1956–57 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France | |||||
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Manager | Clarrie Fahy Cyril Connell Sr. | ||||
Tour captain(s) | Ken Kearney | ||||
Top point scorer(s) | Gordon Clifford 94 | ||||
Top try scorer(s) | Ian Moir 13 | ||||
Top test point scorer(s) | Gordon Clifford 22 | ||||
Top test try scorer(s) | Keith Holman 4 | ||||
Summary |
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Total |
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Test match |
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Opponent |
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Tour chronology | |||||
Previous tour | 1952-53 | ||||
Next tour | 1959-60 |
The 1956–57 Kangaroo tour was the ninth Kangaroo tour, in which the Australian national rugby league team travelled to Great Britain and France and played twenty-eight matches, including the Ashes series of three Test matches against Great Britain and three Test matches against the French. It followed the tour of 1952-53 and the next was staged in 1959-60.
The squad's leadership
[edit]The team was captained by Ken Kearney with Clive Churchill as vice-captain. Tour co-managers were Clarrie Fahy and Cyril Connell Sr. The latter's son, Cyril Connell Jr. was a playing member of the touring party.[1]
In the three matches in which neither Kearney nor Churchill played, the Kangaroos were captained by Cyril Connell Jr.
Touring squad
[edit]The Rugby League News published a photo and details of the touring team including the players' ages and weights.[2] Various newspapers published the names of the touring squad when it was selected in September 1956.[1]
Match details - listing surnames of both teams and the point scorers - were included in E.E. Christensen's Official Rugby League Yearbook, as was a summary of the players' point-scoring.[3]
Banks, Connell, Davies, Doyle, Flannery, Furner, McGovern, Payne, Tyquin and Watson were selected from Queensland clubs. Adams and Marsh were selected from clubs in New South Wales Country areas. The balance of the squad had played for Sydney-based clubs during the 1956 season.
Player | Position | Age | Weight | Club | Tests on Tour |
Games | Tries | Goals | FG | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Clive Churchill | Fullback | 29 | 11.0 (70) | ![]() |
2 | 15 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 26 |
Gordon Clifford | Fullback | 26 | 12.0 (76) | ![]() |
4 | 12 | 2 | 43 | 1 | 94 |
Denis Flannery | Wing | 27 | 12.10 (81) | ![]() |
5 | 16 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 36 |
Don Adams | Wing | 22 | 12.6 (79) | ![]() |
2 | 15 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 33 |
Des McGovern | Wing | 28 | 13.3 (84) | ![]() |
3 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
Ian Moir | Wing | 24 | 11.4 (72) | ![]() |
2 | 16 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 39 |
Alex Watson | Centre | 23 | 13.10 (87) | ![]() |
5 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Dick Poole | Centre | 25 | 13.2 (83) | ![]() |
6 | 17 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
Kevin O'Brien | Centre | 24 | 12.12 (82) | ![]() |
0 | 11 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
Tom Payne | Centre | 21 | 12.6 (79) | ![]() |
1 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
Bob Banks | Five-eighth | 26 | 12.6 (79) | ![]() |
6 | 18 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 17 |
Ian Johnston | Five-eighth | 29 | 12.8 (80) | ![]() |
0 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
Keith Holman | Halfback | 28 | 11.9 (74) | ![]() |
6 | 17 | 10 | 5 | 0 | 40 |
Cyril Connell Jr. | Halfback | 26 | 10.10 (68) | ![]() |
0 | 14 | 10 | 17 | 0 | 64 |
Ian Doyle | Lock | 24 | 13.1 (83) | ![]() |
4 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
Tom Tyquin | Lock | 23 | 14.4 (91) | ![]() |
3 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
Norm Provan | Second-row | 24 | 15.6 (98) | ![]() |
3 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
Kel O'Shea | Second-row | 23 | 15.4 (97) | ![]() |
6 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
Bernie Purcell | Second-row | 28 | 13.10 (87) | ![]() |
0 | 7 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 24 |
Don Furner | Second-row | 23 | 14.7 (92) | ![]() |
1 | 11 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
Brian Davies | Prop | 26 | 14.10 (93) | ![]() |
3 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 17 |
Roy Bull | Prop | 26 | 15.5 (98) | ![]() |
6 | 21 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
Bryan Orrock | Prop | 25 | 15.7 (98) | ![]() |
2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Bill Marsh | Prop | 27 | 14.12 (94) | ![]() |
2 | 17 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
Ken Kearney | Hooker | 32 | 13.7 (86) | ![]() |
6 | 19 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 |
Ernest Hammerton | Hooker | 29 | 11.11 (75) | ![]() |
0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Match Results
[edit]The tour began in Great Britain with a series a matches, but the first Test Match of the tour was played against France in Paris. The tourists returned to Great Britain for more matches against English clubs and a three Test Match series against Great Britain. The team then returned to France to play a Second and Third Test against France (the fifth and sixth Tests of the tour), plus matches against club and other representative teams.
