Episode 22 – The History of the Rugby League World Cup

Posted on by That's the Way It Was

PARIS  – FRANCE  – April 1931.

In an office at 24 Drouot Street in the Montmarte district a group of men have gathered and are involved in passionate conversation.

Its been an unusually  warm spring in France and Parisian’s are out in the cafes and bars listening to the songs of Lucienne Boyer, whilst discussing the politics of Pierre Laval and the fashions of Coco Chanel.

But the men who have gathered at 24 Drouot Street , amongst them Jean Galia and Victor Breyer, are not here to discuss music, politics or fashion. They’re here to discuss a dream they have.

91 years later, the dream they spoke of that night – a Rugby League World Cup – is about to stage its 16th edition.

In 2017, the World Cup trophy was named after Paul Barriere
The first World Cup match was played on October 30th 1954 – France V New Zealand.
Tas Baitieri played for Penrith, Canterbury and Paris-Chatillion. He is widely credited with drastically increasing international participation.
2000 Emerging Nations World Cup Final – BARLA vs Italy
Many say that it was the best World Cup game ever played. 2013 World Cup semi-final – England V New Zealand.

Acknowledgements;
-Tony Collins is the author of a number of books, his latest book is ‘ Rugby League – A People’s History’. He is also the host of Rugby Reloaded ( www.rugbyreloaded.com )
-Sydney Morning Herald
-Rugby League Project
-‘The Rugby League Song’ – Danny McMaster ( 1981).