The 1951 French rugby league tour of Australia and New Zealand was the first ever tour of Australasia by any French sports team in history.

Puig Aubert Puig Aubert (born Robert Aubert Puig, 24 March 1925 – 3 June 1994), is often considered the best French rugby league footballer of all-time. Over a 16-year professional career he would play for Carcassonne, XIII Catalan, Celtic de Paris and Ca ...

captained the France national rugby league team who played 28 matches in total in both Australia and

New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...

, winning 21 of them in what is regarded as the high point in the history of

rugby league in France Rugby league has been played in France since 1934. As with rugby union, rugby league was introduced by the English and the heartland of the game is in the south of France. During the Second World War, in association with the French Rugby Federatio ...

. The

Australian Australian(s) may refer to: Australia * Australia, a country * Australians, citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia ** European Australians ** Anglo-Celtic Australians, Australians descended principally from British colonists ** Aboriginal A ...

Test Test(s), testing, or TEST may refer to: * Test (assessment), an educational assessment intended to measure the respondents' knowledge or other abilities Arts and entertainment * ''Test'' (2013 film), an American film * ''Test'' (2014 film), ...

series resulted in a 2–1 victory to France; however, the tourists then lost their match against the

New Zealand national rugby league team The New Zealand national rugby league team ( Māori: Tīma rīki motu Aotearoa) has represented New Zealand in rugby league since 1907. Administered by the New Zealand Rugby League, they are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of ...

. Welcoming the team home to

Marseille Marseille ( , , ; also spelled in English as Marseilles; oc, Marselha ) is the prefecture of the French department of Bouches-du-Rhône and capital of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Situated in the camargue region of southern Fra ...

, more than 150,000 people turned out for a street parade.

Touring squad

StateLibQld 1 103926 Rugby league players relaxing in Brisbane, 1951

The French side was coached by former internationals

Robert Samatan Robert Samatan, nicknamed ''Bob la Science'' (Toulouse, 16 April 1909 - Antibes, 4 May 1986) was a French rugby union and rugby league footballer. He debuted for T.O.E.C (rugby union), 1.78m tall and weighing 76 kg at his debut, later he p ...

and

Jean Duhau Jean Duhau (1906-1973) is a French rugby footballer who represented France as a player in both rugby league and rugby union. He later became a coach and coached France rugby league team in multiple Rugby League World Cups. Playing career Duhau ...

, and was captained by

. France had just claimed the

1950–51 European Rugby League Championship This was the eleventh European Championships and was won for the third time by France on points difference. Results Final standings *France wins the tournament on point differential. References

European Nations Cup 1950 in Engli ...

before embarking on the tour. The squad's average age was 26.5 years. The backs' average weight was while the forwards' was .
Claude Teisseire, half back for

Carcassonne Carcassonne (, also , , ; ; la, Carcaso) is a French fortified city in the department of Aude, in the region of Occitanie. It is the prefecture of the department. Inhabited since the Neolithic, Carcassonne is located in the plain of the Au ...

and Lucien Barris, a forward, were initially selected in the squad but did not tour.
The ''Rugby League News'' publishe
Player Details
(Position, Occupation, Age, Height and Weight). France's captain Puig Aubert had been offered a large contract to play in Sydney but returned to his homeland where he was voted French sportsman of the year.

Australian leg

The tour's Australian leg featured games played in every mainland State capital except Adelaide, drawing a total of over 450,000 spectators. Monaro: FB: Max Preston (age 20) ( Queanbeyan United Colours

Queanbeyan), WG: Don Stewart (24) ( Bombala), CE:

Doug McRitchie Douglas Allan McRitchie (1923–1998) was an Australian rugby league player who played in the 1940s and 1950s. A New South Wales state and Australia national representative centre, he played his club football in Sydney for the St. George club ...

(27) (

, Queanbeyan), CE: Tom Hodges (21) (Adaminaby), WG: Terry Fogarty ( Goulburn), FE: P. Schumack (19) ( Bega), HB: Ken Brogan (c) (24) ( Cooma), PR: Ted Schell (19) ( Norths), HK: Ken Fogarty (22) ( Goulburn), PR: K. Barber (21) ( Bega), SR: Bruce Grant (21) ( Albury Roos

Eden), SR: Bob Alexander (26) ( Canberra), LK: Pat Rankin (20) ( Norths). Jack Melville ( Captain's Flat) was selected as a reserve, but did not play. Jack Southwell (25) ( Canberra) was selected, but withdrew due to injury.
France:

, Ode Lespes,

Gaston Comes Gaston is a masculine given name of French origin and a surname. The name "Gaston" may refer to: People First name *Gaston I, Count of Foix (1287–1315) * Gaston II, Count of Foix (1308–1343) *Gaston III, Count of Foix (1331–1391) *Gaston ...

, Maurice Andre, Raymond Contrastin, Robert Caillou, Jean Dop,

Paul Bartoletti Paul may refer to: *Paul (given name), a given name (includes a list of people with that name) *Paul (surname), a list of people People Christianity *Paul the Apostle (AD c.5–c.64/65), also known as Saul of Tarsus or Saint Paul, early Chris ...

