1972 Rugby League T-Shirt World Cup Vintage Navy

Description

An Introduction to 1972 Rugby League T-Shirt

Australia entered the 1972 Rugby League T-Shirt World Cup as defending champions. They won the trophy two years earlier in the infamous battle of Headingley.  The Kangaroos were strong favourites to win the tournament again. In contrast, Great Britain’s 1970 Ashes winning team had disbanded. And in its place they had assembled a young, talented squad, but they lacked experience playing at international level.

The new Great Britain team had been disappointing twelve months earlier, against the New Zealand Rugby League team. The kiwis comfortably won the test series on British soil. The first time this had happened since 1908.

Leeds winger John Atkinson was the only survivor from the 1970 Ashes winning team. Roger Millward would have also been a key player and likely Captain for Great Britain, but the team were robbed of his skills through injury. This meant the the captaincy went to Clive Sullivan and the Stand-Off position would be decided between Dave Topliss or Dennis O’Neill. However a young Leeds protege called John Holmes would force his way in to the team and become one of Great Britain’s key players.

The 1972 Rugby League World Cup kicked off on the 28th October at the impressive StadeVélodrome in Marseille. France defeated New Zealand 20 points to 9. Both teams scored three tries each. For France AS Carcassonne’s flying winger Jean-Marie Bonal scored a brace of tries and his club and Centre partner Andre Ruiz scored the other try. For New Zealand Phillip Orchard also scored two tries and Mocky Brereton a try, but crucially they failed to kick any conversions. In contrast the French place kickers – Bernard Guilhelm and Jean-Marie Bonal kicked four between them. And to complete the scoring the energetic Avignon Scrum Half Marius Frattini added a drop goal.

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Both the ‘Kiwis’ and the ‘Les Chanticleers’ were disappointing in their first outing. The following day at the Stade Gilbert Brutus in Perpignan the mighty Australia Rugby League team played Great Britain which became the defining game of the whole tournament. The Aussies were super confident, particularly upfront, however, it was the British Forward Pack that won the battle. Props Terry Clawson and David Jeanes provided the foundation. They were cleverly marshalled by hooker Mike Stephenson. And the mighty back three with Phil Lowe, Brian Lockwood and George Nicholls were outstanding.

The game won by Great Britain was a thrilling occasion. It included nine tries in the 27-21 Great Britain victory. For Britain, John Atkinson, Phil Lowe, Dennis O’Neill, Mike Stephenson and skipper Clive Sullivan scored tries. Australian superstar Bob Fulton scored a hat-trick of tries along with a single try from the rugged scrum half Tom Raudonikis.

Rugby League Cares

With every sale, Rugby League Cares receives donations as a charity that helps players transition out of the sport. And supports players’ past and present who are enduring poor health or hardship.

Manufactured from 100% cotton, the Ellis Rugby 1972 Rugby League World Cup Navy T-Shirt features a red ‘1972’ in ‘puff print’ technique and Ecru classic print celebrating the history of the 1972 tournament held in France. Also included on this garment is a decorative woven label.

This T-Shirt is available in sizes S – 5XL.

As well as the 1972 Rugby League World Cup Navy T-Shirt, we also offer this style in White and our 1954 Rugby League T-Shirts in Navy or Olive.