1888 British Lions tour to New Zealand and Australia

1888 British Lions tour to New Zealand & Australia
The British Isles touring squad
Date	28 April – 3 October
Coach(es)	Alfred Shaw Arthur Shrewsbury
Tour captain(s)	Robert Seddon Andrew Stoddart
South Africa 1891 →

1888 British Lions tour to New Zealand and Australia
Summary	P W D L
Total	35 27 06 02
Test match	00 00 00 00

The 1888 British Isles tour to New Zealand and Australia was a tour by a British rugby union team, known at the time as the "English Footballers",^[1] throughout New Zealand and Australia. Although a private venture not organised by any official body, this was the first major tour of the Southern Hemisphere undertaken by a European rugby team. It paved the way for future tours by teams which are now known as British and Irish Lions.

The team boarded the SS Kaikoura at Gravesend on 9 March 1888, returning to England on the same ship on 11 November.^[2] While in Australia and New Zealand the team played a number of state, provincial, and invitation sides, but did not play any international teams. They played 35 rugby matches, winning 27, drawing 6, and losing 2. Only four of the touring party had played, or would play, for their country; Seddon, Andrew Stoddart and Tom Kent for England, and Willie Thomas for Wales.

They also played a smaller number of Victorian rules (Australian rules) football matches, but the side had no prior experience of this before arriving in Australia. The team's legacy was honoured in 2013 when the team, along with initial captain Robert Seddon, were inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame.^[1]

Tour background

The British Isles team. Taken on the Scotch Oval, close to the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the East Melbourne Cricket Ground, on both of which the team played Australian Rules Football against local clubs

The 1888 tour was organised by three professional English cricketers, James Lillywhite, Alfred Shaw and Arthur Shrewsbury,^[3] but they could not obtain patronage from the Rugby Football Union who refused to patronise by the tour,^[4] though the RFU was happy for the tour to go ahead, provided there was no infringement of the rules of amateurism.^[5] The team was led by England's Robert L Seddon and took in 35 games, though no test matches against international opposition. Of the games played the tourists won twenty seven, drew six and lost two matches.

The tour was undertaken by Shaw and Shrewsbury as a purely financial exercise with little regard to producing a "British Isles" team, and the team itself is more often recorded as an English team. The two managers were not unfamiliar with touring sides, having organised cricket teams to Australia, and the rugby tour was a follow on from the financially disastrous England Cricket tour of 1887.

The team on board to Australia, from The Illustrated London News

The rugby tour was not an economic success either and lost both managers money. Worse was to occur when team captain Seddon, drowned on 15 August^[6] in an accident while sculling on the Hunter River^[7] in West Maitland. The captaincy was then passed to Andrew Stoddart a future England rugby captain and Wisden Cricketer of the Year.

A further economic issue that related to the tour was the burgeoning professional movement that was gathering momentum in England at the time. Rugby players and clubs in Britain were divided by the growing belief that players should be paid for their time playing their sport. The growing popularity of the now professional Association Football was causing many, especially in the North of England, to challenge the amateur standing of the union code.^[8]

One of the catalysts to the split between amateur union code and the future league code, was when Jack P. Clowes, a member of the 1888 tour, was designated a 'professional' sportsman after he accepted £15 to buy equipment shortly before he left for Australia. The other players on the tour were then required to sign an affidavit to state they were not to be paid for playing rugby when in Australia and New Zealand.^[9]

British Lions and South Melbourne in front of the grandstand at the South Melbourne Cricket Ground.

In addition to playing 35 game of rugby union, the Lions team also played 19 games of Victorian Rules Football (later known as Australian rules football). The Lions won 6 of the matches under the Australian rules, despite having no experience with the code prior to the tour.^[10]

Team kit

The uniforms worn by the side on their first tour was a jersey displaying thick red, white and blue hoops, white shorts and dark socks.^[11]

Touring party

• Manager: A Shaw and A Shrewsbury

Full Backs Tommy Haslam (Batley) A.G. Paul[12] (Swinton) Three-Quarters Harry Collinge Speakman (Runcorn) Herbert Brooks (Edinburgh University), (Durham) Jack Anderton (Salford) Andrew Stoddart, (Blackheath) Half backs Walter Bumby (Swinton) Johnny Nolan (Rochdale Hornets) W. "Willie" Burnet (Hawick)

Forwards Robert Seddon (Swinton) (captain) Charlie Mathers (Bramley) Sam Williams (Salford) Tom Banks (Swinton) Harry Eagles (Salford) Angus Stuart (Dewsbury – Scottish uncapped) W.H. Thomas (Cambridge University) Tom Kent (Salford) A.P. Penketh (Douglas), (Isle of Man) R. "Bob" Burnet (Hawick RFC) A. J. Laing (Hawick RFC) John Smith (Edinburgh University) Jack P. Clowes (Halifax)

