1960 Rugby League World Cup
| 1960 World Cup | |
|---|---|
| Number of teams | 4 |
| Host country |  England |
| Winner |  Great Britain (2nd title) |
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| Matches played | 6 |
| Attendance | 110,200 (18,367 per match) |
| Points scored | 154 (25.67 per match) |
| Top scorer |  Brian Carlson (22) |
| Top try scorer | Brian Carlson (4) |
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< 1957
1968 >
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The 1960 Rugby League World Cup was the third staging of the tournament and the first Rugby League World Cup to be held in Great Britain.[1] The same format as used in 1957 was used, with a group stage leading to a final table.
The 1960 World Cup raised problems which had not really affected the previous tournaments. Live television of complete games was held responsible for lower than anticipated attendances, the largest crowd being the 32,773 which gathered at Odsal for the decider between Australia and the hosts.
For Australia the World Cup matches formed part of their Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France.[2]
Squads
Australia
- Dud Beattie, forward for Ipswich Railways
- Bob Bugden, halfback for St George
- Brian Carlson, fullback for North Sydney
- Lionel Morgan, three quarter for Wynnum-Manly
France
- Jean Barthe (captain)
- Jacques Merquey, three quarter for Avignon
Great Britain
Captain: Eric Ashton, goal-kicking three quarter back for Wigan
- Billy Boston, three quarter back for Wigan
- Jim Challinor, three quarter back for Warrington
- Alan Davies, back for Oldham
- Eric Fraser, full back for Warrington
- Bobby Greenhough, three quarter back for Warrington
- Tommy Harris, hooker for Hull
- Vince Karalius, forward for St. Helens
- Brian McTigue, forward for Wigan
- Alex Murphy, half back for St. Helens
- Frank Myler, half back for Widnes
- Austin Rhodes, back for St. Helens
- Brian Shaw, forward for Hunslet
- John Shaw, hooker for Halifax
- Mick Sullivan, three quarter back for Wigan
- Derek Turner, forward for Wakefield Trinity
- Johnny Whiteley, forward for Hull
- Jack Wilkinson, forward for Wakefield Trinity
Coach: Bill Fallowfield
New Zealand
Results
| 24 September |
Great Britain |
23–8 |  New Zealand |
Odsal Stadium, Bradford Attendance: 20,577 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 September |
Australia |
13–12 |  France |
Central Park, Wigan Attendance: 20,278 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
France went desperately close to beating Australia at Wigan, missing a penalty and four drop goal attempts in the closing minutes.
| 1 October |
Australia |
21–15 | New Zealand |
Headingley, Leeds Attendance: 10,773 Referee: Eric Clay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Regarded as the most entertaining game of the series, Australian winger Brian Carlson scored a hat-trick of both tries and goals, but the highlight of the game was a bewildering try by Kiwi stand-off George Menzies which was so spectacular that even the referee, Eric Clay, applauded.
| 1 October |
Great Britain |
33–7 | France |
Station Road, Swinton Attendance: 22,923 Referee: Edouard Martung |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Britain's comprehensive victory over the French at Swinton was marred by the first double sending-off in World Cup annals, France's skipper Jean Barthe and Britain's second-rower Vince Karalius being despatched by Edouard Martung, a police inspector from Bordeaux.
| 8 October | France |
0–9 | New Zealand |
Central Park, Wigan Attendance: 2,876 |
| Tries: Reid Goals: Eastlake (3) |
In the final round against New Zealand France's second-rower Robert Eramouspe was dismissed for reckless kicking in a game which more closely resembled a brawl.
| 8 October | Great Britain |
10–3 | Australia |
Odsal Stadium, Bradford Attendance: 33,023[4] Referee/s: Edouard Martung |
| Tries: Boston, Sullivan Goals: Rhodes (2) |
Tries: Carlson |
No World Cup Final was held, but by chance the final match of the series saw Great Britain take on Australia at Odsal Stadium, Bradford. As both teams were undefeated this match became a virtual World Cup Final.
In the decider - a vicious affair in rain and mud at Odsal - the main mystery was how Monsieur Martung contrived to not send anyone off. Great Britain did play the better football between hostilities. First half tries from wingers Billy Boston - out injured in the first two games - and Mick Sullivan, and two goals from stand-in full-back Austin Rhodes effectively had the match won at 10-0. Brian Carlson scored the only Australian try ten minutes from time - much too late to prevent British captain Eric Ashton from collecting the World Cup.
Final standings
| Team | Played | Won | Drew | Lost | For | Against | Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Britain |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 66 | 18 | +48 | 6 |
| Australia |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 37 | 37 | 0 | 4 |
| New Zealand |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 32 | 44 | −12 | 2 |
| France |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 19 | 55 | −36 | 0 |
References
- ^ Paddy McAteer (22 December 2010) "Whole World in their Hands" North West Evening Mail
- ^ "Australians in Rugby Win". The Age. 1960-10-17. p. 25. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
- ^ Franks, Peter. "Skinner, Thomas Edward - Biography". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 14 September 2011.
- ^ Staff correspondent and AAP (1960-10-10). "English, Australian R.L. players turn World Cup game into wild brawling final". The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia). p. 14. Retrieved 2010-02-10.
Sources
- 1960 World Cup at rlhalloffame.org.uk
- 1960 World Cup at rlwc2008.com
- 1960 World Cup at rugbyleagueproject.com
- 1960 World Cup data at hunterlink.net.au
- 1960 World Cup at 188-rugby-league.co.uk
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