, Gabriel Genoud, Andre Beraud, Michael Lopez,

Élie Brousse Élie Brousse (28 August 1921 – 2 July 2019) was a French rugby league player for Roanne, Marseille and Lyon Villeurbanne in the French rugby league championship competition. His position of choice was as a . Brousse featured in the 1951 Fren ...

, Gaston Calixte
The ''Daily Telegraph'' included a match report from France's tour manager, Antoine Blain, as well as their chief football writer. ---- Newcastle: FB: Les Milne (age 23) (

Maitland Maitland is an English and Scottish surname. It arrived in Britain after the Norman conquest of 1066. There are two theories about its source. It is either a nickname reference to "bad temper/disposition" (Old French, ''Maltalent''; Anglo Norm ...

), WG: Jack Bradley (19) ( Souths), CE: Rees Duncan (20) ( Kurri), CE: Frank Threlfo (19) (

), WG:

Brian Carlson Brian Patrick Carlson (12 February 1933 – 14 April 1987) was an Australian professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1950s and 1960s. He was a & utility back for the Australia national team. He played in 17 Tests and 6 World Cu ...

(17) ( Norths), FE: Les Brown (27) (

), HB: Eric Long (23) ( Norths), PR: Charlie Gill (c) (29) ( Norths), HK: Jack Gordon (22) ( Waratah Mayfield), PR: Jim Evans (22) (

), SR: Albert Paul (23) (

Lakes United Lakes United is a rugby league club based in the Newcastle, New South Wales region of Australia. Known as ''The Seagulls'' and wearing Royal blue and Gold, they have been a member of the Newcastle Rugby League since 1947. History Lakes United ...

), SR:

Don Schofield Don Schofield was an Australian professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1950s and 1960s. An Australia national and New South Wales state representative forward, he played his club football in the Newcastle Rugby League for Cessn ...

(20) ( Cessnock), LK: Ben Haslam (23) ( Centrals). Coach: Col Maxwell (

).
Two players were selected as reserves, but did not play: Barry Redding (23) ( Norths) and Pat Donnelly (21) ( Souths).
Newcastle played in red jerseys with a black V, rather than their traditional blue, to avoid a clash with the French jumpers.
France: Maurice Andre, Raymond Contrastin, Jacques Merquey,

Vincent Cantoni Vincent Cantoni (Laguiole, 10 March 1927 – Grenade, 28 October 2013) was a French rugby league footballer who represented France national rugby league team The France national rugby league team represent France in international rugby league ...

, Maurice Bellan, Robert Caillou (c), Francois Rinaldi, Jean Audobert,

Louis Mazon Louis may refer to: * Louis (coin) * Louis (given name), origin and several individuals with this name * Louis (surname) * Louis (singer), Serbian singer * HMS ''Louis'', two ships of the Royal Navy See also Derived or associated terms * Lewis (d ...

François Montrucolis François () is a French masculine given name and surname, equivalent to the English name Francis. People with the given name * Francis I of France, King of France (), known as "the Father and Restorer of Letters" * Francis II of France, Kin ...

Guy Delaye Guy Delaye is a French former professional rugby league footballer who represented France in the 1954 Rugby League World Cup, as a . Career Delaye, then playing for Marseille XIII, was called up to play the 1954 Rugby League World Cup which was ...

Raoul Perez __NOTOC__ Raoul is a French variant of the male given name Ralph or Rudolph, and a cognate of Raul. Raoul may also refer to: Given name * Raoul Berger, American legal scholar * Raoul Bova, Italian actor * Radulphus Brito (Raoul le Breton, died ...

---- Western Districts: FB: Oriel Kennerson ( Bathurst Charlestons), WG: Norm Jacobson (c) ( Condobolin), CE:

Leo Nosworthy Leo Nosworthy (21 November 1927 – 13 April 2021) was an Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s and 1950s. In 1969, he became the premiership winning coach of the Balmain Tigers rugby league team. Playing career Nosworthy ...

( Narromine), CE: Jack Birney ( Coolah), WG: Max Smith ( Wellington), FE: Rolf Trudgett ( Wellington), HB: William Kelly ( Lithgow Arms Factory), PR: J. West (Orange), HK: Ian Walsh ( Condobolin), PR: Frank Hogan (Mendooran), SR: Len Kable ( Coonabarabran), SR: Ron Kelly ( Forbes), LK: Ken Slattery ( Canowindra), Coach: Les Lay ( Wellington).
Two players were selected as reserves, but did not play: John George ( Wellington) and W. Neil ( Cobar). France:

(c), Raymond Contrastin, Ode Lespes, Maurice Bellan, Maurice Andre, Rene Duffort, Jean Dop, Francois Rinaldi, Jean Audobert, Andre Beraud, Michael Lopez, Édouard Ponsinet,

---- Sydney: FB:

Clive Churchill Clive Bernard Churchill AM (21 January 1927 – 9 August 1985) was an Australian professional rugby league footballer and coach in the mid-20th century. An Australian international and New South Wales and Queensland interstate representative ...

Johnny Bliss John Charles "Johnny" Bliss (30 August 1922 – 9 September 1974) was an Australian rugby league footballer who played for Balmain, North Sydney and Manly-Warringah in the NSWRL between 1942 and 1951. Rugby league career Born in Queensland ...