Two-thirds of the touring party belonged to clubs that, within a few years, would defect to the Northern Rugby Football Union, founding the game of rugby league.^[13]

Results

Complete list of matches played by the British Isles in Australia and New Zealand:^[14][15]

#	Date	Rival	City	Country	Result	Score
1	28 April	Otago RU	Dunedin	New Zealand	Won	8–3
2	2 May	Otago RU	Dunedin	New Zealand	Won	4–3
3	5 May	Canterbury RU	Christchurch	New Zealand	Won	14–6
4	9 May	Canterbury RU	Christchurch	New Zealand	Won	4–0
5	12 May	Wellington RU	Wellington	New Zealand	Drew	3–3
6	14 May	Henry Roberts XV	Wellington	New Zealand	Won	4–1
7	16 May	Taranaki RU	New Plymouth	New Zealand	Lost	0–1
8	19 May	Auckland RU	Auckland	New Zealand	Won	6–3
9	24 May	Auckland RU	Auckland	New Zealand	Lost	0–4
10	2 June	NSW Waratahs	Sydney	Australia	Won	18–2
11	7 June	Bathurst	Bathurst	Australia	Won	13–6
12	9 June	NSW Waratahs	Sydney	Australia	Won	18–6
13	11 June	Sydney Juniors	Sydney	Australia	Won	11–0
14	12 June	The King's School	Parramatta	Australia	Drew	10–10
15	16 July	Adelaide	Adelaide	Australia	Won	28–3
16	1 August	Melbourne	Melbourne	Australia	Won	15–5
17	4 August	NSW Waratahs	Sydney	Australia	Won	16–2
18	6 August	Sydney Grammar School	Sydney	Australia	Drew	3–3
19	8 August	Bathurst	Bathurst	Australia	Won	20–10
20	11 August	University of Sydney	Sydney	Australia	Won	8–4
21	18 August	Queensland Reds	Brisbane	Australia	Won	13–6
22	21 August	Queensland Juniors	Brisbane	Australia	Won	11–3
23	23 August	Ipswich	Ipswich	Australia	Won	12–1
24	25 August	Queensland Reds	Queensland	Australia	Won	7–0
25	29 August	Newcastle	Newcastle	Australia	Won	15–7
26	8 September	Auckland RU	Auckland	New Zealand	Won	3–0
27	12 September	Auckland	Auckland	New Zealand	Drew	1–1
28	15 September	Hawke's Bay	Napier	New Zealand	Won	3–2
29	17 September	Wairarapa RU	Masterton	New Zealand	Won	5–1
30	20 September	Canterbury RU	Christchurch	New Zealand	Won	8–0
31	22 September	Otago RU	Dunedin	New Zealand	Drew	0–0
32	27 September	South Island	Dunedin	New Zealand	Won	5–3
33	29 September	South Island	Christchurch	New Zealand	Won	6–0
34	2 October	Taranaki RU	Hawera	New Zealand	Won	7–1
35	3 October	Wanganui RU	Wanganui	New Zealand	Drew	1–1

Balance

Played in	Pl	W	D	L	Ps	Pc
New Zealand	19	13	4	2	82	33
Australia	16	14	2	0	218	68
Total	35	27	6	2	300	101

Match details

New Zealand April-May

The points system for matches in New Zealand was one point for a try.

Saturday, 28 April

Otago	3–8	British Isles
Drop: Morrison	Report[16]	Try: Kent, Anderton Con: Anderton 0/1, Haslam 0/1 Drop: Speakman 2

(The Old) Caledonian Ground, Dunedin Attendance: 10,000 Referee: W Wyinks Umpires: WD Milne (O) Dr. Smith (B)

Team details[16]

Otago: Fullback: W. Thomas; Three-quarter backs: W. Noel, T. Lynch, C. J. Davie; Half-backs: J. Thomson, D. Simpson; Forwards: E. E Morrison (captain), C. Beck, A. Gibson, J. W. W. Hunter, R. Martin, W. Turnbull, W. McFarlane, J. Montgomery, H. Treseder. British Isles: Fullback: JT Haslam; Three-quarter backs: AE Stoddart, HC Speakman, J Anderton; Half-backs: W Bumby, J Nolan; Forwards: RL Seddon (captain), WH Thomas, T Banks, R Burnet, T Kent, H Eagles, C Mathers, S Williams, AJ Laing.

