1954 Rugby League World Cup group stage
1954 Rugby League World Cup group stage was the main component of the 1954 Rugby League World Cup, with the top two nations qualifying for the final. The group comprised Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain and France.
Ladder
| Team | Played | Won | Drew | Lost | For | Against | Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 67 | 32 | +35 | 5 |
 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 50 | 31 | +19 | 5 |
.svg.png){kind=small} | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 52 | 58 | −6 | 2 |
 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 34 | 82 | −48 | 0 |
France vs New Zealand
30 October 1954 |
| France |
22 – 13 | |
|---|---|---|
| Try: Jean Audoubert Raymond Contrastin Joseph Crespo Guy Delaye Goals: Puig Aubert (4) Field Goals: Puig Aubert (1) |
[1] | Try: Cyril Eastlake Jimmy Edwards Ron McKay Goals: John Bond (2) |
         France
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    New Zealand
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France's niggling tactics in their win against New Zealand in the tournament's opening match drew criticism from the media and the Kiwis coach, Jim Amos.[2] New Zealand winger Jimmy Edwards had the distinction of being the first scorer in World Cup history with a try after only five minutes. Puig-Aubert landed the first goal.
Australia vs Great Britain
31 October 1954 |
| Australia |
13 – 28 | |
|---|---|---|
| Try: Harry Wells (2) Ken Kearney Goals: Noel Pidding (2) |
[3] | Try: Gordon Brown (2) Phil Jackson (2) Frank Kitchen David Rose Goals: Jimmy Ledgard (5) |
    Australia
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 Great Britain
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The British team proved too strong for Australia in both sides' first World Cup game.[4]
France vs Great Britain
7 November 1954 |
| France |
13 – 13 | |
|---|---|---|
| Try: Raymond Contrastin (2) Joseph Krawzyck Goals: Puig Aubert (2) |
[5] | Try: Gordon Brown Gerry Helme David Rose Goals: Jimmy Ledgard (2) |
France
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Great Britain
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The game gripped the attention of the rugby league public as never before with a record crowd of 37,471 attending at Toulouse. That record crowd has still not been beaten in France. The draw resulted in Great Britain and France sharing the lead in the tournament.[6]
Australia vs New Zealand
7 November 1954 |
| Australia |
34 – 15 | |
|---|---|---|
| Try: Alex Watson (3) Roy Bull Peter Diversi Greg Hawick Ken Kearney Kel O'Shea Goals: Noel Pidding (5) |
[7] | Try: Lenny Eriksen Goals: Ron McKay (6) |
Australia
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New Zealand
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Australia's victory in this match put them in third position on the ladder and New Zealand last.[8]
Great Britain vs New Zealand
11 November 1954 |
| Great Britain |
26 – 6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Try: Frank Kitchen (2) Gordon Brown Phil Jackson Jimmy Ledgard David Rose Goals: Jimmy Ledgard (4) |
[9] | Try: Goals: Ron McKay (3) |
Great Britain
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New Zealand
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France vs Australia
11 November 1954 |
| France |
15 – 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Try: Vincent Cantoni Raymond Contrastin Jacques Merquey Goals: Puig Aubert (3) |
[10] | Try: Kel O'Shea Goals: Noel Pidding (1) |
France
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Australia
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Australia and France were playing for the chance to meet Great Britain in the final. Mistakes cost the Australians the match, so France advanced to the decider.[11]
References
- France vs New Zealand
- AAP (1 November 1954). "Coach Critical". The Sydney Morning Herald. (p. 11). Retrieved 6 October 2009.
- Australia vs Great Britain
- AAP (1 November 1954). "Australians down 28–13 in World Cup". The Sydney Morning Herald. (p. 11). Retrieved 25 December 2009.
- France vs Great Britain
- "FRANCE AND BRITAIN TIE; Share Rugby Cup Lead After 13–13 Draw in Toulouse". The New York Times. 8 November 1954. p. 27. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
- Australia vs New Zealand
- AAP (9 November 1954). "Kangaroos need win". The Sydney Morning Herald. Australia. p. 5. Retrieved 25 December 2009.
- Great Britain vs New Zealand
- France vs Australia
- "Australia beaten in World Cup series". The Canberra Times. 13 November 1954. p. 4. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
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