Australia's First 'Ashes' Team

Sean Fagan of RL1908.com

Clashes between Australia and England (later Great Britain) hold a treasured place in the history of rugby league. The first ever 'Ashes' Test was played on 12 December 1908 at Park Royal in London.

The administrators of the Northern Rugby Union decided to take the match to London to showcase their version of the 'rugby' game. Unfortunately only 2,000 Londoners ventured out to see the Kangaroos play.

England dominated the match early, led by 14-5 at half-time and then seemed assured of
victory at 17-5 early in the 2nd half.

Australia though fought back with tries to Devereaux (his second) and O'Malley to bring the score to 17-15 in favour of England. The home side scored another try to lead 20-15 with time fast running out.

With 5 minutes remaining Messenger snapped an intercept on his own quarter line. He mesmerised the English defenders as he swerved and cut his way to within sight of the tryline. The defending fullback moved to cut down "The Master" just as he delivered a long and low pass to Devereaux.

The three-quarter secured the ball and crashed over under the posts. With the Messenger goal the Kangaroos took the lead for the first time in the Test, 22-20.

However, England gained a last minute penalty from which they kicked a goal and the match finished in a draw.

1st Test - 12 December : drawn 22-all / Park Royal, London (2,000)

Who were the players for Australia that day?

BOLEWSKI, Mitchell : FULLBACK
(Bundaberg, Qld)
A versatile player from Queensland, many pundits claimed he was included in the Kangaroo touring party to bolster the non-NSW numbers. Bolewski proved them all wrong by securing the prized fullback position and playing in all three Tests. He also took the field in thirty other games on the tour proving his endurance and mobility. Impressing many local judges, he returned to England to play with the Leigh club racking up one hundred games.

DEVEREAUX, Jim : WINGER
(Nth Sydney, NSW)
Played in the 1907 "Rebel Tests" before being selected in Tests against NZ in 1908. He was the Kangaroos' best player in this Test where he scored three tries. He takes the honour as Australia's first try scorer in Ashes Tests and was the top try scorer of the tour. Devereaux remained in England playing with Hull (until 1921/22) including a 1914 Challenge Cup win. His Norths career continued as he sailed home three times, before playing his final games in 1922.

DEANE, Sid : CENTRE
(Nth Sydney, NSW)
Was a member of Norths first ever team in April 1908 before being selected for NSW. Made his Test debut in this opening game against England and was rated in the top star players of the tour. Deane attracted huge interest from NU clubs and eventually accepted a record payment to play for Oldham after the tour, where he was a huge success. Upon returning to Norths he became their first Test captain when he led Australia in 1914 against the Lions.

MESSENGER, Dally : CENTRE
(Eastern Sub.s, NSW)
By far the most well known player of the team, "The Master" played centre in this opening Ashes Test. His goal kicking (5 goals) proved crucial as the Kangaroos scored two less tries than their opponents. Given Messenger's standing within the history of League, it is interesting to note that he only played 7 Tests for Australia (from 1908 to 1910). In 1911 he scored a record 32 pts for NSW against Qld. Messenger won 3 premierships at Easts (1911-13).

HEIDKE, Bill : WINGER
(Bundaberg, Qld)
Made his Test debut in this match after forgoing earlier selection for business reasons. Heidke played in the first ever interstate game as a centre, his prime position. Described in England as "strong as a lion" he was a big and tough player. Returning to Australia he was selected for a Test against New Zealand. In 1910 he captained Australia from the wing in the 2nd Test against the visiting Lions. 1930s Test player Les Heidke is his son.

HALLOWAY, Arthur : FIVE-EIGHTH
(Glebe, NSW)
One of the star players signed to Rugby League with the NZ "All Gold" games in 1907. Playing for the Glebe club 'Pony' Halloway made his Test debut against NZ before the Kangaroo tour. He was one side of the first ever great half-back rivalry, duelling with Chris McKivat for state and national honours. Halloway played 10 Tests and made tours with the 2nd Kangaroos (1911/12) and to NZ (1919 as captain). He captained Balmain to 4 premiership wins.

BUTLER, Arthur : HALF-BACK
(South Sydney, NSW)
Rabbitoh half-back played for NSW before gaining Kangaroo selection. Butler played in the first two Ashes Tests, scoring a try in this match. At home in 1909 he was recalled to the Test side for a game against NZ. On the Sydney club scene, Butler played 96 games for Souths from 1908-15, including the 1909 Final "win" over Balmain, before moving to Glebe and Annandale (two seasons at each). At Souths he amassed 100 points from 20 tries and 20 goals.

ABERCROMBIE, Jim : LOCK FORWARD
(Western Sub.s, NSW)
One of the lesser known Kangaroos, he was an addition to the touring party after an outcry over his omission. Abercrombie was a large hulk of a man who played mostly as a front rower and demonstrated good goal kicking skills. He played in the opening two Ashes Tests before "going missing" after the tourists arrived home in 1909. He twice returned from nowhere to play for Wests - 1910 (4) / 1913 (1) - and was reportedly seen in Souths lower grades.

BURDON, Alec : SECOND ROWER
(Glebe, NSW)
One of the major "agitators" for the forming of RL. The highly profitable RU turned its back on the Test player when he was twice left to survive on no earnings and burgeoning medical bills after injury in rep matches. Burdon made his League Test debut in this match, however missed selection in the 2nd Test. He returned to captain Australia in the deciding 3rd Test but the Kangaroos lost 6-5. Burdon retired after the 1910 season with Glebe.

O'MALLEY, Larry : SECOND ROWER
(Eastern Sub.s, NSW)
Rated as the Kangaroos best forward in this Test, 'Jersey' O'Malley played a record 34 matches on tour. He was a rugged player who also appeared in the first ever matches for both Eastern Suburbs and NSW in 1908. O'Malley was chosen for all three Ashes Tests, before captaining Australia at home in the 1909 NZ series. He then left for a stint at Warrington in England. O'Malley returned to play with Easts and won three premierships (1911-13).

WALSH, Pat : FRONT ROWER
(Newcastle, NSW)
A late inclusion for the Tour, 'Nimmo' Walsh had only played three club games for Newcastle when chosen to tour with the Kangaroos. He was however a very experienced RU forward and great scrummager who had played 3 Tests in 1904 against Great Britain. He played in all three Ashes Tests before staying on in England until 1911 with the Huddersfield club. During WW1 Walsh served with the Australian Light Horse in Gallipoli and Palestine.

PEARCE, Sid : HOOKER
(Eastern Sub.s, NSW)
One of the greats of early League, 'Sandy' Pearce had no peer as a hooker. He played the game very tough and hard, but cleanly, and was described as the Kangaroos' "iron man". Declining to tour with the 2nd Kangaroos, Pearce's 14 Tests career extended from the 1908 NZ series to the 1921-22 Kangaroo tour (at 38!). Pearce was a foundation member of Easts in 1908 and was the first player to 150 club games. Both of his sons represented Australia in sport in the 1930s - Sid Jr. in rugby league, Cecil in sculling.

COURTNEY, Ed : FRONT ROWER
(Newtown, NSW)
The 'old man' of the early decades of League, Courtney played from 1908 (Newtown) to 1924 (Wests) amassing 304 games. In his final season he played alongside his son! Courtney was a ferocious tackler who menaced and quietened even the most feared of opponents and reputations. On the Kangaroo tour he was the top try scoring forward (10). Courtney played in 11 Tests for Australia and toured again as a member of the 1911/12 Kangaroos.

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