1974 Great Britain Lions tour

In March 1974, a 26-man squad was selected for the tour, with Chris Hesketh appointed as captain.^[1]

After the squad was selected, Keith Fielding withdrew from the tour as his wife was expecting a baby in June. He was replaced by John Butler.^[2] Mike Nicholas was also forced to withdraw due to injuries sustained in the 1974 Challenge Cup final, and was replaced by Jimmy Thompson.^[3]

Bill Ramsey and Maurice Richards were called up to replace injured players during the tour.^[4]

During an injury crisis while in New Zealand, tour coach Jim Challinor was forced to come out of retirement just 6 days after turning 40. Although he scored a try in the game against South Island in Greymouth, he suffered an injury during the game that would ultimately result in the loss of a kidney.

Forward John Gray would cause a sensation in Australia and New Zealand with his goal kicking. To that point in rugby league's history, goal kicking was generally the, now known to be less accurate, front-on toe poking style of kick. Gray was the first around the corner kicker seen in Australia. He explained that it was easy to do as it was no different to kicking a soccer ball. Despite being more accurate, the style which is the standard in 2024 took its time to take hold in Australia and although there were around the corner kickers like Ross Conlon and dual rugby international Michael O'Connor in the 1980s, the style didn't really take off until the 1990s thanks to the accuracy of New Zealand kickers such as Matthew Ridge and Daryl Halligan. Gray would go on to play for both North Sydney and Manly-Warringah in the Sydney Premiership during the mid-late 1970s.

* (as sub) and Tests not included in Appearances

Darwin Firsts: Evan Hooper, Bruce Spencer, Glen Birch, Warwick Carroll, Des Williams, John Grunnett, Lionel Tewes, Jim Lund, Rod Connelly, Dennis Denmeade, Huri Tukukino, Kerry Gardiner, Dennis Postens. Reserves – Eddie Fry, Dennis McDowell, Noel Theodore, Kevin Jurek. Coach – Ron Nobbs

Great Britain: Paul Charlton, David Redfearn, David Watkins, Chris Hesketh (c), John Atkinson, Ken Gill, Steve Nash, Terry Clawson, Keith Bridges, Jim Mills, Paul Rose, Colin Dixon, George Nicholls. Reserves – Roger Millward, Alan Bates, John Butler, John Gray

North Queensland: Frank Daisy, Doug Muir, McMillan, Wayne Bullock, Somerville, G. Bevan, Cowell, D. Whiting, Ron Workman (c), Laurie Irvin, Shields, Peter Luppi, Wilson. Reserves – Wooley. Coach –

Great Britain: David Eckersley, John Atkinson, Les Dyl, David Willicombe, John Bevan, John Butler, Alan Bates, Terry Clawson, Kevin Ashcroft, John Gray, Eric Chisnall, Colin Dixon, Steve Norton. Reserves – Chris Hesketh (c), David Watkins, Jimmy Thompson, John Bates

Central Queensland: John Pollock, Les Williams, John Paap, Ron Milne, Morgan, Alan Hardisty (c), Clayton Dunman, Col McCullum, Rob Harris, Tony Arnold, Mike Pannowitz, Rob Kerr, Tony Perkins,. Reserves – Anthony Hall. Coach –

Great Britain: David Eckersley, Les Dyl, David Willicombe, Chris Hesketh (c), John Bevan, Ken Gill, Steve Nash, Terry Clawson, Keith Bridges, Eric Chisnall, Jimmy Thompson, Paul Rose, George Nicholls. Reserves – Jim Mills

Wide Bay: Bangle, Greg Heading, Irvine, Philip Braithwaite, Liam Duggan, Ward, Stephenson, Gary Pearson, Kevin Poulter, Noel Cavanagh (c), Tom Duggan, Doug Plastow, Kim McKenna. Reserves – Des Smith, Frank Paulger, Kevin Harkin, Deepler. Coach –

Great Britain: Paul Charlton, David Redfearn, David Watkins (c), David Willicombe, John Bevan, Roger Millward, Alan Bates, Jim Mills, Kevin Ashcroft, John Gray, Jimmy Thompson, Colin Dixon, Steve Norton. Reserves – John Butler, Eric Chisnall

