In 1989, the British Lions toured Australia for the first time since 1971 . Unlike previous tours to Australia, the Lions did not play any matches in New Zealand, this being the first Australia-only tour since 1899 . The side was captained by Finlay Calder .
1989 British Lions tour to Australia Summary
Total Test match Opponent
Australia
The Lions suffered a 30–12 defeat in the first test in Sydney on 1 July, then their heaviest defeat by Australia.[ 1] In this first test, Australia scored four tries, and flyhalf Michael Lynagh kicked 5 from 6. For the second and third tests, changes included Mike Teague , recovered from injury, at blindside flanker; Rob Andrew replacing Craig Chalmers at fly-half; and Jeremy Guscott and Scott Hastings coming into the centre positions. The team became the only Lions team ever to come from 1–0 down to win a series, winning the second test in Brisbane 19–12 and the third test in Sydney 19–18.[ 2] [ 3] The Lions completed their tour with a victory of a combined ANZAC team. Teague was named player of the series.
Scores and results list Bristish Lions' points tally first.
Opponent
Score
Date
Venue
Status
Reports
Result
For
Against
Preview
Match
Western Australia
Won
44
0
10 Jun 1989
Perry Lakes, Perth
Tour match
Australia B
Won
23
8
14 Jun 1989
Melbourne
Tour match
[ 4]
[ 5]
Queensland
Won
19
15
19 Jun 1989
Ballymore, Brisbane
Tour match
[ 6]
Queensland B
Won
30
6
21 Jun 1989
Cairns
Tour match
[ 7]
New South Wales
Won
23
21
24 Jun 1989
North Sydney Oval
Tour match
[ 8]
New South Wales B
Won
39
19
27 Jun 1989
Apex Oval, Dubbo
Tour match
[ 9]
Australia
Lost
12
30
1 Jul 1989
Sydney Football Stadium
Test match
[ 10] [ 11]
[ 12] [ 1]
ACT
Won
41
25
4 Jul 1989
Seiffert Oval , Queanbeyan
Tour match
[ 13] [ 14]
[ 15]
Australia
Won
19
12
8 Jul 1989
Ballymore, Brisbane
Test match
[ 16] [ 17] [ 2]
Australia
Won
19
18
15 Jul 1989
Sydney Football Stadium
Test match
[ 18]
[ 19] [ 3]
NSW Country
Won
72
13
19 Jul 1989
Newcastle
Tour match
[ 20]
ANZAC XV
Won
19
15
23 Jul 1989
Ballymore, Brisbane
Tour match
[ 21] [ 22]
[ 23]
^ a b McMurtrie, Bill (3 July 1989). "Lack of quality in crucial areas proves costly" . The Glasgow Herald . p. 20. Retrieved 27 December 2022 .
^ a b McMurtrie, Bill (10 July 1989). "Lions manage to regain pride" . The Glasgow Herald . p. 18. Retrieved 27 December 2022 .
^ a b McMurtrie, Bill (17 July 1989). "Campese's error ensures that the Lions get their just reward. Australia 18 British Isles 19" . The Glasgow Herald . p. 18. Retrieved 27 December 2022 .
^ "Nine test players to take on Lions" . The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. 6 June 1989. p. 24. Retrieved 31 August 2022 .
^ "Sluggish Lions sneak home" . The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. 15 June 1989. p. 18. Retrieved 31 August 2022 .
^ "Qld no match for tourists in front-line duel" . The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. 18 June 1989. p. 16. Retrieved 31 August 2022 .
^ "Lions promise fast, open game" . The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. 21 June 1989. p. 46. Retrieved 31 August 2022 .
^ "Calm Chalmers saves battered Lions' pride" . The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. 25 June 1989. p. 18. Retrieved 31 August 2022 .
^ "Aussies will wilt under Lions' fire" . The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. 28 June 1989. p. 47. Retrieved 31 August 2022 .
^ "Hall in Lions line-up" . The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. 29 June 1989. p. 20. Retrieved 31 August 2022 .
^ "Dwyer admits to 'rough side' " . The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. 30 June 1989. p. 18. Retrieved 31 August 2022 .
^ "Australia 20 Lions 12" . ESPN. 1 July 1989. Retrieved 3 July 2013 .
^ Foster, Michael (29 June 1989). "Intense training as Lions approach" . The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. p. 20. Retrieved 31 August 2022 .
^ Foster, Michael (4 July 1989). "Times Sport - ACT prode, record to test Lions" . The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. p. 26. Retrieved 31 August 2022 .
^ Foster, Michael (5 July 1989). "Stupid errors cost ACT prized scalp" . The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. p. 44. Retrieved 31 August 2022 .
^ "Lions claw their way to victory" . The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. 9 July 1989. p. 16. Retrieved 31 August 2022 .
^ "Lions re-find their roar" . ESPN. 8 July 1989. Retrieved 3 July 2013 .
^ "Times Sport - ARU condemns violence on Test eve" . The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. 15 July 1989. p. 40. Retrieved 31 August 2022 .
^ "Australia 18 Lions 19" . ESPN. 15 July 1989. Retrieved 3 July 2013 .
^ "Long takes charge for Lions" . The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. 19 July 1989. p. 50. Retrieved 31 August 2022 .
^ "Injury woes beset Anzac rugby team" . The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. 18 July 1989. p. 26. Retrieved 31 August 2022 .
^ "Lions' final match against Anzacs 'no anti-climax' " . The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. 23 July 1989. p. 16. Retrieved 31 August 2022 .
^ "Worries continue as Lions beat Anzacs" . The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. 24 July 1989. p. 22. Retrieved 31 August 2022 .
^ a b Rugby Football Union, "Official programme of 1990 Four Home Unions vs Rest of Europe programme, 1990, Rugby Football Union