Throwback Thursday: When Adrian Morley was sent off after 12 seconds

Drew Darbyshire

Everyone remembers THAT red card Adrian Morley copped when Great Britain took on Australia.

The Lions hosted the Kangaroos in a three-match Ashes series in 2003, with the first test being played at the then JJB Stadium in Wigan in front of 24,614.

In the first hit-up of the match, Australia prop Robbie Kearns was struck high by Morley, which resulted in referee Steve Ganson showing a red card just 12 seconds in to the game.

It was a monstrous hit from Morley, who was playing for Sydney Roosters in the NRL at the time.

The Lions only just lost the match 22-18, despite being a man down for 79 minutes.

Line-ups

Great Britain: Radlinski; Carney, Connolly, Senior, R Horne; Sculthorpe, Long; Fielden, Newton, Morley, Peacock, Farrell, Forshaw. Subs: Anderson, McDermott, Deacon, Gilmour.

Australia: Lockyer; A Minichiello, Wing, Bailey, Hegarty; Gower, Kimmorley; Webcke, Buderus, Kearns, Simpson, Fitzgibbon, Ricketson. Subs: Civoniceva, Mason, Waterhouse, M Crocker.

The Kangaroos went on to win all three test matches in the UK – but it will be remembered as one of the best Ashes tours in rugby league’s history.