In a sentimental and historic revival after a 22-year hiatus, an old-fashioned Australian Kangaroo tour to contest the Ashes in England is being planned for the end of next season.
It would resurrect the once-famous Kangaroo tour, which first took place in 1908-09.
The major development comes as South Africa emerges as a shock contender to host the 2030 rugby league World Cup.
The ARL Commission and England’s RFL are considering the tour of England after 2025 for the men’s Kangaroos and women’s Jillaroos.
It is likely the tour would comprise three Tests against England without any additional games against club sides due to player welfare.
England would then travel to Australia and Papua New Guinea the following year for rugby league’s World Cup. Tonga toured England last year with Samoa currently in Britain.
The Kangaroo tour would prevent Australia contesting the 2025 Pacific Championships.
A packed NRL season coupled with England’s decision to move its Super League season to summer – running simultaneously with the NRL – all but stopped Kangaroo tours, the last being a six-game journey in 2003.
An Ashes series in Britain involving the star-studded Australians would be a financial boon for English rugby league.
The tour hasn’t been confirmed and planning remains in the preliminary stages although the International Rugby League is aware of the Kangaroos’ desire to tour England.
Australia’s last full tour, where the squad played midweek club sides, was back in 1994 when current Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga was captain.
Arguably the most famous Kangaroo tour was coach Frank Stanton’s 1982 Invincibles, which surged through England and France unbeaten, a feat matched by Bob Fulton’s squad in 1990.
Next year’s proposed tour would see Australia play England, not Great Britain.
Australia will definitely play England after next season but the location is still being finalised although England is more than likely.
The South African 2030 World Cup bid has pushed past an expression-of-interest vetting process and been granted formal approval to lodge a full application.
South Africa’s Government has expressed a desire for more international sporting events with the country having previously competed at rugby league World Cups.
The International Rugby League board will meet in November to canvas all applications with a final decision on the winning bid to be announced this coming February.
It is understood all bids have to demonstrate Government support with IRL chairman Troy Grant preferring not to comment.
Just last week, Meninga said Test matches should be taken to South Africa, Asia and America to help promote international rugby league.
“We should take international footy to other nations, like America or Asia; take our game to South Africa, it used to be played there. They understand rugby union but I think rugby league would get a following,” Meninga said.
Meninga is the only player to make four Kangaroo tours to England – 1982, ’86, ’90 and ’94. Australia and Papua New Guinea will host the 2026 World Cup.
It would resurrect the once-famous Kangaroo tour, which first took place in 1908-09.
The major development comes as South Africa emerges as a shock contender to host the 2030 rugby league World Cup.
The ARL Commission and England’s RFL are considering the tour of England after 2025 for the men’s Kangaroos and women’s Jillaroos.
It is likely the tour would comprise three Tests against England without any additional games against club sides due to player welfare.
England would then travel to Australia and Papua New Guinea the following year for rugby league’s World Cup. Tonga toured England last year with Samoa currently in Britain.
The Kangaroo tour would prevent Australia contesting the 2025 Pacific Championships.
A packed NRL season coupled with England’s decision to move its Super League season to summer – running simultaneously with the NRL – all but stopped Kangaroo tours, the last being a six-game journey in 2003.
An Ashes series in Britain involving the star-studded Australians would be a financial boon for English rugby league.
The tour hasn’t been confirmed and planning remains in the preliminary stages although the International Rugby League is aware of the Kangaroos’ desire to tour England.
Australia’s last full tour, where the squad played midweek club sides, was back in 1994 when current Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga was captain.
Arguably the most famous Kangaroo tour was coach Frank Stanton’s 1982 Invincibles, which surged through England and France unbeaten, a feat matched by Bob Fulton’s squad in 1990.
Next year’s proposed tour would see Australia play England, not Great Britain.
Australia will definitely play England after next season but the location is still being finalised although England is more than likely.
The South African 2030 World Cup bid has pushed past an expression-of-interest vetting process and been granted formal approval to lodge a full application.
South Africa’s Government has expressed a desire for more international sporting events with the country having previously competed at rugby league World Cups.
The International Rugby League board will meet in November to canvas all applications with a final decision on the winning bid to be announced this coming February.
It is understood all bids have to demonstrate Government support with IRL chairman Troy Grant preferring not to comment.
Just last week, Meninga said Test matches should be taken to South Africa, Asia and America to help promote international rugby league.
“We should take international footy to other nations, like America or Asia; take our game to South Africa, it used to be played there. They understand rugby union but I think rugby league would get a following,” Meninga said.
Meninga is the only player to make four Kangaroo tours to England – 1982, ’86, ’90 and ’94. Australia and Papua New Guinea will host the 2026 World Cup.