Wednesday, 2 June 3:00pm

Otago	3–4	British Isles
Try: Keogh Con: Lynch 1/1	Report[17]	Try: Banks, Nolan, J Anderton Con: J Anderton 1/1, AG Paul 0/1

(The Old) Caledonian Ground, Dunedin Attendance: 8,000 Referee: W Wyinks Umpires: WD Milne (O), Dr. J Smith (B)

Team details[17]

Otago (blue): Fullback: W Thomas (Oamaru); Three-quarter backs: WH Noel (Montecillo), T Lynch (Pirates), J Davie (Kaikorai); Half-backs: JB Thomson (University), P Keogh (Kaikorai); Forwards: C Beck (Montecillo), A. Gibson (Taieri), JWW Hunter (University), R Martin (Dunedin), EE Morrison (High School), W McFarlane (Union), JR Montgomery (High School), H Treseder (Zingari-Richmond), W Turnbull (Dunedin). British Isles: Fullback: AG Paul; Three-quarter backs: AE Stoddart, HC Speakman, J Anderton; Half-backs: W Bumby, J Nolan; Forwards: RL Seddon, WH Thomas, T Banks, R Burnet, T Kent, H Eagles, C Mathers, S Williams, AJ Stuart.

Saturday, 5 May 2:45pm

Canterbury	6–14	British Isles
Try: Harley Con: Weekes 1/1 Drop: Helmore	Report[18]	Try: Haslam 2, Bumby 2, Stoddart Con: Anderton 2/3, Paul 1/2 Drop: Paul

Lancaster Park, Christchurch Attendance: 7,000 Referee: Rev. John Hoatson Umpires: AM Ollivier (C), Dr. J Smith (B)

Team details[18]

Canterbury (red): Fullback: W Richards (Merivale); Three-quarter backs: LW Harley (Christchurch), A Hobbs (East Christchurch), ER Webb (Christchurch) ; Half-backs: GHN Helmore, (captain, North Canterbury), H Roberts (East Christchurch); Forwards: WD Bean (North Canterbury), W Dow (East Christchurch), J Fuller (Christchurch), HE Hiddlestone (Merivale), JA Horner (Merivale), W Sutherland (Sydenham), JM Turnbull (Christchurch), AJ Weekes (Sydenham), M Riley (Sydenham). British Isles: Fullback: AG Paul; Three-quarter backs: JT Haslam, AE Stoddart, J Anderton; Half-backs: W Burnet, W Bumby; Forwards: RL Seddon, S Williams, H Eagles, C Mathers, T Kent, AJ Stuart, WH Thomas, AP Penketh, R Burnet.

On Monday, 7 May at Lancaster Park, the British played a team of Canterbury footballers in a game under Victorian Rules (Australian Rules Football). The teams were 17-a-side rather than the twenty as was usual at the time. Players in both teams had an incomplete understanding of the rules. The result of the match was a win to the British. Scores: Canterbury nil. British Isles 6. Goals to Speakman 4, Eagles, Smith.^[19]

Wednesday, 9 May 3.04pm

Canterbury	0–4	British Isles
	Reports[20][21]	Try: Nolan 3, AP Penketh Con: Paul 0/4

Lancaster Park, Christchurch Attendance: 2,500-3,500 Referee: Rev. John Hoatson Umpires: AM Ollivier (C), Dr. J Smith (B)

Team details[20]

Canterbury (red): W Broughton (Christchurch); Three-quarter backs: LW Harley (Christchurch), A Hobbs (East Christchurch), HC Wilson (North Canterbury) ; Half-backs: GHN Helmore, (captain, North Canterbury), H Roberts (East Christchurch); Forwards: WD Bean (North Canterbury), W Dow (East Christchurch), J Fuller (Christchurch), HE Hiddlestone (Merivale), JA Horner (Merivale), W Sutherland (Sydenham), JM Turnbull (Christchurch), AJ Weekes (Sydenham), M Riley (Sydenham). British Isles: AG Paul; Three-quarter backs: JT Haslam, AE Stoddart, HC Speakman; Half-backs: J Nolan, W Bumby; Forwards: RL Seddon, H Eagles, S Williams, C Mathers, T Kent, AJ Stuart, WH Thomas, AP Penketh, T Banks.

Saturday, 12 May

Wellington	3–3	British Isles
Drop: Thomson	Reports[22][23]	Try: Haslam Con: Paul 1/1

Basin Reserve, Wellington Attendance: 6,000-7,000 Referee: CA Knapp Umpires: S Nicholls (W), S Williams (B).