(29) ( Manly), CE:

Ray Thomas Raymond Thomas (29 December 1941 – 4 January 2018) was an English multi-instrumentalist, flautist, singer, founding member and composer in the English progressive rock band the Moody Blues. His flute solo on the band's 1967 hit single "Night ...

( Easts), CE: Gordon Willoughby (24) ( Manly), WG:

Johnny Graves John (Johnny) Graves (19 January 1926 – 23 July 1983) was an Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s and 1950s. An Australia national rugby league team, Australian international representative goal-kicking , he played his ...

(24) ( Souths), FE: Frank Stanmore (21) ( Wests), HB:

Keith Holman Keith Victor Holman, MBE (11 September 1927 – 11 October 2011) was an Australian Rugby League footballer, a national and state representative whose club career was played with Western Suburbs from 1949 to 1961. He has since been name ...

(23) ( Wests), PR: Denis Donoghue (23) ( Souths), HK: Kevin Schubert (23) ( Manly), PR: Jack Holland (27) ( St George), SR:

Bernie Purcell Bernie Purcell (1928–2001) was an Australian rugby league premiership winning footballer and coach. He was a goal-kicking second-row forward of the 1950s for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, the Australian national representative and the New S ...

(23) ( Souths), SR:

Noel Mulligan Noel Mulligan (April 12, 1926 - March 11, 2000), also known by the nickname of "The Count", was an Australian professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s and 1950s. An Australian international and New South Wales interstate r ...

(25) ( St George), LK:

Les Cowie Leslie Gordon Cowie (17 May 1925 – 20 May 1995) was an Australian rugby league footballer, a fine for the champion South Sydney Rabbitohs teams of the 1950s and an Australia national rugby league team, Australia national representative. In ...

(26) ( Souths).
Johnny Hawke (26) ( St George) was initially selected but withdrew, his place being taken by Thomas. Noel Pidding (24) ( St George) and Charlie Banks (24) ( Easts) were named as reserves, but did not play. France:

(c), Raymond Contrastin, Jacques Merquey,

, Rene Duffort, Joseph Crespo,

, Gabriel Genoud,

, Édouard Ponsinet,

, Gaston Calixte ---- Riverina: FB: Les Koch ( Gundagai), WG: Neil Kingsmill ( Albury Blues 2

Albury Blues), CE: Bruce (Powderly, Powderley) Powdery (Boorowa), CE: Noel Bruce ( Junee), WG: John Biscaya (

Lockhart), FE: Rowley (Roley) McDonnell ( Cootamundra), HB: John Scott ( Young), PR: Don Milton ( Temora), HK: Peter Coupland ( Albury Blues 2

Albury Blues), PR:

Nevyl Hand Nevyl Hand (1924-2014) was an Australian professional rugby league Rugby league football, commonly known as just rugby league and sometimes football, footy, rugby or league, is a full-contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players ...

(c) ( Gundagai), SR: Doug Piper ( Young), SR: Ray Green ( Cowra), LK: Peter O'Connor ( Harden).
Two players were selected as reserves, but did not play: J. (Buster) Harvey ( Young), Alan Glover (Boorowa). France:

, Maurice Andre, Maurice Bellan, Jacques Merquey, Ode Lespes, Robert Caillou (c), Jean Dop, Francois Rinaldi, Jean Audobert, Andre Beraud,

, Michael Lopez,

----

1st Test

After five matches against New South Welsh teams, the French side played the tour's first

Test match Test match in some sports refers to a sporting contest between national representative teams and may refer to: * Test cricket * Test match (indoor cricket) * Test match (rugby union) * Test match (rugby league) * Test match (association football) ...

against Australia in Sydney. The two countries had played four Tests against each other previously, with Australia winning all of them. All of the French players selected for the Test had played in at least one tour match so far except their five-eighth, Charles Galaup who had only recently arrived in the country. The Australian team featured nine players from the Sydney team that drew with France nine days prior, in addition to four Queenslanders. Puig-Aubert opened the scoring with a

Penalty kick A penalty shot or penalty kick is a play used in several sports whereby a goal is attempted during untimed play. Depending on the sport, when a player commits certain types of penalties, the opposition is awarded a penalty shot or kick attempt. ...

. At one point France led 16–0, but Australia came back, starting with a penalty kick by Graves. The half time score was 16–2. Australia came back strongly in the second half. However, the game ended with the French celebrating their first ever rugby league victory against Australia. France's captain

was presented the Commonwealth Jubilee Cup after the match by the

Governor General of Australia The governor-general of Australia is the representative of the monarch, currently King Charles III, in Australia.William McKell Sir William John McKell (26 September 1891 – 11 January 1985) was an Australian politician who served as the 12th Governor-General of Australia, in office from 1947 to 1953. He had previously been Premier of New South Wales from 1941 to 1947 ...

. ---- Northern Division: FB: Ken McCrohon ( Armidale), WG: Morrie Murphy ( Inverell), CE: Norman Young ( West Tamworth), CE: Jack Goldman ( Dora Creek

Uralla), WG: N. (Coogan) Thornton ( Dora Creek

Uralla), FE: Ron Madden ( Inverell), HB: Eric Fraser ( Moree), PR: B. Carlton ( Walcha), HK: Alf Hardman ( Moree), PR: Arthur Henderson ( Moree), SR: Les Gilmore (

Scone A scone is a baked good, usually made of either wheat or oatmeal with baking powder as a leavening agent, and baked on sheet pans. A scone is often slightly sweetened and occasionally glazed with egg wash. The scone is a basic component ...

