1977 Rugby League World Cup

The eighth Rugby League World Cup was held in 1977, and saw a return to the format used on previous occasions. The tournament was held in Australasia, with games in both Australia and New Zealand. That the final would be between Great Britain and Australia soon became obvious, with France and New Zealand both performing poorly.

Results

rugbybox
date = 1977-05-29
home = rl-rt|New Zealand
score = 12–27
away = rl|Australia
stadium = Carlaw Park, Auckland
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date = 1977-06-05
home = rl-rt|France
score = 4–23
away = rl|Great Britain
stadium = Carlaw Park, Auckland
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date = 1977-06-11
home = rl-rt|Australia
score = 21–9
away = rl|France
stadium = Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
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date = 1977-06-12
home = rl-rt|New Zealand
score = 12–30
away = rl|Great Britain
stadium = Christchurch
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date = 1977-06-18
home = rl-rt|Australia
score = 19–5
away = rl|Great Britain
stadium = Lang Park, Brisbane
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date = 1977-06-19
home = rl-rt|New Zealand
score = 28–20
away = rl|France
stadium = Carlaw Park, Auckland

Final standings

Final

rugbybox
date = Sat. 25 June, 1977
home = rl-rt|Australia
score = 13–12
away = rl|Great Britain
stadium = Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
attendance = 24,457
referr = W. Thompson (Great Britain)

Great Britain were the underdogs going to the final, which was held at the Sydney Cricket Ground. They managed to dominate the possession, and it took a last minute try from Australia’s John Kolc to secure the Cup in front of 24,457 spectators.

Australia: Graham Eadie; Allan McMahon (1 try), Mick Cronin (2 goals), Russel Gartner (1 try), Mark Harris, John Peard, John Kolc (1 try), Greg Pierce, Ray Higgs, Arthur Beetson (c), Terry Randall, Nick Geiger, Greg Veivers; Denis Fitzgerald.

Great Britain: George Fairbairn (3 goals); Stuart Wright, J Holmes, Les Dyl, W Francis; Roger Millward (c), Steve Nash; P Hogan, E Bowman, George Nicholls, S Pitchford (1 try), K Elwell, J Thompson; K Gill (1 try), L Casey.

External links

* [http://www.rlhalloffame.org.uk/wc1977.htm 1977 World Cup at rlhalloffame.org.uk]
* [http://rugbyleagueproject.com/competitions/World_Cup_1977.html 1977 World Cup at rugbyleagueproject.com]