When the Kangaroos Finished THIRD! The Story of the FIRST EVER Rugby League World Cup!
Super League 360Show Notes
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Imagine if you can it's October 1954... 72 years ago.
In the UK, bomb sites from WW2 still scar many cities. Food rationing has only just ended and most families don't own a television. Winston Churchill is approaching 80 and serving his second term as Prime Minister.
On the other side of the world, Australia and New Zealand are embracing a new era of post-war optimism. They’ve both enjoyed a royal visit. Families are dreaming of a brick home, a car in the driveway and a brighter future.
Sydney was rugby league mad, in Brisbane it was growing fast. But in France, like so many of its towns and cities, the sport only just about survived after the war. Less than a decade earlier, it had been outlawed. Rugby league was almost wiped from existence.
But, it refused to die.
In October 1954, Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand are heading to France and it’s not for a Test series.
For the very first time, rugby league will crown a World Champion.
Two of the game's finest historians, are taking you back to relive the story of the first Rugby League World Cup in 1954.
The Rugby League History Podcast is a weekly or bi-weekly pod about exactly what it says in the title!
Andrew Ferguson is a much-published author / writer on the subject of rugby league history, is co-owner of the amazing Rugby League Project and co-host of the Fergo and the Freak podcast.
Professor Tony Collins is the DOYEN of rugby league history. He’s a professor of history, fourth generation Hull KR supporter, and the author of 'Rugby’s Great Split', 'Rugby League: A People’s History', and last year’s ‘Roy Francis: Rugby’s Forgotten Black Leader’.
Host Lee Addison is a former coach at NRL clubs, World Cups and Elite High Schools. He is the owner of Rugby League Coach.
Please email Lee with questions or suggestions for the podcast on [email protected]
You can also message and follow us @rugbyleaguehistorypod on Facebook, Instagram and X. @rugbyleaguehistorypod
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More from Super League 360
When we talk about Rugby League World Cups, it’s easy to think about the modern tournament — decent crowds, professional athletes, modern stadiums and between 10 and 16 nations from all around the world competing on the biggest stage.
England got well and truly battered in Perth Their World Cup hopes crashing down to earth The Kiwis and Aussies put on a show England against those ? We fear how it would go Samoa and Tonga in no mood for messin’ France too were taught a really tough lesson
Between 1957 and 1970, rugby league didn't just change on the field. It changed as a product, as entertainment, and as an international sport. And a lot of the rugby league we recognise today starts taking shape right here.
What on earth can we have a poem about this week? There haven’t been any rugby league games of which to speak So instead of having our favourite sport to see, All we’ve heard of is gradings from IMG! The differences on their points ladder are sometimes very narrow Just ask London Broncos, who are one place below Barrow!
A year ago, Hull KR were all the rage But this year it was Wakefield who took centre stage Their team and coach will go down as club greats And I bet they partied like it’s 1968 Poor Sam Burgess and Wire - wasn’t their time to thrive And they couldn’t bury the ghosts of 1955