), SR: Barry Jackson ( Moree), LK: Cecil Bull ( Manilla).
Four players were selected as reserves, but did not play: P. Starr ( Guyra), Trevor Hong ( Armidale), R. Partridge ( West Tamworth), Neville Harrison (

). France: FB: Maurice Andre, WG: Ode Lespes, CE: Robert Caillou, CE: Joseph Crespo, WG: Maurice Bellan, FE: Charles Galaup, HB: Jean Dop, PR: François Rinaldi, HK: Jean Audoubert, PR: Andre Beraud, SR: Michel Lopez, SR:

, LK:

. ---- Queensland: FB: Nev Linde (age 24) ( Tivoli), WG:

Denis Flannery Denis Flannery (1928 – 2012), also known by the nickname of "Flag Pole", was an Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s and 1950s. An Australian international and Queensland interstate representative winger, he playe ...

(22) ( Ipswich CYM), CE: Noel Hazzard (26) (Bundaberg), CE: Rex McGlynn (24) (Bundaberg), WG:

Des McGovern Des V. McGovern (1928 - 2013) was an Australian professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s and 1950s. A Queensland state and Australia national representative winger, he played his club football in Toowoomba, where he later be ...

(25) ( Toowoomba All Whites), FE: Harry Griffiths (25) ( Booval Swifts), HB:

Ken McCaffery Ken McCaffery (27 September 1929 – 6 February 2021) was an Australian professional rugby league footballer, commentator and administrator. As a player, he was an Australian national and Queensland state representative back. He played his clu ...

(21) ( Toowoomba Souths), PR: Duncan Hall (23) ( Toowoomba Newtown), HK: Ron Davis ( Sarina), PR: Alan Thompson (28) ( Souths), SR: Bernie Drew (23) (Bundaberg), SR: Brian Davies (21) (

Brisbane Brothers The Past Brothers Rugby League Football Club, or Brisbane Brothers Rugby League Football Club nicknamed the Leprechauns, or more commonly known as Brothers, or as The Brethren, was a rugby league club based in the city of Brisbane, Australia, ...

), LK: Harold 'Mick' Crocker (24) ( Souths).
Two players were selected as reserves, but did not play: Alex Watson (18) ( Wests), Gordon Teys ( Toowoomba Valleys).
This match was Ron Davis' only appearance for the Maroons. France: FB:

, WG: Raymond Contrastin, CE: Jacky Merquey, CE: Charles Galaup, WG:

, FE: René Duffort, HB: Joseph Crespo, PR: Paul Bartoletti, HK: Gabriel Genoud, PR: Andre Beraud, SR:

, SR: Édouard Ponsinet, LK: Louis Mazon. ---- Central Queensland: FB: Alan Poole ( Brothers), WG: Sid Irvine ( Blackall), CE: Mick Hauff ( Blackall), CE: Wal Gill ( Barcaldine), WG: Leo (Jeffcoat) Jeffcoot ( Brothers), FE: Vivian (Mick) Irwin ( Blackall), HB: Bernie Johnson ( Longreach), PR: Mick Turnbull ( Blackall), HK: H. Johnson ( Railways), PR: C (Bow) Harkin ( Brothers), SR: Reg Beath ( Railways), SR: Norm Elliott ( Winton), LK: Trevor Whitehead ( Brothers).
France: FB:

, WG:

, CE: Maurice Andre, CE: Gaston Comes, WG: Ode Lespes, FE: Maurice Bellan, HB: René Duffort, PR: Andre Beraud, HK: Jean Audoubert, PR: François Rinaldi, SR: François Montrucolis, SR: Michel Lopez, LK: Gaston Calixte. ---- North Queensland: FB: John Jabore (age 21) ( Bucas), WG: Terry Boland (24) ( Brothers), CE: Jack Horrigan (26) ( Ayr), CE: Frank Power (23) ( Brothers), WG: Gordon Farrelly ( Kangaroos), FE: Bob Banks (21) (Charters Towers), HB: Max Short (21) ( Souths), PR: Charlie Woods (29) ( Ayr), HK: Jim (Tom) Wedesweiler (24) ( Bucas), PR: Hume Ronald (21) ( Carltons), SR: Maurice Robertson (21) ( Brothers), SR: Roy (Blondi) Greenwood (23) ( Sarina), LK: Ron McLennan (26) ( Ayr).
Pat Harvey (Herbert River) was selected as a reserve, but did not play.
France: FB:

, WG: Raymond Contrastin, CE: Gaston Comes, CE: Joseph Crespo, WG:

, FE: Jacky Merquey, HB: Charles Galaup, PR: Paul Bartoletti, HK: Gabriel Genoud, PR: Louis Mazon, SR: François Montrucolis, SR: Édouard Ponsinet, LK: René Duffort. ---- Wide Bay: FB: Ken Kennedy (Wallaroos), WG: M. Tickle (Gympie), CE: E. Barnes (Bundaberg), CE: Rex McGlynn (Bundaberg), WG: Ken Gayton (Bundaberg), FE: D. Nixon (Bundaberg), HB: N. (Tubby) Adsett ( Nambour), PR: Ivan Lloyd-Jones (Bundaberg), HK: Dennis Jackwitz (Bundaberg), PR: M. Kasmer (Bundaberg), SR: B. Long (Gympie), SR: Tom Hooper ( Nambour), LK: Keith Kendrick (Wallaroos).
France: FB: Charles Galaup, WG: Maurice Andre, CE: Maurice Bellan, CE: François Montrucolis, WG: Ode Lespes, FE: Robert Caillou, HB: Jean Dop, PR: Martin Martin, HK: Jean Audoubert, PR: Andre Beraud, SR:

, SR: François Rinaldi, LK: Michel Lopez

2nd Test

After five matches against Queensland teams, the French side played the tour's second

against Australia in

Brisbane Brisbane ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Queensland, and the third-most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a population of approximately 2.6 million. Brisbane lies at the centre of the South ...

. Only one change was made to the French team for the second Test: five-eighth Charles Galaup was replaced by Jacques Merquey. This time The Australian test team included six Queenslanders and returned to its winning ways with a 23–11 victory. Following a head clash with French prop forward Louis Mazon in the second half, Australian captain Clive Churchill was assisted from the field. ---- France were leading 12–7 at half time. However, in the second half Brisbane captain and

five-eighth Five-eighth or Stand-off is one of the positions in a rugby league football team. Wearing jersey number 6, this player is one of the two half backs in a team, partnering the . Sometimes known as the pivot or second receiver, in a traditional a ...

George Atherdon George may refer to: People * George (given name) * George (surname) * George (singer), American-Canadian singer George Nozuka, known by the mononym George * George Washington, First President of the United States * George W. Bush, 43rd Presiden ...

scored a

try Try or TRY may refer to: Music Albums * ''Try!'', an album by the John Mayer Trio * ''Try'' (Bebo Norman album) (2014) Songs * "Try" (Blue Rodeo song) (1987) * "Try" (Colbie Caillat song) (2014) * "Try" (Nelly Furtado song) (2004) * " Try (Ju ...

and his side was leading 16–15 with seven minutes remaining. France were awarded a

penalty Penalty or The Penalty may refer to: Sports * Penalty (golf) * Penalty (gridiron football) * Penalty (ice hockey) * Penalty (rugby) * Penalty (rugby union) * Penalty kick (association football) * Penalty shoot-out (association football) A p ...

near the half-way line and

Puig-Aubert Puig Aubert (born Robert Aubert Puig, 24 March 1925 – 3 June 1994), is often considered the best French rugby league footballer of all-time. Over a 16-year professional career he would play for Carcassonne, XIII Catalan, Celtic de Paris and C ...

scored a drop-goal from about 53 yards out two minutes from full-time. Aubert reached a points total for the tour of 112, thus passing Briton Ernest Ward's total of 106 the previous year. Brisbane: FB: Norm Pope (

Valleys A valley is an elongated low area often running between hills or mountains, which will typically contain a river or stream running from one end to the other. Most valleys are formed by erosion of the land surface by rivers or streams ove ...

), WG: Wally McDonald ( Wests), CE: Alex Watson ( Wests), CE: Nev Wilson ( Souths), WG: Robert Kille ( Easts), FE: George Atherden ( Norths), HB: Ron Stanton ( Easts), PR: William Sims ( Wests), HK: Terry Coman (

Brothers A brother is a man or boy who shares one or more parents with another; a male sibling. The female counterpart is a sister. Although the term typically refers to a familial relationship, it is sometimes used endearingly to refer to non-familia ...

), PR: Keith Blackford (

Wynnum Wynnum is a coastal suburb in the City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. In the , Wynnum had a population of 12,915 people. The suburb is a popular destination in Brisbane due to its coastline, jetty and tidal wading pool. Geography Wynnu ...

), SR: Jack Fallon (

), SR: Brian Davies (

), LK: Harold (Mick) Crocker ( Souths).
The following were selected as reserves, but did not play: Doug Anderson (

), Len Blaik ( Easts) and Col McAllister ( Wests).
Alan Thompson ( Souths) was initially selected to captain the Brisbane side, but withdrew after acquiring an injury in the Second Test.
France: FB:

, WG: Maurice Andre, CE: Michel Lopez, CE: Maurice Bellan, WG: Ode Lespes, FE: Charles Galaup, HB: Robert Caillou, PR: Andre Beraud, HK: Jean Audoubert, PR: Martin Martin, SR: François Rinaldi, SR:

LK: François Montrucolis. ---- Toowoomba: FB: William Sullivan ( All Whites), WG: Pat McMahon ( Souths), CE: Athol Halpin ( All Whites), CE: Sammy Hunter ( Souths), WG: Max Higgins ( Valleys), FE: Jim Heidke ( Valleys), HB: Ken McCaffery ( Souths), PR: Duncan Hall ( Newtown), HK: Kev Boshammer ( All Whites), PR: Jack Rooney ( All Whites), SR: Bill Beardsworth ( Valleys), SR: Gordon Teys ( Valleys), LK: Ron (Roy) Teys ( Valleys). Coach: Duncan Thompson (

Toowoomba Toowoomba ( , nicknamed 'The Garden City' and 'T-Bar') is a city in the Toowoomba Region of the Darling Downs, Queensland, Australia. It is west of Queensland's capital city Brisbane by road. The urban population of Toowoomba as of the 2021 ...