October 10 | Liverpool | 12–40 | Australia ![]() |
Knotty Ash, Liverpool | |
3.00pm |
Tries: 2 Greenhough Hunt Goals: 3 Wood (3) |
Tries: 10 Don Adams (4) Denis Flannery (3) Kel O'Shea Keith Holman Bob Banks Goals: 4 Clive Churchill (3) Brian Davies Field Goals: 1 Clive Churchill |
Attendance: 4,712 Gate: £ 595 Referee: C.F. Appleton |
October 13 | ![]() |
18–13 | Australia ![]() |
Headingley, Leeds | |
3.00pm |
Tries: 4 McLellan Robinson Pratt Prior Goals: 3 Dunn (3) |
Tries: 3 Ian Moir (2) Keith Holman Goals: 2 Gordon Clifford (2) |
Attendance: 24,459 Gate: £ 3,483 Referee: R. Gelder |
October 15 | ![]() |
14–37 | Australia ![]() |
Boothferry Park, Hull | |
7.15pm |
Tries: 2 Gittoes Coulson Goals: 4 Buckle (4) |
[4] | Tries: 9 Brian Davies (2) Ian Moir (2) Dick Poole (2) Denis Flannery Roy Bull Cyril Connell Jr. Goals: 4 Don Furner (3) Clive Churchill Field goals: 1 Clive Churchill |
Attendance: 17,172 Gate: £ 2,680 Referee: M. Coates |
October 18 | ![]() |
11–25 | Australia ![]() |
Craven Park, Barrow-In-Furness | |
3.30pm |
Tries: 3 Lewthwaite (2) Castle Goals: 1 Ball |
[5] | Tries: 5 Bob Banks Don Adams Bill Marsh Dick Poole Keith Holman Goals: 4 Bernie Purcell (4) Field goals: 1 Clive Churchill |
Attendance: 9,988 Gate: £ 1,102 Referee: E. Clay |
October 20 | ![]() |
14–11 | Australia ![]() |
Whitehaven | |
3.00pm |
Tries: 2 Tembey Smith Goals: 4 McKeown (4) |
[6][7] | Tries: 3 Bill Marsh Denis Flannery Cyril Connell Jr. Goals: 1 Clive Churchill |
Attendance: 10,840 Gate: £ 1,253 Referee: R. Thomas |
October 24 | ![]() |
11–23 | Australia ![]() |
Odsal Stadium, Bradford | |
7.30pm |
Tries: 3 Davies (3) Goals: 1 Seddon |
[8] | Tries: 5 Des McGovern (2) Gordon Clifford Bill Marsh Cyril Connell Jr. Goals: 4 Gordon Clifford (4) |
Attendance: 2,743 Gate: £ 451 Referee: N.T. Railton |
October 27 | ![]() |
21–17 | Australia ![]() |
Wilderspool, Warrington | |
3.00pm |
Tries: 5 Challinor (2) Gilfidder (2) Horton Goals: 3 Bath (3) |
[9] | Tries: 3 Dick Poole (2) Denis Flannery Goals: 4 Bernie Purcell (4) |
Attendance: 15,613 Gate: £ 2,163 Referee: G. Scott |
October 29 | Rugby League XIII | 15–19 | Australia ![]() |
Kirkhall Lane, Leigh | |
7.30pm |
Tries: 3 Shar Pitchford Bolton Goals: 3 Jones (3) |
[10][11] | Tries: 3 Des McGovern (2) Tom Tyquin Goals: 5 Gordon Clifford (5) |
Attendance: 7,811 Gate: £ 1,127 Referee: N.T. Railton |
1st Test vs France
[edit]November 1
|
![]() |
8–15 | Australia ![]() |
---|---|---|
Tries: 2 Augustin Parent Jacky Merquey Goals: 1 Andre Audy |
[12][13][14] |
Tries: 3 Keith Holman (2) Des McGovern Goals: 3 Clive Churchill (2) Keith Holman |
Parc de Princes, Paris
Attendance: 10,789 Gate: Fr 4,181,400 Referee: P. Ribas |
France | Position | Australia |
---|---|---|
Andre Audy | FB | Clive Churchill |
Maurice Voron | WG | Denis Flannery |
Roger Rey | CE | Dick Poole |
Jacky Merquey (c) | CE | Alex Watson |
Andre Savonne | WG | Des McGovern |
Auguste Ambert | SO | Bob Banks |
Guy Lucia | SH | Keith Holman |
François Rinaldi | PR | Roy Bull |
Antranik Apelian | HK | Ken Kearney (c) |
François Montrucolis | PR | Brian Davies |
Robert Medus | SR | Bill Tyquin |
Augustin Parent | SR | Norm Provan |
Jean Rouqueirol | LF | Kel O'Shea |