Ipswich Firsts: Brian Sheraton, Mike Green, John White (c), Richard Wilkie, Alan Coles, Brian Scott, Ross O'May, Peter Simpson, Peter Hyland, Daryl Harrower, Ian Hoffman, John Smith, Tom Browne. Reserves – Len Chemello, Raven. Coach –

Great Britain: David Eckersley, Les Dyl, Chris Hesketh (c), John Butler, John Atkinson, Ken Gill, Alan Bates, John Gray, Keith Bridges, Paul Rose, John Bates, Eric Chisnall, George Nicholls. Reserves – David Willicombe, Steve Norton

Queensland: Ian Pearce, Warren Orr, Peter Leis, Gerard Fitzpatrick, Harry Pickering, Geoff Richardson, Ross Strudwick, John Crilly, John Lang, Greg Veivers (c), David Wright, Ray Higgs, Rod Halley. Reserves – Lew Platz. Coach – Barry Muir

Great Britain: Paul Charlton, John Atkinson, David Watkins, Chris Hesketh (c), John Bevan, Roger Millward, Steve Nash, Jim Mills, Keith Bridges, Terry Clawson, Colin Dixon, Jimmy Thompson, George Nicholls. Reserves – Paul Rose

Toowoomba: Pat McCarthy (c), Russell Bliss, Terry Arnold, Alan Smith, Greg Scholl, Tyran Andrews, Wayne Lindenberg, Tony Brunner, Dan Delaney, Bob Coster, Steve McCosker, Greg Platz, Graham McCulloch. Reserves – Ron Lindenberg, Rohan Hancock. Coach –

Great Britain: David Eckersley, John Atkinson, Les Dyl, David Willicombe, John Bevan, Ken Gill, Alan Bates, John Gray, Kevin Ashcroft, Eric Chisnall, John Bates, Paul Rose, John Butler. Reserves –

Brisbane Firsts: Wayne Bennett, Warren Orr, Gerard Fitzpatrick, Eric Lilley, Ian Dauth, Geoff Richardson, Tony White, Greg Veivers (c), John Lang, Russell Hughes, David Wright, Ian Thinee, Jeff Fyfe. Reserves – Hugh O'Doherty, Graeme Atherton. Coach – Henry Holloway

Great Britain: Paul Charlton, John Atkinson, Chris Hesketh (c), David Watkins, Les Dyl, Ken Gill, Steve Nash, John Gray, Kevin Ashcroft, Colin Dixon, George Nicholls, Eric Chisnall, Paul Rose. Reserves – David Eckersley, Steve Norton

North Coast: Michael Ross, Mark Hogan, Mick Ryan, Dick Ensby, Des Anderson, Bob McDermott, John Kelly, Ken Johnston, Errol Ruprecht, Ray Webb, Danny Morton, Steve Hage, Barry Bryant (c). Reserves – Barry Morrison, Warren Thompson. Coach – Ron Boden

Great Britain: David Eckersley, John Atkinson, David Willicombe, Les Dyl, John Bevan, John Butler, Alan Bates, Terry Clawson, Kevin Ashcroft, Jim Mills, Jimmy Thompson, Paul Rose, George Nicholls. Reserves – John Bates

Northern Division: Phil Harris, Bill Russell, Ashley Barnett, Gary Sampson, Gary Lingwood, Ron Starr, Ray Stewart, John Donnelly, Ray Lanesbury, Paul Hassab (c), J. Scott, Ken Orr, Geoff Sheedy. Reserves – Wayne Hetherington, John Lennan. Coach – Don Adams

Great Britain: Paul Charlton, David Willicombe, David Eckersley, Chris Hesketh (c), David Redfearn, Roger Millward, Steve Nash, Terry Clawson, Kevin Ashcroft, Jim Mills, Eric Chisnall, George Nicholls, Steve Norton. Reserves – Ken Gill, John Bates

