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What’s the best Kangaroo side? The one that won 16 straight internationals between June 1979 and June 1983, or the current line-up that won their 16th straight Test last night?
There is nothing between them in the record book that trumpets the proud history of the Kangaroos.
The ’79-83 sides were captained by George Peponis, Steve Rogers, and Max Krilich, while Darren Lockyer and Cameron Smith have been in charge of modern era.
Frank Stanton and Artie Beetson were the early coaches, Tim Sheens the latter.
Before we start kicking cans, both eras were very special. But only the early era boasts an Immortal – Wally Lewis.
Let’s run through that era.
Mal Meninga and Peter Sterling, who should be Immortals, were joined by Chris Anderson, Kerry Boustead, Les Boyd, Ray Brown, Greg Cornescu, Mick Cronin, Grahame Eadie, Steve Ella, Eric Grothe, Rohan Hancock, Brett Kenny, Paul McCabe, Gene Miles, Steve Mortimer, John Muggleton, Wayne Pearce, Ray Price, Tommy Raudonikis, John Ribit, Rod Reddy, Ian Schubert and Craig Young.
Here are the teams they beat in chronological order:
Great Britain – 35-0 at Lang Park
Great Britain – 24-16 at the SCG
Great Britain – 21-7 at SCG
New Zealand 17-6 at Carlaw Park
New Zealand – 15-6 at Carlaw
France – 43-3 at SCG
France – 17-2 at Lang
New Zealnd – 11-8 at Lang
New Zealand – 20-2 at SCG
Papua New Guinea – 38-2 at Port Moresby
Great Britain – 40-4 at Hull
Great Britain – 27-6 at Wigan
Great Britain – 32-8 at Headingley
France – 15-4 at Avignon
France – 23-9 at Narbonne
New Zealand – 16-4 at Carlaw.
In the latter part of that era the Kangaroos earned the tag of “The Invincibles” – going through their tour of Great Britain and France undefeated, just as Don Bradman’s cricket team performed in England in 1948.
Just glancing though those names brought back many great memories, it was a pleasure to watch them strut their super-talented stuff.
But this current lot is bristling with talent as well.
Darren Lockyer, Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Greg Inglis, and Billy Slater are all Immortals-in-waiting. Cooper Cronk isn’t far behind, nor Daly Cherry-Evans.
Add Paul Gallen, Greg Bird, Jarryd Hayne, Anthony Watmough, Glenn Stewart, the Morris twins, Darius Boyd, Nate Myles, Sam Thaiday, Robbie Farah, David Shillington, Michael Jennings, Corey Parker, Matt Scott, James Tamou, Josh Rapali, Andrew Fifita, Beau Scott, Luke Lewis, Akule Uate, Tony Williams, Boyd Cordner, Chris Lawrence,and Jharal Yow Yeh.
Here are their 16 Test successes in chronological order:
New Zealand – 20-10 at Robina
New Zealand – 42-6 Newcastle
New Zealand – 26-12 at Warrington
England – 36-20 at Wembley
Wales – 56-14 at Wrexham
England – 30-5 at Leeds
New Zealand – 20-12 at Eden Park
New Zealand – 18-10 at Townsville
New Zealand – 32-12 at Canberra
England – 28-20 at Cardiff
Fiji – 34-2 at St Helens
Ireland – 50-0 at Limerick
USA – 62-0 at Wembley
New Zealand – 34-2 at Old Trafford
New Zealand – 30-18 at Allianz
The current crop has been lucky to have Fiji, Ireland, Wales, and the USA among their scalps. The early era only had Papua New Guinea, and the Islanders would beat that quartet as well.
But that 16th win was full of character against the gallant and inexperienced New Zealanders, who punched well above their weight to score first and lead at the break.
It took a great side to beat them, especially as I reckon there are at least five Immortals-in-waiting among them.
It’s for that reason I rate the current side the better of the two. But the code is lucky to have two eras that have given fans so much pleasure.