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.

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

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

Scores and results list Australia's points tally first.
Opposing TeamForAgainstDateVenueAttendanceStage
 Great Britain251025 MaySydney Cricket Ground, Sydney62,256Group Stage
 New Zealand31121 JuneLang Park, Brisbane23,608Group Stage
 France3748 JuneLang Park, Brisbane32,664Group Stage

Australia were undefeated going into the final.

France

Scores and results list France's points tally first.
Opposing TeamForAgainstDateVenueAttendanceStage
 New Zealand151025 MayCarlaw Park, Auckland18,000Group Stage
 Great Britain722 JuneCarlaw Park, Auckland15,760Group Stage
 Australia4378 JuneLang Park, Brisbane32,664Group Stage

France had a 2–1 record going into the Final

Match details

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
FB1Eric Simms
LW2Johnny Rhodes
RC3Graeme Langlands
LC4Johnny Greaves
RW5Lionel Williamson
FE6Bob Fulton
HB7Billy Smith
LK8Johnny Raper (c)
SR9Ron Coote
SR10Dick Thornett
PR11Arthur Beetson
HK12Fred Jones
PR13John Wittenberg
Substitutions:
IC15Elton Rasmussen
Coach:
Harry Bath
FB1Jean-Claude Cros
RW2Daniel Pellerin
RC3Jacques Gruppi
LC4Jean-Pierre Lecompte
LW19Jean-René Ledru
FE6Jean Capdouze
HB7Roger Garrigue
PR8Christian Sabatié
HK9Yves Bégou
PR10George Ailleres (c)
SR11Francis de Nadai
SR12Henri Marracq
LF13Jean-Pierre Clar
Substitutions:
IC16Jacques 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

  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

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968_Rugby_League_World_Cup_final