Australia's
First 'Ashes' Team
by Sean Fagan of RL1908.com
Clashes
between Australia and England (now Great Britain) hold a treasured place
in the history of rugby league. The first ever 'Ashes' Test was played
on 12 December 1908 at Park Royal in London.
The
administrators of the Northern Rugby Union decided to take the match
to London to showcase their version of the 'rugby' game. Unfortunately
only 2,000 Londoners ventured out to see the Kangaroos play.
England
dominated the match early, led by 14-5 at half-time and then seemed
assured of
victory at 17-5 early in the 2nd half.
Australia
though fought back with tries to Devereaux (his second) and O'Malley
to bring the score to 17-15 in favour of England. The home side scored
another try to lead 20-15 with time fast running out.
With
5 minutes remaining Messenger snapped an intercept on his own quarter
line. He mesmerised the English defenders as he swerved and cut his
way to within sight of the tryline. The defending fullback moved to
cut down "The Master" just as he delivered a long and low
pass to Devereaux.
The
three-quarter secured the ball and crashed over under the posts. With
the Messenger goal the Kangaroos took the lead for the first time in
the Test, 22-20.
However,
England gained a last minute penalty from which they kicked a goal and
the match finished in a draw.
1st
Test - 12 December : drawn 22-all / Park Royal, London (2,000)
Who were the players for Australia that day?
BOLEWSKI,
Mitchell : FULLBACK
(Bundaberg, Qld)
A versatile player from Queensland, many pundits claimed he was included
in the Kangaroo touring party to bolster the non-NSW numbers. Bolewski
proved them all wrong by securing the prized fullback position and playing
in all three Tests. He also took the field in thirty other games on
the tour proving his endurance and mobility. Impressing many local judges,
he returned to England to play with the Leigh club racking up one hundred
games.
DEVEREAUX,
Jim : WINGER
(Nth Sydney, NSW)
Played in the 1907 "Rebel Tests" before being selected in
Tests against NZ in 1908. He was the Kangaroos' best player in this
Test where he scored three tries. He takes the honour as Australia's
first try scorer in Ashes Tests and was the top try scorer of the tour.
Devereaux remained in England playing with Hull (until 1921/22) including
a 1914 Challenge Cup win. His Norths career continued as he sailed home
three times, before playing his final games in 1922.
DEANE,
Sid : CENTRE
(Nth Sydney, NSW)
Was a member of Norths first ever team in April 1908 before being selected
for NSW. Made his Test debut in this opening game against England and
was rated in the top star players of the tour. Deane attracted huge
interest from NU clubs and eventually accepted a record payment to play
for Oldham after the tour, where he was a huge success. Upon returning
to Norths he became their first Test captain when he led Australia in
1914 against the Lions.
MESSENGER,
Dally : CENTRE
(Eastern Sub.s, NSW)
By far the most well known player of the team, "The Master"
played centre in this opening Ashes Test. His goal kicking (5 goals)
proved crucial as the Kangaroos scored two less tries than their opponents.
Given Messenger's standing within the history of League, it is interesting
to note that he only played 7 Tests for Australia (from 1908 to 1910).
In 1911 he scored a record 32 pts for NSW against Qld. Messenger won
3 premierships at Easts (1911-13).
HEIDKE,
Bill : WINGER
(Bundaberg, Qld)
Made his Test debut in this match after forgoing earlier selection for
business reasons. Heidke played in the first ever interstate game as
a centre, his prime position. Described in England as "strong as
a lion" he was a big and tough player. Returning to Australia he
was selected for a Test against New Zealand. In 1910 he captained Australia
from the wing in the 2nd Test against the visiting Lions. 1930s Test
player Les Heidke is his son.
