1972 | Rugby League World Cup final|||||||||||||
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Date | 11 November 1972 | ||||||||||||
Stadium | Stade de Gerland | ||||||||||||
Location | Lyon, France | ||||||||||||
Referee | Georges Jameau (France) | ||||||||||||
Attendance | 4,231 | ||||||||||||
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The 1972 Rugby League World Cup final was the conclusive game of the 1972 Rugby League World Cup tournament and was played between Great Britain and Australia on 11 November 1972 at the Stade de Gerland ground in Lyon, France. The final was played before 4,231 fans who witnessed what is (as of 2020) the last British team to win the Rugby League World Cup. [1]
The 1972 Rugby League World Cup was the sixth staging of the Rugby League World Cup since its inauguration in 1954, and the first since the 1970 tournament. The tournament was held in the France from 28 October, culminating in the final between Great Britain and Australia on 11 November.
Opposing Team | For | Against | Date | Venue | Attendance | Stage |
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![]() | 27 | 21 | 29 October | Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan | 6,300 | Group Stage |
![]() | 13 | 4 | 1 November | Stade Lesdiguières, Grenoble | 13,231 | Group Stage |
![]() | 53 | 19 | 4 November | Stade du Hameau, Pau | 7,500 | Group Stage |
Great Britain were undefeated going into the final.
Opposing Team | For | Against | Date | Venue | Attendance | Stage |
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![]() | 21 | 27 | 29 October | Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan | 6,300 | Group Stage |
![]() | 9 | 5 | 1 November | Parc des Princes, Paris | 8,000 | Group Stage |
![]() | 5 | 19 | 5 November | Stadium Municipal, Toulouse | 10,332 | Group Stage |
11 November 1972 |
Great Britain ![]() | 10–10 (ET) | ![]() |
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Tries: Clive Sullivan Mike Stephenson Goals: Terry Clawson (2) | [2] | Tries: John O'Neill Arthur Beetson Goals: Ray Branighan (2) |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Great Britain | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Australia |
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The game received a poor attendance of only 4,231 spectators with the French public seemingly uninterested in a final that did not involve French, as evident by the fact only games involving France drew crowds of over 10,000. In fact, the final drew the lowest attendance of the tournament. [3]
The game, however, proved a memorable one for both Great Britain and Australia; seeing Great Britain captain Clive Sullivan's long distance try, [4] [5] and Australia's "greatest try never scored", by fullback Graeme Langlands. [6] The try was disallowed by French referee Georges Jameau for offside but was later proved to be onside. [7] Great Britain hooker Mike Stephenson scored the 73rd-minute try that helped level the scores and secure the World Cup. [8]
Australia winger Ray Branighan missed his 79th-minute penalty, Bob Fulton failed three drop goal attempts in the last five minutes, resulting in a 10–10 scoreline at full time. Scores were again level after extra time. [9]
The 1968 Rugby League World Cup tournament was the fourth staging of the Rugby League World Cup, and was held in Australia and New Zealand during May and June in 1968. Contested by the men's national rugby league football teams of the two host countries plus Great Britain and France, for the first time a final to determine the World Cup was specifically pre-arranged. Financially it was a profitable venture for the competing nations.
The fifth Rugby League World Cup was held in Great Britain in 1970. Britain, fresh from defeating Australia in the Ashes during their Australasian tour earlier in the year, were hot favourites, and won all three of their group stage games, including defeating Australia 11–4. All the other nations lost two games each, and Australia qualified for the final largely on the back of an impressive tally of points against New Zealand.
The sixth Rugby League World Cup was held in France in October and November 1972. Australia started as the favourites to retain the trophy they had won just two years previously. New Zealand had beaten all three of the other nations in 1971 and France were expected to be tough opponents on their home soil. In the event Great Britain confounded most expectations by running out worthy winners and levelling their tally of World Cup wins at 3–3 with the Australians.
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The England national rugby league team represents England in international rugby league.
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The Stade de Gerland is a stadium in the city of Lyon, France, which serves as home to Top 14 rugby club Lyon OU. It has a seating capacity of 25,000.
Dennis Ward was an Australian professional rugby league footballer. He was a halfback who played first grade in the NSWRFL Premiership for Canterbury-Bankstown and Manly-Warringah from 1965 to 1972, winning the 1972 Grand Final with Manly. He also played for City Firsts, New South Wales and Australia in representative football.
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The Rugby League World Cup is an international rugby league tournament contested by the top national men's representative teams. The tournament is administered by the International Rugby League and was first held in France in 1954, which was the first World Cup held for any form of rugby football.
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