1956 New Zealand Māori rugby league tour of Australia
ManagerErnie Asher and
Wilf Davies
Coach(es)Travers Hardwick
Tour captain(s)Henry Maxwell
Summary
P W D L
Total
14 06 00 08
Tour chronology
Previous tour1922 by to
1956 by to
Next tour1957 RLWC in
1958 by to
1983 by to

The 1956 New Zealand Māori rugby league tour of Australia was the fourth overseas tour by a Māori rugby league team. The previous three tours were also to Australia. There had been tours in both 1908 and 1909 during the code’s formative years. The third tour occurred in 1922.
In the rival code, New Zealand Māori Rugby Union teams had undertaken taken three tours since the conclusion of World War II:— to Fiji in 1948 and 1954, and to Australia in 1949.
In Rugby League, Māori teams had played touring teams in 1946, 1949, 1953, 1954 and 1955.
This Māori tour, which began on August 1, followed a tour by the New Zealand national team which had concluded in early July. Two players, Henry Maxwell and Mauriohooho (Joe) Murray participated in both tours. Simon Yates was on the Māori tour, whilst his brother John Yates had been on the Kiwis tour.
The October 1955 issue of the Rugby League News mentioned the prospect of a Māori tour to Australia.[1] The December 1955 issue included a draft itinerary. [2]


Leadership

The Māori team was managed by Ernie Asher who had been a player on the 1908 and 1909 tours, and Wilf Davies. [3]
Travers Hardwick coached the team. Hardwick had toured Australia with the New Zealand national team in 1948 and 1952.
The team was captained by Henry Maxwell, with George Turner serving as vice-captain. [4]

Squad

The Rugby League News published a Team Photo, Player Details (Age, Height and Weight) and Pen Portraits of the tourists.

Player Position Age[5] Weight Province
George BellCentre2613. 10 (87) Auckland
Andrew BerrymanFullback, Centre2513. 2 (83) South Auckland
Jim CassidyProp2716. 7 (105) Auckland
Ted CookHooker2413. 0 (83) Auckland
Darby DiamondUtility Back2713. 10 (87) Auckland
Joe GibbonsCentre2512. 6 (79) Auckland
Ron GoodinFullback2513. 0 (83) Auckland
Denis HansenSecond-row2214. 3 (90)
Arney HawkesLock2113. 7 (86) Auckland
Russell HerawiniFive-eighth, Halfback2611. 7 (73) Auckland
Barry MaddiganWing1912. 3 (78) Auckland
Henry MaxwellProp2415. 0 (95) Auckland
Hugh McKinnonWing2012. 7 (79) South Auckland
Mauriohooho (Joe) MurraySecond-row2412. 6 (79) Auckland
Bill PakiLock, Second-row2713. 7 (86) South Auckland
Ted PenneyUtility Back2312. 4 (78) Auckland
Vic PirihiWing1912. 10 (81) Auckland
Joe RātimaProp2816. 10 (106) Auckland
Kingi TamatiHooker2212. 3 (78) Taranaki
Bill TauruUtility Back2313. 6 (85) Wellington
Jack Te KawaFive-eighth, Halfback2312. 8 (80) Auckland
George TurnerUtility Back2412. 0 (76) Auckland
Joe WrightHalfback2812. 6 (79) Auckland
Simon YatesSecond-row2013. 4 (84) Auckland

Matches

August 1 North Coast 8–10 Māori Kempsey
Tries: 2
B. Johnson
E. Carney
Goals: 1
J. Daley		 Teams[6]
Report[7]		 Tries: 2
Joe Rātima
Vic Pirihi
Goals: 2
Ron Goodin (2)
Attendance: 7,126
Referee: L. McCrae
Team list:

North Coast: FB: C. Robinson ( Nambucca), WG: S. Notaris (Upper Clarence), CE: E. Carney ( Wauchope), CE: Ray Lumsden (Urunga), WG: B. Johnson (Coffs), FE: J. Daley (Lismore), HB: O. Steele ( Nambucca), LK: George Smith (Glenreagh), SR: Arthur Collinson (Port Macquarie), SR: Guy Brazier (Dorrigo), PR: Lloyd Hudson ( Central Kempsey), HK: Percy Purchase (Kempsey CYM), PR: W. Rann (Richmond), Coach: Des Ponchard (Kempsey CYM).
New Zealand Māori: FB: Ron Goodin, WG: Hugh McKinnon, CE: Andrew Berryman, CE: George Turner, WG: Vic Pirihi, FE: Joe Gibbons, HB: Russell Herawini, LK: Arney Hawkes, SR: Simon Yates, SR: Mauriohooho (Joe) Murray, PR: Joe Rātima, HK: Kingi Tamati, PR: Henry Maxwell.

