-13) 13 December 1988 (age 36) 11 8 File:North Queensland colours.svg North Queensland Cowboys
Australia Hooker Cameron Smith (Captain) (1983-06-18) 18 June 1983 (age 41) 43 118 Melbourne colours.svg Melbourne Storm
Australia Second-row Greg Bird (1984-10-02) 2 October 1984 (age 40) 17 16 Gold Coast Titans colours.svg Gold Coast Titans
Australia Second-row Sam Thaiday (1985-06-12) 12 June 1985 (age 39) 28 8 Brisbane colours.svg Brisbane Broncos
Australia Second-row Luke Lewis (1983-08-11) 11 August 1983 (age 41) 16 24 Cronulla colours.svg Cronulla Sharks
Australia Lock Corey Parker (1982-05-05) 5 May 1982 (age 42) 12 8 Brisbane colours.svg Brisbane Broncos
Australia Lock Trent Merrin (1989-10-07) 7 October 1989 (age 35) 1 0 St. George colours.svg St. George Illawarra Dragons

Players

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Team of the Century (1908–2008)

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Main article: Australian rugby league team of the century

As Australian rugby league celebrated its first centenary in 2008, an Australian team of the century was named which comprises one player for each of the thirteen positions plus four interchange players:[31] Winger Brian Bevan is the only player in the team who never represented Australia in a test match, while coach Jack Gibson never coached the Australian test team.

Captains

Coaches

The current coach of the Australian team is former team captain and four time Kangaroo Tourist Mal Meninga, who was appointed coach in late 2015 after the resignation of Tim Sheens who coached the team from 2009–2015.

Bob Fulton has coached the most matches with 40 starting in 1989 and finishing in 1998. Jack Gibson, despite never having coached at international level, was named coach of the Australian rugby league team of the century (1908–2008).

Records

Team

Largest winning margins (>50)

  1. 106 points vs Russia (110–4) at The Boulevard, Hull on 4 November 2000
  2. 82 points vs Papua New Guinea (82–0) at Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville on 7 October 2000
  3. 80 points South Africa (86–6) at Gateshead International Stadium, Gateshead on 10 October 1995
  4. 74 points France (74–0) at Stade de la Méditerranée, Béziers on 4 December 1994
  5. 66 points Fiji (66–0) at McAlpine Stadium, Huddersfield on 14 October 1995
  6. 64 points Fiji (64–0) at Wembley Stadium, London on 23 November 2013
  7. 62 points United States (62–0) at The Racecourse Ground, Wrexham on 16 November 2013
  8. 62 points vs Papua New Guinea (70–8) at Eric Weissel Oval, Wagga Wagga on 20 July 1988
  9. 60 points vs National Rugby League of Fiji (84–14) at Marathon Stadium, Newcastle on 12 July 1996
  10. 58 points vs France (58–0) at Parramatta Stadium, Parramatta on 6 July 1994
  11. 58 points vs Fiji (66–8) at Gateshead International Stadium, Gateshead on 1 November 2000
  12. 58 points vs New Zealand (58–0) at Westpac Stadium, Wellington on 13 October 2007
  13. 56 points vs France (60–4) at Parc des Sports, Avignon on 2 December 1990
  14. 56 points vs Papua New Guinea (58–2) at Danny Leahy Oval, Goroka on 6 October 1991
  15. 56 points vs Samoa (66–10) at Vicarage Road, Watford on 11 November 2000
  16. 54 points vs Great Britain (64–10) at Aussie Stadium, Sydney on 12 July 2002
  17. 52 points vs France (52–0) at Stade d'Albert Domec, Carcassonne on 13 December 1986
  18. 52 points vs New Zealand (52–0) at Stadium Australia, Sydney on 21 April 2000
  19. 52 points vs Fiji (52–0) at the Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney on 16 November 2008
  20. 50 points vs Ireland (50–0) at the Thomond Park, Limerick on 9 November 2013

Individual

Most games

Most tries

Most goals

Most points

Most games as Captain

Most tries in a match

Most points in a match

Youngest players

  1. Sione Mata'utia (18 years and 129 days) vs England on Sunday, 2 November 2014
  2. Israel Folau (18 years and 194 days) vs New Zealand on Sunday, 14 October 2007
  3. Charles 'Chook' Fraser 18 years and 301 days vs England on 8 November 1911
  4. Kerry Boustead (18 years and 316 days) vs New Zealand on 24 June 1978
  5. Dugald McGregor (19 years and 5 days) vs New Zealand on 26 June 1909
  6. Keith Middleton (19 years and 138 days) vs Great Britain on 12 June 1950

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  • Other matches
  1. Geoff Starling: 18 years and 181 days against a New Zealand XIII at Huntly in 1971
  2. Brad Fittler: 18 years and 247 days against Wakefield Trinity on 10 October 1990

Broadcasters

Between 1990 to 1993, their test matches were televised in Australia by Seven Network.

See also

Sources

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ RLIF Rankings.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ http://www.nrl.com/join-the-roo-crew-at-four-nations/tabid/10874/newsid/60604/default.aspx
  28. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/TheRooCrew
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  • Fagan, Sean (2005) The Rugby Rebellion, RL1908, Sydney
  • Whiticker, Alan (2004) Captaining the Kangaroos, New Holland, Sydney

External links

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