Western Division: Paul Sams, D. Kent, Peter Walkom, Ron McDonald, Norm Armstrong, Paul Dowling, Robbie Pilon, David Ritchie, Billy Rose, Greg Fearnley, Terry Ellery, Nelson Smith, D. Ross. Reserves – I. Toohey, Peter Frew. Coach – Johnny King

Great Britain: Paul Charlton, David Redfearn, Chris Hesketh (c), Les Dyl, John Atkinson, Ken Gill, Alan Bates, Jimmy Thompson, Keith Bridges, Jim Mills, John Gray, Eric Chisnall, Steve Norton. Reserves – David Willicombe, John Butler

New South Wales: Russell Fairfax, David Waite, Michael Cronin, Ray Branighan, Lionel Williamson, Jeff Shield, Tom Raudonikis, Bob McCarthy, George Piggins, Ron Turner, Rod Reddy, Gary Stephens, Ron Coote (c). Reserves – Terry Randall, Keith Harris. Coach – Graeme Langlands

Great Britain: Paul Charlton, David Willicombe, David Eckersley, Chris Hesketh (c), David Redfearn, Ken Gill, Steve Nash, Terry Clawson, Kevin Ashcroft, Jim Mills, Eric Chisnall, Steve Norton, George Nicholls. Reserves – Jimmy Thompson, Keith Bridges,

Illawarra Firsts: Dave Cotter, Allan McMahon, Phil Doherty, Greg Mullane, John Penno, Les Mara, Warwick Shirlaw, Cliff Watson (c), John Floyd, Charlie Bennett, John Jansen, Roger Irving, Allan Fitzgibbon. Reserves – Tony Branson, Klaus Reh. Coach – Norm Provan

Great Britain: Paul Charlton, John Butler, David Eckersley, Ken Gill, David Redfearn, Roger Millward, (c), Alan Bates, John Gray, Jimmy Thompson, Jim Mills, Paul Rose, Eric Chisnall, Colin Dixon. Reserves – John Bevan, Steve Nash

Monaro: Jon Stone, Paul Ryan, Richard Moncrieff, Pat Fairhall, Tim Edwards, John Ballesty, Geoff Noble, Jim Morgan (c), Jamie Jones, Gary Kerr, John Bruce, Brian Bourke, Don McKay. Reserves – Bill Monie, Bob Belford. Coach –

Great Britain: Paul Charlton, Maurice Richards, John Butler, David Eckersley, Roger Millward, Ken Gill, Alan Bates, Jimmy Thompson, Eric Chisnall, Bill Ramsay, Colin Dixon, Steve Norton, George Nicholls. Reserves – Steve Nash, Chris Hesketh (c)

Riverina: John Shea, Graham Saddler, Greg Hamilton, Jim Bonus, Dick Timbs, Bob Priest (c), Bob Adamson, Dave Howell, Mike Johnston, Harry Sanson, John Wright, Neville Wornes, Rob Schultz. Reserves – Norm Geaghan, Neil Scobie. Coach – Graham Kennedy

Great Britain: David Eckersley, David Redfearn, Les Dyl, David Willicombe, Maurice Richards, John Butler, Alan Bates, Eric Chisnall, Bill Ramsay, Jim Mills, Paul Rose, Jimmy Thompson, Steve Norton. Reserves – Chris Hesketh (c), Paul Charlton

Newcastle Firsts: Keith Hemsworth, Warren Scotman, Mark Scobie, Kevin Myers, Rod Sneesby, Robbie Wise, Dennis Ward, George Skeers, Norm Henderson, David White, Allan Thomson (c), Jeff Roach, Peter Howlett. Reserves – Greg Owens, Roger Mullard. Coach – Johnny Raper

Great Britain: David Eckersley, Maurice Richards, David Willicombe, John Bevan, Les Dyl, John Butler, Alan Bates, Jimmy Thompson, Bill Ramsay, Jim Mills, Colin Dixon, Paul Rose, George Nicholls. Reserves – Chris Hesketh (c), Kevin Ashcroft

