Australian Rugby League

Australia v England

1932 in Australia
1st Test - 6 June : lost 6-8 / Sydney Cricket Ground (70,204)
2nd Test - 18 June : won 15-6 / Brisbane Cricket Ground (26,574)
3rd Test - 16 July : lost 13-18 / Sydney Cricket Ground (50,053)

Wally Prigg Australia was led by Queensland's Herb Steinohrt as the Maroons again held a strong test representation. The familiar green jersey with the double gold ‘v' was worn by Australia for the first time on home soil in this series. England was captained by the great Jim Sullivan and along with Smith, Ellaby, Brogden and Atkinson formed one of the best Test back-lines seen in the 20th century. The famous Gus Risman (Salford) made his debut in the 3rd Test.

Amidst the Great Depression the crowd for the 1st Test was over 70,000. The SCG gates were closed before kick-off and 15,000 more were turned away. The Australian side included Frank McMillan (Wests), Eric Weissel (Temora), Wally Prigg (Newcastle) and Sid ‘Joe' Pearce (Easts).

England stunned Australia in the opening test by scoring an intercept try through Alf Ellaby (St Helens) inside the first minute. The try ended up being the difference as the Lions won a tough battle 8-6.

The 2nd Test became known as the "Battle of Brisbane" after a brutal game. Faced by a Lions team which had been riled by Australia's coach Harry Sunderland, the locals faced a fierce onslaught that reduced their team to 11 men at times. Australia stood fast and produced a remarkable 15-6 win in a manner which echoed the "Rorke's Drift" test of 1914.

Sunderland went to England's room before the game and using silver sovereigns for Australia and pennies for England, showed the Lions how they were going to be beaten. The insult from Sunderland (not least of all the pennies!) got the Lions so wound up that they exploded on the field in a match of mayhem. In the deciding 3rd Test Australia secured an 11-3 points lead and the Ashes looked to be theirs - until late in the game when the Lions rallied with three quick tries to win 18-13 and the Ashes were gone again.