Beschrijving
Introduced by Ellis Rugby, Vintage France Rugby League Shirt is a a quality shirt. In late December 1933, England Rugby League and Australia Rugby League met in Paris in front of 5,000 fans. The Kangaroos won easily 63-13 in front of a crowd of about 5,000.
In April 1934, Jean Galia a France Rugby Union player and Boxer, disgruntled that France suspended from the Five Nations Rugby Union Championship. Also, he established “LigueFrancaise de Rugby à XIII”. Later that same year he led France nicknamed ‘Les Chanticleers’ on a six-game tour to England. That included the team’s first victory over Hull Kingston Rovers.
By 1939, the French Rugby League had grown rapidly and boasted over 225 clubs. More so, the national side had adapted well to the 13 a-side game and were worthy European Champions in the 1938-39 season.
During the Second World War, administrators in the Vichy Government banned Rugby League. The game had a ban due to its link to the UK and the game suffered badly in France as a result. Rugby Union received the total assets of the Rugby League and its clubs.
After the war had finished Rugby League re-established and France once again became a major power in the game.
About Matches
By 1951 France had assembled a talented squad and embarked on their first-ever tour of Australasia. The team had a legendary chain-smoking fullback captain Puig Aubert. Moreover, the team drew huge crowds and the Australian fans loved the flamboyant, unorthodox attacking style of the French. There was such demand to see the first Test in Sydney. The administrators from the NSWRL made the game an “all ticket” international – the first of its kind. In a pulsating game, France won the First Test by 26 points to 15. In addition, with Vincent Cantoni collected two tries and Puig Aubert kicking a total of seven goals. Raymond Contrastin and Gabriel Genoud were the other try-scorers.
For the second test in Brisbane, Queensland France made only one change to the team. Charles Galaup replaced by Jacques Merquey. The Kangaroos team included six Queenslanders and they were too strong for a weary-looking French team – winning 23–11.
Other Matches and Board
On the 31st of July, the third Test was held at Sydney Cricket Ground before a crowd of 67,009. Excitement grew around Sydney and people began to queue up in bitterly cold winds the night before the match. The Kangaroos were slight favourites to win the match. But France on this day was magnificent with led by skipper Puig Aubert who kicked 7 goals. Joseph Crespo scored three tries as the tourists overpowered Australia to claim the Test series.
The French had been campaigning for the Rugby League World Cup since 1935. The charismatic President of the French Rugby League Paul Barrière raised the issue in 1951. In 1952, he managed to get the support of Bill Fallowfield the Rugby Football League secretary. The International Board accepted the proposal and chosen France as a host nation. Great Britain, the USA, Australia and New Zealand received an invitation to take part. However, the invite had withdrawn for the USA as it was felt they wouldn’t be competitive. Great Britain defeated France 16-12 at the Parc des Princes in Paris on 13 November to claim the title of the 1954 Rugby League World Cup Champions.
About Tours
On the 1955 tour to Australasia France repeated the success of their 1951 tour, with even bigger crowds watch the team play. With no Puig Aubert due to injury, France played superbly throughout. They lost the First Test 20-8. But regrouped to win the second test in Brisbane in front of 45,000 fans by 29-28. The third test at the Sydney Cricket Ground became a really tight game. However, France managed to hold-out by 8-5 to once again win the series. The 1951 and 1955 France Rugby League teams toured Australia are still regarded as two of the best teams. The teams that ever toured Australia.
Inspired by the former great French Rugby League teams of 1951 and 1955. These French Rugby League tourists inspired by the captain from 1951 Puig Aubert who was welcomed home by a street parade in Marseille by more than 150,000 people.
With every sale, Rugby League Cares receives a donation. The donation helps players transition out of the sport and supports players past and present who are enduring poor health or hardship.
Manufacturing
Manufactured from satin touch 100% cotton, the Ellis Rugby Vintage France Rugby League Shirt features detailed embroidery on the crest. Other features include herringbone finish on the vents and velvet tape on the neck opening. As well as our Vintage France Rugby League Shirt, we also offer a Vintage France Rugby League Polo and Vintage France Rugby League T-Shirt.