Southern NSW: Stan Ralph, Steve Maxwell, Michael Farquhar, Michael Cronin (c), Ron Henry, Colin Bagnall, Chris Anderson, Jim Hall, David McKenzie, Phil Flack, Daryl Palmer, Jim Cronin, Trevor Andrews. Reserves – Warwick Randall, Steve McKenzie. Coach – Ray Corkery

Great Britain: Steve Nash, David Redfearn, David Willicombe, John Bevan, Maurice Richards, Ken Gill, Roger Millward (c), Paul Rose, Kevin Ashcroft, Jimmy Thompson, John Butler, Steve Norton, Alan Bates. Reserves – David Watkins, Keith Bridges

North Island: V. Snowball, G. Carlyon, W. Rangi, R. Davies, Kevin Fisher, Harry Waikai, B. Berryman, Bill Raihe (c), Neil Aspin, J. Tuineau, D. Raihe, Graeme West, Paul Ravlich. Reserves – Jim Rutene, Eddie Orchard. Coach –

Great Britain: David Watkins (c), Maurice Richards, David Redfearn, Les Dyl, John Bevan, John Butler, Alan Bates, Paul Rose, Kevin Ashcroft, Keith Bridges, John Gray, Colin Dixon, Steve Norton. Reserves – Ken Gill, Bill Ramsay

Māori: Paul Matete, David Liavaa, Pesa Sua, Dennis Williams, Eddie Kerrigan, Ray Harris, Dennis Key, Bill Raihe, William Burgoyne (c), Clarrie Whaange, Dane Sorensen, Josh Liavaa, Peter Gurnick. Reserves – Eddie Orchard, Kevin Tamati. Coach –

Great Britain: Paul Charlton, David Redfearn, Les Dyl, Chris Hesketh (c), Maurice Richards, John Butler, Steve Nash, Terry Clawson, Kevin Ashcroft, Jimmy Thompson, Colin Dixon, Steve Norton, George Nicholls. Reserves –

Wellington: Alan Brooks, Meredith, Thompson, M. Edmonds, M. Brandon, Nolan Tupaea, Cohen, R, Farrell, Collier, Whetu Henry, Morris, Smith, Hannah. Reserves – Kevin Tamati. Coach –

Great Britain: Maurice Richards, David Redfearn, Roger Millward (c), John Butler, John Bevan, Ken Gill, Alan Bates, Jim Mills, Kevin Ashcroft, Jimmy Thompson, Bill Ramsay, Eric Chisnall, Steve Norton. Reserves – Colin Dixon

South Island: Ray Haffenden, J. Low, Bruce Dickison, Michael O'Donnell, G. Scully, Kevin Murcott, Graeme Cooksley, Alan Rushton, Dale Brown, D. Adamson, S. Hatipov. Lachie Grant, Rodney Walker. Reserves – D. Murphy, A. Bowes. Coach –

Great Britain: John Bevan, David Redfearn, Jim Challinor (c), Roger Millward, Maurice Richards, John Butler, Alan Bates, Jim Mills, Kevin Ashcroft, Bill Ramsay, John Gray, Colin Dixon, George Nicholls. Reserves – David Willicombe

Auckland: Warren Collicoat, L. Hall, John O'Sullivan, Dennis Williams, Colin Andrew, John Smith, Ken Stirling (c), Tony Kriletich, Tom Conroy, Don Mann, Peter Gurnick, Josh Liavaa, Barrie Dyer. Reserves – Bob Jarvis, Doug Gailey. Coach –

Great Britain: David Willicombe, David Redfearn, Les Dyl, John Butler, John Bevan, Chris Hesketh (c), Alan Bates, Terry Clawson, Kevin Ashcroft, Jimmy Thompson, Eric Chisnall, John Gray, Steve Norton. Reserves – Colin Dixon

Leading try scorer

• 15 by John Bevan

Leading point scorer

• 111 by John Gray (2 tries, 52 goals, 1 field goal)

Largest attendance

• 55,505 – Third test vs Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground

Largest non-test attendance

• 26,000 – Queensland vs Great Britain at Lang Park