1957 Rugby League World Cup

Last updated

1957 (1957) World Cup  ()
Number of teams4
Host countryFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
WinnerFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia (1st title)
Matches played6
Attendance214,918 (35,820 per match)
Points scored204 (34 per match)
Top scorer Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brian Carlson (28)
Top try scorers Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mick Sullivan (3)
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ian Moir (3)
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Kel O'Shea (3)
Tournaments
 < 1954
1960 > 

The second Rugby League World Cup was held in Australia in 1957. As before a group stage was held first, with matches being held at locations in Sydney and Brisbane.

Contents

The 1957 World Cup marked the 50th anniversary of rugby league in Australia but the hosts were not confident of their ability to lift the trophy, having capitulated in the Ashes series in England barely seven months previously. Great Britain, under Alan Prescott, and boasting world-class backs such as Billy Boston, Mick Sullivan, Jeff Stevenson and Lewis Jones, and a formidable pack, were expected to win with Jacques Merquey's French side a dark horse.

In the end Australia were dominant, winning all matches and were declared the champions by virtue of finishing top of the group – there was no World Cup Final. [1] Best and fairest awards were made to individual nations, the recipients being Gilbert Benausse (France), Brian Carlson (Australia), Phil Jackson (Great Britain) and Bill Sorensen (New Zealand).

Squads

Referees

Referee Vic Belsham from New Zealand controlled three matches at the World Cup, including controlling one of New Zealand's matches. New Zealand included his brother Sel at halfback. [2]

Venues

Sydney Brisbane
Sydney Cricket Ground The Gabba
Capacity: 70,000Capacity: 48,000
Sydney Showground and Cricket Ground 1936 (14019783946).jpg Full crowd in attendance at the first Test, Brisbane Cricket Ground, Bradman and Fingleton batting, 1936-37 Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) tour of Australia (16592562176).jpg

Results

TeamPldWDLPFPAPDPtsResult
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 33008220+626World Cup Winners
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain 31025065−152
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 31024460−162
Flag of France.svg  France 31022859−312
Source: [ citation needed ]
15 June
Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg25 – 5Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand
The Gabba, Brisbane
Attendance: 29,636
15 June
France  Flag of France.svg5 – 23Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain
Program
Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Attendance: 50,077
17 June
Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg31 – 6Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain
Program
Report [3]
Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Attendance: 58,655 [4]
17 June
France  Flag of France.svg14 – 10Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand
The Gabba, Brisbane
Attendance: 22,142
22 June
Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg26 – 9Flag of France.svg  France
Program
Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Attendance: 35,158
25 June
Great Britain  Flag of the United Kingdom.svg21 – 29Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand
Program
Report [5]
Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Attendance: 14,263

Try scorers

3
2
1

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References

  1. ↑ Paddy McAteer (22 December 2010) "Whole World in their Hands" Archived 5 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine North West Evening Mail
  2. ↑ Neutral refs have always been a sticky issue [ dead link ]Sunday Star-Times, 30 November 2008
  3. ↑ "Australia In Runover World Cup Game Win". The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. 18 June 1957. p. 10. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  4. ↑ "Australia in Rugby Cup Win". The Age . 18 June 1957. p. 14. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  5. ↑ "New Zealand Defeats U.K. World Cup Team". The Canberra Times . Canberra: National Library of Australia. 26 June 1957. p. 12. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
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