1985 - 1988 Rugby League World Cup

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The ninth Rugby League World Cup saw yet another change of format. The competition was stretched to cover almost three years (1985 to 1988), with teams playing each other on a home and away basis. These matches were fitted into the normal international programme of three-match test series between the nations, with a pre-designated match from each series counting as the world cup fixture.

The competition was further altered by the addition of a new nation, Papua New Guinea. The Kumuls performed creditably, particularly when playing in the front of their fiercely patriotic home crowd. Conversely, France were unable to fulfil their 1987 tour of Australasia due to financial difficulties, and had to forfeit away fixtures against Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

The competition was confusing to follow, and for the early stages it was difficult for supporters to focus on. Towards the end of the cycle things improved, with the final group stage match between New Zealand and Great Britain being a sudden death battle for a spot in the final, Britain needing only a draw. In the event the Kiwis came through 12-10, and went on to face Australia in the final at Eden Park, Auckland.

The final attracted one of the highest ever crowds for a rugby league match in New Zealand: 47,363. Unfortunately for them, home advantage was not enough for New Zealand, who went down 12-25 to the seemingly invincible Australians.

Contents

[edit] Results

1985-07-07
New Zealand Flag of New Zealand 18–0 Flag of Australia Australia Carlaw Park, Auckland

1985-11-09
Great Britain Flag of the United Kingdom 6–6 Flag of New Zealand New Zealand Headingley, Leeds

1985-12-07
France Flag of France 0–22 Flag of New Zealand New Zealand Perpignan

1986-02-16
France Flag of France 10–10 Flag of the United Kingdom Great Britain Avignon

1986-07-29
Australia Flag of Australia 32–12 Flag of New Zealand New Zealand Lang Park, Brisbane

1986-08-17
Papua New Guinea Flag of Papua New Guinea 24–22 Flag of New Zealand New Zealand Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby

1986-10-05
Papua New Guinea Flag of Papua New Guinea 12–62 Flag of Australia Australia Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby

1986-11-22
Great Britain Flag of the United Kingdom 15–24 Flag of Australia Australia Central Park, Wigan

1986-12-13
France Flag of France 0–52 Flag of Australia Australia Carcassonne

1987-01-14
Great Britain Flag of the United Kingdom 52–4 Flag of France France Headingley, Leeds

1987-10-24
Great Britain Flag of the United Kingdom 42–0 Flag of Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea Central Park, Wigan
Attendance: 9,121

1987-11-15
France Flag of France 21–4 Flag of Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea Carcassonne
Attendance: 3,500

1988-05-22
Papua New Guinea Flag of Papua New Guinea 22–42 Flag of the United Kingdom Great Britain Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby
Attendance: 12,107

1988-07-09
Australia Flag of Australia 12–26 Flag of the United Kingdom Great Britain Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Attendance: 15,944

1988-07-10
New Zealand Flag of New Zealand 66–14 Flag of Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea Auckland
Attendance: 14,000

1988-06-17
Australia Flag of Australia 70–8 Flag of Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea Eric Weissel Oval, Wagga Wagga
Attendance: 11,685

1988-07-20
New Zealand Flag of New Zealand 12–10 Flag of the United Kingdom Great Britain Christchurch
Attendance: 8,525

[edit] Final standings

Team Played Won Drew Lost For Against Difference Points
Flag of Australia Australia 7 5 0 2 252 91 +161 121
Flag of New Zealand New Zealand 7 4 1 2 158 86 +72 111
Flag of the United Kingdom Great Britain 8 4 2 2 203 90 +113 10
Flag of Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea 7 1 0 6 84 325 −241 41
Flag of France France 5 1 1 3 35 140 −105 3

1Received two points for non-fulfilment of fixtures by France in 1987

[edit] Final

Sun. October 9, 1988
Flag of Australia Australian Kangaroos 25–12 Flag of New Zealand New Zealand Kiwis Eden Park, Auckland
Attendance: 47,363
Referee: G. Ainui Flag of Papua New Guinea
Allan Langer (8 - 2t)
Gavin Miller (4 - 1t)
Dale Shearer (4 - 1t)
Michael O'Connor (8 - 4g)
Ben Elias (1 - 1fg)
(4 - 1t) Tony Iro
(4 - 1t) Kevin Iro
(4 - 2g) P Brown


Here, New Zealand met Australia in the World Cup final, the culmination of four years of competition. At the end of four years, Australia finished top of the table, and, through their victory over Great Britain in Christchurch, the Kiwis qualified to host the final. The Final was played at Eden Park, the only occasion that rugby league had graced the ground. Prior to kick-off Graham Brazier performed the New Zealand national anthem.

The hosts went in, surprisingly, as favourites in many critics' eyes due to the inexperience of the Aussies. However, the Wally Lewis-led Aussies - boasting the likes of Ben Elias, Allan Langer, Paul Sironen and David Gillespie among their 'inexperienced' - triumphed over the ill-disciplined Kiwis, who at least made sure the victorious Aussies were bloodied and bruised for their victory lap. For the Kiwis, the Iro brothers, Dean Bell, Gary Freeman, Clayton Friend, Mark Graham, Adrian Shelford and Kurt Sorenson dished out the punishment.

[edit] External links