World Cup - Golden Lions - George Fairbairn

World Cups (2) - England 1975, Great Britain 1977
Tries 2        Goals 43

Details from the Sportal Rugby League World Cup 2000 Greatest Players site

Peebles-born George Fairbairn was only the fourth Scot to take part in a World Cup competition following Dave Valentine and David Rose in 1954 and Charlie Renilson in 1968.

Ironically, however, Fairbairn's introduction to World Cup rugby league was as England's full-back in a massively important fixture against Wales at Brisbane on 10 June, 1975.

George kicked two goals but England lost 7-12, their only defeat in eight World Cup fixtures. George played in seven of those games, rattling up 58 points (2 tries, 26 goals) as England went within a whisker of taking the title after taking three out of four points against the winners, Australia.

In Auckland Fairbairn excelled in a 17-17 draw with the Kiwis, scoring 14 of his team's points while his five goals against Australia at Wigan swung the game England's way 16-13.

Always a prolific goal-kicker and a potent attacking full-back, Fairbairn was a mainstay of the Great Britain team which went within two points of lifting the World Cup Down Under in 1977. Seven goals in a 23-4 drubbing of France in Auckland and another half-dozen in a 30-12 canter past New Zealand at Christchurch were ample proof of his value. Three goals in the final against Australia at Sydney almost brought glory but Australia sneaked home 13-12.

Back to Golden Lions