1977 Rugby League World Cup Final

1977 Rugby League World Cup Final
Australia Great Britain (ARL) (RFL) 13 12
1 2 Total AUS 10 3 13 GBR 7 5 12
Date	25 June 1977
Stadium	Sydney Cricket Ground
Location	Sydney, Australia
Referee	Billy Thompson
Attendance	24,457
Broadcast partner
Broadcaster	BBC
Commentator	Eddie Waring
< 1972 Rugby League World Cup Final 1988 >

The 1977 Rugby League World Cup Final was the conclusive game of the 1977 Rugby League World Cup tournament and was played between Australia and Great Britain on 25 June, 1977 at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Australia.

Background

The 1977 Rugby League World Cup was the eighth staging of the Rugby League World Cup since its inauguration in 1954, and the first since the 1972 tournament. The tournament was held in the Australia and New Zealand from 29 May, culminating in the final between Australia and Great Brtiain on 25 June.

Sydney Cricket Ground, the venue of the 1977 Rugby League World Cup final

Australia

Scores and results list Australia's points tally first.

Opposing Team	For	Against	Date	Venue	Attendance	Stage
New Zealand	22	2	29 May	Carlaw Park, Auckland	18,000	Group Stage
France	21	9	11 June	Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney	13,231	Group Stage
Great Britain	19	5	18 June	Lang Park, Brisbane	27,000	Group Stage

Australia were undefeated going into the final.

Great Britain

Scores and results list Great Britain's points tally first.

Opposing Team	For	Against	Date	Venue	Attendance	Stage
France	23	4	5 June	Carlaw Park, Auckland	10,000	Group Stage
New Zealand	30	12	12 June	Addington Showground, Christchurch	9,000	Group Stage
Australia	5	19	18 June	Lang Park, Brisbane	27,000	Group Stage

Match details

25 June 1977

Australia	13 – 12	Great Britain
Tries: Allan McMahon Russel Gartner John Kolc Goals: Michael Cronin (2/4)	[1]	Tries: Steve Pitchford Ken Gill Goals: George Fairbairn (3/4)

Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney Attendance: 24,457 Referee/s: Billy Thompson

Australia	Position	Great Britain
Graham Eadie	FB	George Fairbairn
Allan McMahon	WG	Stuart Wright
Michael Cronin	CE	John Holmes
Russel Gartner	CE	Les Dyl
Mark Harris	WG	Bill Francis
John Peard	FE	Roger Millward (c)
John Kolc	HB	Steve Nash
Greg Veivers	PR	Jimmy Thompson
Nick Geiger	HK	Keith Elwell
Terry Randall	PR	Steve Pitchford
Arthur Beetson (c)	SR	Len Casey
Ray Higgs	SR	Eddie Bowman
Greg Pierce	LF	Phil Hogan
Denis Fitzgerald	Reserve	Ken Gill
	Reserve	Peter Smith
Terry Fearnley	Coach	David Watkins

After their 19–5 win over Great Britain a week earlier at Lang Park in Brisbane (which actually drew 2,543 more fans than the Final), the Australians went into the Final as warm favourites. However, led by experienced captain Roger Millward, the Lions managed to dominate possession throughout the game, and it took a last minute try from Australian halfback John Kolc to secure the Cup in front of 24,457 spectators at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The match was highlighted by a 60 metre try to Australian centre Russel Gartner who pounced on a dropped ball from Lions fullback George Fairbairn after a Great Britain scrum win to race away and score. Only converging defence from Gartner's opposite number Les Dyl kept him from scoring closer to the posts, giving Michael Cronin a difficult conversion which he missed and the Australian's led 8-5 going into half time.

The gritty and determined Lions were considered unlucky not to win when they were denied a near certain try late in the game by English referee Billy Thompson, who called play back for a penalty rather than play advantage. Fairbairn had the chance to give Great Britain the lead with a penalty goal, though his kick fell short and Graham Eadie took full advantage to run the ball back outside the Australian quarter line.^[2]

References

1. Report
2. 1977 World Cup Final highlights