The 1968 Rugby League World Cup final was the conclusive game of the 1968 Rugby League World Cup tournament and was played between Australia and France on 10 June 1968 at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Australia.
The final had been billed a 'debacle' following Great Britain's inexplicable loss to France in Auckland, leaving them to contest the final despite being beaten by Australia seven tries to nil two days prior. Nonetheless, it attracted a then record crowd of 54,290 for a World Cup final, though it wasn't the record World Cup attendance as the second match of the tournament between Australia and Great Britain (won 25-10 by Australia) had drawn 62,256 to the SCG, a record that would not fall until 73,631 attended the 1992 World Cup final at Wembley Stadium.
Background
The 1968 Rugby League World Cup was the fourth staging of the Rugby League World Cup since its inauguration in 1954, and the first since the 1960 tournament. The tournament was held in the Australia and New Zealand from 25 May, culminating in the final between Australia and France on 10 June.
Australia
Scores and results list Australia's points tally first. Opposing Team For Against Date Venue Attendance Stage 25 10 25 May Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney 62,256 Group Stage 31 12 1 June Lang Park, Brisbane 23,608 Group Stage 37 4 8 June Lang Park, Brisbane 32,664 Group Stage
Australia were undefeated going into the final.
France
Scores and results list France's points tally first. Opposing Team For Against Date Venue Attendance Stage 15 10 25 May Carlaw Park, Auckland 18,000 Group Stage 7 2 2 June Carlaw Park, Auckland 15,760 Group Stage 4 37 8 June Lang Park, Brisbane 32,664 Group Stage
France had a 2–1 record going into the Final
Match details Although it had been anticipated before the tournament that it would be an Australia vs Great Britain WCF, the French surprised by making the Final after defeating both New Zealand and Great Britain in the preliminary games. The match attracted a World Cup final record crowd of 54,290.
FB 1 Eric SimmsLW 2 Johnny RhodesRC 3 Graeme LanglandsLC 4 Johnny GreavesRW 5 Lionel WilliamsonFE 6 Bob FultonHB 7 Billy SmithLK 8 Johnny Raper (c)SR 9 Ron CooteSR 10 Dick ThornettPR 11 Arthur BeetsonHK 12 Fred JonesPR 13 John WittenbergSubstitutions:IC 15 Elton RasmussenCoach: Harry Bath FB 1 Jean-Claude CrosRW 2 Daniel PellerinRC 3 Jacques GruppiLC 4 Jean-Pierre LecompteLW 19 Jean-René LedruFE 6 Jean CapdouzeHB 7 Roger GarriguePR 8 Christian SabatiéHK 9 Yves BégouPR 10 George Ailleres (c)SR 11 Francis de NadaiSR 12 Henri MarracqLF 13 Jean-Pierre ClarSubstitutions:IC 16 Jacques GruppiCoach: Jep Lacoste
The undefeated Australians went into the tournament decider as favourites. However, France offered stern resistance and held the Australians to only a 7–0 lead at half-time, and with quarter of an hour left were only 12–0 down before losing 20–2. It was Australia's second World Cup title.1968 Rugby League World Cup final highlights
References
See also Rugby League World Cup Australia national rugby league team France national rugby league team List of rugby league test matches at the Sydney Cricket Ground