1953 American All Stars tour of Australia and New Zealand

1953 American All Stars tour of Australia and New Zealand
Manager	Mike Dimitro
Coach(es)	Norm (Latchem) Robinson in Australia Frank Mulcare & Travers Hardwick in New Zealand
Tour captain(s)	Various
Top point scorer(s)	Gary Kerkorian 173
Top try scorer(s)	Alvin E. Kirkland 14
Summary	P W D L
Total	26 06 02 18
Tour chronology
Previous tour	1952 by to 1953 by to
Next tour	1953-54 by to 1954 by to

The 1953 American All Stars rugby league tour of Australia and New Zealand was a tour by a group of twenty men who had not previously played the sport of Rugby League. Most of the team were current or former College Gridiron footballers with Stanford University, the University of California, Los Angeles, or the University of Southern California. Some of the party had played rugby union at their colleges, during gridiron off-seasons. ^[1]

Summary

The tour was instigated by player-manager Mike Dimitro, who claimed to have witnessed a game of rugby league in Sydney whilst serving in the Pacific during World War II. Dimitro had played for UCLA and was a high school teacher in Los Angeles in the lead up to the tour. Dimitro wrote to the Australian Rugby League Board of Control in February 1952. Several of the League's administrators were fervent promoters of their sport, and some were keen to take the game to the United States, so Dimitro's suggestion was favourably received. Another factor was the success of France's inaugural tour in 1951. Harold Matthews responded on behalf of the board in April 1952. ^[1]

Apprised of the proposed tour, the New Zealand Rugby League were also interested, and their Secretary, J.E. Knowling, was able to meet with Mike Dimitro in Los Angeles. ^[1]

Although arrangements in California did not run smoothly, with reassurances sought by the host nation boards, eighteen players arrived in Sydney on May 18, 1953. ^[2] A further two players arrived on June 1.

The appointed coach, Norm “Latchem” Robinson, had less than a fortnight to educate the players. A touch-football game against South Sydney and a tackle match against a team of Army Engineers were used in preparations. ^{[3] [4]}

Remarkably, the American All Stars won their first match on the scheduled tour, beating a combined Monaro and Southern Districts side. The next two scheduled fixtures were against Sydney and New South Wales, and the Americans were understandably outclassed. The wisdom of setting novices against experienced semi-professionals so early in the tour was questioned at the time. The matches did, however, attract large crowds 65,453 on a Saturday against Sydney, and 32,554 on a Tuesday against New South Wales. There was consensus in the press that the host teams did take it easy on the visitors.

The tour progressed with matches in regional and country New South Wales, and then into Queensland. The Australian board had recommended that 28 players would be necessary given the two matches per week schedule, and injuries had an impact on the twenty-man squad. This led to the informal use of “ring-ins” in matches at Ipswich and Wagga, and formally in a return match against New South Wales on July 25, and throughout the New Zealand leg.

Through the tour the American players were commended for their excellent ball handling and robust tackling. The running ability of many, particularly the backs was praised. Referees showed leniency to a lack of understanding of offside rules in early matches. A slowness in comprehending and implementing cover defence was a common concern in reports on later matches.

A curiosity to local spectators and the press at the time was the All Stars' practice of warming up on the field with calisthenics, or “physical jerks”. ^[1] Although this innovation did not immediately catch on, National Rugby League teams have utilised on field warm-ups since the 1990s.

A highlight for spectators was the American's use of the pitch-pass, with exhibitions given prior to most matches. In play, league rules against forward passing meant the pitch was restricted to lateral or backwards movement. Although a few pitch passes did lead to an All Stars try, usually the arc allowed defenders time to immediately tackle the receiver, or intercept.

