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1988 Great Britain Lions tour of Australasia


The 1988 Great Britain Lions tour was the Great Britain national rugby league team's 18th tour of Australasia and took place from May to July 1988. It started with a Test match against Papua New Guinea before the best-of-three series against Australia for the Ashes title, and finally a Test against New Zealand. Some of these matches counted toward the ongoing 1985–1988 World Cup tournament. An additional 13 matches were played against local club and representative sides from each host nation.

The tour took place after Britain's 1987–88 Rugby Football League season. A 16-man British press party - the largest ever - accompanied the team through Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand.

Mal Reilly was the British team's coach. His assistant coach was Phil Larder. The tour manager was Les Bettinson. The touring side's captain was Ellery Hanley, who was signed by Sydney club the Balmain Tigers to play the remaining rounds of the 1988 NSWRFL season once his representative commitments were fulfilled. It was also announced during the tour that Kevin Ward would rejoin Manly-Warringah for the remainder of their season once the tour was completed.

Des Drummond was left out of the touring squad after defending himself from a spectator who rushed onto the pitch shouting racial abuse during the British season.Andy Currier had to be flown out during the Ashes to cover for the injured Garry Schofield.


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