Who, in 1954, were the first winners of Rugby League's World Cup?
1954 Rugby League World Cup 1954 Rugby League World Cup The 1954 Rugby League World Cup was rugby league football's first World Cup and was held in France in October-November 1954. Officially known as the "Rugby World Cup", four nations competed in the tournament: Australia, France, Great Britain and New Zealand. A group stage was held first, with Great Britain topping the table as a result of points difference. They went on to defeat France (who finished second in the table, level on points) in the final, which was held at Paris' Parc des Princes before approximately 31,000 spectators. The prime instigators behind the idea
1954 Rugby League World Cup more confusing when the British were forced, through injuries and players making themselves unavailable, to select a raw and largely untried squad which was given little credibility by the cynics. The captains for this historic event were Puig-Aubert (France), Cyril Eastlake (New Zealand), Clive Churchill (Australia) and Dave Valentine (Britain). The referees were Warrington's Charlie Appleton and Rene Guidicelli (Perpignan). The games were played at various venues in France with the Final played at the Parc des Princes in Paris. 1954 Rugby League World Cup The 1954 Rugby League World Cup was rugby league football's first World Cup and was