Host countries Australia
New Zealand Matches played 7 Top scorer George Fairbairn Points scored 235 | Winner Australia (5th title) Start date 1977 Number of teams 4 Attendance 109,688 | |
Top try scorers Allan McMahon (4)
Graham Eadie (4) Champion Australia national rugby league team Similar 1975 Rugby League, 1954 Rugby League, 1995 Rugby League, 2000 Rugby League, 2008 Rugby League | ||
The 1977 Rugby League World Cup was the eighth Rugby League World Cup tournament and was held in Australasia, with games played during May and June in both Australia and New Zealand. It featured four teams: Great Britain and France in addition to the two host nations. All teams played each other once, resulting in a top two of Great Britain and Australia who played in the tournament final at the Sydney Cricket Ground with the home team winning by one point.
The tournament as held during the 1977 NSWRFL season and 1977 New Zealand rugby league season. That the final would be between Great Britain and Australia soon became obvious, with France and New Zealand both performing poorly.
Final
After their 19–5 win over Great Britain a week earlier at Lang Park in Brisbane, the Australian 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 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.