The tour was instigated by player-manager Mike Dimitro, who claimed to have witnessed a game of rugby league in Sydney whilst serving in the Pacific during World War II. Dimitro had played for UCLA and was a high school teacher in Los Angeles in the lead up to the tour. Dimitro wrote to the Australian Rugby League Board of Control in February 1952. Several of the League's administrators were fervent promoters of their sport, and some were keen to take the game to the United States, so Dimitro's suggestion was favourably received. Another factor was the success of France's inaugural tour in 1951. Harold Matthews responded on behalf of the board in April 1952.[1]
Apprised of the proposed tour, the New Zealand Rugby League were also interested, and their Secretary, J.E. Knowling, was able to meet with Mike Dimitro in Los Angeles.[1]
Although arrangements in California did not run smoothly, with reassurances sought by the host nation boards, eighteen players arrived in Sydney on May 18, 1953.[2] A further two players arrived on June 1.
The appointed coach, Norm “Latchem” Robinson, had less than a fortnight to educate the players. A touch-football game against South Sydney and a tackle match against a team of Army Engineers were used in preparations.[3][4]
Remarkably, the American All Stars won their first match on the scheduled tour, beating a combined Monaro and Southern Districts side.
The next two scheduled fixtures were against Sydney and New South Wales, and the Americans were understandably outclassed. The wisdom of setting novices against experienced semi-professionals so early in the tour was questioned at the time. The matches did, however, attract large crowds 65,453 on a Saturday against Sydney, and 32,554 on a Tuesday against New South Wales. There was consensus in the press that the host teams did take it easy on the visitors.
The tour progressed with matches in regional and country New South Wales, and then into Queensland. The Australian board had recommended that 28 players would be necessary given the two matches per week schedule, and injuries had an impact on the twenty-man squad. This led to the informal use of “ring-ins” in matches at Ipswich and Wagga, and formally in a return match against New South Wales on July 25, and throughout the New Zealand leg.
Through the tour the American players were commended for their excellent ball handling and robust tackling. The running ability of many, particularly the backs was praised. Referees showed leniency to a lack of understanding of offside rules in early matches. A slowness in comprehending and implementing cover defence was a common concern in reports on later matches.
A curiosity to local spectators and the press at the time was the All Stars' practice of warming up on the field with calisthenics, or “physical jerks”.[1] Although this innovation did not immediately catch on, National Rugby League teams have utilised on field warm-ups since the 1990s.
A highlight for spectators was the American's use of the pitch-pass, with exhibitions given prior to most matches. In play, league rules against forward passing meant the pitch was restricted to lateral or backwards movement. Although a few pitch passes did lead to an All Stars try, usually the arc allowed defenders time to immediately tackle the receiver, or intercept.
A sad development of the tour was that Jack Bonetti contracted Polio. This was diagnosed after he entered hospital in Townsville, having exhibited pain after the match in Cairns.[1][5]
Note: The tally of games in Australia, tries and goals collated from newspaper articles, as referenced below. In a few instances newspaper accounts differ. Some match reports do not mention all participants. A concession was made to allow the Americans to use substitutes in the event of first half injuries. This was unusual for the time. Normally no replacements were permitted.
Five of the tourists returned to the United States at the conclusion of the Australian leg.[6] By arrangement with the New Zealand Rugby League, they were replaced by four, later five, New Zealanders: Travers Hardwick and Frank Mulcare who took on coaching duties, and also Des Barchard, Roy Moore and Roy Roff.
Tries: 8 Alvin Kirkland (4) Al D. Kirkland (2) Al Abajian Jack Bonetti Goals: 5 Gary Kerkorian (5)
Attendance: 4,877 Gate: AU£ 965 Referee: Jack O'Brien
Team list:
Monaco-Southern Division FB: Bill Beazley ( Wollongong), WG: Greg Watts (Pyree), CE: Roy Freebody ( Captain's Flat), CE: Jack Seamer (Port Kembla), WG: P. Ryan ( Bombala), FE: Keith Sullivan ( Goulburn), HB: Ron Bercene ( Bombala), LK: Bob Smith (Port Kembla), SR: Angus Miller (Berry), SR: Col Yarham (Mittagong), PR: Billy Hodges ( Captain's Flat), HK: R. Stewart (Bega), PR: Bruce Edwards ( Robertson).
J. Southwell ( Canberra) played. He may have replaced Yarham prior to kick-off.
Col Williamson ( Goulburn) was named as a reserve, but likely did not play as he was not mentioned in match reports.
