Rugby League World Cup : 1968

Australia vs France. I'm not sure what's going on here
but it could be heated, such was the game back then

The first three World Cups had been held three years apart, but this was eight years after the last one. It was the first played under the four tackles rule (later increased to six). Replacements were first used at this WC as well. It was also to have a final regardless of whether a tie breaker was needed or not.

This was the first RLWC I recall. As a young lad I remember listening to the games on a radio. Great Britain was the holder but this was played in both Australia and New Zealand (first time for NZ to be involved).

First up, New Zealand hosted France at Carlaw Park, Auckland, a ground I really enjoyed watching RL. The Kiwis had a player sent off early and ended up losing 10-15 to France. Australia took on GB and came away 25-10 winners in front of 60,000 fans in Sydney. A highlight was the eight goals Australia scored as GB was hammered in the penalty count.

In the second round, Australia hosted the Kiwis in Brisbane and the visitors led for much of the game without pulling away. Then Australia stormed home 31-12 on another eight goal haul with nearly 24,000 in attendance. GB took on France on a sodden Carlaw Park and believe me it was a muddy park when it rained. The French side did better with the conditions and put in an excellent defensive effort. They won 7-2 before nearly 16,000 attendees, to pull off an upset.

The final round had Australia romp home over its already decided finals opponents France. The near 33,000 Brisbane crowd who attended saw the home team come out victors 37-4, an ominous sign for the final. Meanwhile GB took out its frustration on NZ - in an underachieving tournament for them - in Sydney in front of a poor 14,000 spectators. Surely NZ would have been a better location for the game to be played. The 38-14 result was one sided and too late in coming.

The grand final in Sydney before 54,000 people wasn't as one sided as feared. The French outfit were in the game until late, but succumbed 2-20. It was profitable for the nations that attended and now GB and Australia shared WC wins two apiece.

The next in the series (1970) can be accessed by clicking here.
The first in the series (1954) can be seen by clicking here.

1968 HOSTS : AUST / NZL -- WINNER : AUSTRALIA
1st Round				2nd Round				3rd Round				AUS	6	+67	FINAL
AUS	25	FRA	15	AUS	31	FRA	7	AUS	37	GBR	38	FRA	4	-23	AUS	20
GBR	10	NZL	10	NZL	12	GBR	2	FRA	4	NZL	14	GBR	2	+4	FRA	2
												NZL	0	-48