August 4 Brisbane 32–23 Māori Brisbane
Tries:

Goals:		 Report[8] Tries:

Goals:
Attendance: 9,756
August 5 Central Queensland 24–38 Māori Rockhampton
Tries:

Goals:		 Tries:

Goals:
Attendance: 6,000
August 8 Ipswich 21–11 Māori North Ipswich Reserve
Tries: 5
Denis Jackwitz (2)
Barry Brennan (2)
Jim Pegg
Goals: 3
Jim Holbeck (3)		 Tries: 3
Jack Te Kawa
Jim Cassidy
Hugh McKinnon
Goals: 1
Ted Penney
Attendance: 2,000
Gate: AU£ 370
Referee: Nev Kelly
Team list:

Ipswich: FB: Jim Holbeck ( Booval Swifts), WG: Denis Flannery ( Brothers), CE: Les Duncan ( West End), CE: Barry Brennan ( West End), WG: Jim Pegg ( Brothers), FE: Don Barrett ( Booval Swifts), HB: Des Brown ( Railways), LK: Stan Walker ( Booval Swifts), SR: Jim Breslin ( Brothers), SR: Mick Scully ( West End), PR: Dud Beattie ( Railways), HK: Denis Jackwitz ( Railways), PR: Gary Parcell ( Brothers), Coach: Dan Dempsey (Ipswich ).
New Zealand Māori: FB: Andrew Berryman, WG: Hugh McKinnon, CE: Ted Penney, CE: George Turner, WG: Barry Maddigan, FE: Jack Te Kawa, HB: Joe Wright, LK: Bill Paki, SR: Mauriohooho (Joe) Murray, SR: Simon Yates, PR: Joe Rātima, HK: Ted Cook, PR: Jim Cassidy.

August 11 Wide Bay 6–31 Māori Bundaberg
Tries:

Goals:		 Result[9] Tries:

Goals:
Attendance: 2,630
August 15 Northern Division 17–15 Māori Armidale
Tries:

Goals:		 Tries:

Goals:
Attendance: 3,000
August 18 Newcastle 19–15 Māori Newcastle Sports Ground
Tries:

Goals:		 Report[10] Tries:

Goals:
Attendance: 9,918
August 22 Western Division 5–0 Māori Dubbo
Tries: 1
Goals: 1		 Tries: 0
Goals: 0
Attendance: 2,500
Referee: C. Smith
August 26 Southern Division 17–16 Māori Wollongong
Tries: 3
Ron Smith
Bill Poland
Don Spence
Goals: 4
Darcy Russell (4)		 Report[11] Tries: 2
Arney Hawkes
George Turner
Goals: 5
Ron Goodin (5)
Attendance: 4,000
Referee: H. Barwick
Team list:

Southern Division: FB: Darcy Russell ( Wests), WG: Jack Cuneo, CE: Tony Turner, CE: Les Jones ( Jamberoo), WG: Don Spence, FE: K. Keech, HB: Ron Smith, LK: Paul Broughton ( Corrimal), SR: Angus Miller ( Berry), SR: Pat Quinn ( Gerringong), PR: Bruce Noble ( Jamberoo), PR: Bill Poland ( Corrimal), HK: Ron Hopper, Coach: Leo Doyle.
New Zealand Māori: FB: Ron Goodin, WG: Barry Maddigan, CE: Andrew Berryman, CE: George Turner, WG: Vic Pirihi, FE: Ted Penney, HB: Joe Wright, LK: Arney Hawkes, SR: Mauriohooho (Joe) Murray, SR: Simon Yates, PR: Henry Maxwell, HK: Kingi Tamati, PR: Joe Rātima.

