1972 Rugby League World Cup

Squads

Main article: 1972 Rugby League World Cup squads

Venues

Final Venue

Results

Group stage

Main article: 1972 Rugby League World Cup group stage

Final

Main article: 1972 Rugby League World Cup final

(AET) Clive Sullivan Mike Stephenson Goals: Terry Clawson (2) John O'Neill Arthur Beetson Goals: Ray Branighan (2)

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The French public seemed uninterested in a final that did not involve the home team, as just over 4,200 spectators turned up. The game will always be remembered by the British for their captain Clive Sullivan's wonderful long distance try and by the Australians for perhaps "the greatest try never scored", later shown on TV to be legitimately scored by Australian fullback Graeme Langlands but disallowed by French referee Georges Jameau.{{Cite news | access-date = 6 February 2011}} Mike Stephenson scored the 73rd-minute try that helped Great Britain level the scores and secure the World Cup.{{Cite news | access-date = 18 October 2010}} Had Aussie winger Ray Branighan succeeded with a 79th-minute penalty or Bob Fulton landed one of three drop goal attempts in the last five minutes, the cup could easily have gone to Australia. But for the first time in the competition's history the scores were level at full-time. An additional twenty minutes extra time was played, but no further score resulted, and Great Britain were awarded the cup by virtue of a better position in the table.

Try scorers

;5

• AUS Bob Fulton

;4

• GBR Clive Sullivan

;3

• GBR John Atkinson
• GBR Phil Lowe
• GBR Mike Stephenson

;2

• AUS Mark Harris
• AUS John O'Neill
• AUS Paul Sait
• FRA Jean-Marie Bonal
• FRA Andre Ruiz
• GBR John Holmes
• NZL Phillip Orchard
• NZL John Whittaker

;1

• AUS Arthur Beetson
• AUS Tommy Raudonikis
• AUS Elwyn Walters
• AUS Dennis Ward
• GBR Paul Charlton
• GBR Chris Hesketh
• GBR David Jeanes
• GBR Steve Nash
• GBR George Nicholls
• GBR Dennis O'Neill
• NZL Mocky Brereton
• NZL Bill Burgoyne
• NZL Tony Coll
• NZL Murray Eade
• NZL Dennis Williams

Tour games

After the World Championship, Australia and New Zealand arranged short three-game tours against English clubs.

Australia

New Zealand

References

References

1. [http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/world-cup-1972/final/australia-vs-great-britain.html Report]
2. Wright, J. (23 August 2007). "Rugby League's Greatest Ever Full-back". Times & Star.
3. link. (5 October 2012 ''[[North West Evening Mail]]'')
4. 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).
5. "Kangaroos World Cup Tour 1972".
6. "Kiwis World Cup Tour 1972".
7. (21 November 1972). "Kiwis were too bad to be true". [[The Press]].