Hand up if you remember the most recent third match of an Australia versus Great Britain rugby league Test series.
Top of the class if you were in attendance, most likely a Pom, head held high pounding out God Save the Queen among a capacity crowd. All in the shadows of the George Hotel, Huddersfield, the birthplace of rugby league and until a magic sponge arrives, a potential Ashes deathbed.
The year was 2003 and for the record the Kangaroos ran in two late tries to pinch an unlikely 18-12 victory, completing a 3-0 clean sweep in a heartbreaking series for the hosts who suffered similar soul destroying blows in the opening two Tests.
Yet despite packed venues and fiercely contested matches, the century old Ashes tradition remains on ice, in hindsight, for reasons analogous to the money stealing scandal that tore through the tourists’ 2003 Leeds headquarters.
For the NRL’s greedy cash grab via domestic overload has burned out its best talent, denying a generation of players their Ashes tour dream and forcing top flight international rugby league down a path of fast-food formats compromising its European market and founding traditions.
Former Queensland and Australian legend Gordan Tallis said at the completion of his trophy laden career, “Kangaroo tours were the biggest thing a player could do in our game. Playing for Australia was the highest individual honour I achieved”.
And from the opposite side, the intensity and magnitude of an Ashes battle was epitomised by shattered British forward Barrie McDermott who described Australia’s Huddersfield Houdini-act as, “the worst day of my life”.
While not a sole contributor to Britain’s home front woes, it is important to note Australia’s contribution through a prolonged absence in fostering the values and prestige developed since the first Kangaroo tour in 1908.
Australia last played Great Britain in 2006, since then there have been eight contests with England compared to 20 against New Zealand during the same period. In addition, the charisma of Wembley has only once played host to British-Australian hostilities since 2000.
With limited support from the English media and Australia’s reluctance to revive the Ashes concept, England-hosted competitions remain unsettled through escalating debt, doubt over the finals concept and concerns the Old Trafford grand final is tarnishing the revered 117-year-old Challenge Cup.
So with rumours of an Ashes tour on the horizon, the significance of Australia’s role in reviving historic legacies and promoting the game’s global growth is best described by a Roar colleague who offered the following advice:
“Don’t underestimate what the Aussies can do to swell the self-confidence of English rugby league fans. A visit from the Kangaroos for an Ashes series or the return of a Lions tour changes all of that in an instant. The Kangaroos jumper is iconic and glamourous. It’s such a pity that it spends so much time in the cupboard.”
Jason Hosken
Guest
Interesting setup, i didnt realise kids were done with school earlier than in Oz. I met some lads in Leeds a couple of years ago who in the Academy setup, big boys, i assumed u21s.
Tripehound
Guest
The England academy is basically England under 18's. The players are all affiliated to a professional club as well as being under the auspices of a local amateur side. So they are of the same age group as their Aussie counterparts, who are also signed up with individual NRL sides. England schoolboys are the under 16's, with the school leaving age changing in the UK over the next couple of years it's possible the under 18's could become known as England schoolboys.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Thanks again Tripehound - not much tripe there, you could be up for a name change!! Good result for the locals. Are the England Academy of schoolboy age, how are they selected - is there a schoolboy team as well?
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I was just looking for the results. English rugby league seems to be heading in the right direction. Let's hope it keeps going. As soon as England beat Australia in a final, the sooner Test football will reign.
Tripehound
Guest
England academy took the spoils in last nights second and final test against Australia schoolboys with a 28 - 14 victory in terrible conditions at Leigh. Again the match was a very physical firey encounter and last weekends run out had obviously done the young Englishmen a power of good. For Australia another fine performance from Roosters full back Mitchell was the one that caught the eye. Parrammatta prop Tom Amone had a a real go and threw his weight around and one over zealous effort saw both himself and England hooker Robbie Ward spend 10 mins cooling off/warming up on the side lines. In all an excellent two test series and I'll be interested to see how many of the young blokes involved will go on to battle it out in the future test arena.
Jason Hosken
Guest
Hopefully talent of equal quality for the locals. Looking forward to some of them clashing down the track in a full blown Ashes series.
Tripehound
Guest
The second game is at Leigh again this Friday kick off 7pm (GMT). For Australia full back Latrell Mitchell (Roosters) has plenty about him and a good turn of speed. Stand Off Brock Lamb (Newcastle) organizes well and plays with a maturity above his years. Hooker Jayden Brailey (Cronulla) is very industrious and shows some neat touches. In the centre a lad from South Sydney, Tevita Cottrell, has power and an eye for a gap, although he looked to be a bit greedy and tried to go it alone too often when he could have put his wing clear, however it's the first time I've seen the kid play so wouldn't want to be overly critical without seeing him again. Looking forward to Friday's game now.
Gregg
Guest
International Tours are a must for RL again. They grow the game more than any other event while also giving players career achievements similar that are offered in other sports such as RU. Kangaroo tours to Britain and France must happen yet as NZ has grown so much they too are needed to tour at either the same time or different years.Then GB/England can tour Aust/NZ with also France coming to play a test against Aust,NZ and a pacific island team.
Jason Hosken
Guest
Thanks for the update TripeH. Test match intensity good for all. Where they playing game 2? Any future stars to keep an eye on.
Tripehound
Guest
On the international front I witnessed a cracking game yesterday as the Australian schoolboys pipped the England academy 22 - 18 at a freezing cold Leigh sports village. The Aussies got off to a flier and caught the young Englishmen on the hop, their previous tour games helping with fluidity and cohesion, they put some sparkling moves together to take an early lead. As the game progressed England got into the groove and really got stuck into the Aussie lads ribs in a feisty second half, ultimately it came down to a couple of goal kicks that seperated the sides with both teams bagging four tries a piece. I'm looking forward to the second and final test on Friday night providing a pre Christmas winter warmer.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I think the World Club Series has huge potential.
Tripehound
Guest
Sleiman and Jason, good to hear we're all singing from the same hymn sheet. I do get the feeling over the last 12 months that things are slowly starting to move towards our way of thinking. Although at club level the world club challenge matches in February can only help push things in the right direction, hoefully the Super League sides will give a good account of themselves, they are three very good entertaining teams to watch.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
That's very true.
The Barry
Roar Guru
It doesn't have to be one over the other.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Hope so. Heritage and future operate hand in hand - the past to stimulate the future. Enough words... Common sense will eventually prevail.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
More than eroding rugby league's heritage, the neglect has been eroding the code's future. I think, however, things are changing.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Thanks Duecer, point well made and sadly plenty of fact. I'm not advocating changes to Origin, a fabulous concept embraced by most. But surely more ways to skin a cat. No one knows the long term approach, I'd just like to see an ounce of flexibility for one planned Ashes tour to the UK. We'd quickly find out if it's what the Brits want - if it is, then wow - we have another option for top class footy for the the fans and players to get excited about. Just one tour, one small step...just to get international league back to square one.
duecer
Guest
Jason, the commercially savy types at League Central and Nine would want more SoO and more rounds and less international games - not the other way round. They far out rate internationals and I don't think the powers that be would forgo any lessening of SoO for a match that would struggle to sell out in a regional area. Their concern is Australian money and the Australian competition. The time to change this would've been before SoO had become the pinnacle of the game. It's too late to change that situation now, the gap has only grown over recent years.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
An international perspective is vital, just absolutely vital.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
early days at Wests the making of him.