13 12 3 13 Referees Billy Thompson Date 25 June 1977 | 10 3 Location Sydney, Australia Attendance 24,457 Stadium Sydney Cricket Ground | |
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Champion Australia national rugby league team People also search for 1968 Rugby League World Cup Final | ||
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.
Contents
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 Britain on 25 June.
Australia
Scores and results list Australia's points tally first.Australia were undefeated going into the final.
Great Britain
Scores and results list Great Britain's points tally first.Match details
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.