1954 Rugby League World Cup group stage

1954 Rugby League World Cup group stage was the main component of the 1954 Rugby League World Cup, with the top two nations qualifying for the final. The group comprised Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain and France.

Ladder

Team Played Won Drew Lost For Against Difference Points
 Great Britain 3 2 1 0 67 32 +35 5
 France 3 2 1 0 50 31 +19 5
 Australia 3 1 0 2 52 58 −6 2
 New Zealand 3 0 0 3 34 82 −48 0

France vs New Zealand

30 October
France  22–13  New Zealand
Parc des Princes, Paris
Attendance: 13,240
Referee: Charlie F. Appleton

France's niggling tactics in their win against New Zealand in the tournament's opening match drew criticism from the media and the Kiwis coach, Jim Amos.[1] New Zealand winger Jimmy Edwards had the distinction of being the first scorer in World Cup history with a try after only five minutes. Puig-Aubert landed the first goal.

Australia vs Great Britain

31 October
Australia  13–28  Great Britain
Stade de Gerland, Lyon
Attendance: 10,250

The British team proved too strong for Australia in both sides' first World Cup game.[2]
Great Britain: Ledgard, Rose, Jackson, Sullivan, Kitchen, Brown, Helme, Valentine, Robinson, Watts, Coverdale, Smith, Thoreley.
Australia: Clive Churchill, Noel Pidding, Watson, Wells, Moir, Banks, Holman, Diversi, O'Shea, Provan, Duncan Hall, Keaney, Davies.

France vs Great Britain

7 November
France  13–13  Great Britain
Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse
Attendance: 37,471

The game gripped the attention of the rugby league public as never before with a record crowd of 37,471 attending at Toulouse. That record crowd has still not been beaten in France. The draw resulted in Great Britain and France sharing the lead in the tournament.[3]

Australia vs New Zealand

7 November
Australia  34–15  New Zealand
Stade Vélodrome, Marseille
Attendance: 20,000

Australia's victory in this match put them in third position on the ladder and New Zealand last.[4]

Great Britain vs New Zealand

11 November
Great Britain  26–6  New Zealand
Stade Chaban Delmas, Bordeaux
Attendance: 14,000

France vs Australia

11 November
France  15–5  Australia
Stade Marcel Saupin, Nantes
Attendance: 13,000

Australia and France were playing for the chance to meet Great Britain in the final. Mistakes cost the Australians the match, so France advanced to the decider.[5]

References

  1. ↑ AAP (1 November 1954). "Coach Critical". The Sydney Morning Herald. (p. 11). Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  2. ↑ AAP (1 November 1954). "Australians down 28–13 in World Cup". The Sydney Morning Herald. (p. 11). Retrieved 25 December 2009.
  3. ↑ "FRANCE AND BRITAIN TIE; Share Rugby Cup Lead After 13–13 Draw in Toulouse". The New York Times. 8 November 1954. p. 27. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  4. ↑ AAP (9 November 1954). "Kangaroos need win". The Sydney Morning Herald. Australia. p. 5. Retrieved 25 December 2009.
  5. ↑ "Australia beaten in World Cup series". The Canberra Times. 13 November 1954. p. 4. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
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