Team details[22][23]

Wellington (black and gold): Fullback: DR Gage (Poneke); Three-quarter backs: F Fairbrother (Wellington), AD Thomson (Wellington), JA Warbrick (Wellington); Half-backs: C Moore (Poneke), M Moorhouse (Poneke); Forwards: JM King (captain, Athletic), F Moore (Athletic), R Malcolm (Athletic), S Cockroft (Union), M Hyland (Union), TR Ellison (Poneke), H McIntyre (Poneke), G Wiliams (Poneke), L Storey (Poneke). British Isles: Fullback: AG Paul; Three-quarter backs: JT Haslam, HC Speakman, J Anderton; Half-backs: W Bumby, J Nolan; Forwards: RL Seddon (captain), H Eagles, T Kent, AP Penketh, C Mathers, WH Thomas, R Burnet, T Banks, AJ Stuart.

Monday, 14 May 3pm

H Roberts' XV	4–1	British Isles
	Reports[24][25]

Basin Reserve, Wellington Attendance: 2,500 Referee: H McCardell Umpires: E Davy (R), Dr. J Smith (B)

Team details[24][25]

H Roberts' XV (played in Poneke colours, red and black): Fullback: R Sim (Poneke); Three-quarter backs: F Fairbrother (Wellington), AD Thomson (Wellington), DR Gage (Poneke); Half-backs: H Roberts (captain, Poneke), C Moore (Poneke); Forwards: F Moore (Athletic), S Cockcroft (Union). J Hyland, (Union), TR Ellison (Poneke), H Mclntyre (Poneke), L Storey (Poneke), EMD Whatman (Masterton), J Crowell (Athletic), J McCleary (Union). British Isles: Fullback: AG Paul; Three-quarter backs: JT Haslam, HC Speakman, H Brooks; Half-backs: J Anderton, J Nolan; Forwards: RL Seddon, H Eagles, W Burnet*, AP Penketh, C Mathers, WH Thomas, R Burnet, S Williams, AJ Laing. Note: The Evening Post listed W Burnet as playing, whilst the New Zealand Times listed T Kent instead.

Wednesday, 16 May 2:51pm

Taranaki	1–0	British Isles
Try: H Good Con: Coghill 0/1	Report[26]

New Plymouth Racecourse Attendance: 3,000 Referee: Fred Bayly Umpires: GT Bayly (T), Dr. J Smith (B)

Team details[26]

Taranaki: Fullback: RH Kivell; Three-quarter backs: A Good, A Bayly (captain), H Coghill; Quarter-back: C Bayly; Wing forwards: R Tate, H Hine; Forwards: H Good, T Joll, W Snook, W Cheyne, CE Major, JB Veale, A Pearce, J Whitehead. British Isles: Fullback: AG Paul; Three-quarter backs: H Brooks, HC Speakman, JT Haslam; Half-backs: W Bumby, J Anderton; Forwards: RL Seddon, WH Thomas, AP Penketh, R Burnet, T Kent, H Eagles, AJ Stuart, S Williams, W Burnet.

Saturday, 19 May

Auckland	3–6	British Isles
Try: McKenzie Con: McCausland 1/1	Report[27]	Try: Seddon, Anderton Con: Paul 2/2

Tramway Company’s Grounds, Potter’s Field, Epsom, Auckland. Attendance: 6,000 Referee: T Macky Umpires: J Arneil (A), Dr. J Smith (B)

Team details[27][28]

Auckland (blue and white): Fullback: RB Lusk (Gordon); Three-quarter backs: R. Whiteside (captain, Ponsonby), K McCausland (Gordon), C Madigan (Grafton); Halfbacks: J. Conway (Ponsonby), A. Braund (Ponsonby), W Elliott (Grafton); Forwards: TB O'Connor (Auckland), M Keefe (Ponsonby), O Wells (Grafton), JG Lecky (Grafton), C Marshall (North Shore), F Twiname (Grafton), W Hobson (Ponsonby), RH McKenzie (Grafton). British Isles: Fullback: AG Paul; Three-quarter backs: JT Haslam, HC Speakman, J Anderton; Half-backs: W Bumby, J Nolan; Forwards: RL Seddon, C Mathers, H Eagles, T Kent, AJ Stuart, AP Penketh, AJ Laing, R Burnet, S Williams.

Thursday, 24 May (Queen's Birthday) 2:30pm

Auckland	4–0	British Isles
Try: Elliott Con: McCausland 0/1 Drop: Hobson	Report[29]

Tramway Company’s Grounds, Potter’s Field, Epsom, Auckland. Attendance: 8,000 Referee: T Macky Umpires: J Arneil (A), Dr. J Smith (B)

Team details[29]

Auckland (blue and white): Fullback: RB Lusk (Gordon); Three-quarter backs: T Brown (Grafton), K McCausland (Gordon), C Madigan (Grafton); Halfbacks: J. Conway (Ponsonby), A. Braund Ponsonby), W Elliott (Grafton); Forwards: TB O'Connor (Auckland), M Keefe (Ponsonby), O Wells (Grafton), JG Lecky (Grafton), C Marshall (North Shore), F Twiname (Grafton), W Hobson (Ponsonby), RH McKenzie (Grafton). British Isles: Fullback: AG Paul; Three-quarter backs: JT Haslam, HC Speakman, J Anderton; Half-backs: W Bumby, J Nolan; Forwards: RL Seddon, C Mathers, H Eagles, T Kent, AJ Stuart, AP Penketh, WH Thomas, R Burnet, S Williams.

