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
France vs New Zealand 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. 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.
FB 1 Puig Aubert (c)RW 2 Raymond ContrastinCE 3 Jacques MerqueyCE 4 Antoine JimenezLW 5 Vincent CantoniSO 6 Gilbert BenausseSH 7 Claude TeisseirePR 8 Joseph KrawzyckHK 9 Jean AudoubertPR 10 François RinaldiSR 11 Jean PambrunSR 12 Guy DelayeLF 13 Joseph CrespoCoach:Jean Duhau and Rene Duffort FB 1 Pat CreedyRW 2 George MenziesCE 3 Ron McKayCE 4 Cyril Eastlake (c)LW 5 Jimmy EdwardsFE 6 Bill SorensenHB 7 Len EriksenPR 8 Cliff JohnsonHK 9 Lory BlanchardPR 10 Bill McLennanSR 11 John YatesSR 12 Don RobinsonLK 13 Alistair AtkinsonCoach:Jim Amos
Australia vs Great Britain The British team proved too strong for Australia in both sides' first World Cup game.
FB 1 Clive Churchill (c)RW 2 Noel PiddingCE 3 Alex WatsonCE 4 Harry WellsLW 5 Ian MoirFE 6 Ken McCafferyHB 7 Keith HolmanPR 8 Duncan HallHK 9 Ken KearneyPR 10 Roy BullSR 11 Norm ProvanSR 12 Brian DaviesLK 13 Peter DiversiCoach:Victor Hey FB 1 Jimmy LedgardRW 2 David RoseCE 3 Phil JacksonCE 4 Mick SullivanLW 5 Frank KitchenSO 6 Gordon BrownSH 7 Gerry HelmePR 8 John ThorleyHK 9 Sam SmithPR 10 Bob CoverdaleSR 11 Basil WattsSR 12 Don RobinsonLF 13 Dave Valentine (c)Coach:Gideon Shaw
Australia vs New Zealand Australia's victory in this match put them in third position on the ladder and New Zealand last.
FB 1 Clive Churchill (c)RW 2 Noel PiddingCE 3 Harry WellsCE 4 Alex WatsonLW 5 Denis FlanneryFE 6 Bob BanksHB 7 Greg HawickPR 8 Roy BullHK 9 Ken KearneyPR 10 Brian DaviesSR 11 Harold CrockerSR 12 Kel O'SheaLK 13 Peter DiversiCoach:Victor Hey FB 1 Neville DentonRW 2 Jimmy EdwardsCE 3 Cyril Eastlake (c)CE 4 Ron McKayLW 5 Jim AustinFE 6 Bill SorensenHB 7 Lenny EriksenPR 8 Cliff JohnsonHK 9 Lory BlanchardPR 10 Bill McLennanSR 11 Jock ButterfieldSR 12 John YatesLK 13 Alistair AtkinsonCoach:Jim Amos
France vs Great Britain 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.
FB 1 Puig Aubert (c)RW 2 Raymond ContrastinRC 3 Jacques MerqueyLC 4 Antoine JimenezLW 5 Vincent CantoniSO 6 Gilbert BenausseSH 7 Joseph CrespoPR 8 Joseph KrawzyckHK 9 Jean AudoubertPR 10 François RinaldiSR 11 Armand SaveSR 12 Jean PambrunLF 13 Gilbert VerdiéCoach:Jean Duhau and Rene Duffort FB 1 Jimmy LedgardRW 2 David RoseRC 3 Phil JacksonLC 4 Albert NaughtonLW 5 Mick SullivanSO 6 Gordon BrownSH 7 Gerry HelmePR 8 John ThorleyHK 9 Sam SmithPR 10 Bob CoverdaleSR 11 Basil WattsSR 12 Don RobinsonLF 13 Dave Valentine (c)Coach:Gideon Shaw
France vs Australia Australia and France were playing for the chance to meet Great Britain in the final.
FB 1 Puig Aubert (c)RW 2 Vincent CantoniCE 3 Jacques MerqueyCE 4 Claude TeisseireLW 5 Raymond ContrastinSO 6 Antoine JimenezSH 7 Joseph CrespoPR 8 François RinaldiHK 9 Jean AudoubertPR 10 Joseph KrawzyckSR 11 Guy DelayeSR 12 Jean PambrunLF 13 Gilbert VerdiéCoach:Jean Duhau and Rene Duffort FB 1 Clive Churchill (c)RW 2 Noel PiddingCE 3 Alex WatsonCE 4 Greg HawickLW 5 Denis FlanneryFE 6 Bob BanksHB 7 Keith HolmanPR 8 Roy BullHK 9 Ken KearneyPR 10 Brian DaviesSR 11 Kel O'SheaSR 12 Harold CrockerLK 13 Peter DiversiCoach:Victor Hey
Mistakes cost the Australians the match, so France advanced to the World Cup tournament decider.
Great Britain vs New Zealand
FB 1 Jimmy LedgardRW 2 David RoseRC 3 Phil JacksonLC 4 Mick SullivanLW 5 Frank KitchenSO 6 Gordon BrownSH 7 Gerry HelmePR 8 John ThorleyHK 9 Sam SmithPR 10 Bob CoverdaleSR 11 Basil WattsSR 12 Don RobinsonLF 13 Dave Valentine (c)Coach:Gideon Shaw FB 1 Ian GreyRW 2 Jimmy EdwardsCE 3 Cyril Eastlake (c)CE 4 Ron McKayLW 5 Jim AustinFE 6 Bill SorensenHB 7 Lenny EriksenPR 8 Cliff JohnsonHK 9 Lory BlanchardPR 10 Bill McLennanSR 11 Jock ButterfieldSR 12 George McDonaldLK 13 Alistair AtkinsonCoach:Jim Amos
References