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.
| 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) |
< 1954 1960 > | |
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 edit
Referees edit
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 edit
| Sydney | Brisbane |
|---|---|
| Sydney Cricket Ground | The Gabba |
| Capacity: 70,000 | Capacity: 48,000 |
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Results edit
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia
|
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 82 | 20 | +62 | 6 | World Cup Winners |
| Great Britain
|
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 50 | 65 | −15 | 2 | |
 New Zealand
|
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 44 | 60 | −16 | 2 | |
 France
|
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 28 | 59 | −31 | 2 |
| 17 June |
| Australia | 31 – 6 | Great Britain |
| Program Report[3] |
| Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney Attendance: 58,655[4] |
| 25 June |
| Great Britain | 21 – 29 | New Zealand |
| Program Report[5] |
| Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney Attendance: 14,263 |
Try scorers edit
- 3
- 2
- 1
References edit
- ^ 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 Runover World Cup Game Win". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 18 June 1957. p. 10. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ "Australia in Rugby Cup Win". The Age. 18 June 1957. p. 14. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
- ^ "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.