Australia rugby June

The points system for matches in Australia was two points for a try.

Saturday, 2 June

New South Wales	2–18	British Isles
Try: Hale	Reports[30][31]	Try: Bumby 3, Eagles, Seddon, Stoddart Con: Anderton 1/4, Paul 1/2

Association Cricket Ground, Sydney Attendance: 13,000 Referee: RW Thallon Umpires: JF McManamey (NSW) Dr. Smith (B)

Team details[31]

New South Wales: Fullback: HY Braddon; Three-quarter backs: CG Wade, JE Moulton, HM Baylis; Half-backs: PB Colquhoun, E Cameron; Forwards: CL Tange, JAK Shaw, H Lee, LEF Neill, W Belbridge, A Hale, L Wade, E Rice, J Gee. British Isles: Fullback: AG Paul; Three-quarter backs: JT Haslam, AE Stoddart, W Burnet; Half-backs: W Bumby, J Anderton; Forwards: RL Seddon, WH Thomas, S Williams, AJ Stuart, T Kent, R Burnet, AP Penketh, H Eagles, C Mathers.

Thursday, 7 June

Bathurst	6–13	British Isles
Try: J Meagher, Lydiard, Butler Con: J Fish 0/2, Read 0/1	Reports[32][33]	Try: Eagles 2, Seddon, Nolan, Speakman Con: Anderton 1/4, Haslam 0/1

Bathurst Cricket Ground, Bathurst Referee: RM Lindsay; Umpires: H Ford (Bath), Dr. Smith (Brit)

Team details[32]

Bathurst: F Yeomans; Three-quarter backs: E Pruen, A Howard, P Sullivan; Half-backs: F Butler, C Lydiard; Forwards: P. Meagher, J Meagher, J. Hogan, J. Anderson. J. Fish, H Read, H Britten, T. Palmer, George Wiburd G Wiburd. British Isles: JT Haslam; Three-quarter backs: H Brooks, HC Speakman, W Burnet; Half-backs: J Anderton, J Nolan; Forwards: RL Seddon, C Mathers, AJ Laing, S Williams, T Kent, AJ Stuart, R Burnet, AP Penketh, H Eagles.

Saturday, 9 June

New South Wales	6–18	British Isles
Try: Neill Con: Baylis Drop: Colquhoun	Reports[34][35]	Try: Stoddart 2, Eagles 2, Brooks, Mathers Con: Anderton 1/2, Stoddart 1/3

Association Cricket Ground, Sydney Attendance: 7,000 Referee: RW Thallon Umpires: McManamey (NSW), T Banks (B)

Team details[34][36]

New South Wales: Fullback: HM Baylis; Three-quarter backs: SA Tiley, H Lee, PB Colquhoun; Half-backs: F Hillyar, E Cameron; Forwards: CL Tange (captain), JAK Shaw, A Hale, LEF Neill, Jas O'Donnell, E Rice, J Gee, W Belbridge, G Wiburd. British Isles: Fullback: JT Haslam; Three-quarter backs: J Anderton, AE Stoddart, H Brooks; Half-backs: J Nolan, W Bumby; Forwards: RL Seddon, H Eagles, C Mathers, AJ Stuart, S Williams, R Burnet, WH Thomas, AP Penketh, AJ Laing.

Monday, 11 June

Sydney Juniors	0–11	British Isles
	Report[37][38]	Try: Anderton, Williams, Speakman, Bumby Con: Anderton 1/4

Association Cricket Ground, Sydney Referee: Mr Hall Umpires: Clapin (SJ), T Banks (B)

Team details
Sydney Juniors (18): Fullback: Wilson; Three-quarter backs: R Cameron, Lyons, Street, McPherson; Half-backs: Seymour, Finn, Foster; Forwards: L Scott, A Scott, Fraser, Clarkson, Hartley, McCallum, Griffin, Irving, Ireland, Francis. British Isles: Speakman replaced Brooks.

