World Cup - 1972    Previous    Next

Details from "The Vault"

The sixth Rugby League World Cup was held in France in 1972. Australia started as the favourites to retain the trophy they had won just two years previously.

The final was held at Stade Gerland in Lyon. The French public seemed uninterested in a final that did not involve the home team, as only 4,500 spectators turned up. For the first time in the competition’s history the scores were level at full time. An additional twenty minutes extra time was played, but no further score resulted, and Great Britain were awarded the cup by virtue of a better position in the table.

Great Britain. Manager: W Spaven. Coach: Jim Challinor. Squad: John Atkinson (Leeds), Paul Charlton (Salford), Terry Clawson (Leeds), Colin Dixon (Salford), Chris Hesketh (Salford), John Holmes (Leeds), Bob Irving (Oldham), David Jeanes (Leeds), Tony Karalius (St Helens), Brian Lockwood (Castleford), Phil Lowe (Hull Kingston Rovers), Steve Nash (Featherstone Rovers), George Nicholls (Widnes), Dennis O'Neill (Widnes), David Redfearn (Bradford Northern), Mick Stephenson (Dewsbury), Clive Sullivan (Hull), David Topliss (Wakefield Trinity), John Walsh (St Helens).

World Cup Final, Saturday 11th November 1972.   Back to top

Great Britain 10

(Clive Sullivan, Mick Stephenson tries; Terry Clawson 2 goals)

Australia 10

(John O'Neill, Arthur Beetson tries; Ray Branighan 2 goals)

Stade de Gerland Lyons. Crowd: 4,231.

Referee: Georges Jameau (France.

Great Britain: Paul Charlton; Clive Sullivan (c), Chris Hesketh, John Walsh, John Atkinson; John Holmes, Steve Nash; Terry Clawson, Mick Stephenson, David Jeanes, Phil Lowe, Brian Lockwood, George Nicholls; Bob Irving.

Australia: Graeme Langlands (c); John Grant, Mark Harris, Geoff Starling, Ray Branighan; Bob Fulton, Dennis Ward; John O'Neill, Elwyn Walters, Bob O'Reilly, Arthur Beetson, Gary Stevens, Gary Sullivan.