The 1971 Kangaroo Tour of New Zealand was a mid-season tour of New Zealand by the Australia national rugby league team. The Australians played three matches on tour, including a test against the New Zealand national rugby league team. The tour began on 22 June and finished on 29 June.
Leadership Harry Bath was the coach of the squad, which he had been since 1968 in this particular tenure. St. George Dragons fullback Graeme Langlands was named captain for the tour ahead of 1969 New Zealand Tour leader John Sattler.
Touring squad All but three members of the squad played in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership, those players being Wayne Bennett, Brian Fitzsimmons and Jim Murphy. Several tour members represented the Australia national rugby league team but only played in minor matches in New Zealand.
Player Club Position(s) Games Tests Tries Goals F/Goals Points Barry Beath St. George 2 Wayne Bennett Ipswich All Whites 2 1 3 Ray Branighan Manly Warringah 3 1 1 2 Tony Branson St. George 1 1 Keith Campbell Parramatta 2 1 1 7 17 Ron Costello Canterbury-Bankstown 2 1 Brian Fitzsimmons Brothers Brisbane 3 1 Bob Fulton Manly Warringah 3 1 5 15 Bob Grant South Sydney 3 1 Graeme Langlands (c) St. George 1 1 Bob McCarthy South Sydney 3 1 2 6 Jim Murphy Western Suburbs 2 Bob O'Reilly Parramatta 2 1 1 3 Tom Raudonikis Western Suburbs 2 Paul Sait South Sydney 2 1 John Sattler South Sydney 1 1 Geoff Starling Balmain 2 1 3 Lionel Williamson Newtown 3 1 1 2
Tour The Australians played three matches on the tour, winning one match and losing two, including the test match.
Test
FB1 Mike McClennanRW2 John WhittakerCE3 Bernie LowtherCE4 Roy Christian (c)LW5 Mocky BreretonFE6 Gary WoollardHB7 Ken StirlingLK13 Eddie HeatleySR11 Garry SmithSR12 Tony KriletichPR8 Henry TatanaHK9 Colin O'NeilPR10 Robert OrchardCoach: Lory BlanchardFB1 Graeme Langlands (c)RW2 Ray BranighanCE3 Bob FultonCE8 Paul SaitLW5 Lionel WilliamsonFE6 Tony BransonHB7 Bob GrantLF16 Keith CampbellSR9 Bob McCarthySR10 Ron CostelloPR11 Bob O'ReillyHK12 Brian FitzsimmonsPR13 John SattlerCoach: Harry Bath
References