August 29 Group 9 21–19 Māori Young
Tries:

Goals:		 Tries:

Goals:
Attendance: 3,000
Referee: D. Smith
September 2 Metropolis 20–22 Māori Sydney Sports Ground
3pm
 Tries: 4
Ray Ritchie (2)
Norm Strong
Ian Johnston
Goals: 4
Doug Fleming (4)		 Program
Report[12]		 Tries: 4
Barry Maddigan (2)
Arney Hawkes
Kingi Tamati
Goals: 5
Mauriohooho (Joe) Murray (5)
Attendance: 13,148
Referee: Col Pearce
Team list:

Metropolis: FB: Doug Fleming ( St George), WG: Ray Burke ( Parramatta), CE: Merv Lees ( St George), CE: John Hobbs ( Manly), WG: Ray Ritchie ( Manly), FE: Ian Johnston ( Wests), HB: Peter Burke ( Manly), LK: Dick See ( Easts), SR: Jack (Buddy) Bowman ( Canterbury), SR: Henry Holloway ( Newtown), PR: Mark Patch ( Wests), HK: Norm Strong ( Norths), PR: Roy Fisher ( Parramatta).
Ray Cardilini ( Norths) and Bruce Sullivan ( Easts) were selected as reserves but did not play.
New Zealand Māori: FB: Andrew Berryman, WG: Hugh McKinnon, CE: George Turner, CE: Joe Gibbons, WG: Barry Maddigan, FE: Jack Te Kawa, HB: Joe Wright, LK: Arney Hawkes, SR: Bill Paki, SR: Mauriohooho (Joe) Murray, PR: Joe Rātima, HK: Kingi Tamati, PR: Henry Maxwell.

September 6 Monaro 13–67 Māori Goulburn
Tries:

Goals:		 Team[13] Tries:

Goals:
Attendance: 1,200
Referee: W. Grugan
September 9 Sydney 37–7 Māori Sydney Sports Ground
3pm
 Tries: 7
Ray Ritchie
Bob Honeysett
Ray Cardilini
Bernie Purcell
Dick See
Harry Wells
Ian Johnston
Goals: 8
Gordon Clifford (6)
Bernie Purcell (2)		 Program Tries: 1
Joe Rātima
Goals: 2
Andrew Berryman (2)
Attendance: 11,619
Referee: Col Pearce
Team list:

Sydney: FB: Gordon Clifford ( Newtown), WG: Ray Cardilini ( Norths), CE: Bob Honeysett ( Souths), CE: Harry Wells ( Wests), WG: Ray Ritchie ( Manly), FE: Ian Johnston ( Wests), HB: Col Donohoe ( Souths), LK: Dick See ( Easts), SR: Bernie Purcell ( Souths), SR: Bruce Sullivan ( Easts), PR: Don Evenden ( Norths), HK: Norm Strong ( Norths), PR: Les Hampson ( Newtown).
John Hobbs ( Manly) and Roy Fisher ( Parramatta) were selected as reserves but did not play.
Ernie Hammerton ( Souths) was originally selected but withdrew.
New Zealand Māori: FB: Andrew Berryman, WG: Hugh McKinnon, CE: George Turner, CE: Ron Goodin, WG: Barry Maddigan, FE: Jack Te Kawa, HB: Joe Wright, LK: Arney Hawkes, SR: Bill Paki, SR: Mauriohooho (Joe) Murray, PR: Joe Rātima, HK: Kingi Tamati, PR: Henry Maxwell.

September 13 Group 20 17–22 Māori Griffith Ex-Servicemen's Oval
Tries: 3
Laurie Foley (2)
A. Campbell
Goals: 4
Fred Maxwell (4)		 Teams[14]
Report[15]		 Tries: 4
Ted Penney
George Turner
Vic Pirihi
Joe Rātima
Goals: 5
Mauriohooho (Joe) Murray (5)
Attendance: 2,460
Referee: Ray Ward
Team list:

Group 20: FB: Fred Maxwell ( Narrandera), WG: Laurie Foley ( Yenda), WG: A. Campbell ( Wagga Magpies), CE: Brian Clay ( Griffith), CE: Peter Payne ( Griffith), FE: A. Staunton ( Wagga Magpies), HB: D. Tucker ( Leeton), LK: Ossie Reberger (Wamoon), SR: B. Elliott ( Wagga Magpies), SR: Keith Kesby ( Griffith), PR: Keith Jack ( Leeton), HK: J. Castles ( Wagga Magpies), PR: Billy Watson (Wamoon).
L. Williams (Wamoon) and L. Grosso ( Yenda) were selected as reserves. George Phillips ( Leeton) was not in the selected team but is mentioned as playing in the match report of the local Griffith newspaper, The Area News.
New Zealand Māori: FB: Ron Goodin, WG: Vic Pirihi, WG: Ted Penney, CE: George Turner, CE: George Bell, FE: Russell Herawini, HB: Jack Te Kawa, LK: Bill Paki, SR: Denis Hansen, SR: Mauriohooho (Joe) Murray, PR: Joe Rātima, HK: Ted Cook, PR: Henry Maxwell.

