1957 Rugby League World Cup

1957 (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

Australia

Captain/Coach Dick Poole Keith Barnes, Brian Carlson, Brian Clay, Brian Davies, Greg Hawick, Keith Holman, Ken Kearney, Ken McCaffery, Billy Marsh, Ian Moir, Kel O'Shea, Norm Provan, Ray Ritchie, Don Schofield, Tom Tyquin, Alex Watson, Harry Wells

France

Great Britain

New Zealand

• Manager: Keith Blow (Canterbury)
• Coach: Bill Telford (Auckland)

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]

Results

15 June	Australia	25–5	New Zealand	Brisbane Cricket Ground, Brisbane Attendance: 29,636

Australia easily accounted for New Zealand but lost full-back Keith Barnes and scrum-half back Keith Holman with injuries for the remainder of the tournament.

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: 57,995[3]

After a close first half the Australians smashed the Lions 31-6. Holman's replacement Ken McCaffery, makeshift fullback Brian Carlson and a dominant Australian pack were the main instruments in the carve-up of the British defence.

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

This comfortable victory over the French saw Aussie skipper Dick Poole lead his men off the SCG as World Cup champions even before the final game was played on the same ground three days later.

25 June	Great Britain	21–29	New Zealand	Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney Attendance: 14,263

This game gave New Zealand their first ever win in a World Cup. A shell-shocked Britain matched the Kiwis try for try but Bill Sorensen's seven goals to Lewis Jones' three made the difference.

Final standings

Team	Played	Won	Drew	Lost	For	Against	Difference	Points
Australia	3	3	0	0	82	20	+62	6
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

References

External links

• 1957 World Cup at rlhalloffame.org.uk
• 1957 World Cup at rlwc2008.com
• 1957 World Cup at rugbyleagueproject.com
• 1957 World Cup data at hunterlink.net.au
• 1957 World Cup at 188-rugby-league.co.uk