A sad development of the tour was that Jack Bonetti contracted Polio. This was diagnosed after he entered hospital in Townsville, having exhibited pain after the match in Cairns. ^{[1] [5]}

Touring squad

Player	Pos.	Age	Weight	Height	College(s)	Games in Aus	Games in NZ	Tries	Goals	Field Goals	Points
Al Abajian	Five-eighth	25	13.3 (84)	5.8	USC	15		8	0	0	24
Bill Albans	Wing	25	13.8 (86)	6.4	North Carolina	13	0	5	0	0	15
Jack Bonetti	Second-row	22	15.1 (96)	6.1	Stanford	9	0	7	0	0	21
Bob Buckley	Centre	20	13.8 (86)	5.1	USC	12	0	4	0	0	12
Ed Demirjian	Wing	22	13.3 (84)	5.1	USC	6		2	0	0	6
Mike Dimitro	Second-row	28	15.1 (96)	5.1	UCLA USC	11		3	0	0	9
Steve Drakulvich	Prop	28	15.13 (101)	6.3	UCLA	9		1	0	0	3
Ted Grossman	Halfback	23	12.7 (79)	5.1	Pacific	16		7	0	0	21
Harold Han	Centre	20	13.8 (86)	5.9	USC	12	0	7	0	0	21
Pat Henry	Second-row	24	14.9 (93)	5.11	Stanford	11		1	0	0	3
Vince Jones	Prop	23	14.9 (93)	5.11	Dartmouth Stanford	16		3	0	0	9
George Kauffman	Fullback	26	14.0 (89)	6	UCLA	14		1	7	2	21
Gary Kerkorian	Wing	23	13.3 (84)	6	Stanford	17	0	5	79	0	173
Al D. Kirkland	Lock	23	15.5 (98)	6.3	USC Stanford	16		12	1	0	38
Alvin E. Kirkland	Centre	22	13.3 (84)	5.1	USC Stanford	16		14	0	0	42
Fran Mandulay	Second-row	24	15.0 (95)	6	Nebraska UCLA	15		1	0	0	3
Xavier Mena	Prop	24	16.1 (102)	6.1	UCLA	6		2	0	0	6
Sol Naumu	Five-eighth	23	14.0 (89)	5.11	UCLA USC	14		1	8	0	19
Ray Terry	Prop	29	16.3 (103)	6.2	Alabama	1		0	0	0	0
Sydney Walker	Hooker	21	15.0 (95)	5.8	UCLA	10		1	0	0	3

Note: The tally of games in Australia, tries and goals collated from newspaper articles, as referenced below. In a few instances newspaper accounts differ. Some match reports do not mention all participants. A concession was made to allow the Americans to use substitutes in the event of first half injuries. This was unusual for the time. Normally no replacements were permitted.

Four Queenslanders — Harold Crocker, Brian Davies, Alan Hornery and Ken McCaffery — played for the American All Stars in the July 25 match against New South Wales.

Five of the tourists returned to the United States at the conclusion of the Australian leg. ^[6] By arrangement with the New Zealand Rugby League, they were replaced by four, later five, New Zealanders: Travers Hardwick and Frank Mulcare who took on coaching duties, and also Des Barchard, Roy Moore and Roy Roff.

Australian leg

May 27	Monaro-Southern Division	25–34	America	Manuka Oval, Canberra
3pm	Tries: 5 Roy Freebody (2) Bill Beazley Greg Watts Ron Bercene Goals: 5 Bill Beazley (5)	Teams [7] [8] Report [9] [10] Report [11] [12]	Tries: 8 Alvin Kirkland (4) Al D. Kirkland (2) Al Abajian Jack Bonetti Goals: 5 Gary Kerkorian (5)	Attendance: 4,877 Gate: AU£ 965 Referee: Jack O'Brien

Team list:

Monaco-Southern Division FB: Bill Beazley ( Wollongong), WG: Greg Watts (Pyree), CE: Roy Freebody ( Captain's Flat), CE: Jack Seamer ( Port Kembla), WG: P. Ryan ( Bombala), FE: Keith Sullivan ( Goulburn), HB: Ron Bercene ( Bombala), LK: Bob Smith ( Port Kembla), SR: Angus Miller ( Berry), SR: Col Yarham ( Mittagong), PR: Billy Hodges ( Captain's Flat), HK: R. Stewart (Bega), PR: Bruce Edwards ( Robertson). J. Southwell ( Canberra) played. He may have replaced Yarham prior to kick-off. Col Williamson ( Goulburn) was named as a reserve, but likely did not play as he was not mentioned in match reports. The following were initially selected but did not play: Robert Bartlett ( Wollongong), Jack Plater ( Yass) and Harry Wells ( Wollongong). American All Stars: FB: George Kauffman, WG: Bill Albans, CE: Ed Demirjian, CE: Gary Kerkorian, WG: Alvin E. Kirkland, FE: Sol Naumu, HB: Ted Grossman, LK: Pat Henry, SR: Vince Jones, SR: Al D. Kirkland, SR: Fran Mandulay, HK: Sydney Walker, LK: Jack Bonetti. Al Abajian replaced Bill Albans.

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May 30	Sydney	52–25	America	Sydney Cricket Ground
3pm	Tries: 10 Noel Pidding (4) Ken Kearney (2) Keith Holman Ron Taylor Ben Haslam Lloyd Hudson Goals: 11 Noel Pidding (11)	Program Report [13] [14] Report [15]	Tries: 3 Sydney Walker Alvin Kirkland Sol Naumu Goals: 8 Gary Kerkorian (8)	Attendance: 65,453 Gate: AU£ 8,744 Referee: Jack O'Brien

Team list:

Sydney: FB: Clive Churchill (26) ( Souths), WG: Noel Pidding (26) ( St George), CE: George Martin (20) ( Norths), CE: Ron Taylor (21) ( Easts), WG: Barry Stenhouse (19) ( Canterbury), FE: Bob Sullivan (22) ( Norths), HB: Keith Holman (25) ( Wests), LK: Les Cowie (28) ( Souths), SR: Arthur Collinson (23) ( Wests), SR: Ben Haslam (24) ( Norths), PR: Roy Bull (23) ( Manly), HK: Ken Kearney (27) ( St George), PR: Lloyd Hudson (25) ( Norths). The following were selected as reserves but did not play: Ken Slattery (20) ( Parramatta) and Johnny Slade (25) ( Parramatta). American All Stars: FB: George Kauffman, WG: Bill Albans, CE: Alvin E. Kirkland, CE: Sol Naumu, WG: Ed Demirjian, FE: Gary Kerkorian, HB: Ted Grossman, LK: Jack Bonetti, SR: Al D. Kirkland, SR: Fran Mandulay, PR: Vince Jones, HK: Sydney Walker, PR: Pat Henry.

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June 2	New South Wales	62–41	America	Sydney Cricket Ground
2.30pm	Tries: 14 Tommy Ryan (6) Noel Pidding (2) Ken Kearney (2) Don Schofield Harry Wells Keith Holman Ken Slattery Goals: 10 Noel Pidding (10)	Program Report [16]	Tries: 9 Alvin Kirkland (3) Al D. Kirkland (2) Harold Han Jack Bonetti Ed Demirjian Bob Buckley Goals: 7 Gary Kerkorian (7)	Attendance: 32,554 Gate: AU£ 3,533 Referee: Jack O'Brien

Team list:

New South Wales: FB: Clive Churchill (26) ( Souths), WG: Noel Pidding (26) ( St George), CE: Robert Bartlett (26) ( Wollongong), CE: Harry Wells (21) ( Wollongong), WG: Tommy Ryan ( St George), FE: Rees Duncan (21) ( Kurri Kurri), HB: Keith Holman (25) ( Wests), LK: Ken Slattery (25) ( Parramatta), SR: Don Schofield (22) ( Cessnock), SR: Albert Paul (25) ( Lakes United), PR: Charlie Gill (30) ( Newcastle Northern Suburbs), HK: Ken Kearney (27) ( St George), PR: Roy Bull (23) ( Manly). Brian Carlson (20) ( Newcastle Northern Suburbs) was initially selected but withdrew. Arthur Collinson (23) ( Wests) and Johnny Slade (20) ( Parramatta) were selected as reserves but did not play. American All Stars: FB: Sol Naumu, WG: Bob Buckley, CE: Alvin E. Kirkland, CE: Harold Han, WG: Ed Demirjian, FE: Gary Kerkorian, HB: Ted Grossman, LK: Jack Bonetti, SR: Al D. Kirkland, SR: Mike Dimitro, PR: Fran Mandulay, HK: Pat Henry, PR: Vince Jones.

