1954 Rugby League World Cup

The first Rugby League World Cup took place in 1954 in France. It was attended by four teams. The initiative for this World Cup came from the French, who were by the Rugby Union in financial difficulties due to blockage of their assets.

• 3.1 First Round
• 3.2 Second Round
• 3.3 Third Round
• 3.4 Final Table
• 3.5 final

Men

Australia

• Coach: Hey Vic

France

• Coach: Jean Duhau, Rene Duffort

Great Britain

• Coach: G. Shaw

New Zealand

• Manager: Tom McKenzie (West Coast)
• Coach: Jim Amos ( Canterbury )

Referee

• Charles Appleton
• Rene Guidicelli

Results

First round

• October 30: France 22-13 New Zealand New Zealand (Paris, Parc des Princes stadium, 13,240 viewers)
• October 31: Australia 13-28 United Kingdom United Kingdom ( Lyon, Stade Gerland, 10,250 viewers)

Second Round

• November 7: France 13-13 United Kingdom United Kingdom ( Toulouse, Stadium Municipal, 37 471 viewers)
• NOV 7: Australia 34-15 New Zealand New Zealand (Marseille, Stade Vélodrome, 20,000 viewers)

Third Round

Final Table

Final

• France: 2 tests ( Cantoni, Contrastin ) and 3 goals by Puig Aubert
• UK: 4 attempts ( 2x Brown, Rose, helmets) and 2 goals by Ledgard