Sources

AcronymItemYearsDatabase AppNotes
Direct Online Access
RLNRugby League News1920-1973TroveMatch Program in Sydney, Team Lists, Team Photos, Articles
RLPRugby League Project1907–presentRLP WebsiteTour itinerary.
CQHThe Central Queensland Herald1930-1956TroveShort match reports.
CTThe Canberra Times1926-1995TroveShort match reports.
Offline Resources
EECYBE.E. Christensen's Official Rugby League Year Book1946-1978Copies at
State Library of NSW		Teams and Point Scorers for the two matches in Sydney. 1957 Yearbook covers the 1956 tour.
RRLGRockhampton Rugby League Gazette1951-1968Copies at
State Library of Qld		Program for matches in Rockhampton. Collection includes club as well as Rockhampton and Central Queensland representative matches.
-Ipswich Versus International Teams[16]1913-1975Copies at
SLQ & NLA		Match Report, Given Names & Club of Ipswich Players
-The Bulimba Cup Era[17]1925-1972Copies at
SLQ & NLA		Clubs of Ipswich, Toowoomba and Brisbane players. This book includes Bulimba Cup match reports and team lists.

References

  1. ↑ New South Wales Rugby Football League. (1920). "Maoris After Tours". The Rugby League news. Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League (Vol. 36 No. 34 (1 October 1955)). nla.obj-642190345. Retrieved 16 Feb 2021 – via Trove.
  2. ↑ New South Wales Rugby Football League. (1920). "Māoris Games In Sydney". The Rugby League news. Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League (Vol. 36 No. 36 (1 December 1955)). nla.obj-642195544. Retrieved 16 Feb 2021 – via Trove.
  3. ↑ New South Wales Rugby Football League. (1920). "Wilf Davies Has Fine R.L. Record". The Rugby League news. Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League (Vol. 37 No. 27 (1 September 1956)). nla.obj-760487902. Retrieved 12 Feb 2021 – via Trove.
  4. ↑ New South Wales Rugby Football League. (1920). "Leads Maoris". The Rugby League news. Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League (Vol. 37 No. 27 (1 September 1956)). nla.obj-760487842. Retrieved 16 Feb 2021 – via Trove.
  5. ↑ Age as given in the ‘’Rugby League News’’ for the match against Metropolis
  6. ↑ "Teams In Big Match". Macleay Argus. 2 Aug 1956. p. 5.
  7. ↑ "Māoris Won-Hard Game". Macleay Argus. 2 Aug 1956. p. 5.
  8. ↑ New South Wales Rugby Football League. (1920). "Māori Centre Berryman A Dazzler". The Rugby League news. Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League (Vol. 37 No. 23 (11 August 1956)). nla.obj-760110876. Retrieved 12 Feb 2021 – via Trove.
  9. ↑ New South Wales Rugby Football League. (1920). "Turner Stars For Māoris". The Rugby League news. Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League (Vol. 37 No. 24 (18 August 1956)). nla.obj-760416760. Retrieved 12 Feb 2021 – via Trove.
  10. ↑ New South Wales Rugby Football League. (1920). "Maoris' Brilliant Form At Newcastle". The Rugby League news. Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League (Vol. 37 No. 25 (25 August 1956)). nla.obj-760421295. Retrieved 12 Feb 2021 – via Trove.
  11. ↑ Stretch, Roger (27 Aug 1956). "Big League match disappoints - Southern Defeats Māoris". Illawarra Mercury. p. 8.
  12. ↑ New South Wales Rugby Football League. (1920). "Pleaseing Display By Māoris". The Rugby League news. Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League (Vol. 37 No. 28 (8 September 1956)). nla.obj-760498786. Retrieved 12 Feb 2021 – via Trove.
  13. ↑ "Canberra League Followers Confident of Win". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 29 Aug 1956. p. 15. Retrieved 7 Feb 2021.
  14. ↑ "Big Football Here Tomorrow - 5,000 May Watch Māori Play". The Area News. 12 Sep 1956. p. 1.
  15. ↑ "New Zealand Beat Group 20 - Big Crowd Saw the Māori play". The Area News. 14 Sep 1956. p. 1.
  16. ↑ Christison, J.E. (2012). Ipswich Versus International Teams. J.E. Christison. ISBN 978-0-98060-74-2-0.
  17. ↑ Christison, J.E. (2012). Ipswich Rugby League - The Bulimba Cup Era. J.E. Christison. ISBN 978-0-98060-74-0-6.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.