HALLOWAY,
Arthur : FIVE-EIGHTH
(Glebe, NSW)
One of the star players signed to Rugby League with the NZ "All
Gold" games in 1907. Playing for the Glebe club 'Pony' Halloway
made his Test debut against NZ before the Kangaroo tour. He was one
side of the first ever great half-back rivalry, duelling with Chris
McKivat for state and national honours. Halloway played 10 Tests and
made tours with the 2nd Kangaroos (1911/12) and to NZ (1919 as captain).
He captained Balmain to 4 premiership wins.
BUTLER,
Arthur : HALF-BACK
(South Sydney, NSW)
Rabbitoh half-back played for NSW before gaining Kangaroo selection.
Butler played in the first two Ashes Tests, scoring a try in this match.
At home in 1909 he was recalled to the Test side for a game against
NZ. On the Sydney club scene, Butler played 96 games for Souths from
1908-15, including the 1909 Final "win" over Balmain, before
moving to Glebe and Annandale (two seasons at each). At Souths he amassed
100 points from 20 tries and 20 goals.
ABERCROMBIE,
Jim : LOCK FORWARD
(Western Sub.s, NSW)
One of the lesser known Kangaroos, he was an addition to the touring
party after an outcry over his omission. Abercrombie was a large hulk
of a man who played mostly as a front rower and demonstrated good goal
kicking skills. He played in the opening two Ashes Tests before "going
missing" after the tourists arrived home in 1909. He twice returned
from nowhere to play for Wests - 1910 (4) / 1913 (1) - and was reportedly
seen in Souths lower grades.
BURDON,
Alec : SECOND ROWER
(Glebe, NSW)
One of the major "agitators" for the forming of RL. The highly
profitable RU turned its back on the Test player when he was twice left
to survive on no earnings and burgeoning medical bills after injury
in rep matches. Burdon made his League Test debut in this match, however
missed selection in the 2nd Test. He returned to captain Australia in
the deciding 3rd Test but the Kangaroos lost 6-5. Burdon retired after
the 1910 season with Glebe.
O'MALLEY,
Larry : SECOND ROWER
(Eastern Sub.s, NSW)
Rated as the Kangaroos best forward in this Test, 'Jersey' O'Malley
played a record 34 matches on tour. He was a rugged player who also
appeared in the first ever matches for both Eastern Suburbs and NSW
in 1908. O'Malley was chosen for all three Ashes Tests, before captaining
Australia at home in the 1909 NZ series. He then left for a stint at
Warrington in England. O'Malley returned to play with Easts and won
three premierships (1911-13).
WALSH,
Pat : FRONT ROWER
(Newcastle, NSW)
A late inclusion for the Tour, 'Nimmo' Walsh had only played three club
games for Newcastle when chosen to tour with the Kangaroos. He was however
a very experienced RU forward and great scrummager who had played 3
Tests in 1904 against Great Britain. He played in all three Ashes Tests
before staying on in England until 1912 with the Huddersfield club.
During WW1 Walsh served with the Australian Light Horse in Gallipoli
and Palestine.
PEARCE,
Sid : HOOKER
(Eastern Sub.s, NSW)
One of the greats of early League, 'Sandy' Pearce had no peer as a hooker.
He played the game very tough and hard, but cleanly, and was described
as the Kangaroos' "iron man". Declining to tour with the 2nd
Kangaroos, Pearce's 14 Tests career extended from the 1908 NZ series
to the 1921-22 Kangaroo tour (at 38!). Pearce was a foundation member
of Easts in 1908 and was the first player to 150 games. His son, Sid
Jr., played for Australia in the 1930s.
COURTNEY,
Ed : FRONT ROWER
(Newtown, NSW)
The 'old man' of the early decades of League, Courtney played from 1908
(Newtown) to 1924 (Wests) amassing 304 games. In his final season he
played alongside his son! Courtney was a ferocious tackler who menaced
and quietened even the most feared of opponents and reputations. On
the Kangaroo tour he was the top try scoring forward (10). Courtney
played in 11 Tests for Australia and toured again as a member of the
1911/12 Kangaroos.