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June 7	Combined Country	35–9	America	Wollongong Showground
	Tries: 7 Darcy Russell Ron Battye Don Schofield Jack Lumsden Robert Bartlett Charlie Gill Ernie Hammerton Goals: 7 Darcy Russell (7)	Team [17] [18] Report [19] [20] Report [21]	Tries: 1 Jack Bonetti Goals: 3 Gary Kerkorian (3)	Attendance: 11,787 Gate: AU£ 1,627 Referee: Darcy Lawler

Team list:

Combined Country: FB: Darcy Russell ( Waratah Mayfield), WG: Brian Carlson ( Norths), CE: Harry Wells ( Wollongong), CE: Robert Bartlett ( Wollongong), WG: Jack Lumsden ( Coonabarabran), FE: Rees Duncan ( Kurri), HB: Noel Hill ( Maitland), LK: Ron Battye ( Gundagai), SR: Don Schofield ( Cessnock), SR: Albert Paul ( Lakes United), PR: Charlie Gill ( Norths), HK: Ernie Hammerton (Boorowa), PR: Bryan Orrock (Boorowa), Coach: Ray Stehr The following were named as reserves but are not mentioned (as playing) in match reports: Guy Brazier (Dorrigo), Jack Seamer ( Port Kembla) and Bob Smith ( Port Kembla) American All Stars: Al Abajian, Bill Albans, Jack Bonetti, Ted Grossman, Vince Jones, George Kauffman, Gary Kerkorian, Al D. Kirkland, Xavier Mena and Sydney Walker were mentioned in match reports, with one report mentioning that Pat Henry took the field as a replacement.

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June 10	Western Division	24–21	America	Victoria Park, Dubbo
3pm	Tries: 6 Jack Grant Bruce Cohen Cec Edwards Leo Nosworthy Peter Burns Jack Lumsden Goals: 3 Jack Lumsden (3)	Team [22] [23] Report [24] [25] Report [26] [27]	Tries: 3 Jack Bonetti Gary Kerkorian Pat Henry Goals: 6 Gary Kerkorian (6)	Attendance: 4,717 Gate: AU£ 1,186 Referee: Darcy Lawler

Team list:

Western Districts: FB: Gordon Head ( Baradine), WG: Bruce Cohen ( Wellington), CE: Brian Condon ( Mudgee), CE: Jack Grant ( Brewarrina), WG: Jack Lumsden ( Coonabarabran), FE: Peter Burns ( Bathurst Railway), HB: Cec Edwards (Trangie), LK: Leo Nosworthy ( Narromine), SR: Jock Weir ( Narromine), SR: Noel Flynn ( Lithgow Arms Factory), PR: Bertie Simpson ( Lithgow Arms Factory), HK: Barry Green ( Mudgee), PR: N. Towett (Trangie), Coach: Frank Bell ( Lithgow Arms Factory). Brian (Blondie) Bolton (Dubbo) and Vin Corish ( Dunedoo) were named as reserves and took the field for the second half. The following were initially selected but withdrew: Eric Dodd (Dubbo), Norman McKnight ( Forbes), B. Runsford (Lithgow). American All Stars: FB: Sol Naumu, WG: Bob Buckley, CE: Harold Han, CE: Gary Kerkorian, WG: Ed Demirjian, FE: Ted Grossman, HB: Al Abajian, LK: Jack Bonetti, SR: Pat Henry, SR: Fran Mandulay, PR: Steve Drakulvich, HK: Sydney Walker, PR: Xavier Mena. Vince Jones and George Kauffman took the field as replacements for injured players Drakulvich and Mena. The Dubbo Liberal match reports mentioned Ray Terry as being tackled into touch.

