stage, which was around more than he weighed at the peak of his ability in the 1950s. After a year spent in the capital with the Paris club Aubert longing to move back to the south of France decided not to renew another contract in the capital and left the club. RC Castelnaudary In 1959 Aubert signed for lower division side Castelnaudary but with his weight and fitness problems continuing to decline he was only limited to several appearances for the season before he altogether retired from competitive rugby league football at the age of 35 with the completion of the season. France Aubert made his international rugby league debut for the French national side at fullback during the 1944 season while on tour in Great Britain. He immediately achieved a cult following and status among rugby league fans and the sporting public for his unorthodox and unpredictable play coupled his lax attitude towards defence (often saying it was not the fullbacks job to tackle; other times claiming he was punishing fellow players for missing a tackle before him) and his odd onfield antics such as often playing while smoking at the same time. During half time breaks he was known to drink up to three glasses of red wine, and after scoring tries would occasionally leave a small hand written poem behind the opposing team's goal line designed to castigate and infuriate them. Despite all of this he was universally recognised among the rugby league fraternity as somewhat of a genius for his amazing kicking skill that he possessed in all of its forms. In 1954 Aubert led his French side as captain into the inaugural World Cup competition where he would score the first drop goal and the first penalty goal in World Cup history while leading his team to a 22–13 victory over New Zealand at Paris' Parc des Princes on 30 October 1954. During the competition he would score 26 points and lead his team into the final against the British where they would narrowly lose by four points 16 to 12. Aubert captained the 1951 French rugby league tour of Australia and New Zealand, Les Chanticleers first such tour. On tour Aubert led France to a 2–1 series victory over the Clive Churchill captained Australians with the two champion fullbacks thrilling the crowds with their play. Such was the French teams play during the tour