The following were initially selected but did not play: Robert Bartlett ( Wollongong), Jack Plater ( Yass) and Harry Wells ( Wollongong). American All Stars: FB: George Kauffman, WG: Bill Albans, CE: Ed Demirjian, CE: Gary Kerkorian, WG: Alvin E. Kirkland, FE: Sol Naumu, HB: Ted Grossman, LK: Pat Henry, SR: Vince Jones, SR: Al D. Kirkland, SR: Fran Mandulay, HK: Sydney Walker, LK: Jack Bonetti. Al Abajian replaced Bill Albans.
Combined Country: FB: Darcy Russell (Waratah Mayfield), WG: Brian Carlson ( Norths), CE: Harry Wells ( Wollongong), CE: Robert Bartlett ( Wollongong), WG: Jack Lumsden ( Coonabarabran), FE: Rees Duncan (Kurri), HB: Noel Hill (Maitland), LK: Ron Battye ( Gundagai), SR: Don Schofield (Cessnock), SR: Albert Paul (Lakes United), PR: Charlie Gill ( Norths), HK: Ernie Hammerton (Boorowa), PR: Bryan Orrock (Boorowa), Coach: Ray Stehr
The following were named as reserves but are not mentioned (as playing) in match reports: Guy Brazier (Dorrigo), Jack Seamer (Port Kembla) and Bob Smith (Port Kembla) American All Stars: Al Abajian, Bill Albans, Jack Bonetti, Ted Grossman, Vince Jones, George Kauffman, Gary Kerkorian, Al D. Kirkland, Xavier Mena and Sydney Walker were mentioned in match reports, with one report mentioning that Pat Henry took the field as a replacement.
Western Districts: FB: Gordon Head ( Baradine), WG: Bruce Cohen ( Wellington), CE: Brian Condon ( Mudgee), CE: Jack Grant ( Brewarrina), WG: Jack Lumsden ( Coonabarabran), FE: Peter Burns ( Bathurst Railway), HB: Cec Edwards (Trangie), LK: Leo Nosworthy ( Narromine), SR: Jock Weir ( Narromine), SR: Noel Flynn ( Lithgow Arms Factory), PR: Bertie Simpson ( Lithgow Arms Factory), HK: Barry Green ( Mudgee), PR: N. Towett (Trangie), Coach: Frank Bell ( Lithgow Arms Factory).
Brian (Blondie) Bolton (Dubbo) and Vin Corish ( Dunedoo) were named as reserves and took the field for the second half.
The following were initially selected but withdrew: Eric Dodd (Dubbo), Norman McKnight ( Forbes), B. Runsford (Lithgow). American All Stars: FB: Sol Naumu, WG: Bob Buckley, CE: Harold Han, CE: Gary Kerkorian, WG: Ed Demirjian, FE: Ted Grossman, HB: Al Abajian, LK: Jack Bonetti, SR: Pat Henry, SR: Fran Mandulay, PR: Steve Drakulvich, HK: Sydney Walker, PR: Xavier Mena.
Vince Jones and George Kauffman took the field as replacements for injured players Drakulvich and Mena. The Dubbo Liberal match reports mentioned Ray Terry as being tackled into touch.
Newcastle: FB: Darcy Russell (Waratah Mayfield), WG: Bill Shanks (Waratah Mayfield), CE: Bill Smith (Waratah Mayfield), CE: Brian Pead (Centrals), WG: Lester Batey (Cessnock), FE: Warren Foley (Waratah Mayfield), HB: Noel Hill (Maitland), LK: Barry Levido (Cessnock), SR: Gordon Harley (Maitland), SR: Henry Holloway (Waratah Mayfield), PR: Doug Hawke ( Norths), HK: Kevin McKiernan (Maitland), PR: Herb Pearson (Kurri).
Billy Roberts (Kurri) and Tom Anderson ( Norths) were named as reserves. American All Stars: FB: Sol Naumu, WG: Alvin E. Kirkland, CE: Harold Han, CE: Bob Buckley, WG: Ed Demirjian, FE: Gary Kerkorian, HB: Ted Grossman, LK: Jack Bonetti, SR: Al D. Kirkland, SR: Mike Dimitro, PR: Fran Mandulay, HK: Vince Jones, PR: Pat Henry.
George Kauffman and Al Abajian were named as reserves and the latter is mentioned as playing in a match report.
