1957 Rugby League World Cup

Last updated

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 1957 Rugby League World Cup was the second World Cup held for men’s national rugby league teams and was held between 15 and 25 June and hosted by Australia. Table toppers Australia were the winners as there was no Final at this World Cup. [1]

Contents

1957 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.

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 Aerial photograph of Cricket match at Brisbane Cricket Ground at Woolloongabba (The Gabba), 5 December 1936.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

References

  1. ↑ McAteer, Paddy (22 December 2010). "Whole world in their hands". North West Evening Mail . Archived from the original on 5 October 2012.
  2. ↑ KILGALLON, Steve (30 November 2008). "Neutral refs have always been a sticky issue". SPORT; INTERNATIONAL. The Sunday Star-Times. Auckland, New Zealand. p. 12. Nexis Uni 4V2B-1TH0-TX52-408R-00000-00.
  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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