The sixth Rugby League World Cup was held in France in 1972. Australia started as the favourites to retain the trophy they had won just two years previously.

The final was held at Stade Gerland in Lyon. The French public seemed uninterested in final that did not involve the home team, as only 4,500 spectators turned up. For the first time in the competition’s history the scores were level at full time. An additional twenty minutes extra time was played, but no further score resulted, and Great Britain were awarded the cup by virtue of a better position in the table.

Results

• October 28: France 20 - 9 New Zealand (Marseille)
• October 29: Australia 21 - 27 Great Britain (Perpignan)
• November 1: France 4 - 13 Great Britain (Grenoble)
• November 1: Australia 9 - 5 New Zealand (Parc de Princes, Paris)
• November 4: Great Britain 53 - 19 New Zealand (Pau)
• November 5: France 9 - 31 Australia (Stade de Minimes, Toulouse)

Final standings

Team	Played	Won	Drew	Lost	For	Against	Difference	Points
Great Britain	3	3	0	0	93	43	50	6
Australia	3	2	0	1	61	41	20	2
France	3	1	0	2	33	53	-20	2
New Zealand	3	0	0	3	32	82	-50	2

Final

• November 11: Australia 10 - 10 Great Britain (Stade de Gerland, Lyon)

(Great Britain won cup on league placing, scores unchanged after extra time)

Other Rugby League World Cups

1954 - 1957 - 1960 - 1968 - 1970 - 1972 - 1975 - 1977 - 1985 to 1988 - 1989 to 1992 - 1995 - 2000 - 2008