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.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Great Britain | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 67 | 32 | +35 | 5 | Advance to the Final |
| 2 |  France | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 50 | 31 | +19 | 5 | |
| 3 |  Australia | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 52 | 58 | −6 | 2 | |
| 4 |  New Zealand | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 34 | 82 | −48 | 0 |
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.
30 October |
France  | 22–13 | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Jean Audoubert Raymond Contrastin Joseph Crespo Guy Delaye Goals: Puig Aubert (4) Drop goals: Puig Aubert | Report | Tries: Cyril Eastlake Jimmy Edwards Ron McKay Goals: John Bond (2) |
         France |     New Zealand |
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The British team proved too strong for Australia in both sides' first World Cup game. [2]
31 October |
| Australia | 13–28 | Great Britain |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Harry Wells (2) Ken Kearney Goals: Noel Pidding (2) | Report | Tries: Gordon Brown (2) Phil Jackson (2) Frank Kitchen David Rose Goals: Jimmy Ledgard (5) |
    Australia |  Great Britain |
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Australia's victory in this match put them in third position on the ladder and New Zealand last. [3]
7 November |
| Australia | 34–15 | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Alex Watson (3) Roy Bull Peter Diversi Greg Hawick Ken Kearney Kel O'Shea Goals: Noel Pidding (5) | Report | Tries: Lenny Eriksen Goals: Ron McKay (6) |
Australia | New Zealand |
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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. [4]
7 November |
| France | 13–13 | Great Britain |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Raymond Contrastin (2) Joseph Krawzyck Goals: Puig Aubert (2) | Report | Tries: Gordon Brown Gerry Helme David Rose Goals: Jimmy Ledgard (2) |
France | Great Britain |
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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]
11 November |
| France | 15–5 | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Vincent Cantoni Raymond Contrastin Jacques Merquey Goals: Puig Aubert (3) | Report | Tries: Kel O'Shea Goals: Noel Pidding |
France | Australia |
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11 November |
| Great Britain | 26–6 | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Frank Kitchen (2) Gordon Brown Phil Jackson Jimmy Ledgard David Rose Goals: Jimmy Ledgard (4) | Report | Goals: Ron McKay (3) |
Great Britain | New Zealand |
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The 1954 Rugby League World Cup was rugby league's first World Cup and was held between 30 October and 13 November and hosted by Franceand was won by Great Britain who beat France in the final at the Parc des Princes in Paris.. As it was the first official World Cup of either rugby code it was officially known as the Rugby World Cup.
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