1960 Rugby League World Cup
Encyclopedia
The 1960 Rugby League World Cup was the third staging of the tournament and the first Rugby league World Cup
to be held in Great Britain
. The same format as used in 1957
was used, with a group stage leading to a final table.
The 1960 World Cup raised problems which had not really affected the previous tournaments. Live television of complete games was held responsible for lower than anticipated attendances, the largest crowd being the 32,773 which gathered at Odsal for the decider between Australia and the hosts.
For Australia the World Cup matches formed part of their Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France.
, goal-kicking three quarter back for Wigan
Coach: William Fallowfield
France went desperately close to beating Australia at Wigan, missing a penalty and four drop goal attempts in the closing minutes.
----
Regarded as the most entertaining game of the series, Australian winger Brian Carlson
scored a hat-trick
of both tries and goals, but the highlight of the game was a bewildering try by Kiwi stand-off George Menzies
which was so spectacular that even the referee, Eric Clay
, applauded.
----
Britain's comprehensive victory over the French at Swinton was marred by the first double sending-off in World Cup annals, France's skipper Jean Barthe
and Britain's second-rower Vince Karalius
being despatched by Edouard Martung, a police inspector from Bordeaux.
----
In the final round against New Zealand France's second-rower Robert Eramouspe was dismissed for reckless kicking in a game which more closely resembled a brawl.
----
No World Cup Final was held, but by chance the final match of the series saw Great Britain take on Australia at Odsal Stadium
, Bradford
. As both teams were undefeated this match became a virtual World Cup Final.
In the decider - a vicious affair in rain and mud at Odsal - the main mystery was how Monsieur Martung contrived to not send anyone off. Great Britain did play the better football between hostilities. First half tries from wingers Billy Boston
- out injured in the first two games - and Mick Sullivan
, and two goals from stand-in full-back Austin Rhodes
effectively had the match won at 10-0. Brian Carlson
scored the only Australian try ten minutes from time - much too late to prevent British captain Eric Ashton
from collecting the World Cup.
Rugby League World Cup
The Rugby League World Cup is an international rugby league competition contested by members of the Rugby League International Federation . It has been held nearly once every 4 years on average since its inaugural tournament in France in 1954...
to be held in Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
. The same format as used in 1957
1957 Rugby League World Cup
The second Rugby League World Cup was held in Australia in 1957. As before a group stage was held first, with matches being held at locations in Sydney and Brisbane....
was used, with a group stage leading to a final table.
The 1960 World Cup raised problems which had not really affected the previous tournaments. Live television of complete games was held responsible for lower than anticipated attendances, the largest crowd being the 32,773 which gathered at Odsal for the decider between Australia and the hosts.
For Australia the World Cup matches formed part of their Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France.
Australia
- Dud BeattieDud BeattieDud Beattie is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1950s and 60s. An Australian international and Queensland representative prop forward, he played in Ipswich, Queensland for the Railways club....
, forward for Ipswich Railways - Brian CarlsonBrian CarlsonBrian Carlson was an Australian professional rugby league footballer of the 1950s and 60s. He was a centre & utility back for the Australia national team. He played in 17 Tests and 6 World Cup games between 1952 and 1961, as captain on 2 occasions...
, fullback for North SydneyNorth Sydney BearsThe North Sydney Bears are an Australian rugby league football club based in North Sydney, New South Wales. They currently compete in the New South Wales Cup, having exited the National Rugby League following the 1999 NRL season after 92 years of top-grade competition. The Bears are based on... - Lionel MorganLionel Morgan (rugby league)Lionel Morgan is an Indigenous Australian former rugby league footballer, named amongst the nation's finest of the 20th century, and current coach. Morgan was the first Indigenous Australian to be selected to play in a recognised rugby league Test match...
, three quarter for Wynnum-Manly
Great Britain
Captain: Eric AshtonEric Ashton
Eric Ashton MBE was an English professional Rugby League World Cup-winning footballer of the 1950s and '60s and later a coach. He played his whole first grade football career for Wigan along with at times both captaining and coaching them; his position of choice was right centre...
, goal-kicking three quarter back for Wigan
Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
- Billy BostonBilly BostonWilliam John "Billy" Boston MBE is a former Wales and Great Britain professional Rugby League World Cup winning footballer. Boston is a member of the Rugby League Hall of Fame, Welsh Sports Hall of Fame and was, along with Shaun Edwards the first to be voted into the Wigan Hall Of Fame...
, three quarter back for WiganWigan WarriorsWigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011.... - Jim ChallinorJim ChallinorJames "Jim" P. Challinor was an English professional Rugby League World Cup winning footballer of the 1950s and '60s, and coach of the 1960s and '70s, who at representative level played for Great Britain, and at club level for Warrington, and Barrow, playing at , or , i.e...
, three quarter back for WarringtonWarrington WolvesWarrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003.... - Alan DaviesAlan Davies (rugby league)Alan Davies was an English professional Rugby League World Cup winning footballer of the 1950s and '60s who at representative level played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Oldham, Wigan, Wakefield Trinity, and Salford, playing at , or /, i.e...
