1970 Rugby League World Cup

Squads

Main article: 1970 Rugby League World Cup squads

Venues

Headingley in Leeds hosted a group game between Great Britain and Australia and also hosted the World Cup final.

Results

date = 21 October | home = | score = 47 – 11 | away = | stadium = Central Park, Wigan | attendance = 9,805 | Australia beat the Kiwis easily at Wigan in the opening fixture with Eric Simms repeating his form of the 1968 tourney by landing a record ten goals.

date = 24 October | home = | score = 11 – 4 | away = | stadium = Headingley, Leeds | attendance = 15,084 | Britain came from 0–4 behind to defeat Australia 11–4 at Headingley with Syd Hynes scoring the game's only try.

date = 25 October | home = | score = 15 – 16 | away = | stadium = The Boulevard, Hull | attendance = 3,824 |

The try of the tournament was scored by the sensational French winger Serge Marsolan against New Zealand in a mud-bath at Hull. Marsolan ran from behind his own line for a try fit to win any match but the lackadaisical French lost 15–16.

date = 28 October | home = | score = 6 – 0 | away = | stadium = Wheldon Road, Castleford | attendance = 8,958 |

The French put up a great fight against Britain in vile conditions, only to lose 0–6 at Castleford to three penalties from Ray Dutton.

date = 31 October | home = | score = 27 – 17 | away = | stadium = Station Road, Swinton | attendance = 5,609 | Britain eliminated New Zealand from the tournament, cruising to victory with five tries to three.{{cite news | access-date = 6 October 2009}}

date = 1 November | home = | score = 15 – 17 | away = | stadium = Odsal Stadium, Bradford | attendance = 6,654 |

Table

Final

Main article: 1970 Rugby League World Cup final

John Atkinson

Goals: Ray Dutton (1) Field Goal: Syd Hynes John Cootes Lionel Williamson Goals: Eric Simms (2) Field Goal: Eric Simms

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Having retained the Ashes, Great Britain were favourites to win the final, which would become known as the 'Battle of Headingley'{{Cite news | access-date = 1 January 2011}} due to its brutality. However it went completely against expectations as Britain failed to play any decent football despite overwhelming possession. The Kangaroos led 5–4 at half-time with a try to Australian three-quarter, Father John Cootes. They went on to utilise their meagre chances to the full, running out 12–7 victors. The game itself was violent, although it was not until the final minute that Billy Smith of Australia, who had earlier kicked out at a scrum, and Syd Hynes of Great Britain were sent off.

Try scorers

;5

• AUS John Cootes

;4

• FRA Serge Marsolan

;2

• AUS Bob Fulton
• GBR John Atkinson
• GBR Syd Hynes
• NZL Garry Smith

;1

• AUS Ray Branighan
• AUS Ron Coote
• AUS Bob McCarthy
• AUS Eric Simms
• AUS Billy Smith
• AUS Ron Turner
• AUS Lionel Williamson
• FRA Élie Bonal
• FRA Jean Capdouze
• GBR Chris Hesketh
• GBR Doug Laughton
• GBR Cliff Watson
• NZL Mocky Brereton
• NZL Roy Christian
• NZL Graeme Cooksley
• NZL Tony Kriletich

References

References

1. [http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/world-cup-1970/final/australia-vs-great-britain.html Report]
2. Kdouh, Fatima. (28 November 2013). "We take a look back at the greatest Rugby League World Cup finals of all time". [[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney).