1954 Rugby League World Cup group stage was the main component of the 1954 Rugby League World Cup, with the top two nations qualifying for the final. The group comprised Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain and France.
Ladder
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Great Britain
|
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 67 | 32 | +35 | 5 | Advance to the Final |
| 2 |  France
|
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 50 | 31 | +19 | 5 | |
| 3 |  Australia
|
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 52 | 58 | −6 | 2 | |
| 4 |  New Zealand
|
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 34 | 82 | −48 | 0 |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) point difference; 3) number of points scored
France vs New Zealand
France's niggling tactics in their win against New Zealand in the tournament's opening match drew criticism from the media and the Kiwis coach, Jim Amos. New Zealand winger Jimmy Edwards had the distinction of being the first scorer in World Cup history with a try after only five minutes. Puig-Aubert landed the first goal.
| 30 October |
France 
|
22–13 | New Zealand
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Jean Audoubert Raymond Contrastin Joseph Crespo Guy Delaye Goals: Puig Aubert (4) Drop goals: Puig Aubert |
Report |
Tries: Cyril Eastlake Jimmy Edwards Ron McKay Goals: John Bond (2) |
| Parc des Princes, Paris Attendance: 13,240 Referee: Charles Appleton (England) |
France
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New Zealand
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Australia vs Great Britain
The British team proved too strong for Australia in both sides' first World Cup game.
| 31 October |
| Australia
|
13–28 | Great Britain
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Harry Wells (2) Ken Kearney Goals: Noel Pidding (2) |
Report |
Tries: Gordon Brown (2) Phil Jackson (2) Frank Kitchen David Rose Goals: Jimmy Ledgard (5) |
| Stade de Gerland, Lyon Attendance: 10,250 Referee: René Guidicelli (France) |
Australia
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Great Britain
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Australia vs New Zealand
Australia's victory in this match put them in third position on the ladder and New Zealand last.
| 7 November |
| Australia
|
34–15 | New Zealand
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Alex Watson (3) Roy Bull Peter Diversi Greg Hawick Ken Kearney Kel O'Shea Goals: Noel Pidding (5) |
Report |
Tries: Lenny Eriksen Goals: Ron McKay (6) |
| Stade Vélodrome, Marseille Attendance: 20,000 Referee: René Guidicelli (France) |
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Australia
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New Zealand
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France vs Great Britain
The game gripped the attention of the rugby league public as never before with a record crowd of 37,471 attending at Toulouse. That record crowd has still not been beaten in France. The draw resulted in Great Britain and France sharing the lead in the tournament.
| 7 November |
| France
|
13–13 | Great Britain
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Raymond Contrastin (2) Joseph Krawzyck Goals: Puig Aubert (2) |
Report |
Tries: Gordon Brown Gerry Helme David Rose Goals: Jimmy Ledgard (2) |
| Stadium Municipal, Toulouse Attendance: 37,471 Referee: Charles Appleton (England) |
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France
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Great Britain
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France vs Australia
Australia and France were playing for the chance to meet Great Britain in the final. Mistakes cost the Australians the match, so France advanced to the decider.
| 11 November |
| France
|
15–5 | Australia
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Vincent Cantoni Raymond Contrastin Jacques Merquey Goals: Puig Aubert (3) |
Report |
Tries: Kel O'Shea Goals: Noel Pidding |
| Stade Marcel Saupin, Nantes Attendance: 13,000 Referee: Charles Appleton (England) |
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France
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Australia
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Great Britain vs New Zealand
| 11 November |
| Great Britain
|
26–6 | New Zealand
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Frank Kitchen (2) Gordon Brown Phil Jackson Jimmy Ledgard David Rose Goals: Jimmy Ledgard (4) |
Report |
Goals: Ron McKay (3) |
| Stade Chaban Delmas, Bordeaux Attendance: 14,000 Referee: René Guidicelli (France) |
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Great Britain
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New Zealand
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References
- AAP (1 November 1954). "Coach Critical". The Sydney Morning Herald. (p. 11). Retrieved 6 October 2009.
- AAP (1 November 1954). "Australians down 28–13 in World Cup". The Sydney Morning Herald. (p. 11). Retrieved 25 December 2009.
- AAP (9 November 1954). "Kangaroos need win". The Sydney Morning Herald. Australia. p. 5. Retrieved 25 December 2009.
- "FRANCE AND BRITAIN TIE; Share Rugby Cup Lead After 13–13 Draw in Toulouse". The New York Times. 8 November 1954. p. 27. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
- "Australia beaten in World Cup series". The Canberra Times. 13 November 1954. p. 4. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
| Men's Rugby League World Cup | |||||||||||
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| 1954 Rugby League World Cup | |
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| General | |
| Stages | |