November 3 | ![]() |
18–20 | Australia ![]() |
York | |
3.00pm |
Tries: 4 Smith Webster Foster Deighton Goals: 3 Yorke (3) |
[15] | Tries: 4 Ian Johnston (2) Brian Davies Kevin O'Brien Goals: 4 Bernie Purcell (4) |
Attendance: 6,842 Gate: £ 897 Referee: A. Howgate |
November 7 | ![]() |
21–2 | Australia ![]() |
Watersheddings, Oldham | |
3.00pm |
Tries: 3 Pitchford Etty Turner Goals: 6 Ganley (6) |
Tries: nil Goals: 1 Cyril Connell Jr. |
Attendance: 8,458 Gate: £ 1,268 Referee: T. Watkinson |
November 10 | ![]() |
10–20 | Australia ![]() |
Fartown, Huddersfield | |
3.00pm |
Tries: 2 Fairbank Sullivan Goals: 2 Dyson (2) |
[16] | Tries: 4 Brian Davies Ian Moir Tom Tyquin Don Adams Goals: 4 Gordon Clifford (4) |
Attendance: 12,127 Gate: £ 1,699 Referee: A.E. Durkin |
1st Test vs Great Britain
[edit]November 17
2.30pm |
![]() |
21–10 | Australia ![]() |
---|---|---|
Tries: 5 Billy Boston (2) Jack Grundy Alan Davies Mick Sullivan Goals: 3 Frank Mortimer (3) |
[17][18] |
Tries: 2 Ian Moir Dick Poole Goals: 2 Keith Holman (2) |
November 21 | ![]() |
11–27 | Australia ![]() |
Parkside, Hunslet | |
2.30pm |
Tries: 1 Burnell Goals: 4 Langton (4) |
[19] | Tries: 5 Cyril Connell Jr. (2) Kevin O'Brien Denis Flannery Kel O'Shea Goals: 6 Gordon Clifford (6) |
Attendance: 4,451 Gate: £ 400 Referee: G. Wilson |
November 24 | ![]() |
44–2 | Australia ![]() |
Knowsley Road, St Helens | |
2.30pm |
Tries: 10 Llewellyn (2) Gaskell McCabe Silcock Karalius Rhodes Dickinson Terry Prescott Goals: 7 Rhodes (7) |
[20] | Tries: nil Goals: 1 Gordon Clifford |
Attendance: 15,579 Gate: £ 1,931 Referee: F. Smith |
2nd Test vs Great Britain
[edit]December 1
2.30pm |
![]() |
9–22 | Australia ![]() |
---|---|---|
Tries: 1 Jeff Stevenson Goals: 3 Frank Mortimer (3) |
[21][22][23] |
Tries: 4 Keith Holman Bob Banks Brian Davies Roy Bull Goals: 5 Gordon Clifford (5) |
Odsal Stadium, Bradford
Attendance: 23,634 Gate: £ 4,174 Referee: M. Coates |
December 5 | ![]() |
6–3 | Australia ![]() |
Thrum Hall, Halifax | |
2.30pm |
Tries: nil Goals: 3 Owen (3) |
Tries: 1 Ian Moir Goals: nil |
Attendance: 2,254 Gate: £ 280 Referee: J. Clapham |
December 8 | ![]() |
4–32 | Australia ![]() |
Central Park, Wigan | |
2.30pm |
Tries: nil Goals: 2 Ashton (2) |
Tries: 6 Ian Doyle (2) Des McGovern Alex Watson Denis Flannery Keith Holman Goals: 7 Gordon Clifford (7) |
Attendance: 15,854 Gate: £ 2,032 Referee: H. Harrison |
December 10 | ![]() |
17–12 | Australia ![]() |
Belle Vue, Wakefield | |
2.30pm |
Tries: 3 Hirst Rollin Bullock Goals: 4 Fox (4) |
Tries: 2 Ian Johnston Cyril Connell Jr. Goals: 3 Clive Churchill (3) |
Attendance: 3,381 Gate: £ 309 Referee: G. Philpott |
3rd Test vs Great Britain
[edit]December 15
2.30pm |
![]() |
19–0 | Australia ![]() |
---|---|---|
Tries: 5 Sid Little Derek Turner Geoff Gunney Mick Sullivan Billy Boston Goals: 2 Alan Davies (2) |
[24][25] |
Tries: nil Goals: nil |
Station Road, Swinton, Manchester
Attendance: 17,542 Gate: £ 4,224 Referee: F. Gelder |
December 18 | French Army | 11–11 | Australia ![]() |
Limoges | |
Tries: 1 Alberti Goals: 4 Giriat (4) |
Tries: 3 Don Adams Kevin O'Brien Ian Johnston Goals: 1 Cyril Connell Jr. |
Attendance: 3,153 |
December 20 | ![]() |
20–25 | Australia ![]() |
