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Rugby League World Cup
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Billy Slater of Australia runs with the ball as Johnathan Thurston supports on the left and Jesse Bromwich of New Zealand moves in to tackle during the Rugby League World Cup Final.
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Billy Slater of Australia runs with the ball as Johnathan Thurston supports on the left and Jesse Bromwich of New Zealand moves in to tackle during the Rugby League World Cup Final.
Australia, on the move Billy Slater (center, with ball) of Australia makes a break in a match against New Zealand in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup Final.

Rugby League World Cup

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‱History
Rugby League World Cup: 2030 edition to be in USA and Pacific Islands • Nov. 9, 2026, 3:06 AM ET (BBC)
New Zealand down spirited Tonga to reach Rugby League World Cup final • Nov. 7, 2026, 9:50 AM ET (The Guardian)
Pride and passion can drive Pacific teams into Rugby League World Cup finals - ABC Pacific • Nov. 5, 2026, 3:00 PM ET (ABC News (Australia))
The long goodbye: England taking their time to leave Rugby League World Cup • Nov. 4, 2026, 3:00 AM ET (The Guardian)

Rugby League World Cup, international rugby event that is considered to be the foremost competition in the “league” variant of the sport.

Who actually invented rugby?
Who actually invented rugby?Rugby has its origins in 19th-century England.
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The Rugby League World Cup began in 1954 in France and has been held at irregular intervals since then. Australia won six consecutive World Cups between 1975 and 2000, establishing itself as the international powerhouse in rugby league. Australia’s run of dominance ended in 2008 when the team—playing at home in Brisbane—was beaten in the World Cup final by rival New Zealand in one of the biggest upsets in rugby history. The 2000 Rugby League World Cup, held in England, featured teams from 16 countries, but the 2008 iteration returned to a 10-team format.

The Women’s Rugby League World Cup was introduced in 2000, with New Zealand winning the inaugural edition. The Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup, a mixed-gender format contested on indoor hardcourts, was first held in 2008. Results of the men’s Rugby League World Cup are provided in the table.

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Rugby League World Cup
yearresult
*Great Britain won on match points.
**Called International Championship from 1975 to 1977.
***Championships played without a grand final match; England was the runner-up.
****Held in 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
1954 Great Britain 16 France 12
1957 Australia 29 Great Britain 21
1960 Great Britain 66 Australia 37
1968 Australia 20 France 2
1970 Australia 12 Great Britain 7
1972 Great Britain 10* Australia 10
1975** Australia***
1977** Australia 13 Great Britain 12
1988 Australia 25 New Zealand 12
1992 Australia 10 Great Britain 6
1995 Australia 16 England 8
2000 Australia 40 New Zealand 12
2008 New Zealand 34 Australia 20
2013 Australia 34 New Zealand 2
2017 Australia 6 England 0
2021**** Australia 30 Samoa 10

The winners of the women’s and wheelchair divisions can be found in the tables below.

Women’s Rugby League World Cup
year result
*Held in 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2000 New Zealand 26 Great Britain 4
2003 New Zealand 58 New Zealand Māori 0
2008 New Zealand 34 Australia 0
2013 Australia 22 New Zealand 12
2017 Australia 23 New Zealand 16
2021* Australia 54 New Zealand 4
Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup
year result
*Held in 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2008 England 44 Australia 12
2013 France 42 England 40
2017 France 38 England 34
2021* England 28 France 24
2026 England 50 France 38
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Tushaar Kuthiala.
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