).
Bill Callinan ( Newtown) was originally selected, but withdrew. He was replaced in the line-up by Hunter.
The following players were also selected as reserves, but did not play: Des McGovern ( All Whites), W. Hookway ( Souths) and Neil Teys ( Valleys).
France: FB:

, WG: Ode Lespes, CE: Jacky Merquey, CE: René Duffort, WG:

, FE: Charles Galaup, HB: Joseph Crespo, PR: Gabriel Genoud, HK: Martin Martin, PR: Paul Bartoletti, SR: François Rinaldi, SR:

, LK: François Montrucolis. ---- North Coast: FB: Allan Lawson (Coffs), WG: Ken McDonald (Taree-Old Bar), CE: Colin Sherwood (Murwillumbah), CE: Alby Duncan ( Bowraville), WG: Ron Algie (Taree-Old Bar), FE: Austin White (Taree Brown's Creek Taree), HB: Eric Carney ( Wauchope), PR: Basil Cook (Taree-Old Bar), HK: Kevin McKiernan (Kempsey CYM), PR: Bob Campbell ( Bowraville), SR: Rex Chaffer (Macksville), SR: George Alaban (Macksville), LK: K. Killett (Macksville).
J. McNamara (Bonalbo) was selected in the team to play South Sydney and France, but played only in the match against Souths on June 16. N. Walsham ( Lockhart

Grafton All Blacks) was selected as a reserve for both matches, but did not play against France.
North Coast played in black and white jerseys in both matches.
France: FB:

, WG: Raymond Contrastin, CE: Robert Caillou, CE: Maurice Bellan, WG: Ode Lespes, FE: Charles Galaup, HB: Jean Dop, PR: Andre Beraud, HK: Jean Audoubert, PR: Louis Mazon, SR: Michel Lopez, SR:

, LK: Raoul Perez. New South Wales: FB: Clive Churchill (24) ( Souths), WG: Noel Pidding (24) ( St George), CE: Johnny Hawke (25) ( St George), CE: Col Cooper (25) (

Canterbury Canterbury (, ) is a cathedral city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, situated in the heart of the City of Canterbury local government district of Kent, England. It lies on the River Stour. The Archbishop of Canterbury is the primate of ...

), WG: Ron Roberts (23) ( St George), FE: Wally O'Connell (28) ( Manly), HB: Keith Holman (23) ( Wests), PR: Fred Brown (25) ( Manly), HK: Kevin Schubert (23) ( Manly), PR: Denis Donoghue (23) ( Souths), SR: Noel Mulligan (25) ( St George), SR: Charlie Banks (24) ( Easts), LK: Les Cowie (26) ( Souths).
The following players were selected as reserves, but didi not play: Harry Wells (19) ( Souths), and Bernie Purcell (23) ( Souths).
France: FB:

, WG: Raymond Contrastin, CE: Jacky Merquey, CE: Gaston Comes, WG:

, FE: Charles Galaup, HB: Joseph Crespo, PR: Paul Bartoletti, HK: Martin Martin, PR: Louis Mazon, SR:

, SR: Édouard Ponsinet, LK: René Duffort ---- Southern Division: FB: Ross Thomas ( Wollongong), WG: Terry Cook ( C.B.C.), CE: Jack (Johnny) Seymour ( Bowral), CE: Len Torpy ( Wollongong), WG: Arthur Thompson (

Nowra Nowra is a city in the South Coast region of New South Wales, Australia. It is located south-southwest of the state capital of Sydney (about as the crow flies). As of the 2021 census, Nowra has an estimated population of 22,584. Situated in t ...

), FE: Johnny Rouse (

), HB: Jack McDonald (

Kiama Kiama () is a coastal town 120 kilometres south of Sydney in the Illawarra. One of the main tourist attractions is the Kiama Blowhole. Kiama features several popular surfing beaches and caravan parks, and numerous alfresco cafes and restaurants ...

), PR: Bill Burgess ( Wollongong), HK: Bill Bolt ( C.B.C.), PR: Jim Ralston (

Port Kembla A port is a maritime law, maritime facility comprising one or more Wharf, wharves or loading areas, where ships load and discharge Affreightment, cargo and passengers. Although usually situated on a sea coast or estuary, ports can a ...

), SR: Angus Miller ( Berry), SR: Bruce Smith (

Thirroul Thirroul () is a northern seaside suburb of the city of Wollongong, Australia. Situated between Austinmer and Bulli, it is approximately 13 kilometres north of Wollongong, and 73 km south of Sydney. It lies between the Pacific Ocean ...

