The First Kangaroos (1988-TV) Dennis Waterman, Chris Haywood, Dominic Sweeney

The First Kangaroos is a 1988 British-Australian made for TV sports film directed by Frank Cvitanovich and starring Dennis Waterman, Chris Haywood and Dominic Sweeney. It depicts the 1908-09 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain, the first-ever such tour by the Australia national rugby league team.
en.wikipedia.o...

[@anorthernsoul5600]

Remember seeing this back in '88. The two blokes shovelling coal in the ships boiler room around the 37:14 mark were Australian internationals Wayne Pearce (Junior) who played for Balmain, and Andrew Ettinghausen (ET) who played for Cronulla Sutherland. Both exceptional players. My ex-girlfriend at the time loved that part of the film.

[@christopherdale7017]

love Dennis Waterman's character of Albert Golthorpe and Tony Martin character of Dan Frawley.

[@davidkellett8766]

Totally inaccurate portrayal of Albert Goldthorpe - he was renowned for his fairness and sportsmanship. He didn't have to resort to cheating - Hunslet were that good, having won everything (four trophies) in season 1907-08.

[@buska100]

@@davidkellett8766 This Movie was a Huge disappointment with its inaccuracies and omissions, It is supposed to be about real events and real people not a fictional story. It should have been researched properly and not resorted to making things up for dramatic effect. The live Kangaroo was taken to England by Pat "Nimmo" Walsh who travelled on a second Ship (the Salamis) not borrowed from a Zoo in England.
Pat Walsh joined the tour for the 5th Match against Salford and played in 29 tour matches(scoring 9 tries) including all 3 Tests.
In the Match Kangaroos v Hunslet He was a stand out player.
The Leeds Mercury wrote "For once in a way the 'terrible six' met their equals and must have a wholesome regard for Hardcastle, O'Malley and Walsh, the last name of whom is a really magnificent forward.Whether in His usual position or filling a place on the three quarter line during Messenger's absence, Walsh was brilliant and He stood out as the greatest forward on the field." Yet Pat Walsh was not even mentioned once in this disappointing and inaccurate Movie

[@buska100]

This Movie was a Huge disappointment with its inaccuracies and omissions, It is supposed to be about real events and real people not a fictional story. It should have been researched properly and not resorted to making things up for dramatic effect. The live Kangaroo was taken to England by Pat "Nimmo" Walsh who travelled on a second Ship (the Salamis) not borrowed from a Zoo in England.
Pat Walsh joined the tour for the 5th Match against Salford and played in 29 tour matches(scoring 9 tries) including all 3 Tests.
In the Match Kangaroos v Hunslet He was a stand out player.
The Leeds Mercury wrote "For once in a way the 'terrible six' met their equals and must have a wholesome regard for Hardcastle, O'Malley and Walsh, the last name of whom is a really magnificent forward.Whether in His usual position or filling a place on the three quarter line during Messenger's absence, Walsh was brilliant and He stood out as the greatest forward on the field." Yet Pat Walsh was not even mentioned once in this disappointing and inaccurate Movie

[@finbartilderhaven]

Yes, there were poor choices made. Search: "John Robinson and Garrett Jones (8 June 1988). "Family fights to clear League Hero's Name". The Sydney Morning Herald. Australia. p. 74."

[@buska100]

@@finbartilderhaven Yes they really slandered Albert Goldthorpe with the way they portrayed Him in this