| Year: | 1968 |
| Rugby League World Cup final | |
| Home: | Australia |
| Away: | France |
| Home League: | ARL |
| Away League: | FFR XIII |
| Home Abbr: | AUS |
| Away Abbr: | FRA |
| Home Half1: | 7 |
| Home Half2: | 12 |
| Home Total: | 20 |
| Away Half1: | 0 |
| Away Half2: | 2 |
| Away Total: | 2 |
| Date: | 10 June 1968 |
| Stadium: | Sydney Cricket Ground |
| Location: | Sydney, Australia |
| Mom Title: | Man of the Match |
| Mom: | John Wittenberg (Australia) |
| Referee: | John Percival (New Zealand) |
| Attendance: | 54,290 |
| Tournaments: | Rugby League World Cup final |
| Last: | 1954 |
| Next: | 1970 |
The 1968 Rugby League World Cup final was the conclusive game of the 1968 Rugby League World Cup tournament and was played between Australia and France on 10 June 1968 at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Australia.
The final had been billed a 'debacle' following Great Britain's inexplicable loss to France in Auckland, leaving them to contest the final despite being beaten by Australia seven tries to nil two days prior.[1] Nonetheless, it attracted a then record crowd of 54,290 for a World Cup final, though it wasn't the record World Cup attendance as the second match of the tournament between Australia and Great Britain (won 25-10 by Australia) had drawn 62,256 to the SCG, a record that would not fall until 73,631 attended the 1992 World Cup final at Wembley Stadium.
See main article: article and 1968 Rugby League World Cup.
The 1968 Rugby League World Cup was the fourth staging of the Rugby League World Cup since its inauguration in 1954, and the first since the 1960 tournament. The tournament was held in the Australia and New Zealand from 25 May, culminating in the final between Australia and France on 10 June.
Scores and results list Australia's points tally first.
| Opposing Team | For | Against | Date | Venue | Attendance | Stage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 10 | 25 May | 62,256 | Group Stage | |||
| 31 | 12 | 1 June | 23,608 | Group Stage | |||
| 37 | 4 | 8 June | 32,664 | Group Stage |
Australia were undefeated going into the final.
Scores and results list France's points tally first.
| Opposing Team | For | Against | Date | Venue | Attendance | Stage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | 10 | 25 May | 18,000 | Group Stage | |||
| 7 | 2 | 2 June | 15,760 | Group Stage | |||
| 4 | 37 | 8 June | 32,664 | Group Stage |
France had a 2–1 record going into the Final
Although it had been anticipated before the tournament that it would be an Australia vs Great Britain WCF, the French surprised by making the Final after defeating both New Zealand and Great Britain in the preliminary games. The match attracted a World Cup final record crowd of 54,290.
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The undefeated Australians went into the tournament decider as favourites.[2] However, France offered stern resistance and held the Australians to only a 7–0 lead at half-time, and with quarter of an hour left were only 12–0 down before losing 20–2. It was Australia's second World Cup title.[3]