1957 Rugby League World Cup

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.

1957 (1957) World Cup  ()
Number of teams4
Host country Australia
Winner Australia (1st title)
Matches played6
Attendance214,918 (35,820 per match)
Points scored204 (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 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
Main article: 1957 Rugby League World Cup squads

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]

Venues
Sydney Brisbane
Sydney Cricket Ground Brisbane Cricket Ground
Capacity: 70,000 Capacity: 48,000

Results
TeamPldWDLPFPADiffPtsQualification
 Australia33008220+626World Cup Winners
 Great Britain31025065−152
 New Zealand31024460−162
 France31022859−312
15 June
Australia  25 – 5  New Zealand
Brisbane Cricket Ground, Brisbane
Attendance: 29,636
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: 58,655[3]
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
25 June
Great Britain  21 – 29  New Zealand
Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Attendance: 14,263

Try scorers
3
2
1

References
  1. Paddy McAteer (22 December 2010) "Whole World in their Hands" Archived 5 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine North West Evening Mail
  2. Neutral refs have always been a sticky issue Sunday Star-Times, 30 November 2008
  3. "Australia in Rugby Cup Win". The Age. 18 June 1957. p. 14. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
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