Rugby League World Cup : 1977

The World Cup went back the same formula of the first six, four teams playing each other once. The final then followed. This was the last time this format was used. Wales had enjoyed a WC but was again included in a Great Britain team.

It started in Auckland with 18,000 turning up to see Australia defeat New Zealand 27-12. Then GB accounted for France 23-4 at the same venue with 10,000 this time to view proceedings. Already the top sides had identified themselves.

Across the Tasman Sea to Sydney for Australia hosting France with a poor 13,000 turning up to watch. Australia duly won 21-9. Meanwhile the Kiwis took on GB in Christchurch with an attendance of 9,000. GB won comfortably 30-12.

The final round pitted the top two in Brisbane. The best crowd of the tournament (27,000) witnessed the local side win 19-5, which was a dress rehearsal for the final in a weeks time. The wooden spoon match up at Auckland saw NZ defeat france 28-20 before 8,000 fans.

The final was played at Sydney and a very ordinary crowd of under 25,000 were treated to a close match. Australia sneaked home 13-13, GB ruing a late penalty miss. Australia had now won five of the eight WCs held, with GB taking the other three.

The next in the series (1985-88) is found by clicking here.
The first in the series (1954) can be seen by clicking here.

1977 HOSTS AUST / NZL WINNER : AUSTRALIA
												AUS	6	+41	FINAL
AUS	27	GBR	23	AUS	21	GBR	30	AUS	19	NZL	28	GBR	4	+23	AUS	13
NZL	12	FRA	4	FRA	9	NZL	12	GBR	5	FRA	20	NZL	2	-25	GBR	12
												FRA	0	-39