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June 13	Newcastle	10–19	America	Newcastle Sports Ground
	Tries: 2 Bill Shanks Brian Pead Goals: 2 Darcy Russell (2)	Teams [28] [29] Report [30] [31] Report [32] [33]	Tries: 3 Harold Han (2) Gary Kerkorian Goals: 5 Gary Kerkorian (5)	Attendance: 14,160 Gate: AU£ 2,136 Referee: Aub Oxford

Team list:

Newcastle: FB: Darcy Russell ( Waratah Mayfield), WG: Bill Shanks ( Waratah Mayfield), CE: Bill Smith ( Waratah Mayfield), CE: Brian Pead ( Centrals), WG: Lester Batey ( Cessnock), FE: Warren Foley ( Waratah Mayfield), HB: Noel Hill ( Maitland), LK: Barry Levido ( Cessnock), SR: Gordon Harley ( Maitland), SR: Henry Holloway ( Waratah Mayfield), PR: Doug Hawke ( Norths), HK: Kevin McKiernan ( Maitland), PR: Herb Pearson ( Kurri). Billy Roberts ( Kurri) and Tom Anderson ( Norths) were named as reserves. American All Stars: FB: Sol Naumu, WG: Alvin E. Kirkland, CE: Harold Han, CE: Bob Buckley, WG: Ed Demirjian, FE: Gary Kerkorian, HB: Ted Grossman, LK: Jack Bonetti, SR: Al D. Kirkland, SR: Mike Dimitro, PR: Fran Mandulay, HK: Vince Jones, PR: Pat Henry. George Kauffman and Al Abajian were named as reserves and the latter is mentioned as playing in a match report.

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June 17	Northern NSW	26–18	America	Brelsford Park, Coffs Harbour
	Tries: 6 Lyle McKay (3) Jim Ruge (2) Ken O'Reilly Goals: 4 Bob Hillier (4)	Team [34] [35] Report [36] [37] Report [38] [39]	Tries: 4 Bob Buckley Al Abajian Ed Demirjian Jack Bonetti Goals: 3 Gary Kerkorian (3)	Attendance: 5,400 Gate: AU£ 707 Referee: Aub Oxford

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June 20	Queensland	39–36	America	Brisbane Cricket Ground
3pm	Tries: 9 Bob Buckley (4) Kel O'Shea (2) Neil Teys Athol Smith Tom Tyquin Goals: 6 Norm Pope (6)	Teams [40] [41] Report [42] [43]	Tries: 6 Vince Jones (2) Al D. Kirkland Ted Grossman George Kauffman Jack Bonetti Goals: 9 Gary Kerkorian (9)	Attendance: 24,397 Gate: AU£ 3,983 Referee: Frank Ballard

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June 24	Far North Queensland	17–17	America	Parramatta Park, Cairns
	Tries: 3 Gordon Farrelly (2) Roy Greenwood Goals: 4 Gordon Farrelly (4)	Teams [44] [45] Report [46] Result [47]	Tries: 3 Bill Albans Jack Bonetti Al D. Kirkland Goals: 4 George Kauffman (3) Field Goals: 1 George Kauffman	Attendance: 6,042 Gate: AU£ 1,202 Referee: V. Renton

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June 28	North Queensland	38–17	America	Townsville Sports Reserve
	Tries: 8 Jack Fifield (2) Kel O'Shea (2) P. Farrell Max Short Keith Martin Trevor Whitehead Goals: 7 R. Quinn (7)	Team [45] Report [48] Photo [49]	Tries: 3 Ted Grossman (2) Harold Han Goals: 4 Gary Kerkorian (4)	Attendance: 7,898 Gate: AU£ 1,552 Referee: R. Allison

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July 1	Central West Queensland	26–21	America	Longreach
	Tries: 6 McDonald (4) Lionel Wheatley Norris Goals: 4 Linde (4)	Report [50] Result [51]	Tries: 5 Alvin Kirkland Al D. Kirkland Harold Han Xavier Mena Al Abajian Goals: 3 Gary Kerkorian (3)	Attendance: 1,635 Gate: AU£ 400 Referee: Maquire