Albi | |
Tries: 4 Verdier Bessieres Tounos Berthomieu Goals: 4 Galaup (4) |
[26] | Tries: 5 Cyril Connell Jr. (2) Bob Banks (2) Ian Moir Goals: 5 Cyril Connell Jr. (5) |
Attendance: 3,789 |
2nd Test vs France
[edit]December 23
|
![]() |
6–10 | Australia ![]() |
---|---|---|
Tries: nil Goals: 3 Gilbert Benausse (2) Andre Audy |
[27][28] |
Tries: 2 Denis Flannery Keith Holman Goals: 1 Gordon Clifford Field goals: 1 Gordon Clifford |
Bordeaux
Attendance: 11,379 Gate: Fr 4,150,000 Referee: P. Ribas |
France | Position | Australia |
---|---|---|
Andre Audy | FB | Gordon Clifford |
Maurice Voron | WG | Denis Flannery |
Roger Rey | CE | Alex Watson |
Antoine Jiminez | CE | Dick Poole |
Andre Ducasse | WG | Don Adams |
Gilbert Benausse | SO | Bob Banks |
Jean Dop | SH | Keith Holman |
Angélo Boldini | PR | Bryan Orrock |
Antranik Apelian | HK | Ken Kearney (c) |
Guy Berthomieu (c) | PR | Roy Bull |
Gilbert Verdié | SR | Kel O'Shea |
Armand Save | SR | Norm Provan |
Christian Duple | LF | Ian Doyle |
December 26 | 12–26 | Australia ![]() |
Carcassonne | ||
Tries: 2 Marty Husson Goals: 3 Marty (3) |
Tries: 6 Denis Flannery (3) Ian Johnston Keith Holman Cyril Connell Jr. Goals: 4 Cyril Connell Jr. (4) |
Attendance: 3,493 Gate: Fr 922,200 |
December 31 | ![]() |
14–20 | Australia ![]() |
Perpignan | |
Tries: nil Goals: 6 Puig Aubert (6) Field Goals: 1 Puig Aubert |
[29] | Tries: 4 Ian Moir (2) Gordon Clifford Tom Payne Goals: 4 Gordon Clifford (4) |
Attendance: 7,900 Gate: Fr 2,493,550 Referee: M. Roudine |
3rd Test vs France
[edit]January 3
3.00pm |
![]() |
21–25 | Australia ![]() |
---|---|---|
Tries: 5 Andre Savonne (2) Jean Nerorezoff Jacques Fabre Jacky Merquey Goals: 3 André Rives (3) |
[30] |
Tries: 5 Dick Poole Ian Moir Ken Kearney Tom Payne Norm Provan Goals: 4 Gordon Clifford (4) Field Goals: Bob Banks |
Lyon
Attendance: 5,743 Gate: Fr 1,580,150 Referee: J. Banneau |
France | Position | Australia |
---|---|---|
André Rives | FB | Gordon Clifford |
Andre Savonne | WG | Denis Flannery |
Antoine Jiminez | CE | Tom Payne |
Roger Rey | CE | Dick Poole |
Jean Nedorezoff | WG | Ian Moir |
Jacky Merquey (c) | SO | Bob Banks |
Claude Teisseire | SH | Keith Holman |
Henri Delhoste | PR | Bill Marsh |
Louis Michel | HK | Ken Kearney (c) |
Jacques Fabre | PR | Roy Bull |
Guy Berthomieu | SR | Norm Provan |
Augustin Parent | SR | Kel O'Shea |
Christian Duple | LF | Ian Doyle |
January 6 | ![]() |
11–38 | Australia ![]() |
Avignon | |
3.00pm |
Tries: 1 Savonne Goals: 4 Pascal (4) |
Tries: 10 Don Adams (2) Ian Moir (2) Ian Johnston (2) Norm Provan (2) Cyril Connell Jr. Bill Marsh Goals: 4 Cyril Connell Jr. (4) |
Attendance: 5,061 Gate: Fr 937,100 Referee: M. Casson |
January 10 | ![]() |
7–37 | Australia ![]() |
Marseille | |
3.00pm |
Tries: 1 Carmouze Goals: 2 Andre (2) |
Tries: 9 Kevin O'Brien (3) Don Adams (2) Bill Marsh Tom Payne Ken Kearney Keith Holman Goals: 5 Cyril Connell Jr. (2) Keith Holman (2) Ken Kearney |
Attendance: 2,938 Gate: Fr 2,420,350 |
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Connell And Banks Gain Selection In Kangaroos". The Central Queensland Herald. Rockhampton: National Library of Australia. 13 Sep 1956. p. 18. Retrieved 3 Jan 2022.
