1975 Rugby League World Cup
The 1975 Rugby League World Championship (also referred to as the World Series) was the seventh tournament for the Rugby League World Cup. The format differed from that employed in previous competitions; no single country hosted the matches, which were spread out in a 'world series' hosted by each of the five participating nations over a period of just over eight months. Each team had to play the others on a 'home and away' basis. Great Britain were split up into separate England and Wales teams, taking advantage of a glut of Welsh talent in  the British game at the time. No final was held, with Australia being deemed the champions by virtue of finishing on top of the table with England coming in second. Venues. 14 venues across the five competing countries hosted games of the 1975 Rugby League World Cup. Wales used their own home venue at Swansea, but also played home games in England in both Salford and Warrington. England also played a 'home' game against Wales at Lang Park in Brisbane, Australia. Results. In this match Mick Cronin kicked nine goals. England winger Keith Fielding created a new record by scoring  four tries against a hapless French team at Bordeaux. Kangaroo wing prodigy Ian Schubert also scored a hat-trick tries. English stand-off Ken Gill ran in three tries. In this match Jim Mills, the Wales prop, was banned for the rest of the season after an altercation. The ban was eventually lifted on 2 January 1976. Final challenge match. As Australia had not beaten England to win the cup, a final challenge was hastily arranged. The Kangaroos showed they were worthy World Champions with a comprehensive 25–0 win at Headingley in front of a disappointing crowd of 7,680 which  was over 11,000 less than had attended the 1970 World Cup Final between Great Britain and Australia at the same venue.