1970 Rugby League World Cup

The fifth Rugby League World Cup was held in Great Britain in 1970. Britain, fresh from defeating Australia in the Ashes, were hot favourites, and won all three of their group stage games. All the other nations lost two games each, and Australia qualified for the final largely on the back of an impressive tally of points against New Zealand.

The final was held at Headingley, Leeds. Although Great Britain dominated the possession, the Kangaroos were able to exploit their chances, and ran out unexpected winners in a scrappy game.

Results

rugbybox
date = 1970-10-21
home = rl-rt|Australia
score = 47–11
away = rl|New Zealand
stadium = Central Park, Wigan
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date = 1970-10-24
home = rl-rt|Great Britain
score = 11–4
away = rl|Australia
stadium = Headingley, Leeds
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date = 1970-10-25
home = rl-rt|France
score = 15–16
away = rl|New Zealand
stadium = The Boulevard, Hull
----rugbybox
date = 1970-10-28
home = rl-rt|Great Britain
score = 6–0
away = rl|France
stadium = Wheldon Road, Castleford
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date = 1970-10-31
home = rl-rt|Great Britain
score = 27–17
away = rl|New Zealand
stadium = Station Road, Swinton
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date = 1970-11-01
home = rl-rt|Australia
score = 15–17
away = rl|France
stadium = Odsal Stadium, Bradford

Final standings

Final

rugbybox
date = 1970-11-08
home = rl-rt|Great Britain
score = 7–12
away = rl|Australia
stadium = Headingley, Leeds
attendance = 18,776
referee = F. Lindop (Great Britain)

Australia: Eric Simms; Lionel Williamson, John Cootes, Paul Sait, Mark Harris; Bob Fulton, Billy Smith; John O'Neill, Ron Turner, Bob O'Reilly, Bob McCarthy, Ron Costello, Ron Coote (c); Ray Branighan, Elwyn Walters.

Great Britain: Ray Dutton; Alan Smith, Syd Hynes, Frank Myler (c), John Atkinson; Mick Shoebottom, Keith Hepworth; Dennis Hartley, Tony Fisher, Cliff Watson, Jim Thompson, Doug Laughton, Malcolm Reilly; Chris Hesketh, Bob Haigh.

External links

* [http://www.rlhalloffame.org.uk/wc1970.htm 1970 World Cup at rlhalloffame.org.uk]
* [http://origin-www.rlwc2008.twiihosting.net/about/pastwinners.aspx?article=1970 1970 World Cup at rlwc2008.com]
* [http://rugbyleagueproject.com/competitions/World_Cup_1970.html 1970 World Cup at rugbyleagueproject.com]
* [http://www.eraofthebiff.com/mm04.html 1970 World Cup final at eraofthebiff.com]