1968 Rugby League World Cup Final

1968 (1968) Rugby League World Cup Final  ()
Australia France (ARL) (FFR XIII) 20 2
1 2 Total AUS 7 13 20 FRA 0 2 2
Date	10 June 1968
Stadium	Sydney Cricket Ground
Location	Sydney, Australia
Referee	John Percival
Attendance	54,290
< 1954 Rugby League World Cup Final 1970 >

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 none two days prior.^[1] 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.^[2]

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.

Sydney Cricket Ground, the venue of the 1968 Rugby League World Cup final

Australia

Scores and results list Australia's points tally first.

Opposing Team	For	Against	Date	Venue	Attendance	Stage
Great Britain	25	10	25 May	Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney	62,256	Group Stage
New Zealand	31	12	1 June	Lang Park, Brisbane	23,608	Group Stage
France	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
New Zealand	15	10	25 May	Carlaw Park, Auckland	18,000	Group Stage
Great Britain	7	2	2 June	Carlaw Park, Auckland	15,760	Group Stage
Australia	4	37	8 June	Lang Park, Brisbane	32,664	Group Stage

France had a 2-1 record going into the Final

Match details

10 June 1968

Australia	20 – 2	France
Try: Lionel Williamson (2) Ron Coote Johnny Greaves Goals: Eric Simms (4)	[3]	Try: Goals: Jean Capdouze (1)

Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney Attendance: 54,290 Referee/s: John Percival

The undefeated Australians went into the tournament decider as favourites.^[4] However France offered stern resistance and held the Australians to 0–7 at half-time and with quarter of an hour were only 0–12 down before losing 2–20. It was Australia's second World Cup title.

References