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Australia Rugby League T-Shirt Vintage Style

£24.95

76 in stock

The Australia Rugby League T-Shirt is inspired by the former great Australian Rugby League teams. Including the 1957 Rugby League World Cup team.
Australia were not particularly enthusiastic about the first Rugby League World Cup in France in 1954. But three years later under the administration of the legendary “Jersey” Flegg a leading pioneer of the game ‘down under’ things were different.

Description

An Introduction to Australian Rugby League T-Shirt

The Australia Rugby League T-Shirt is inspired by the former great Australian Rugby League teams. Including the 1957 Rugby League World Cup team.

Australia were not particularly enthusiastic about the first Rugby League World Cup in France in 1954. But three years later under the administration of the legendary “Jersey” Flegg a leading pioneer of the game ‘down under’ things were different.

Although Flegg was confident the Kangaroos would lift the 1957 Rugby League World Cup  the players and fans were less confident. This was due to Great Britain’s performance in the Ashes Tests months earlier. When the Great Britain Rugby League Lions defeated Australia at Station Road, Swinton so comfortably by 19 points to nil to clinch the series.

Great Britain had a world-class team packed with talent. This included players of the calibre of Billy Boston, Mick Sullivan, Phil Jackson, Alan Prescott, Tommy Harris and Derek ‘Rocky’ Turner. The team faced a severe blow when their stylish Warrington Stand-off Ray Price suffered an injury. It was in the warm-up game in Perth and meant he missed all the Rugby League World Cup matches.

Australia too encountered a number of injury problems. Full back Gordon Clifford ruled out through injury along with Stand-off Bob Banks. Their replacements were Wales born Balmain star Keith Barnes and Toowoomba back Ken McCaffery.

Rugby League World Cup opener – Kangaroos easily defeat the Kiwis

Australia met New Zealand in the first game at the Gabba in Brisbane. The team met in front of a partisan crowd of 29,636. They easily beat the Kiwis by 25 points to 5. Try scorers included the outstanding second row pairing of Norm Provan and Kel O’Shea.  Wingers Brian Carlson and Ian Moir. There was also a try for Western Suburbs centre Harry Wells. Keith Barnes kicked 5 goals on his international debut. But then attempting a diving tackle on Maori Prop Henry Maxwell fractured his right cheekbone.

Great Britain overwhelmed France by 23 points to 5 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The crowd of 50,007 was the country’s largest ever to watch an international match not involving Australia.

An even bigger crowd of 57,955 assembled at the Sydney Cricket Ground to watch the two favourite teams. Great Britain’s Alan Davies ripped a thigh muscle in a tackle and was forced to leave the field. Then Billy Boston sprained ligaments on his left knee. But Australia were already in control with their big forwards Provan and O’Shea beginning to dominate. Defensively the hard tackling Brian ‘Poppa’ Clay was outstanding. He gave Britain’s Welsh ‘king pin’ Lewis Jones no room to show his silky skills.

Australia Rugby League dominate Great Britain and France

In the end the Kangaroos ran away with the game. They won by 31 points to 6. Australia’s try scorers included Ken McCaffery 2, Ian Moir, Kel O’Shea, Harry Wells and Brian Clay. Brian Davies kicked 1 goal and stand in Full Back Brian Carlson 4 goals. Carlson was originally selected as a Winger. But due to the injury sustained by Keith Barnes he was moved to the number 1 position. Following his selection to the national team for the tournament his club Blackall asked him not to play. Instead, they wanted him to play club rugby in the Queensland Country League. He refused and the club sacked him. Carlson became the top points scorer of the Rugby League World Cup. He then joined North Sydney.

France defeated New Zealand for a 14-10 victory. Now it was only France who could stop Australia’s undefeated run and winning of the Rugby League World Cup. Carlson’s great form continued. He set up the first try with a towering kick that Gilbert Benausse fumbled. This allowed Kel O’Shea to score. France tried hard, but when loose forward Francis Levy was dismissed by referee Vic Belsham, gaps appeared in their defence. Further tries were conceded through Dick Poole, Bill Marsh. And Brian Carlson finished with a try and 7 goals.

Surprisingly Great Britain lost to the Kiwis 29 points to 21.

The tournament finished with Australia defeating a ‘Rest of the World’ team by 20 points to 11. The invitation team was captained by France’s Jacques Merquey. Great Britain youngsters Eric Ashton and Johnny Whiteley gave outstanding performances.

Both France and Great Britain visited South Africa after the tournament. They played three exhibition matches in Johannesburg, Durban and East London.

Rugby League Cares and Manufacturing T-Shirts

With every sale,  Rugby League Cares receives donations that help players transition out of the sport. Also, it supports players’ past and present who are enduring poor health or hardship.

Manufactured from satin touch 100% cotton, the Ellis Rugby Vintage Australian Rugby League T-Shirt features an Australian crest in the form of a detailed applique. Also included on this garment is herringbone detail on the side vents,  tape on the neck opening and a decorative woven label.

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

As well as the Australia Rugby League T-Shirt we also offer an Australian Rugby League Shirt Polo and Australia Rugby League Shirt Vintage Kangaroo Jersey.

Additional information

Colour

Yellow

Size

Small, Medium, Large, X Large, 2X Large, 3X Large, 4X Large, 5X Large

Gender

Men

Style

T-Shirt

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