), LK: Don Townsend (

), Coach: Harry Nolan ( Wests).
Ian Moir (

) was originally selected in the team, but did not play. He was replaced on the wing by Arthur Thompson.
Les Gillard ( Picton) and Keith Clark ( Camden) were selected as reserves, but did not play.
France: FB: Gaston Comes, WG: Raoul Perez, CE: Maurice Bellan, CE: René Duffort, WG: Ode Lespes, FE: Robert Caillou, HB: Jean Dop, PR: Paul Bartoletti, HK: Jean Audoubert, PR: Andre Beraud, SR:

, SR: Michel Lopez, LK: François Montrucolis. ----

3rd Test

The French team travelled back from Queensland to Sydney for the third and deciding Test match of the series. The Australians were slight favourites to win the match. People began to queue up in bitterly cold winds the night before the match. French captain and fullback

kicked 7 goals and his half back Joseph Crespo scored three tries as the tourists overpowered Australia to claim the Test series. This was the last

test match Test match in some sports refers to a sporting contest between national representative teams and may refer to: * Test cricket * Test match (indoor cricket) * Test match (rugby union) * Test match (rugby league) * Test match (association football) ...

for Australian

Wally O'Connell Wally O'Connell OAM (6 April 1923 – 28 June 2017) was an Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s and 1950s, and coached in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. He was a for the Australian national team. He played in ten Test ...

. ----

New Zealand leg

---- France defeated

13–7 in front of 13,000 at the Show Grounds.Coffey, John. ''Canterbury XIII'', Christchurch, 1987. ---- ----

Test Match

defeated

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan area ...

16–15 in a "brutal match" at

Carlaw Park Carlaw Park was a multi-purpose stadium in Parnell, a central suburb of Auckland, New Zealand. It neighboured the Auckland Domain's Northern end. It was primarily used for rugby league and had a peak spectator capacity of around 28,000 in the 1 ...

. Des White kicked the winning penalty goal after the full-time siren had sounded to seal victory in "one of the most dramatic and dirtiest games ever played by the Kiwis". First it was West Coast five-eighth George "Geordie" Menzies forced off with a cheekbone broken by a French head-butt. Then it was Otago's 1946 All Black halfback, Jimmy Haig with a broken jaw. Also

Charlie McBride Charles Joseph McBride (10 April 1925 – 3 October 2013) was a New Zealand rugby league player who represented New Zealand. Early life McBride was born in Greymouth. He was educated at the Marist Brothers School, Greymouth. Playing caree ...

was bitten. In the mid-second half, a brawl erupted amongst the forwards. French prop and national middleweight champion, Louis Mazon, was heavily involved. It took referee J. Griffen three minutes to separate the combatants. Ten minutes later, when the touch judges and officials intervened and things finally settled down, Griffen sent France's hooker Martin Martin from the field for throwing mud at him,New Zealand vs France 1951
''rugbyleagueproject.org'' but the Frenchman refused to go. The president of the French Rugby League, Anton Blain, and his New Zealand counterpart, Jack Redwood, came on and eventually persuaded Martin to leave the field. No replacements were allowed so the game wound down with 11 Kiwis on the field against 12 Frenchmen. There was no ground clock or siren in those days and the players had to listen for the chimes from the nearby

University of Auckland , mottoeng = By natural ability and hard work , established = 1883; years ago , endowment = NZD $293 million (31 December 2021) , budget = NZD $1.281 billion (31 December 2021) , chancellor = Cecilia Tarrant , vice_chancellor = Dawn F ...

wedding-cake tower to get an indication of time remaining. They knew that it was usually all over by 4 pm, but this game went well past four. In the final seconds of the match New Zealand wing Bevin Hough, a

1950 British Empire Games The 1950 British Empire Games was the fourth staging of what is now called the Commonwealth Games. It was held in Auckland, New Zealand between 4 and 11 February 1950, after a 12-year gap from the third edition of the games. The main venue was ...

silver medal-winning sprinter, was heading for the Domain Stand corner and a certain try when he was taken out by a high shot from Cantoni. White was then called to kick. He backed up against the white picket fence sideline on the domain side, and sent the ball sailing between the posts, the crowd roaring before it got there. The bitterness continued. One of the Frenchmen attacked Maurie Robertson, leaping onto his back as he left the field, and a touch judge was knocked to the ground. As the crowd gathered to congratulate the Kiwis, the French spat at them. Later however, at the after-match dinner the French were gentlemen, conceding victory to the better side. Puig Aubert shook White's hand and congratulated him on the match-winning goal. The 50th anniversary of this match was commemorated during the

2001 French rugby league tour of New Zealand and Papua New Guinea The 2001 French rugby league tour of New Zealand and Papua New Guinea was a tour by the France national rugby league team. Background The French arrived in the Southern Hemisphere having put in mediocre performance in the 2000 Rugby League World Cu ...

with another Test between New Zealand and France in Auckland. ---- Two days after the one-off Test match France returned to

to play

Auckland Auckland (pronounced ) ( mi, Tāmaki Makaurau) is a large metropolitan city in the North Island of New Zealand. The most populous urban area in the country and the fifth largest city in Oceania, Auckland has an urban population of about ...

. France won 15–10 in front of 30,000 spectators. Auckland included

Des White Desmond Henry White (born 1927) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s and 1950s. A record-breaking goal-kicking , he was named amongst the country's finest players of the 20th century. His total for ...

