1980 Kangaroo tour of New Zealand
The 1980 Kangaroo Tour of New Zealand was a mid-season tour of New Zealand by the Australia national rugby league team. The Australians played seven matches on tour, including a two test series against the New Zealand national rugby league team. The tour began on 1 June and finished on 17 June.[1]
Leadership
As he had been since 1978, Frank Stanton was the coach of the Australian team. Canterbury-Bankstwon hooker, Greek born George Peponis, was the tour captain.
Touring squad
The squad was made up mostly of those playing in the Sydney Premiership. Although not the only Queenslander in the squad, Chris Close was the sole player selected from Queensland after his Man of the Match performance in the experimental 1980 State of Origin game.
Tour
The Australian's played seven games on the tour, winning five, losing one with one drawn game.
1st Test
Sunday 1 June
|
New Zealand 
|
6 – 27 |  Australia
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Goals: Michael O'Donnell (3) |
[2] [3] |
Tries: Alan Thompson Kerry Boustead Rod Reddy Craig Young Goals: Michael Cronin (6/8) |
         New Zealand
|
     Australia
|
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Wednesday 4 June
|
Māori 
|
10 – 10 |  Australia
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: James Leuluai Kevin Tamati Goals: Dennis Williams (2) |
[4] [5] [6] |
Tries: Graham Quinn Chris Close Goals: Graeme Wynn (2) Sent Off: Chris Close |
Friday 6 June
|
Central Districts 
|
0 – 23 | Australia
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Goals: |
[7] [8] |
Tries: Graham Quinn (2) Rohan Hancock Greg Brentnall Graeme Wynn Goals: Mick Cronin (4) |
2nd Test
Sunday 15 June
|
| New Zealand
|
6 – 15 | Australia
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Goals: Michael O'Donnell (3) |
[13][14][15] |
Tries: Les Boyd Michael Cronin Rod Reddy Goals: Michael Cronin (3) |
New Zealand
|
Australia
|
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Statistics
Largest Test Attendance
- 12,321 - First test vs New Zealand at Carlaw Park
Largest non-test Attendance
- 14,000 - Australia vs Auckland at Carlaw Park
References
- ^ 1980 Kangaroo Tour of New Zealand @ Rugby League Project
- ^ 1st Test - New Zealand vs Australia
- ^ "Rugby league Kangaroos take Kiwi Test in first half". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 2 Jun 1980. p. 14. Retrieved 31 Dec 2021.
- ^ New Zealand Māori vs Australia
- ^ "Kangaroo changes against the Maoris". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 3 Jun 1980. p. 18. Retrieved 31 Dec 2021.
- ^ "Rugby League Maoris get that old feeling — force draw". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 5 Jun 1980. p. 24. Retrieved 31 Dec 2021.
- ^ Central Districts vs Australia
- ^ "Tourists savage district side". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 7 Jun 1980. p. 38. Retrieved 31 Dec 2021.
- ^ New Zealand XIII vs Australia
- ^ South Island vs Australia
- ^ "Rugby league: Stanton sees wounded". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 11 Jun 1980. p. 38. Retrieved 31 Dec 2021.
- ^ "Late News Kangaroos down 12-11". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 12 Jun 1980. p. 1. Retrieved 31 Dec 2021.
- ^ 2nd Test - New Zealand vs Australia
- ^ "Kangaroos, Kiwis to Change Test Tactics". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 15 Jun 1980. p. 22. Retrieved 31 Dec 2021.
- ^ "Rugby League: Kangaroos scrape in". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 16 Jun 1980. p. 10. Retrieved 31 Dec 2021.
- ^ Auckland vs Australia
- ^ "Down to last fit man, but Kangaroos win". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 18 Jun 1980. p. 34. Retrieved 31 Dec 2021.