Tuesday, 12 June

King's School Past & Present	10–10	British Isles
Try: Rice, Wade Con: P Baylis 2/2	Reports[39][40]	Try: Haslam, Anderton, Stoddart Con: Unnamed 0/5

Parramatta Cricket Ground

Team details[41][39][40]

King's School Past & Present selected from the following expected players: Ingram, White, Smith, Hall, Roberts, Manchie (School), Baylis, Tange, Hungerford (University), Wade (2), Baylis (2), Bennett, Forster, Rice, Rand, Weaver (Wallaroo) Priddle, Ingram, Burkitt. British Isles side announce prior to the matches against NSW and Juniors: Fullback: A Paul; Three-quarter backs: JT Haslam, AE Stoddart, W Burnet; Half-backs: W Bumby, J Anderton; Forwards: RL Seddon, C Mathers, H Eagles, A Penketh, R Burnet, T Kent, AJ Stuart, S Williams, WH Thomas. Names in bold are mentioned in the Cumberland Mercury and or Referee match reports. The Cumberland Mercury names Hall as scoring the School's second try, rather than Wade as named in the Referee match report.

Australian rules June-July

	Carlton
Saturday, 16 June, 2:45pm	Carlton	def.	British Isles	Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 22,000)	Preview[42] Report[43][44]
	2.5 7.7 8.10 14.17	Q1 Q2 Q3 Final	0.1 0.1 3.7 3.8	Umpires: PH Roy
Berry 3, Baker 2, Green 2, A. Coulson, Goer, Cook, Gellaty, M McInerney, McKechnie, Hutchison		Goals	Thomas, Smith, Banks

	Bendigo
Wednesday, 20 June, 2:45pm	Bendigo	def. by	British Isles	Back Creek Cricket Ground (crowd: 4,000—5,000)	Preview[45] Report[46]
	0.0 0.8 0.8 1.14	Q1 Q2 Q3 Final	2.4 3.5 5.16 5.16	Umpires: Alf Laver
J. Graham		Goals	Brooks, Speakman, Seddon, Eagles, Stuart

	Castlemaine
Thursday, 21 June, 3:15pm	Castlemaine	def.	British Isles	Camp Reserve (crowd: 1,000—2,000)	Preview[47] Report[48]
	0.2 0.3 1.4 1.4	Q1 Q2 Q3 Final	0.1 0.1 1.2 1.2	Umpires: F Dickason
Lawrenson		Goals	Nolan

	South Melbourne
Saturday, 23 June	South Melbourne	def.	British Isles	South Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 7,500)	Preview[49] Report[50]
	2.6 5.10 6.16 7.29	Q1 Q2 Q3 Final	1.2 1.5 3.7 3.7
Reid, McShane, Kerr, Clinton, McKay, Dowdell, Young		Goals	Paul, Brooks, Eagles

	Maryborough
Wednesday, 27 June, 3:00pm	Maryborough	def.	British Isles	Princes Park (crowd: 7,000)	Report[51]
	1.5 1.9 2.11 4.13	Q1 Q2 Q3 Final	1.1 1.6 3.9 3.11
J Hoag, T Elliott, Casey, Grigg		Goals	Paul 3

	South Ballarat
Friday, 29 June	South Ballarat	def.	British Isles	Eastern Oval (crowd: 7,000—8,000)	Preview[52] Report[53]
	2.6 4.9 4.16 7.18	Q1 Q2 Q3 Final	0.3 0.5 1.7 3.7	Umpires: JJ Trait
Lyon 2, Connaughton, Jacka, White, Doney, Moore		Goals	Paul, Chapman, Haslam

	Fitzroy
Saturday, 30 June, 3:00pm	Fitzroy	def.	British Isles	Fitzroy Cricket Ground (crowd: 7,000—8,000)	Reports[54][55]
	5.5 8.6 10.19 12.20	Q1 Q2 Q3 Final	0.0 1.1 1.1 3.4	Umpires: Welsford
Nicholls 2, Docherty 2, Buckley 2, Schmidt 2, Brown, Rappiport, Tuner, unnamed		Goals	Williams, Brooks, Haslam
Brown, Rappiport		Injuries

	Port Melbourne
Tuesday, 3 July	Port Melbourne	def.	British Isles	East Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 600)	Report[56]
	0.4 2.6 4.9 7.15	Q1 Q2 Q3 Final	1.5 4.8 5.11 6.11	Umpires: PH Roy
Hannaysee 3, Daly, Graham, Taylor, Hill		Goals	Haslam, Williams, Seddon, Penketh, Paul, (R or W) Burnet

	South Adelaide
Saturday, 7 July, 3:03pm	South Adelaide	def.	British Isles	Adelaide Oval (crowd: 5,000)	Report[57]
	4.3 5.5 8.9 8.9	Q1 Q2 Q3 Final	1.2 3.6 4.7 5.9	Umpires: Blackman
Heenan 2, Watling 2, Grogan, Sinclair, Hill, Martin		Goals	Speakman 2, Stuart, Penketh, Thomas