Jimmy Edwards James Keith O'Neill Edwards, DFC (23 March 19207 July 1988) was an English comedy writer and actor on radio and television, best known as Pa Glum in ''Take It from Here'' and as headmaster "Professor" James Edwards in ''Whack-O!''. Early lif ...

, Tommy Baxter,

Cyril Eastlake Cyril Aston Eastlake (21 August 1930 – 30 September 2007) was a New Zealand rugby league player who represented his nation in the sport. He captained New Zealand at the 1954 World Cup and also played at the 1960 World Cup. Early years Eastl ...

, Bevin Hough, Bruce Robertson, captain

Des Barchard Desmond Alfred Barchard is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer, and coach who represented and coached New Zealand. Barchard was the coach of the Kiwis in the 1968 and 1972 World Cups. His uncle, Len Barchard also played for New Zealand, ...

, Cliff Johnson, George Davidson, Graham Burgoyne,

Doug Richards-Jolley Doug Richards-Jolley is a New Zealand rugby league player who represented New Zealand. Playing career Richards-Jolley played for the Ponsonby club in the Auckland Rugby League competition and represented Auckland. In 1951 he was selected to pl ...

, Clarence Hurndell and Allan Wiles.Coffey, John and Bernie Wood ''Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909-2009'', 2009. . ---- During this match, French half-back Jean Dop was running for the ball when he was struck by a spectator, prompting police to move the crowd from the area. ----

Australian return leg

Following the New Zealand of the tour, the French returned to Australia for another 3 matches before heading home. A New South Wales XIII: FB: Ron Willey (

), WG: Jack Lumsden ( Manly), CE: Gordon Willoughby ( Manly), CE: Matt McCoy ( St George), WG: John McClean ( Norths), FE: Greg Hawick ( Souths), HB: Col Donohoe ( Easts), PR: Bryan Orrock ( Souths), HK: Kevin Schubert ( Manly), PR: Fred Brown ( Manly), SR: Ferris Ashton ( Easts), SR: Jack Rayner ( Souths), LK: Nev Charlton (

).
Kevin Woolfe ( Souths) and Tom Tyrrell ( Balmain) were selected as reserves, but did not play.
France: FB:

, WG: Raymond Contrastin, CE: Joseph Crespo, CE: Maurice Bellan, WG:

, FE: Charles Galaup, HB: Jean Dop, PR: Andre Beraud, HK: Martin Martin, PR: Louis Mazon, SR:

, SR: Édouard Ponsinet, LK: Gaston Calixte. ---- An Australian XIII: FB: Clive Churchill ( Souths), WG: Bill Dickason ( Victoria), CE: Kevin Woolfe ( Souths), CE: Noel Hazzard (Bundaberg), WG: John McClean ( Norths), FE: Greg Hawick ( Souths), HB: Ken McCaffery ( Souths), PR: J. Balmain ( Victoria), HK: Ernie Hammerton ( Souths), PR: Gordon Teys ( Valleys), SR: Brian Davies (

), SR: Jack Rayner ( Souths), LK: Harold Crocker ( Souths).
B. Pease ( Victoria) and R. Jackson ( Victoria) were selected as reserves, but did not play.
France: FB:

, WG: Maurice Andre, CE: Joseph Crespo, CE: Robert Caillou, WG: Raymond Contrastin, FE: Charles Galaup, HB: Jean Dop, PR: Andre Beraud, HK: Martin Martin, PR: Jean Audoubert, SR: Édouard Ponsinet, SR:

, LK: Gaston Calixte. ---- Western Australia: FB: Joe McGuiness ( Fremantle), WG: Bob Sampson (20) (Nedlands), CE: Norm Plester (18) ( South Perth), CE: W. Nicholson (Perth), WG: R. Quinlan ( South Perth), FE: Stan Saxon (20) ( South Perth), HB: L. Leavy ( South Perth), PR: G. Vooles ( South Perth), HK: K. Allen ( Fremantle), PR: R. Robinson (Eastern Suburbs), SR: Joe Stewart ( South Perth), SR: Bob Patching (19) ( South Perth), LK: Terry Sullivan (32) ( Fremantle), Coach:

Arthur Folwell Arthur Fitzgerald Folwell (23 September 1904 – 14 October 1966) was a British-born Australian professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s, coached in the 1940s, and was an administrator in the mid-20th centur ...

.
The following were included in an initial, extended squad, but did not play: M. Hawthorn ( Victoria Park), P. Hobart ( Cottesloe), K. Hodges ( Applecross), D. McDonald ( Fremantle), J. McDonald ( Fremantle), T. Myles ( Cottesloe).
France: FB:

, WG:

, CE: Joseph Crespo, CE: Maurice Andre, WG: Raymond Contrastin, FE: Robert Caillou, HB: Jean Dop, PR: Andre Beraud, HK: Martin Martin, PR: Jean Audoubert, SR:

, SR: Édouard Ponsinet, LK: Gaston Calixte. ----

Sources

References

{{Reflist, 30em France national rugby league team tours Rugby league tours of New Zealand Rugby league tours of Australia Australia–France sports relations France–New Zealand sports relations Tour of Australia and New Zealand French rugby league tour of Australia and New Zealand French rugby league tour of Australia and New Zealand