2025 Kangaroos Ashes Tour

[innsaneink]

The battle for the Ashes ignites after 22 years​

One of sport’s great international rivalries will be reignited in 2025 with the historic return of The Ashes.

The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC), alongside Rugby League Commercial and The Rugby Football League, and International Rugby League, today announced the Australian Kangaroos and England will contest the first three-Test Ashes series since 2003, with matches to be played across England in October and November.

ARLC Chairman, Peter V’landys AM said Kangaroo Tours have produced some of greatest moments in the history of the game.

“We are proud to revive one of the great Rugby League traditions with the first Ashes series and Kangaroo Tour of England in 22 years. The ARLC believes in the international game and the Commission was behind this historic tour to support the growth of the game in the North.

“Kangaroo Tours are an iconic part of Rugby League folklore and have always delivered thrilling contests. The current generation of Kangaroos players have never experienced the magic of a Kangaroo Tour, and I’m delighted that they will have a chance to cement their own legacy alongside the greats of the past.”

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said the first Kangaroo Tour of England in 22 years will excite fans on both sides of the globe.

“The Kangaroos have not toured the UK since 2003 and this series will take international Rugby League to the next level.

“The Ashes has such a storied history, with so many legendary moments that make up the fabric of rugby league across multiple generations. A Kangaroo Tour unites the rugby league southern and northern hemispheres and is an incredible opportunity to grow the international game.”

The 2025 Ashes will kick off with the first Test at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday 25 October.

The second Test will be played at Everton Stadium a brand-new 53,000-seat state of the art facility in Liverpool, on Saturday 1 November.

Leeds will play host to the third and final Test in Rugby League heartland at Headingley Stadium, home of the Leeds Rhinos on Saturday 8 November.

The Ashes 2025​

England v Kangaroos​

First Test - Saturday 25 October, Wembley Stadium, London 
Second Test - Saturday 1 November, Everton Stadium, Liverpool 
Third Test - Saturday 8 November, Headingley Stadium, Leeds

All matches will kick off at 2:30pm local time (1:30am Sunday AEDT).

The battle for the Ashes ignites after 22 years

One of sport’s great international rivalries will be reignited in 2025 with the historic return of The Ashes.

www.nrl.com

 

[innsaneink]

Record breakers and history makers: The Ashes by the numbers​

AuthorNRL.comTimestampWed 26 Mar 2025, 05:31 PM

Share on social media​

• Share via Facebook
• Share via Twitter
• 
  
• Share via Reddit
• Share via Email

With the Kangaroos set to embark on their first Ashes tour since 2003, we take a look at all the history makers and record breakers across more than a century of battles between Australia and the Old Enemy.

A cavalcade of the game's greats have donned the green and gold in Ashes Tests across the years, with the cream always rising to the top when the moment arrived.


From Immortals Mal Meninga, Wally Lewis and Clive Churchill to tryscoring freak Ken Irvine and 'The Crow' and 'Golden Boots', these numbers tell the tale of glory days in service of your country.

Ashes Tests 1908-2003​

Tale of the tape​

Played 117, Australia 59 wins, Great Britain 54 wins, draws 4.

Most Ashes Tests for Australia​

Mal Meninga 17
Keith Holman 14
Clive Churchill 13
Wally Prigg 12
Graeme Langlands 12
Ian Walsh 12
Tom Raudonikis 12
Andrew Ettingshausen 12
Bob Lindner 12
Sandy Pearce 11
Kerry Boustead 11
Wally Lewis 11

Most Ashes Tests as Australian captain​

Clive Churchill 9
Wally Lewis 9
Mal Meninga 9
Tom Gorman 7
Ian Walsh 6
Keith Barnes 4
Graeme Langlands 4

Top Australian Ashes Pointscorers​

Mal Meninga 108 (9 tries, 37 goals)
Graeme Langlands 104 (6 tries, 43 goals)
Michael Cronin 78 (2 tries, 36 goals)
Michael O’Connor 66 (5 tries, 23 goals)
Noel Pidding 61 (3 tries, 26 goals)
Ken Irvine 42 (12 tries, 3 goals)
Keith Barnes 38 (19 goals)
Dave Brown 35 (3 tries, 13 goals)

Top Australian Ashes Tryscorers​

Ken Irvine 12
Reg Gasnier 9
Mal Meninga 9
Brian Carlson 8
Ray Price 7
Keith Holman 6
Johnny King 6
Graeme Langlands 6
Kerry Boustead 6

