Well-disciplined team

Press, 7 January 1987, Page 18

Well-disciplined team

The all-conquering 1986 Kangaroos had a multiplicity of virtues, not the least of which was their unrivalled on-field discipline.

In what is believed to be a touring record, not one Kangaroo was sent off in the 20 matches in England and France. The ’B2 Invincibles had five dismissed for on-field indiscretions. But the sin bin was used 16 times, with the Balmain prop, Steve

Roach, the main offender (three). The Kangaroos overcame all opposition despite a crippling 312135 penalty count

French referees caned the Kangaroos 124-30. Half of the Australians’ penalties on the Gallic leg of the tour came from an English referee, Fred Lindop, in the two tests.

Michael O’Connor finished as the tour topscorer with 170 points,

but Terry Lamb had the better goal-kicking percentage with 20 goals from 32 attempts, compared with O’Connor’s 59 from 100 shots.

Lamb, authenticating his tag as the game’s best support player, was the top try-scorer with 19.

In the final analysis, the Kangaroos accumulated 738 points, including 139 tries, against 126 points conceded (16 tries).