|
|
Virtual Rugby League Hall of Fame |
|
|
World Cup - Golden Lions - Mick Sullivan
World Cups (3) - Great Britain 1954, 1957, 1960 Details from the Sportal Rugby League World Cup 2000 Greatest Players site Mick Sullivan made a record 46 full appearances and scored a record 41 tries for Great Britain. He played in all four of Great Britain’s historic games in the first World Cup in 1954 in France but was, quite amazingly, the only British back who did not score at least one try in the tournament. Essentially a left-winger, with lightning reflexes and an abrasive approach to opponents, Sullivan was used in the centre against the Aussies and Kiwis but played wing in the two games against France.In 1957 Sullivan was a member of a disappointing British squad in Australia. They started well enough by beating France 23-5 in Sydney with Mick grabbing a couple of tries. They slumped alarmingly, however, against Australia (6-31) and New Zealand (21-29) although Mick did get among the scorers against the Kiwis. In 1960 Mick played in his third consecutive World Cup series. He was the only Brit to do so (Hull’s Johnny Whiteley was in all three squads but did not play any games in 1954). Again he played in all Britain’s matches, scoring against the French at Swinton and crucially in the decider against Australia at Odsal. Apparently Sullivan had no recollection of his 30 yard dash to score ten minutes before the interval. He was concussed for most of the game! His second World Cup winners’ medal was certainly hard earned. Within 48 hours he had sufficiently recovered to score one of Britain’s tries in a 33-27 win over the Rest of the World on the same ground. Back to Golden Lions |
|