, back for OldhamOldham RoughyedsOldham Roughyeds is an English professional rugby league club based in Oldham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Championship One. Oldham is one of the original twenty-two rugby clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895.... - Eric FraserEric Fraser (rugby league)Eric G. Fraser is an English former professional Rugby League World Cup winning footballer of the 1950s and '60s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and at club level for Warrington, playing at , i.e...
, full back for WarringtonWarrington WolvesWarrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003.... - Bobby GreenhoughBobby GreenhoughRobert "Bobby" J. Greenhough is a former Rugby League World Cup winning footballer of the 1960s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and at club level for Warrington, playing at , i.e...
, three quarter back for WarringtonWarrington WolvesWarrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003.... - Tommy Harris, hooker for HullHull FCHull Football Club, commonly referred to as Hull or Hull FC, is a professional rugby league football club established in 1865 and based in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England. The club plays in the Super League competition...
- Vince KaraliusVince KaraliusVincent Peter Patrick Karalius was an English professional Rugby League World Cup winning and coach who forged a fearsome reputation both as a strong runner of the ball, and as a devastating tackler.-Club career:...
, forward for St Helens - Brian McTigueBrian McTigueBrian McTigue was an English professional Rugby League World Cup winning footballer of the 1950s and 60s. He is a Wigan RL Hall of Fame member and is considered to be one of the greatest forwards in Great Britain's history....
, forward for WiganWigan WarriorsWigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011.... - Alex MurphyAlex Murphy (rugby league)Alex J. Murphy OBE is an English former professional rugby league footballer and coach of the mid to late 20th century...
, half back for St Helens - Frank MylerFrank MylerFrank Myler was an English professional Rugby League World Cup winning footballer. He played , or / for Widnes and St. Helens, and also captained the Great Britain national team.Myler also coached Rochdale from May, 1971 to October 1974....
, half back for WidnesWidnes VikingsWidnes Vikings RLFC are an English professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They currently play in the Engage Super League, the top tier of European rugby league, after being awarded a license to compete in the top-flight Super League from 2012 onward... - Austin RhodesAustin RhodesAustin J. Rhodes is an English former professional Rugby League World Cup winning footballer of the 1950s and '60s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and at club level for St. Helens, playing at , or , i.e. number 1, 3 or 4, or, 6.-International honours:Austin Rhodes won...
, back for St HelensSt Helens RFCSt Helens Rugby League Football Club are a professional rugby league club from St Helens, Merseyside, North West England who play in the Super League. Nicknamed Saints, they were a founder member of the Northern Rugby Football Union. They have been league champions on 12 occasions and runners up... - Brian ShawBrian Shaw (rugby league)Brian Shaw was an English professional Rugby League World Cup winning footballer of the 1950s and '60s who at representative level played for Great Britain, and Yorkshire, and at club level for Hunslet, and Leeds, playing at , or , i.e...
, forward for HunsletHunslet HawksHunslet Hawks is a professional rugby league club based in Hunslet, West Yorkshire, England. The club, sometimes known as 'the Parksiders' after their former stadium, are currently champions of Championship One.-History:-Early years:... - John ShawJohn Shaw (rugby league)S. John 'Joby' Shaw was an English professional Rugby League World Cup winning footballer of the 1950s and '60s who at representative level played for Great Britain, and Yorkshire, and at club level for Wakefield Trinity, and Halifax, playing at , i.e...
, hooker for HalifaxHalifax RLFCHalifax RLFC is one of the most historic rugby league clubs in the game, formed over a century ago, in 1873 in the Yorkshire town of Halifax. Known as 'Fax', the official club colours are blue and white hoops, blue shorts and blue socks . They share The Shay stadium with football club FC Halifax Town... - Mick SullivanMick SullivanMichael "Mick" Sullivan is an English former professional Rugby League World Cup winning footballer of the 1950s and 60s. He holds the record for the most appearances for the Great Britain Lions with 46.Sullivan signed with Huddersfield in 1952 as an 18 year-old right winger...
, three quarter back for WiganWigan WarriorsWigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011.... - Derek TurnerDerek TurnerDerek "Rocky" Turner is an English former professional Rugby League World Cup winning footballer of the 1940s, '50s and 60s, and coach of the 1960s, '70s, and '80s, who at representative level has played for Great Britain, England, and Yorkshire, and at club level for Hull Kingston Rovers, Oldham...
, forward for Wakefield TrinityWakefield Trinity WildcatsWakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts... - Johnny WhiteleyJohnny WhiteleyJohn William Whiteley MBE is an English former professional Rugby League World Cup winning footballer and coach...
, forward for Hull - Jack WilkinsonJack Wilkinson (rugby league)Jack Wilkinson was an English professional Rugby League World Cup winning footballer of the 1940s, '50s and '60s, and coach of the 1960s. A classmate of wrestler Shirley Crabtree, he was a Great Britain international , who played at club level for Halifax, Wakefield Trinity and Bradford Northern...
