The 1954 Rugby League World Cup final was the conclusive game of the 1954 Rugby League World Cup tournament and was played between France and Great Britain on 13 November 1954 at the Parc des Princes in Paris, France.
Background
The 1954 Rugby League World Cup was the inaugural staging of the Rugby League World Cup. The tournament was held in France from 30 October, culminating in the final between France and Great Britain on 13 November.
France
Scores and results list France's points tally first. Opposing Team For Against Date Venue Attendance Stage 22 13 30 October Parc des Princes, Paris 13,240 Group Stage 13 13 7 November Stadium Municipal, Toulouse 37,471 Group Stage 15 5 11 November Stade Marcel Saupin, Nantes 13,000 Group Stage
Great Britain
Scores and results list Great Britain's points tally first. Opposing Team For Against Date Venue Attendance Stage 28 13 31 October Stade de Gerland, Lyon 10,250 Group Stage 13 13 7 November Stadium Municipal, Toulouse 37,471 Group Stage 26 6 11 November Stade Chaban Delmas, Bordeaux 14,000 Group Stage
Match details
The BBC broadcast the whole match live in the UK via the Television Continental Exchange – a rare novelty for the time.
FB 1 Puig Aubert (c)RW 2 Vincent CantoniRC 3 Claude TeisseireLC 4 Jacques MerqueyLW 5 Raymond ContrastinSO 6 Antoine JimenezSH 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 opened the scoring with a penalty Puig-Aubert kick from 45 yards out and played well early in the match, leading early in the second half thanks to a brilliant try from Cantoni. However Great Britain did not waver, with credit for the win given to a starring role by centre Phil JacksonPaddy McAteer (22 December 2010) "Whole World in their Hands" North West Evening Mail and the play of their forward pack, as well as the tough match France had played against Australia in Nantes two days earlier. Great Britain defeated France 16–12 and became the first team to lift the World Cup.
References