| 1972 (1972) Rugby League World Cup final | |||||||||||||
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| Date | 11 November 1972 | ||||||||||||
| Stadium | Stade de Gerland | ||||||||||||
| Location | Lyon, France | ||||||||||||
| Referee | Georges Jameau (France) | ||||||||||||
| Attendance | 4,231 | ||||||||||||
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The1972 Rugby League World Cup final was the conclusive game of the1972 Rugby League World Cup tournament and was played betweenGreat Britain andAustralia on 11 November 1972 at theStade de Gerland ground inLyon, France. The final was played before 4,231 fans who witnessed what is (as of 2020) the last British team to win the Rugby League World Cup.[1]
The 1972 Rugby League World Cup was the sixth staging of theRugby League World Cup since itsinauguration in 1954, and the first since the1970 tournament. The tournament was held in theFrance from 28 October, culminating in the final between Great Britain and Australia on 11 November.
| Opposing Team | For | Against | Date | Venue | Attendance | Stage |
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 Australia | 27 | 21 | 29 October | Stade Gilbert Brutus,Perpignan | 6,300 | Group Stage |
 France | 13 | 4 | 1 November | Stade Lesdiguières,Grenoble | 13,231 | Group Stage |
 New Zealand | 53 | 19 | 4 November | Stade du Hameau,Pau | 7,500 | Group Stage |
Great Britain were undefeated going into the final.
| Opposing Team | For | Against | Date | Venue | Attendance | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Great Britain | 21 | 27 | 29 October | Stade Gilbert Brutus,Perpignan | 6,300 | Group Stage |
| New Zealand | 9 | 5 | 1 November | Parc des Princes,Paris | 8,000 | Group Stage |
| France | 5 | 19 | 5 November | Stadium Municipal,Toulouse | 10,332 | Group Stage |
11 November 1972 |
| Great Britain | 10–10 (ET) | Australia |
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| Tries: Clive Sullivan Mike Stephenson Goals: Terry Clawson (2) | [2] | Tries: John O'Neill Arthur Beetson Goals: Ray Branighan (2) |
      Great Britain |      Australia |
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The game received a poor attendance of only 4,231 spectators with the French public seemingly uninterested in a final that did not involveFrench, as evident by the fact only games involving France drew crowds of over 10,000. In fact, the final drew the lowest attendance of the tournament.[3]
The game, however, proved a memorable one for both Great Britain and Australia; seeing Great Britain captainClive Sullivan's long distance try,[4][5] and Australia's "greatest try never scored", by fullbackGraeme Langlands.[6] The try was disallowed by French referee Georges Jameau for offside but was later proved to be onside.[7] Great Britain hookerMike Stephenson scored the 73rd-minute try that helped level the scores and secure the World Cup.[8]
Australia wingerRay Branighan missed his 79th-minute penalty,Bob Fulton failed three drop goal attempts in the last five minutes, resulting in a 10–10 scoreline at full time. Scores were again level after extra time.[9]
