1968 Rugby League World Cup final

The 1968 Rugby League World Cup final was the conclusive game of the 1968 Rugby League World Cup tournament and was played between Australia and France on 10 June 1968 at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Australia.

1968 (1968) Rugby League World Cup final  ()
12 Total
AUS 712 20
FRA 02 2
Date10 June 1968
StadiumSydney Cricket Ground
LocationSydney, Australia
Man of the MatchJohn Wittenberg (Australia)
RefereeJohn Percival (New Zealand)
Attendance54,290
Broadcast partners
← 1954
1970 →

The final had been billed a 'debacle' following Great Britain's inexplicable loss to France in Auckland, leaving them to contest the final despite being beaten by Australia seven tries to nil two days prior.[1] Nonetheless, it attracted a then record crowd of 54,290 for a World Cup final, though it wasn't the record World Cup attendance as the second match of the tournament between Australia and Great Britain (won 25-10 by Australia) had drawn 62,256 to the SCG, a record that would not fall until 73,631 attended the 1992 World Cup final at Wembley Stadium.

Background

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The 1968 Rugby League World Cup was the fourth staging of the Rugby League World Cup since its inauguration in 1954, and the first since the 1960 tournament. The tournament was held in the Australia and New Zealand from 25 May, culminating in the final between Australia and France on 10 June.

Australia

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Scores and results list Australia's points tally first.
Opposing Team For Against Date Venue Attendance Stage
  Great Britain 25 10 25 May Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney 62,256 Group Stage
  New Zealand 31 12 1 June Lang Park, Brisbane 23,608 Group Stage
  France 37 4 8 June Lang Park, Brisbane 32,664 Group Stage

Australia were undefeated going into the final.

France

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Scores and results list France's points tally first.
Opposing Team For Against Date Venue Attendance Stage
  New Zealand 15 10 25 May Carlaw Park, Auckland 18,000 Group Stage
  Great Britain 7 2 2 June Carlaw Park, Auckland 15,760 Group Stage
  Australia 4 37 8 June Lang Park, Brisbane 32,664 Group Stage

France had a 2–1 record going into the Final

Match details

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Although it had been anticipated before the tournament that it would be an Australia vs Great Britain WCF, the French surprised by making the Final after defeating both New Zealand and Great Britain in the preliminary games. The match attracted a World Cup final record crowd of 54,290.

10 June 1968
Australia   20–2   France
Try:
Lionel Williamson (2)
Ron Coote
Johnny Greaves
Goals:
Eric Simms (4)
[2]
Try:



Goals:

Field Goals:
Jean Capdouze (1)
Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Attendance: 54,290
Referee: John Percival (New Zealand)
Player of the Match: John Wittenberg (Australia)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Australia
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
France
FB 1   Eric Simms
LW 2   Johnny Rhodes
RC 3   Graeme Langlands
LC 4   Johnny Greaves
RW 5   Lionel Williamson
FE 6   Bob Fulton
HB 7   Billy Smith
LK 8   Johnny Raper (c)
SR 9   Ron Coote
SR 10   Dick Thornett
PR 11   Arthur Beetson
HK 12   Fred Jones
PR 13   John Wittenberg
Substitutions:
IC 15   Elton Rasmussen
Coach:
  Harry Bath
FB 1   Jean-Claude Cros
RW 2   Daniel Pellerin
RC 3   Jacques Gruppi
LC 4   Jean-Pierre Lecompte
LW 19   Jean-René Ledru
FE 6   Jean Capdouze
HB 7   Roger Garrigue
PR 8   Christian Sabatié
HK 9   Yves Bégou
PR 10   George Ailleres (c)
SR 11   Francis de Nadai
SR 12   Henri Marracq
LF 13   Jean-Pierre Clar
Substitutions:
IC 16   Jacques Gruppi
Coach:
  Jep Lacoste

The undefeated Australians went into the tournament decider as favourites.[3] However, France offered stern resistance and held the Australians to only a 7–0 lead at half-time, and with quarter of an hour left were only 12–0 down before losing 20–2. It was Australia's second World Cup title.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Rugby league debacle". The Age. 10 June 1968. p. 21. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  2. ^ Report
  3. ^ Kdouh, Fatima (28 November 2013). "We take a look back at the greatest Rugby League World Cup finals of all time". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
  4. ^ 1968 Rugby League World Cup final highlights

See also

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