| 1960 World Cup | |
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| Number of teams | 4 |
| Host country | England |
| Winner | Great Britain (2nd title) |
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| Matches played | 6 |
| Attendance | 110,200 (18,367 per match) |
| Points scored | 154 (25.67 per match) |
| Top scorer | Brian Carlson (22) |
| Top try scorer | Brian Carlson (4) |
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< 1957
1968 >
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The 1960 Rugby League World Cup was the third staging of the tournament and the first Rugby league World Cup to be held in Great Britain.[1] The same format as used in 1957 was used, with a group stage leading to a final table.
The 1960 World Cup raised problems which had not really affected the previous tournaments. Live television of complete games was held responsible for lower than anticipated attendances, the largest crowd being the 32,773 which gathered at Odsal for the decider between Australia and the hosts.
For Australia the World Cup matches formed part of their Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France.[2]
Contents |
Captain: Eric Ashton, goal-kicking three quarter back for Wigan
Coach: William Fallowfield
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| 1960-09-24 |
Great Britain | 23–8 | New Zealand | Odsal Stadium, Bradford Attendance: 20,577 |
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| 1960-09-24 |
Australia | 13–12 | France | Central Park, Wigan Attendance: 20,278 |
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France went desperately close to beating Australia at Wigan, missing a penalty and four drop goal attempts in the closing minutes.
| 1960-10-01 |
Australia | 21–15 | New Zealand | Headingley, Leeds Attendance: 10,773 Referee: Eric Clay |
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Regarded as the most entertaining game of the series, Australian winger Brian Carlson scored a hat-trick of both tries and goals, but the highlight of the game was a bewildering try by Kiwi stand-off George Menzies which was so spectacular that even the referee, Eric Clay, applauded.
| 1960-10-01 |
Great Britain | 33–7 | France | Station Road, Swinton Attendance: 22,923 Referee: Edouard Martung |
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Britain's comprehensive victory over the French at Swinton was marred by the first double sending-off in World Cup annals, France's skipper Jean Barthe and Britain's second-rower Vince Karalius being despatched by Edouard Martung, a police inspector from Bordeaux.
| 8 October | France | 0–9 | New Zealand | Central Park, Wigan Attendance: 2,876 |
| Tries: Reid Goals: Eastlake (3) |
In the final round against New Zealand France's second-rower Robert Eramouspe was dismissed for reckless kicking in a game which more closely resembled a brawl.
| 8 October | Great Britain | 10–3 | Australia | Odsal Stadium, Bradford Attendance: 33,023[3] Referee/s: Edouard Martung |
| Tries: Boston, Sullivan Goals: Rhodes (2) |
Tries: Carlson |
No World Cup Final was held, but by chance the final match of the series saw Great Britain take on Australia at Odsal Stadium, Bradford. As both teams were undefeated this match became a virtual World Cup Final.
In the decider - a vicious affair in rain and mud at Odsal - the main mystery was how Monsieur Martung contrived to not send anyone off. Great Britain did play the better football between hostilities. First half tries from wingers Billy Boston - out injured in the first two games - and Mick Sullivan, and two goals from stand-in full-back Austin Rhodes effectively had the match won at 10-0. Brian Carlson scored the only Australian try ten minutes from time - much too late to prevent British captain Eric Ashton from collecting the World Cup.
| Team | Played | Won | Drew | Lost | For | Against | Difference | Points |
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| Great Britain | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 66 | 18 | +48 | 6 |
| Australia | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 37 | 37 | 0 | 4 |
| New Zealand | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 32 | 44 | −12 | 2 |
| France | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 19 | 55 | −36 | 0 |
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