	Port Adelaide
Tuesday, 10 July	Port Adelaide	def. by	British Isles	Adelaide Oval (crowd: 2,000)	Report[58]
	0.2 4.5 7.5 7.8	Q1 Q2 Q3 Final	2.4 4.4 4.6 8.8	Umpires: Sidoli
Phillips 4, A Bushby, Miers, C Fry		Goals	Stoddart 3, Mathers 2, Thomas, Paul, Kent

	Adelaide
Thursday, 12 July,	Adelaide	def.	British Isles	Adelaide Oval (crowd: 3,000)	Report[59]
	2.6 2.9 5.12 6.13	Q1 Q2 Q3 Final	0.0 3.1 3.5 3.6	Umpires: Blackman
McIntyre 2, Carter 2, Holbrook, Shawyer		Goals	AE Stoddart 2, WH Thomas

	Norwood
Saturday, 14 July, 3:03pm	Norwood	def.	British Isles	Adelaide Oval (crowd: 8,000)	Report[60]
	0.2 2.5 3.7 5.8	Q1 Q2 Q3 Final	1.0 2.0 3.1 3.1	Umpires: Birrell
C Woods 3, Slattery, Haldane		Goals	Williams, Lawler, Stoddart

Rugby in Adelaide

Monday, 16 July 3:03pm

Adelaide Twenty	3–28	British Isles
Drop: Keats	Reports[61][62]	Try: Stoddart 3, Anderton, Mathers, Haslam, Eagles, Williams, Unnamed 6 Con: Stoddart 2, Anderton, Kent, Burnet, Williams, Eagles

Adelaide Oval Attendance: 2,500 Referee: H Brooks Umpires: Giles (A) and T Banks (B)

Team details[60][61]

Adelaide The following were named in the Advertiser on the morning of the match: Grainger, Woodhard, Hayward, Martin, Baker, Scott, Furze, Arnot, Hose, Raynbird, Marryat, Clerk, Atkins, Keats, Hawly, Porter, Hunter, Kerr, Blaun, Darwell. Grainger attended the match but did not take the field. There were no Rugby clubs in Adelaide at the time. The team was selected after a scratch match on Saturday, 14 July. British Isles The following are named in the Advertiser match report: J Anderton, (R and or W) Burnet, H Eagles, JT Haslam, T Kent, C Mathers, AE Stoddart, S Williams.

Australian rules late July

The tourists returned to Victoria for six further Victorian Rules matches.

	Horsham
Wednesday, 18 July, 3:00pm	Horsham	def. by	British Isles	Recreation Ground (crowd: 1,500)	Preview[63] Report[64]
	0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2	Q1 Q2 Q3 Final	1.2 3.2 5.4 6.5	Umpires: W Bolton
		Goals	Banks 4, Nolan 2

	Ballarat Imperial
Friday, 20 July	Ballarat Imperial	def.	British Isles	Saxon Paddock	Report[65]
	0.2 3.7 3.11 4.15	Q1 Q2 Q3 Final	1.0 1.0 1.1 1.2	Umpires: Bourke
Thomas 2, Dawson, unnamed		Goals	Stoddart

	Ballarat
Saturday, 21 July	Ballarat	def. by	British Isles	Saxon Paddock	Preview[66] Report[67]
	4.3 4.3 4.8 4.8	Q1 Q2 Q3 Final	1.0 4.4 4.4 5.8	Umpires: P Luplau
Ross, Gordon, Bodycombe, Ross		Goals	Kent, Burnet, last 3 unnamed

	Sandhurst (Bendigo)
Wednesday, 25 July, 3:03pm	Sandhurst	def. by	British Isles	Back Creek Cricket Ground	Report[68]
	1.2 1.4 2.9 2.10	Q1 Q2 Q3 Final	0.2 2.2 2.3 3.3	Umpires: HS Skehan
Magee 2		Goals	Stoddart 2, Rushed
		Injuries	Eagles
A goal given to the British was allowed to stand, after some discussion, despite the contention that it had been inadvertently kicked through the goalposts by a Sandhurst player.

