1957 Rugby League World Cup

1957 (1957) World Cup ()
1957 World Cup
Number of teams	4
Host country	Australia
Winner	Australia (1st title)
Matches played	6
Attendance	214,918 (35,820 per match)
Points scored	204 (34 per match)
Top scorer	Brian Carlson (28)
Top try scorers	Mick Sullivan (3); Ian Moir (3); 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.

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	Brisbane Cricket Ground
Capacity: 70,000	Capacity: 48,000

Results

Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	Diff	Pts	Qualification
Australia	3	3	0	82	20	+62	6	World Cup Winners
Great Britain	3	1	2	50	65	−15	2
New Zealand	3	1	2	44	60	−16	2
France	3	1	2	28	59	−31	2

15 June

Australia	25 – 5	New Zealand

Brisbane Cricket Ground, Brisbane
Attendance: 29,636

15 June

France	5 – 23	Great Britain

Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Attendance: 50,077

17 June

Australia	31 – 6	Great Britain

Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Attendance: 58,655^[3]

17 June

France	14 – 10	New Zealand

Brisbane Cricket Ground, Brisbane
Attendance: 22,142

22 June

Australia	26 – 9	France

Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Attendance: 35,158

25 June

Great Britain	21 – 29	New Zealand

Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Attendance: 14,263

Try scorers

3

2

1

References

^ Paddy McAteer (22 December 2010) "Whole World in their Hands" Archived 5 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine North West Evening Mail
^ Neutral refs have always been a sticky issue^{[dead link]} Sunday Star-Times, 30 November 2008
^ "Australia in Rugby Cup Win". The Age. 18 June 1957. p. 14. Retrieved 6 October 2009. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

External links

[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 Rugby Cup Win". The Age. 18 June 1957. p. 14. Retrieved 6 October 2009. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

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