1990 Ashes Series Second Test – Great Britain 10 Australia 14
Often described as ‘the one that got away’, is the 1990 Ashes Series, with particular emphasis on Great Britain's gut-wrenching Second Test at Old Trafford.
Perhaps this game is famous for all the wrong reasons, but with the ABK Beer Ashes series starting next month, we take a look back at an unforgettable afternoon...
At the time, the 1990 series was the closest Great Britain [GB] came to reclaiming The Ashes since last winning in Australia in 1970.
GB had already won the opening test at Wembley Stadium in truly magnificent fashion, and were ready to do it all over again in Manchester, two weeks’ later (Saturday 10 November).
While Kangaroos coach Bob Fulton made a long list of changes to his side for the second test, GB’s Malcolm Reilly stuck with most of his winning team, and both outfits were once again packed with superstars.
The crowd were fired up and people had really started to believe that this could be Great Britain’s year…
It was a ridiculously tense, but enthralling first half – tough, tight and closely contested – with just a try from the Aussies’ Dale Shearer, and a successful Paul Eastwood penalty goal for the hosts.
The score stood 2-4 at the interval – only just in favour of the Australians.
The second stanza brought more pulsating action, where the nerve-shredding drama unfolded from the off when Paul Dixon hit back for GB early on, and put the Lions ahead by two points.
It was playmaker Garry Schofield who threw a mesmerising dummy to draw in multiple defenders, and Dixon was there to take in the pass before crashing over to score.
GB were dealt with a massive blow when their star winger Martin Offiah was forced off with a knee injury, however.
Not long after, the Aussies capitalised on this as Cliff Lyons touched down for a breathtaking team try – and arguably, one of the greatest test tries ever witnessed.
Living up to their world number one tag, Australia brought the entertainment factor and managed to keep the ball alive by passing through an astonishing twelve pairs of hands, before Andrew Ettinghausen’s kick was collected by Lyons’ who dived over the line.
With the clock anxiously ticking down, Reilly’s Lions came within touching distance of reclaiming the Ashes after twenty years, following an intercept try from Paul Loughlin in the closing stages of the match.
Loughlin raced 50 metres to dot down in the corner, but a missed conversion by Eastwood meant the scores were locked in at 10-all with a matter of minutes remaining.
Tensions were at their highest, but nobody was prepared for what was about to happen next…
Ecstasy soon turned into heartbreak for GB as Ricky Stuart fooled Lee Jackson with the infamous dummy just 30 metres away from his own try line.
Stuart quickly moved past him and raced 75 metres down field, leaving the Lions players for dust.
Captain Mal Meninga was in support to collect the pass and cross for a match-winner which sent the travelling fans into complete raptures and silenced the home crowd.
It was pure devastation for GB who were left completely and utterly stunned. Victory had been snatched from under them; all in the blink of an eye.
This moment sealed the match for Australia and would force the series into a decider. The third Test was eventually won by the Kangaroos 14-0, which completed a 2-1 series win and continued their winning streak over GB.
The Lions came agonisingly close to winning their first Ashes series since 1970, but it wasn’t meant to be for this generation, nor the one after.
1990 was extraordinary series, nevertheless, highlighting GB could compete with their nation rivals, who had previously been put on a pedestal.
Although positive in this regard, the second test of 1990 is still and will always be a fixture that haunts the English to this day.
Teams:
Great Britain: Steve Hampson, Martin Offiah, Daryl Powell, Carl Gibson, Paul Eastwood, Garry Schofield, Andy Gregory, Karl Harrison, Lee Jackson, Andy Platt, Denis Betts, Paul Dixon, Ellery Hanley. Subs: Paul Loughlin, Kevin Ward, Shaun Edwards, Roy Powell
Head coach: Malcolm Reilly
Australia: Gary Belcher, Andrew Ettingshausen, Mal Meninga, Laurie Daley, Dale Shearer, Cliff Lyons, Ricky Stuart, Glenn Lazarus, Ben Elias, Steve Roach, Paul Sironen, Bob Lindner, Brad Mackay. Subs: John Cartwright, Mark Sargent, Des Hasler, Greg Alexander
Head coach: Bob Fulton
Half time: 2-4
Full time: 10-14
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
Referee: Alain Sablayrolles
Rivalries will be reignited when England take on Australia in the ABK Beer Rugby League Ashes this autumn. The two nations will meet in a three-match test series over 20 years in the making and with the second and third test completely SOLD OUT; Wembley Stadium on Saturday 25 October is your only place to watch this fierce rivalry live!
Book your Wembley tickets here with prices starting from just £20 for adults and £10 for U16’s.
