[1] Two weeks after the squad was named, Sullivan withdrew from the squad due to the illness of his wife,[2] the Rugby Football League (RFL) made Leeds fullback Jim Brough captain, moved Billy Belshaw from the centres to fullback and called up Wigan's Gwyn Davies to the vacancy in the centres.
[5] Following the conclusion of the tour, the squad returned home sailing from Auckland on 18 August aboard the SS Akaroa and arriving in Southampton on 17 September 1936.
These were the only scores of the first half but before half-time props Nat Silcock (England) and Ray Stehr (Australia) were sent off for fighting during a scrum.
On a pitch that was heavy after a lot of rain, England made the better start winning more possession from the scrum than the Australians and this pressure led to the first try when Alan Edwards scored in the corner.
A Gus Risman penalty increased England's lead to 5–0 before Australia drew level with a try from winger Arch Crippin.
The final points of the game came from Martin Hodgson as he kicked a penalty resulting from offside close to the Australian line.
England made only one change from the side that won the second test with Belshaw replacing Brough, who was injured, as fullback and bringing Barney Hudson into the centres.
Australia made two changes, giving a debut to half-back Fred Gilbert and recalling Peter Madsen three years after his previous international appearance.
Madsen was played at hooker, not his normal position - all his previous caps were at prop-forward - a decision later criticised in the Australian press.
About five minutes before the end of the half England prop, Jack Arkwright and his Australian counterpart, Ray Stehr were both sent off for fighting.
A further Hodgson goal made it 12–2 before Australia scored a try in the last minutes of the match as Vic Hey touched down following a break through the English defence by Wally Prigg.
With Brown adding the conversion to bring the scores to 12–7, the last minutes were tense but England held on to win the match and the series.
The game was one where the defences held the upper hand as England's dominance in the scrums was matched by New Zealand's backs controlling more of the open play.