1989 British Lions tour to Australia

In 1989, the British Lions toured Australia for the first time since 1971. Unlike previous tours to Australia, the Lions did not play any matches in New Zealand, this being the first Australia-only tour since 1899. The side was captained by Finlay Calder.

1989 British Lions Tour to Australia
Date15 May  – 16 July
Coach(es)Ian McGeechan
Tour captain(s) Finlay Calder
Test series winnersBritish Lions (2–1)
Top test point scorer(s) Gavin Hastings (28)

The Lions suffered a 30–12 defeat in the first test in Sydney on 1 July, then their heaviest defeat by Australia.[1] For the second and third tests, changes included Mike Teague, recovered from injury, at blindside flanker; Rob Andrew replacing Craig Chalmers at fly-half; and Jeremy Guscott and Scott Hastings coming into the centre positions. The team became the only Lions team ever to come from 1–0 down to win a series, winning the second test in Brisbane 19–12 and the third test in Sydney 19–18.[2][3] Teague was named player of the series.

Results
HomeScoreAwayResult
Western Australia0–44British LionsWon
Australia B8–23British LionsWon
Queensland15–19British LionsWon
Queensland B6–30British LionsWon
New South Wales21–23British LionsWon
New South Wales B19–39British LionsWon
Australia (Sydney)30–12[4]British LionsLost
ACT25–41British LionsWon
Australia (Brisbane)12–19[5]British LionsWon
Australia (Sydney)18–19[6]British LionsWon
NSW Country13–72British LionsWon
ANZAC XV15–19British LionsWon

Squad

Backs
Name Home country Club Notes
Rob Andrew England Wasps
Gary Armstrong Scotland Jedforest
Craig Chalmers Scotland Melrose
Tony Clement Wales Swansea
Paul Dean Ireland St Mary's College
John Devereux Wales Bridgend
Peter Dods Scotland Gala
Ieuan Evans Wales Llanelli
Jeremy Guscott England Bath replaced injured Will Carling[7]
Mike Hall Wales Bridgend
Gavin Hastings Scotland London Scottish
Scott Hastings Scotland Watsonians
Robert Jones Wales Swansea
Brendan Mullin Ireland London Irish
Chris Oti England Wasps
Will Carling England Harlequins Selected but withdrew due to injury[7]
Rory Underwood England Leicester and RAF

Forwards
Name Home country Club Notes
Paul Ackford England Harlequins
Finlay Calder (capt) Scotland Stewart's Melville FP
Gareth Chilcott England Bath
Wade Dooley England Preston Grasshoppers
Mike Griffiths Wales Bridgend
John Jeffrey Scotland Kelso
Donal Lenihan Ireland Cork Constitution
Brian Moore England Nottingham
Bob Norster Wales Cardiff
Dean Richards England Leicester
Andy Robinson England Bath
Steve Smith Ireland Ballymena
David Sole Scotland Edinburgh Academicals
Mike Teague England Gloucester
Derek White Scotland London Scottish
Dai Young Wales Cardiff

References
  1. "Lack of quality in crucial areas proves costly". Glasgow Herald (page 20). 3 July 1989. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  2. "Lions manage to gain pride". Glasgow Herald (page 19). 10 July 1989. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  3. "Australia 19 Lions 19 Match Report". Glasgow Herald (page 18). 17 July 1989. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  4. "Australia 20 Lions 12". ESPN. 1 July 1989. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  5. "Lions re-find their roar". ESPN. 8 July 1989. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  6. "Australia 18 Lions 19". ESPN. 15 July 1989. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  7. Rugby Football Union, "Official programme of 1990 Four Home Unions vs Rest of Europe programme, 1990, Rugby Football Union
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