	Kyneton
Thursday, 26 July	Kyneton	def. by	British Isles	Kyneton Racecourse (crowd: 2,000)	Preview[69] Report[70]
	0.2 0.5 0.? 1.8	Q1 Q2 Q3 Final	2.4 2.4 2.? 2.7	Umpires: Ohe / Oke
Hobbs		Goals	Williams, Stoddart

	Essendon
Saturday, 28 July	Essendon	def.	British Isles	East Melbourne Cricket Ground	Reports[71][72]
	2.4 6.9 7.13 7.16	Q1 Q2 Q3 Final	0.1 1.1 3.3 3.5
Sebire 3, Tolmie, Turner, Meader, Fleming		Goals	Stoddart 3

Australia rugby August

Prior to their return to Sydney, the tourists played a game under Rugby rules in Melbourne. The locals were members of the Melbourne Rugby Union Football Club. For final preparation and selection they had played a Probables versus Possibles match on the Saturday, 28 July.^[73]

Wednesday, 1 August 3:03pm

Melbourne	3–9	British Isles
Try: Wakeham Con: Scarborough	Reports[74][75]	Try: Stoddart, Nolan, Williams Con: Stoddart 3

East Melbourne Cricket Ground Attendance: 5,000-6,000 Referee: JST Hughes Umpires: Dr. Willmott (M), Dr. J Smith (B)

Team details[74][76]

Melbourne: Fullback: HH Lee; Three-quarter backs: ED Spohr, G Miller, TL Scarborough; Halfbacks: AJ Murray, EE Wakeham; Forwards: JR Murray (captain), J Cowen, HH Morrell, A White, J Lindsay, HR Rice, AD Graham, G Outrim, W Williams. British Isles: Fullback: AG Paul; Three-quarter backs: HC Speakman, AE Stoddart, JT Haslam; Half-backs: W Bumby, J Nolan; Forwards: RL Seddon (captain), C Mathers, H Eagles, R Burnet, AJ Laing, AP Penketh, T Kent, S Williams, WH Thomas.

Saturday, 4 August 3:26pm

New South Wales	2–16	British Isles
Try: E Cameron Con: Baylis 0/1	Reports [77][78][79]	Try: Mathers 2, Eagles, Stoddart, Nolan Con: AE Stoddart 2/5

Association Cricket Ground Attendance: 5,000 Referee: A Hale Umpires: P Allen (Sydney), Dr Smith (B)

Team details[80][77]

New South Wales: Fullback: HM Baylis (University); Three-quarter backs: PB Colquhoun (University), E Cameron (Balmain), R Cameron (Balmain); Half-backs: White (University), CY Caird (Wallaroo); Forwards: CL Tange (University), G Braund (Rosedale), JAK Shaw (University), TB Perry (Arfoma), F Belbridge (University), W Belbridge (University), LEF Neill (University), Newcombe, Jas McMahon (Rosedale). From the original team selection, five players withdrew due to their unavailability. British Isles: Fullback: W Burnet; Three-quarter backs: JT Haslam, AE Stoddart, J Anderton; Half-backs: J olan, W Bumby; Forwards: RL Seddon (captain), H Eagles, T Kent, S Williams, AG Paul, R Burnet, AJ Laing, WH Thomas, C Mathers.

Monday, 6 August

Sydney Grammar School (Past & Present)	2–2	British Isles
Try: Fuller Con: Elphinstone 0/1	Report[81][82]	Try: Stoddart Con: Stoddart 0/1

Association Cricket Ground Referee: JAK Shaw Umpires: Allen (SGS), Dr. J Smith (B)

Team details[83][81]

Sydney Grammar School Past & Present: Fullback: Wood; Three-quarter backs: R Cameron, E Cameron, H Hillyar; Half-backs: AE Sefton, Elphinstone; Forwards: A Hale, Hawkens, LEF Neill, Abbott, McManamey, Fuller, Fairfax, G Barbour, F Belbridge, W Belbridge. British Isles: Fullback: W Burnet; Three-quarter backs: H Brooks, AE Stoddart, HC Speakman; Half-backs: J nderton, J Nolan; Forwards: RL Seddon, C Mathers, H Eagles, AJ Laing, R Burnet, WH Thomas, S Williams, T Kent, AG Paul.

Bibliography

• Godwin, Terry; Rhys, Chris (1981). The Guinness Book of Rugby Facts & Feats. London: Guinness Superlatives Ltd. ISBN 0-85112-214-0.
• Griffiths, John (1990). British Lions. Swindon: Crowood Press. ISBN 1-85223-541-1.
• Griffiths, John (1987). The Phoenix Book of International Rugby Records. London: Phoenix House. ISBN 0-460-07003-7.
• Collins, Tony (2022). "Why The "First Lions" Weren't The First (And Weren't Even Lions)" in 'Who Framed William Webb Ellis?'. Leeds: Scratching Shed. ISBN 978-1739247607.

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External links

• "Scores from all Australian Rules matches played on this tour (refer to the 1888 tab)". HardBallGet.net.
• 1888 British Touring Team at the World Rugby Hall of Fame