Series Results​

1908-09 GB 2-0 (1 drawn)
1910 GB 2-0
1911-12 Aust 2-0 (1 drawn)
1914 GB 2-1
1920 Aust 2-1
1921-22 GB 2-1
1924 GB 2-1
1928 GB 2-1
1929-30 GB 2-1 (1 drawn)
1932 GB 2-1
1933 GB 2-1
1936 GB 3-0
1937 GB 2-1
1946 GB 2-0 (1 drawn)
1948-49 GB 3-0
1950 Aust 2-1
1952 GB 2-1
1954 Aust 2-1
1956 GB 2-1
1958 GB 2-1
1959 GB 2-1
1962 GB 2-1
1963 Aust 2-1
1966 Aust 2-1
1967 Aust 2-1
1970 GB 2-1
1973 Aust 2-1
1974 Aust 2-1
1978 Aust 2-1
1979 Aust 3-0
1982 Aust 3-0
1984 Aust 3-0
1986 Aust 3-0
1988 Aust 2-1
1990 Aust 2-1
1992 Aust 2-1
1994 Aust 2-1
2001 Aust 2-1
2003 Aust 3-0

Series wins​

Australia 20
Great Britain 19

Record breakers and history makers: The Ashes by the numbers

With the Kangaroos set to embark on their first Ashes tour since 2003, we take a look at all the history makers and record breakers who've done Australia proud through the years.

www.nrl.com

Record breakers and history makers: The Ashes by the numbers

With the Kangaroos set to embark on their first Ashes tour since 2003, we take a look at all the history makers and record breakers who've done Australia proud through the years.

www.nrl.com

 

[innsaneink]

Used to love the Kangaroo tours as a kid in the 70s/80s...domination!

 

[stephen]

Used to love the Kangaroo tours as a kid in the 70s/80s...domination!

Yeah, the full tour. Games against club sides, seeing all the ressies get a run. Great memories.

 

[Suzie-Q]

Yeah, the full tour. Games against club sides, seeing all the ressies get a run. Great memories.

Yep!

 

[tiger_one]

 

[innsaneink]

Yeah, the full tour. Games against club sides, seeing all the ressies get a run. Great memories.

Kangaroos & Emus
Geez they used to cop a hiding from the ref's...especially the frogs

 

[tiger_one]

Kangaroos & Emus
Geez they used to cop a hiding from the ref's...especially the frogs

I remember the story where Noel Kelly was playing on tour against France and was sent off TWICE in the one game, a match played under a massive fog - he had actually snuck back on after being sent off ....

Those were the days ............ 🤣

(Officially reported: "He was sent off 17 times, including twice in a 1964 game in France. He thought the referee would not notice him sneaking back on."

 

[gallagher]

From memory, you had to play on a kangaroo tour to be called a kangaroo player. If you represented Aus outside of that tour you were an international, but not a kangaroo.

 

[Furious1]

Used to love the Kangaroo tours as a kid in the 70s/80s...domination!

Yeah great memories. Getting up in the middle of the night, the Pommie crowds going off, the way the Poms used to throw the ball around and attack out of nothing.
Even though I expect these games to be floggings, it's a step in the right direction and I'm looking forward to it.

 

[426Tlgerland]

I think the first few games Aussies will flogg the Poms but these games were great years again so maybe it will get better as times roll on , we also get to see the best the Poms have in one team , bring them to NRL they get better

 

[Jolls]

I was fortunate enough to be in the UK with work during the 94 Ashes series. I got to see the Emus and Kangaroos play. A mate of mine and I stayed in the Lamb Inn at St Helens for the opening game and were looked after so well we stayed for the duration of the tour. If you ever get the opportunity to go there for an Ashes series take it up. One of the greatest memories I have.

 

[Tucker]

From memory, you had to play on a kangaroo tour to be called a kangaroo player. If you represented Aus outside of that tour you were an international, but not a kangaroo.

100% and so it should be.

 

[gallagher]

100% and so it should be.

I think they changed it though, late 90s or just after superleague.
I think any aus rep is a kangaroo now

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Why is it called The Ashes? Did they burn down the goalposts?

 

[happy_tiger]

No they burnt all our w

Why is it called The Ashes? Did they burn down the goalposts?

No they burnt all our wooden spoons lol

 

[Jolls]

Why is it called The Ashes? Did they burn down the goalposts?

Not sure of the level of sarcasm there. But for clarity, No. It was just an adoption of the Ashes terminology from cricket to sporting endeavours between the two countries since the turn of the 20th century. First Rugby League Ashes series was payed in 1908.

 

[tiger_one]

The Poms are going nuts just getting tickets!!!

Rush for Ashes tickets as 'Roos return sparks record sales

The third Ashes Test has all but sold out and demand for Wembley and the new Everton Stadium is at unprecedented levels.

www.nrl.com