There were accusations of bias by English referees against the 1967-68 Kangaroos when St George halfback, Billy Smith was sent off for a high shot on Leeds centre, Dick Gemmell, at Headingley, which the Australians won 7-4.
Smith was the fifth player sent off at that stage of the tour, following in the footsteps of John Sattler, Dennis Manteit, Elwyn Walters and Noel Kelly.
Only one English player had been sent off in the 15 matches to that date.
The Courier-Mail’s Jack Reardon wrote, that in his opinion there was a definite bias, “whether conscious of unconscious”, against the Kangaroos.
“For instance, 10 minutes after Smith was sent off, Leeds former Great Britain prop, Ken Eyre blatantly punched Graeme Langlands (pictured) while Langlands was held in a tackle by two other players,” Reardon continued.
“This happened right in front of the referee, who immediately cautioned Eyre, awarded a penalty, but allowed Eyre to stay on the field.”
The only try of the match was scored by Australian lock, Ron Lynch. Australia’s best were prop, Manteit; second rower, Allan Thompson and centre, Ron Saddler.
Halfback, Barry Seabourne was Leeds’ best, while Gemmell, who went on to manage the 1984 Great Britain side in Australia, was dangerous in attack.
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