- ^ New South Wales Rugby Football League. (1 October 1956). "Australia's 1956-57 Kangaroos". The Rugby League News. 37 (29). Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League. nla.obj-756032832. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022 – via Trove.
- ^ E.E.Christensen (1957). "The 1956-57 Kangaroos". E.E. Christensen's Official Rugby League Yearbook. 11. Sydney: E.E.Christensen.
- ^ "Brillian Football by Kangaroos". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 17 Oct 1956. p. 16. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022.
- ^ "Strong Barrow Side To Meet Kangaroos". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 18 Oct 1956. p. 20. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022.
- ^ "Missed Chances Rob Kangaroos of Win". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 27 Oct 1956. p. 8. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022.
- ^ "Poor Kicking Leads To Kangaroos' Defeat". The Central Queensland Herald. Rockhampton: National Library of Australia. 25 Oct 1956. p. 18. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022.
- ^ New South Wales Rugby Football League. (1 December 1956). "Kangaroos' Rally Won At Odsal". The Rugby League News. 37 (31). Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League. nla.obj-756066917. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022 – via Trove.
- ^ "Warrington Beat Kangaroos 21-17". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 29 Oct 1956. p. 10. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022.
- ^ Longworth, Tom (1 December 1956). "Kanga's Floodlit Win - Australians Turned on the Heat". The Rugby League News. 37 (31). Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League. nla.obj-756067861. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022 – via Trove.
- ^ "Kangaroos Great In 19-15 Win". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 31 Oct 1956. p. 16. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022.
- ^ First Test - France v Australia
- ^ Black, Tiger (1 December 1956). "Holman Starred in Paris test". The Rugby League News. 37 (31). Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League. nla.obj-756067007. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022 – via Trove.
- ^ "Kangaroos Win 15-8 in France". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 3 Nov 1956. p. 16. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022.
- ^ "Kangaroos Defeat York 20-18 in Epic Struggle". The Central Queensland Herald. Rockhampton: National Library of Australia. 8 Nov 1956. p. 18. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022.
- ^ "Kangaroos Take Heart From Huddersfield Win". The Central Queensland Herald. Rockhampton: National Library of Australia. 15 Nov 1956. p. 18. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022.
- ^ First Test - Great Britain v Australia
- ^ Black, Tiger (1 December 1956). "Forward Failed in Wigan Test". The Rugby League News. 37 (31). Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League. nla.obj-756067197. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022 – via Trove.
- ^ "Kangaroos' 27-11 Win". The Central Queensland Herald. Rockhampton: National Library of Australia. 29 Nov 1956. p. 18. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022.
- ^ "Kangaroos Suffer Worst Defeat". The Central Queensland Herald. Rockhampton: National Library of Australia. 29 Nov 1956. p. 18. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022.
- ^ Second Test - Great Britain v Australia
- ^ Black, Tiger (1 January 1957). "Test Win - Shock to England". The Rugby League News. 37 (32). Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League. nla.obj-756095561. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022 – via Trove.
- ^ "Kangaroos Shock England In 22-9 Test Win". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 3 Dec 1956. p. 9. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022.
- ^ Third Test - Great Britain v Australia
- ^ "Kangaroos Thrashed By England In Third Test Match". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 17 Dec 1956. p. 12. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022.
- ^ "Kangaroos Shine On Firm Ground". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 27 Dec 1956. p. 8. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022.
- ^ Second Test - France v Australia
- ^ "Kangaroos Beat France In Fine Display". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 25 Dec 1956. p. 12. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022.
- ^ "Kangaroos Win Wild Match". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 3 Jan 1957. p. 12. Retrieved 2 Jan 2022.
- ^ Third Test - France v Australia