Tour Tales Podcast Series: Kangaroos 1986 Tour Of England

Welcome to our special podcast series, Tour Tales! We take you behind the scenes of rugby league's greatest ever teams and share what happens on tour. This week Jimmy is joined by Peter Sterling & Steve 'Blocker' Roach to chat about to Kangaroos' 1986 tour of England & France!
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0:00 Old School Tours
3:25 Duty Boys On Tour
6:20 Nicknames
8:22 Pressure To Win Every Game
12:29 Lewis & Sterling Combination
16:31 Mal Meninga Benched
22:17 Little Men v Big Men Wrestle
26:45 Garry Jack
31:08 Nightclubs & Casinos
36:31 Wayne Pearce Non-Selection
43:50 What Made Touring So Special?
48:03 Sterlo’s Old Trafford Mishap
52:00 The English Crowds
57:40 Softening Up Period
1:05:12 Royce Simmons Stories
1:08:35 Winning 3-0
1:19:00 Blocker’s Injury
1:25:10 Playing France
1:31:30 Post Tour Trip To Singapore
1:39:05 Favourite Tour Teammate

[@garyoneill6650]

Peter Sterling should be the next NRL Immortal… his contribution to the game cannot be underestimated… ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@__gk___]

I’ve missed Sterlo and for what he has done on and off the field he’s an immortal for mine.

[@jaycee571]

Such an asset to rugby league and a great story teller to boot. I love Sterlo, he would have been an amazing coach.

[@forddriver8827]

Nothing like an immortal and will not be nominated

[@joshloreto2676]

​@forddriver8827 there's always 1 douchebag

[@footballaussie]

absolute legend. wish i saw him in his prime. YNWA

[@The_Last_Ninja]

@@forddriver8827 dribbler….What he’s done on and off the field in Rugby League speaks for itself! Four premierships, part of the ‘82 Invincibles and ‘86 Unbeatables and 30 years of commentary. He’s given most of his life to Rugby League. What have you done for Rugby League?

[@wilkie1011]

Great episode as always. Sterlo should be an Immortal.

[@tigerwarsaw99]

He and Kenny were better than some of those named already.

[@michaelkeating9794]

Another great one. I was a touch too young for the 82 tour but was so excited for the 86 one. Can remember constantly flicking through my Open Rugby to read about the players I hadn't heard of. I was fortunate enough to get Sterlo's autograph at the Saints game (along with Craig Johnston who'd come along to watch him and the Kangaroos). Some great memories shared and I distinctly remember that Third Test because I was stood behind the sticks at Central Park when The King went in for the game sealing try, with a great piece of rugby. I shouted "You bald twat" as he went over and when the other Kangaroos came around to hug him he gave the crowd the V as his arm went around for the hug. What a guy.

[@codyb3232]

Man, it was great to hear Sterlos voice again. Miss him on the Sunday Footy Show and Ch9 coverage.

[@jaycee571]

Take a bow Jimmy, these poddys are getting better and better, you have come along way. Asking open questions, letting the guests talk and giving them a platform to open up. You are interjecting at the right time and not too much or too little. Hats off to ya mate , really polished product with two of the greatest blokes and rugby league players. Keep kicking goals mate, this is bloody as good as it gets.

[@bonzapelican]

Exactly. Lets the guests entertain, not unlike Parky!

[@leehughes2666]

A harder, tougher, and dare i say one of the dirtiest props ever to play the game, and listening to him here he seems one of the nicest blokes ever! Blocker roach. Great to hear these stories.

[@tigerwarsaw99]

His initiation to first garde was Craig Young eye gouging him. They didnt muck around in those days. Blocker very underrated for his skill level. Great ball skills for a big man, in the Beetson mould.

[@RidetheGeoffening]

I'd never label block dirty. And I don't think anyone of the time would. I'm a manly guy so we had Boyd who was soooo fuckin awesome , but unfortunately dirty. Dirty is a very harsh label for league players . Especially retrospectively from the mid to late 80 s backwards. Block was just tough and as the other fella said , incredibly skillful. Each to their own of course , but I don't think many would agree that block was dirty

[@tigerwarsaw99]

@@RidetheGeoffening dirty player was eye gouging, elbows, tripping, king hit. None of those were Blocker. Yes he could get in a stink or two but not a dirty player for mine.

[@allansillis5034]

Thank you so much for this episode James. I absolutely love Sterlo and getting to hear him tell those stories was awesome.

[@bartcolen]

Jimmy, you definitely delivered on what you said about this one: cracking episode! Many of the interviews have been quite interesting, but, out of all of the Bye Round shows so far, this one was the most fun by a mile. What great guys.

[@Schiltzenberger]

If I had to choose between Brett Kenny or Mal Meninga, I'd Pick Kenny too, everyday of the week. Absolute travesty that Kenny and Sterlo aren't Immortals yet.

[@briankennedy1192]

Just watched a replay of the 82 Gf, Kenny sets up 3 and scores 2 of parras 5 tries. Scored 2 in 3 straight Gf but had 2 disallowed in 84 Gf against the dog's, which parra lost..

[@JRPete]

both Stelo and Blocker are giving a glimpse of why we should put respect back to test footy. Keep up the good work Jammer, hopefully you could bring in Trent Robinson to talk more about Franch rugby league.

[@grahambrown9530]

Sterling was an incredible half.criminal he isn't an Immortal.

[@RidetheGeoffening]

Why not

[@RidetheGeoffening]

It's fine to say of course, but back it up

[@Tricky181]

Jammer that was the best ever podcast!!!and I’m 36 year old !