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July 5	Central Queensland	33–26	America	Murray Street Grounds, Rockhampton
	Tries: 9 Peter Robinson (4) W. Liddell (2) P. Sear (2) W. Clarke Goals: 3 Ray Thomas (2) W. Liddell	Report [52] [53]	Tries: 6 Steve Drakulvich Ted Grossman Al Abajian Gary Kerkorian Mike Dimitro Harold Han Goals: 4 George Kauffman (2) Al D. Kirkland Gary Kerkorian	Attendance: 5,332 Gate: AU£ 1,154 Referee: H. Gilbert

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July 7	Brisbane	39–26	America	Brisbane Cricket Ground
	Tries: 9 George Hayes (3) . Mundt (2) Len Blaik (2) Tom Tyquin Jack Veivers Goals: 6 Norm Pope (6)	Team [54] Report [55]	Tries: 4 Al D. Kirkland Harold Han Al Abajian Fran Mandulay Goals: 7 Gary Kerkorian (7)	Attendance: 7,000 Gate: AU£ 1,050 Referee: Vic Lynagh

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July 15	Toowoomba	29–15	America	Toowoomba
	Tries: 7 M. Higgins (3) Russ Brown (2) D. McMurtrie . Connolly Goals: 4 M. Higgins (3) Cyril Connell Jr	Report [56] [57]	Tries: 3 Bill Albans Al Abajian Xavier Mena Goals: 3 Gary Kerkorian (3)	Attendance: 5,778 Gate: AU£ 893 Referee: Vic Vercoe

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July 18	Ipswich	15–16	America	North Ipswich Reserve
	Tries: 3 Jim Pegg (2) Gary Parcell Goals: 3 Errol Meteyard (3)	Report [58] Report [59]	Tries: 4 Bill Albans Gary Kerkorian Alvin Kirkland Al Abajian Goals: 2 Gary Kerkorian (2)	Attendance: 3,155 Gate: AU£ 645 Referee: Les McMahon

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July 19	Wide Bay	33–33	America	Maryborough Showground
	Tries: 7 D. Nixon (2) K. Drysdale K. Hutchins A. Anderson F. Heidke W. Faine Goals: 6 F. Heidke (6)	Report [60] Result [61]	Tries: 7 Bob Buckley (2) Gary Kerkorian Bill Albans Alvin Kirkland Ted Grossman Al Abajian Goals: 6 Gary Kerkorian (6)	Attendance: 6,166 Gate: AU£ 1,124

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July 22	Riverina	30–14	America	ANZAC Park, Gundagai
	Tries: 6 Roley McDonell (2) George Robertson Len Koch Brian Longhurst Terry Brogan Goals: 6 Len Koch (6)	Team [62] [63] Report [64] Result [65]	Tries: 2 Mike Dimitro Al D. Kirkland Goals: 4 Gary Kerkorian (4)	Attendance: 2,560 Gate: AU£ 576 Referee: Col Pearce

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July 25	New South Wales	27–18	America	Sydney Cricket Ground
2.45pm	Tries: 5 Johnny Rouse Ferris Ashton Brian Carlson Harry Wells Noel Pidding Goals: 6 Noel Pidding (6)	Program Report [66] [67]	Tries: 4 Ken McCaffery Brian Davies Bill Albans Al D. Kirkland Goals: 3 Gary Kerkorian (3)	Attendance: 19,686 Gate: AU£ 2,272 Referee: Aub Oxford

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New Zealand leg

August 1	Auckland	54–26	America	Carlaw Park, Auckland
	Tries: 12 Goals: 9		Tries: 6 Goals: 4

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August 4	Taranaki	18–21	America	Pukekura Park, New Plymouth
	Tries: 4 Goals: 3		Tries: 5 Frank Mulcare (3) Travers Hardwick Roy Roff Goals: 3 George Kauffman (2) Field Goals: 1 George Kauffman

