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  |
18–0 |  Australia |
Carlaw Park, Auckland |
| 1985-11-09 | |||
Great Britain  |
6–6 | New Zealand |
Headingley, Leeds |
| 1985-12-07 | |||
France  |
0–22 | New Zealand |
Perpignan |
| 1986-02-16 | |||
| France |
10–10 | Great Britain |
Avignon |
| 1986-07-29 | |||
| Australia |
32–12 | New Zealand |
Lang Park, Brisbane |
| 1986-08-17 | |||
Papua New Guinea  |
24–22 | New Zealand |
Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby |
| 1986-10-05 | |||
| Papua New Guinea |
12–62 | Australia |
Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby |
| 1986-11-22 | |||
| Great Britain |
15–24 | Australia |
Central Park, Wigan |
| 1986-12-13 | |||
| France |
0–52 | Australia |
Carcassonne |
| 1987-01-14 | |||
| Great Britain |
52–4 | France |
Headingley, Leeds |
| 1987-10-24 | |||
| Great Britain |
42–0 | Papua New Guinea |
Central Park, Wigan Attendance: 9,121 |
| 1987-11-15 | |||
| France |
21–4 | Papua New Guinea |
Carcassonne Attendance: 3,500 |
| 1988-05-22 | |||
| Papua New Guinea |
22–42 | Great Britain |
Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby Attendance: 12,107 |
| 1988-07-09 | |||
| Australia |
12–26 | Great Britain |
Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney Attendance: 15,944 |
| 1988-07-10 | |||
| New Zealand |
66–14 | Papua New Guinea |
Auckland Attendance: 14,000 |
| 1988-06-17 | |||
| Australia |
70–8 | Papua New Guinea |
Eric Weissel Oval, Wagga Wagga Attendance: 11,685 |
| 1988-07-20 | |||
| New Zealand |
12–10 | Great Britain |
Christchurch Attendance: 8,525 |
[edit] Final standings
| Team | Played | Won | Drew | Lost | For | Against | Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia |
7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 252 | 91 | +161 | 121 |
| New Zealand |
7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 158 | 86 | +72 | 111 |
| Great Britain |
8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 203 | 90 | +113 | 10 |
| Papua New Guinea |
7 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 84 | 325 | −241 | 41 |
| 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 | |||
| Australian Kangaroos |
25–12 | New Zealand Kiwis |
Eden Park, Auckland Attendance: 47,363 Referee: G. Ainui |
| 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
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