[@raystephens1142]

Cracking episode. The family had one of those chats “what would you do if we won £150m on the Lottery?” Wife: I’d buy an island Son: I’d set up a gaming company Me: I’d fund a proper GB tour to Australia. Great to hear Sterlo and Blocker reference the origins of RL and how it came about with The George in Huddersfield etc. Is this well known in Australia? Do people know the struggle we have to keep it relevant in the UK? We need these tours again but I accept there’s progress.

[@AWESTERNWHITEMAN.BOSH.]

Both great guys. But one of my greatest memories. Was seeing sterlo. Running out in a Hull fc shirt. COYH.

[@briankennedy1192]

That final against Wigan was the greatest.

[@richardgardner9104]

Could of watched this for days with the stories and love for the game, great episode.

[@robcousins231]

Great spisode. Fair play to Jimmy; he is really trying to get test rugby back into focus. What is a shame is that the market is clearly there for it. if Great Britain was revived and the Aussies toured there, the interest in it would be massive. The TV numbers, fan interest and, therefore, media coverage would be huge. But I agree with Sterlo; it just won't happen the way the seasons are set up now.

[@robertwallace7968]

Great episode with two great players,would love to see GB v Aus ashes test series again,remember as a kid going to see the Aussies play Oldham they gave em a good game.

[@samuellemoyne4791]

3 legends! Cheers boys

[@christouvelos4897]

great episode, awesome to hear about kangaroo tours!

[@jc7671]

I thought Royce Simmons nickname was “The Grog Monster”.

[@ryan-jonnoble6793]

Love Sterlos passion / appreciation for the North of England. Same as his solo podcast with you Jammer and also one he did with JBB and Alex on the old Rugby AM here in England. Sydney born to a Scouse mother & Geordie father, lived in UK for 17 years, Liverpool for the last 4 + years. Love the place. Look forward to the podcasts every week. This was a cracker 👌🏼👌🏼

[@matthewdawson2787]

Great great episode from the Bye Round. It should never be forgotten how great these two players were. Time may have torn them from the field, but shows like this continue to keep the memory flame burning. Mr Graham, I know, you too must feel the pang of no longer playing a sport you were so dominant in, but your contribution to this new forum of content (and those of your partners and staff) should not go over looked. It is important to never forget the stories of those who came before. All the best.

[@roberttaylor5841]

Loved it when the Aussies used to tour the UK .

[@bonzapelican]

Great idea to bring these two legends in. Could listen to them all day. Would love to see you get Fatty, Sterlo and Blocker on. Now there's entertainment

[@timick8281]

Fantastic podcast , brings back so many memories watching these great players.

[@wdnicolson]

I’m halfway through and I don’t want it to end - top shelf chat with the great men 👏👏👏

[@ajmuss856]

Certainly miss Sterlo’s class of commentary on Channel 9

[@GodlyCarnage]

2 of my favourite blokes. You’re a beast to James ! Thanks fellas.

[@jimburchill1562]

Need more of the old tour shows, always regretted not going over for one of the kangaroo tours

[@leeprest4976]

Jammer I could watch these all day marra.

[@keithrankin3945]

Great pod cast really enjoyed the stories.The 1954 tour after a 6week sail the GB tourist played 32 games ,22in Aus 10 in NZ.

[@johnbroomfield2172]

Great chat, well done 👍

[@eulogist8120]

Always great to see a rare Sterlo these days

[@tigerwarsaw99]

Sterlo health doesnt look the best, hope hes alright. Great yarn.

[@MrUHTiger]

I just seen Sterlos name so I have to watch it. He is sorely missed on the footy panel I really miss his breakdowns

[@amostenana6988]

40 quid jacket hire 😂

[@gdl9902]

Re 49min mark; Old Trafford in 1986; Ryan Giggs the ballboy would have been Ryan Wilson at the time. His father was Danny Wilson who was an ex Welsh RU player who was a local legend at rugby league side Swinton Lions. I was there that day and ended up as a drowned rat! Bloody awful wet day!

[@tigerwarsaw99]

1:30:27 smellmefinger fathered a few on tour..

[@jontydenton1201]

Last test penalty try wtf block n stereo don’t remember that gift!.?

[@bl5050]

Sterloooooo !!

[@lotjames3765]

super league should go back to winter footy.

[@lotjames3765]

the kangaroos are nauseating.

[@trackjunky3338]

was it the 86 tour where siro nearly got his head ripped off by that grub mcdermott ?

[@mattgaskell945]

No that was the ‘94 tour

[@user-mr7to9dj7d]

Sterlo one of the greats but I can't handle listening to bocker, what a grub

[@briankennedy1192]

Gentleman mate.

[@bonzapelican]

Used to work in a pub in Balmain and Blocker and Benny were regulars. Brilliant bloke, very self deprecating, not up himself and a funny f%$ cker.

[@RidetheGeoffening]

Must be a parra supporter

[@kieraaanbreeew]

Jesus Christ, looks like an episode of Jurassic park with these two dinosaurs on here

[@bonzapelican]

Now, now bit of respect. Pretty fascinating to hear how they used to tour for 3 months. Can only imagine the shenanigans they got up to.

[@RidetheGeoffening]

We are all built up on the shoulders of giants genius

[@user-zx8ik6ed9r]

Blocker would beat a lot of respect into you even at his age now. He would have you crying for your mummy within 30 seconds.

[@RidetheGeoffening]

@@user-zx8ik6ed9r yeah , my money's on block