, forward for Wakefield TrinityWakefield Trinity WildcatsWakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts...
Coach: William Fallowfield
Bill Fallowfield
William Fallowfield was a British rugby league football coach and administrator of the mid-20th century.In 1967 it was Fallowfield who devised the limited tackle rule to help improve the flow and speed of rugby league....
Results
----France went desperately close to beating Australia at Wigan, missing a penalty and four drop goal attempts in the closing minutes.
----
Regarded as the most entertaining game of the series, Australian winger Brian Carlson
Brian Carlson
Brian Carlson was an Australian professional rugby league footballer of the 1950s and 60s. He was a centre & utility back for the Australia national team. He played in 17 Tests and 6 World Cup games between 1952 and 1961, as captain on 2 occasions...
scored a hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
of both tries and goals, but the highlight of the game was a bewildering try by Kiwi stand-off George Menzies
George Menzies
George Menzies is a New Zealand former rugby league player and coach who represented his country at three World Cups and coached New Zealand at another World Cup.-Playing career:...
which was so spectacular that even the referee, Eric Clay
Eric Clay
Eric Clay was a British rugby league referee popularly known as "Sergeant Major" for his style during games.- Early life, private life :Born in Leeds, Yorkshire, Clay was married with two daughters...
, applauded.
----
Britain's comprehensive victory over the French at Swinton was marred by the first double sending-off in World Cup annals, France's skipper Jean Barthe
Jean Barthe
Jean Barthe , was a French rugby league and rugby union player.-Rugby union:Jean Barthe started his career in FC Lourdes which he won three titles of French Champion, for 1956, 1957, 1958 and one Challenge Yves du Manoir. He earned his first cap with the French national team on 29 July 1954 against...
and Britain's second-rower Vince Karalius
Vince Karalius
Vincent Peter Patrick Karalius was an English professional Rugby League World Cup winning and coach who forged a fearsome reputation both as a strong runner of the ball, and as a devastating tackler.-Club career:...
being despatched by Edouard Martung, a police inspector from Bordeaux.
----
In the final round against New Zealand France's second-rower Robert Eramouspe was dismissed for reckless kicking in a game which more closely resembled a brawl.
----
No World Cup Final was held, but by chance the final match of the series saw Great Britain take on Australia at Odsal Stadium
Odsal Stadium
Odsal Stadium is a stadium situated in Odsal, Bradford in West Yorkshire, England. The venue is used for rugby league and has been the home ground of Bradford Bulls/Bradford Northern since 1934...
, Bradford
Bradford
Bradford lies at the heart of the City of Bradford, a metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, in Northern England. It is situated in the foothills of the Pennines, west of Leeds, and northwest of Wakefield. Bradford became a municipal borough in 1847, and received its charter as a city in 1897...
. As both teams were undefeated this match became a virtual World Cup Final.
In the decider - a vicious affair in rain and mud at Odsal - the main mystery was how Monsieur Martung contrived to not send anyone off. Great Britain did play the better football between hostilities. First half tries from wingers Billy Boston
Billy Boston
William John "Billy" Boston MBE is a former Wales and Great Britain professional Rugby League World Cup winning footballer. Boston is a member of the Rugby League Hall of Fame, Welsh Sports Hall of Fame and was, along with Shaun Edwards the first to be voted into the Wigan Hall Of Fame...
- out injured in the first two games - and Mick Sullivan
Mick Sullivan
Michael "Mick" Sullivan is an English former professional Rugby League World Cup winning footballer of the 1950s and 60s. He holds the record for the most appearances for the Great Britain Lions with 46.Sullivan signed with Huddersfield in 1952 as an 18 year-old right winger...
, and two goals from stand-in full-back Austin Rhodes
Austin Rhodes
Austin J. Rhodes is an English former professional Rugby League World Cup winning footballer of the 1950s and '60s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and at club level for St. Helens, playing at , or , i.e. number 1, 3 or 4, or, 6.-International honours:Austin Rhodes won...
effectively had the match won at 10-0. Brian Carlson
Brian Carlson
Brian Carlson was an Australian professional rugby league footballer of the 1950s and 60s. He was a centre & utility back for the Australia national team. He played in 17 Tests and 6 World Cup games between 1952 and 1961, as captain on 2 occasions...
scored the only Australian try ten minutes from time - much too late to prevent British captain Eric Ashton
Eric Ashton
Eric Ashton MBE was an English professional Rugby League World Cup-winning footballer of the 1950s and '60s and later a coach. He played his whole first grade football career for Wigan along with at times both captaining and coaching them; his position of choice was right centre...
from collecting the World Cup.
Final standings
| Team | Played | Won | Drew | Lost | For | Against | Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 66 | 18 | +48 | 6 | |
| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 37 | 37 | 0 | 4 | |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 32 | 44 | −12 | 2 | |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 19 | 55 | −36 | 0 |