1951 Rugby League test 1 - Australia v France

[@josianeperier2190]

Merci Steve pour ton analyse un français fan de Villeneuve sur lot 13 " leopards"

[@stevecoleman2250]

French rugby league has virtually been driven into the ground by the French Rugby Union establishment. The Vichy Government in WW2 tried to ban it. This video shows how good the French Rugby League teams were in the 1950s and 60s. And how good to again hear commentary from Frank Hyde, who up until the early 1980s was the voice of rugby league in Sydney. And the 1950s Australian spectators were respectful of the French, they didn’t care who won, they just wanted to watch a good game of rugby league.

[@NoName-hg6cc]

50s and 60s were AFTER Vichy thought

[@glenchapman3899]

@@NoName-hg6cc But the Vichy trying to ban it led to a major resurgence in the game after the war because no one wanted to do anything associated with the Vichy.

[@NoName-hg6cc]

@@glenchapman3899 Yes, League resorted after the war. Then what happened?

[@marcomaddox]

Rugby13 was starved of players as the Rugby Union paid them more. This has lead to virtually no interest in France.

[@NoName-hg6cc]

​@@marcomaddox Rugby union didn't pay until the 80s and 90s And if that's was how it was league had to accept it: they poached players by luring them with pay...

[@danielviles38]

Thanks for uploading the footage. If anything, rugby league looked more fun back then.

[@rewster7]

fantastic upload. I hope France will once again be a force.

[@peterhunter2298]

Thanks for the upload. Pity we don't get to see much of the speed of "Blistering" Johnny Bliss. And from what we see its amazing really that he got dropped for the second test for what was called 'timid tackling'. He saved a couple of tries with his tackling.

[@garyquelch888]

What great times to have witnessed a great culture to have had

[@jarlscot]

France championne du monde (officieuse) en 1951; Puig-Aubert, Ponsinet, Brousse, Mazon, Cantoni parmi les meilleurs (les meilleurs?) Joueurs mondiaux à l'époque; une autre grande équipe française de rugby league, en 1968 (finaliste de la coupe du monde). À quand la France de nouveau parmi les meilleures nations mondiales?

[@MrAviron]

France won the series in 1951 with possibly their greatest ever side. Puis Aubert, the fullback who is mentioned here several times, was a great player and a great character. In French club rugby he is said to have thought it not unreasonable to light up a cig on the field.

[@rossbrown6641]

He once caught a high ball in one arm. The other hand held a cig!

[@neil2550]

Good ol Frank Hyde

[@tommyfoily353]

great video. thanks for the upload

[@petermaxwell2965]

Sydney looked like. Cuba back then !

[@rossbrown6641]

Yeah, it was really good then! No Skarkies!

[@warmonger8799]

[@gaary1969]

is rugby league the only sport that as decreased in speed and entertainment?

[@lapalad]

You haven't watched much Rugby Union over the last few years

[@petermaxwell2965]

I don't care what ya say, football was better then ! it sucks now, I don't watch it.