1972 Rugby League World Cup final

1972 (1972) Rugby League World Cup final
Great Britain Australia (RFL) (ARL) 10 10
1 2 Total GBR 5 5 10 AUS 5 5 10
Date	11 November 1972
Stadium	Stade de Gerland
Location	Lyon, France
Referee	Georges Jameau (France)
Attendance	4,231
Broadcast partners
Broadcasters	BBC
Commentators	Eddie Waring

The 1972 Rugby League World Cup final was the conclusive game of the 1972 Rugby League World Cup tournament and was played between Great Britain and Australia on 11 November 1972 at the Stade de Gerland ground in Lyon, France. The final was played before 4,231 fans who witnessed what is (as of 2020) the last British team to win the Rugby League World Cup.

Background

Main article: 1972 Rugby League World Cup

The 1972 Rugby League World Cup was the sixth staging of the Rugby League World Cup since its inauguration in 1954, and the first since the 1970 tournament. The tournament was held in the France from 28 October, culminating in the final between Great Britain and Australia on 11 November.

Great Britain

Scores and results list Australia's points tally first.

Opposing Team	For	Against	Date	Venue	Attendance	Stage
Australia	27	21	29 October	Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan	6,300	Group Stage
France	13	4	1 November	Stade Lesdiguières, Grenoble	13,231	Group Stage
New Zealand	53	19	4 November	Stade du Hameau, Pau	7,500	Group Stage

Great Britain were undefeated going into the final.

Australia

Scores and results list Great Britain's points tally first.

Opposing Team	For	Against	Date	Venue	Attendance	Stage
Great Britain	21	27	29 October	Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan	6,300	Group Stage
New Zealand	9	5	1 November	Parc des Princes, Paris	8,000	Group Stage
France	5	19	5 November	Stadium Municipal, Toulouse	10,332	Group Stage

Match details

11 November 1972

Great Britain	10–10 (ET)	Australia
Tries: Clive Sullivan Mike Stephenson Goals: Terry Clawson (2)		Tries: John O'Neill Arthur Beetson Goals: Ray Branighan (2)

Stade de Gerland, Lyon Attendance: 4,231 Referee: Georges Jameau

Great Britain

Australia

FB 1 Paul Charlton RW 2 Clive Sullivan (c) RC 3 Chris Hesketh LC 4 John Walsh LW 5 John Atkinson SO 6 John Holmes SH 7 Steve Nash PR 8 Terry Clawson HK 9 Mike Stephenson PR 10 David Jeanes SR 11 Phil Lowe SR 12 Brian Lockwood LF 13 George Nicholls Substitutions: IC 14 Bob Irving Coach: Jim Challinor

FB 1 Graeme Langlands (c) RW 2 John Grant RC 3 Mark Harris LC 4 Geoff Starling LW 5 Ray Branighan FE 6 Bob Fulton HB 7 Dennis Ward PR 8 John O'Neill HK 9 Elwyn Walters PR 10 Bob O'Reilly SR 11 Arthur Beetson SR 12 Gary Stevens LK 13 Gary Sullivan Substitutions: IC 14 Fred Jones Coach: Harry Bath

The game received a poor attendance of only 4,231 spectators with the French public seemingly uninterested in a final that did not involve French, as evident by the fact only games involving France drew crowds of over 10,000. In fact, the final drew the lowest attendance of the tournament.

The game, however, proved a memorable one for both Great Britain and Australia; seeing Great Britain captain Clive Sullivan's long distance try, and Australia's "greatest try never scored", by fullback Graeme Langlands. The try was disallowed by French referee Georges Jameau for offside but was later proved to be onside. Great Britain hooker Mike Stephenson scored the 73rd-minute try that helped level the scores and secure the World Cup.

Australia winger Ray Branighan missed his 79th-minute penalty, Bob Fulton failed three drop goal attempts in the last five minutes, resulting in a 10–10 scoreline at full time. Scores were again level after extra time.