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August 7	Wellington	8–17	America	Basin Reserve, Wellington
	Tries: Goals:		Tries: Goals: George Kauffman (2)

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August 11	West Coast	27–10	America	Wingham Park, Greymouth
	Tries: Goals:		Tries: Goals:

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August 15	Canterbury	39–8	America	Addington Showground, Christchurch
	Tries: Goals:		Tries: Goals:	Attendance: 5,000

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August 19	North Auckland	6–25	America	Jubilee Park, To Whangerei
	Tries: Goals:		Tries: Goals:	Attendance: 3,000

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August 22	New Zealand Māori	40–23	America	Carlaw Park, Auckland
	Tries: Goals:		Tries: Goals:

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August 24	South Auckland	19–2	America	Hamilton
	Tries: Goals:		Tries: Goals:

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Sources

Acronym	Item	Years	Database App	Notes
Direct Online Access
-	Pratten Park Magpies	1953	Website Page	Copies of photos and articles
RLN	Rugby League News	1920-1973	Trove	Match Program in Sydney, Team Lists, Team Photos, Articles
RLP	Rugby League Project	1907–present	RLP Website	Match dates and scores
Sun	The Sun (Sydney)	1910-1954	Trove	Match Reports, Articles.
DT	The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)	1931-1954	Trove	Match Reports, Articles.
CM	The Courier-Mail	1933-1954	Trove	Match Reports, Articles.
-	Various Australian Regional Newspapers	up to 1954	Trove	Match Reports, Given Names of Players
Offline Resources
-	Gavin Willacy's No Helmets Required [1]	1953	Copy at SLNSW	First published in 2013. Interviews with many of the players, or their family members. History of the tour, with each match discussed.
EECYB	E.E. Christensen's Official Rugby League Year Book	1946-1978	Copies at SLNSW	Teams, Point Scorers, Report. 1954 Yearbook includes a brief summary of the 1953 tour, with teams and point scorers for the three matches in Sydney.
QRLG	Queensland Rugby League Gazette	1950-1955	Copies at SLQ	Program for matches in Brisbane.
RRLG	Rockhampton Rugby League Gazette	1951-1968	Copies at SLQ	Program for matches in Rockhampton.
-	Ipswich Versus International Teams [68]	1913-1975	Copies at SLQ & NLA	Match Report, Given Names & Club of Ipswich Players
-	A History of Mackay Rugby League [69]	1919-2015	Author's Website	Given Names & Club of Ipswich Players
-	More Than The Foley Shield [70]	1908-2014	Author's Website	Match report, team photos. Given Names & Club of North Queensland Players

References

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3. Thatcher, George (22 May 1953). "Yanks Impress In 'Secret' Trial". The Daily Telegraph (Sydney) . Sydney: National Library of Australia. p. 40. Retrieved 6 Feb 2021.
4. "American Rugby League Players Have First Win". The Queensland Times . Ipswich: National Library of Australia. 26 May 1953. p. 3. Retrieved 6 Feb 2021.
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14. Mathers, Jim (31 May 1953). "64,953 Fans Flock To See League'S Yankee Doodle Dandies". Truth (Sydney newspaper) . Sydney: National Library of Australia. p. 28. Retrieved 27 Jan 2021.
15. Allen, Geoff (31 May 1953). "Americans Fail In Sydney - Good showmen, but novices in League tactics". The Sun (Sydney) . Sydney: National Library of Australia. p. 27. Retrieved 27 Jan 2021.
16. Corbett, W.F. (2 Jun 1953). "N.S.W. Players Hold Off As Game Finishes In Farce". The Sun (Sydney) . Sydney: National Library of Australia. p. 21. Retrieved 5 Feb 2021.
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19. "Record Crowd Sees American All Stars Lose To Country". Illawarra Mercury . Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 8 Jun 1953. p. 12. Retrieved 26 Jan 2021.
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21. "Country Not Even Extended By American All Stare". South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus . Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 8 Jun 1953. p. 23. Retrieved 27 Jan 2021.
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