1985–1988 Rugby League World Cup

1985–1988 (1985–1988) World Cup  ()
Number of teams	5
Winner	Australia (6th title)
Matches played	18
Attendance	218,246 (12,125 per match)
Points scored	769 (42.72 per match)
Top scorer	Michael O'Connor (74)
Top try scorer	Michael O'Connor (6)
Tournaments  < 1977 1989–1992 >

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.^[1] 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.

At the end of four years, Australia finished top of the table, and, through a victory over Great Britain in Christchurch, the Kiwis qualified to host the final. Unfortunately for them, home advantage was not enough for New Zealand, who went down 12-25 to the seemingly invincible Australians.

Results

1985

7 July	New Zealand	18–0	Australia	Carlaw Park, Auckland Attendance: 15,327

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9 November	Great Britain	6–6	New Zealand	Headingley, Leeds Attendance: 22,209

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7 December	France	0–22	New Zealand	Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan Attendance: 5,000

1986

16 February	France	10–10	Great Britain	Parc des Sports, Avignon Attendance: 4,000

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29 July	Australia	32–12	New Zealand	Lang Park, Brisbane Attendance: 22,811

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1986-08-17	Papua New Guinea	24–22	New Zealand	Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby Attendance: 15,000

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1986-10-04	Papua New Guinea	12–62	Australia	Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby Attendance: 17,000

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1986-11-22	Great Britain	15–24	Australia	Central Park, Wigan Attendance: 20,169 Referee: J. Rascagneres

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1986-12-13	France	0–52	Australia	Stade d'Albert Domec, Carcassonne Attendance: 5,000

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1987-01-14	Great Britain	52–4	France	Headingley, Leeds Attendance: 6,567

1987

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

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1987-11-15	France	21–4	Papua New Guinea	Stade d'Albert Domec, Carcassonne Attendance: 5,000

1988

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

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Great Britain were expected to be beaten missing the likes of Shaun Edwards, Kevin Beardmore, Steve Hampson, Andy Platt, Garry Schofield, Joe Lydon, Lee Crooks and Andy Goodway for one reason or another, with some players taking to the field not fully fit. It was the debut of Paul Hulme and Hugh Waddell in the front row.^[2] The match was broadcast by the Nine network with commentary from Darryl Eastlake and Jack Gibson.

Saturday, 9 July	Australia	12 - 26	Great Britain	Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney Attendance: 15,944 Referee/s: Francis Desplas Man of the Match: Andy Gregory
	Tries: Lewis, Backo Goals: O'Connor (2/2)		Tries: Gill (2), Offiah, Ford, M Gregory Goals: Loughlin (3/5)

Australia	Position	Great Britain
Garry Jack	1. FB	Phil Ford
Andrew Ettingshausen	2. WG	Henderson Gill
Michael O'Connor	3. CE	David Stephenson
Peter Jackson	4. CE	Paul Loughlin
Tony Currie	5. WG	Martin Offiah
Wally Lewis (c)	6. FE	David Hulme
Peter Sterling	7. HB	Andy Gregory
Martin Bella	8. PR	Kevin Ward
Greg Conescu	9. HK	Paul Hulme
Sam Backo	10. PR	Hugh Waddell
Wally Fullerton Smith	11. SR	Mike Gregory
Paul Vautin	12. SR	Roy Powell
Wayne Pearce	13. LF	Ellery Hanley (c)
Gary Belcher	14. Res.	Brian Case
Bob Lindner	15. Res.	Darren Wright
Don Furner	Coach	Malcolm Reilly

Early in the match Great Britain were disallowed a try when Henderson Gill dived onto an Andy Gregory bomb which was not secured by the Australian fullback.^[3] The Kangaroos then had chances to score at the other end of the field, but the British defence held strong. The first try of the match would go to the visitors when, playing the ball inside Australia's twenty-two, they strung some passes together, getting the ball out to Martin Offiah who doved over the line on the right wing. The conversion attempt was missed so the score was 0 - 4 with over three quarters of the match still to be played. A few minutes later Great Britain were again on the attack in Australia's territory and keeping the ball alive, their scrum half back Andy Gregory darting about elusively before passing it to Ford who stepped and weaved his way amongst the defenders to dash through and score near the uprights. The conversion was successful, giving Great Britain a 0-10 lead. No more points were scored in the first half, so this was the score at the break.

Australia scored first in the second half after winning a scrum against the feed within Great Britain's twenty-two. Working the ball up close to the uprights, their captain Wally Lewis got it at first receiver and ran it into the defence, wrestling his way through to the tryline where he reached out and put it down beneath the black dot. The try was successfully converted, so the score was 6 - 10 in favour of the Lions. Great Britain then extended their lead after working the ball up into an attacking position where Andy Gregory chipped it ahead. In the rush of chasers from both sides trying to reach the ball it was knocked ahead into the in-goal area where Henderson Gill dived on it. The kick was successful so the British were leading 6-16. Again the Britons' failure to win a scrum in their own territory afforded Australia another opportunity, with forward Sam Backo crashing over the line shortly after from close range. The successful kick brought the Kangaroos back to within an unconverted try at 12-16. The Lions struck again from deep within their own half where centre Paul Loughlin got the ball at first receiver, ran through the defensive line and crossed half-way before passing to Henderson Gill in support on his outside to dive over on the right wing. The conversion attempt was missed, so the British lead was 12-20. Then they scored another long range try while working the ball away from their own line, Andy Gregory making a dart from dummy half, catching the markers napping and getting into open space. He then found Mike Gregory in support who ran about seventy metres to dive over under the posts. The easy kick meant a 26 - 12 lead for Great Britain and this is where the scoreboard remained at full time.

This was the end of a 15-match winning streak for the Australians,^[4] and Great Britain's first Test victory over the Kangaroos since their 18-14 win at Odsal in 1978, as well as their first win in Australia for 18 years. It also put Great Britain on top of the World Cup points table.^[5]

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1988-07-10	New Zealand	66–14	Papua New Guinea	Carlaw Park, Auckland Attendance: 8,392

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

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The last group stage match had turned out to be a sudden death battle for a spot in the final, Britain needing only a draw.

1988-07-20	New Zealand	12–10	Great Britain	Addington Showground, Christchurch Attendance: 8,525

The Kiwis victory meant they qualified to face Australia in the final at Eden Park, Auckland.

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

Final

Here, New Zealand met Australia in the World Cup final, the culmination of four years of competition. The Final was played at Eden Park, the first occasion that rugby league had used the ground since 1919. The final attracted one of the highest ever crowds for a rugby league match in New Zealand of 47,363.^[6] Prior to kick-off Graham Brazier performed the New Zealand national anthem.

New Zealand:
1. Gary Mercer; 2. Tony Iro; 3. Kevin Iro; 4. Dean Bell (c); 5. Mark Elia; 6. Gary Freeman; 7. Clayton Friend
8. Peter Brown; 9. Wayne Wallace; 10. Adrian Shelford; 11. Mark Graham; 12. Kurt Sorenson; 13. Mark Horo
Replacements: Shane Cooper & Sam Stewart
Coach: Tony Gordon

Australia:
1. Garry Jack; 2. Dale Shearer; 3. Andrew Farrar; 4. Mark McGaw; 5. Michael O'Connor; 6. Wally Lewis (c); 7. Allan Langer
8. Paul Dunn; 9. Ben Elias; 10. Steve Roach; 11. Paul Sironen; 12. Gavin Miller; 13. Wayne Pearce
Replacements: David Gillespie & Terry Lamb
Coach: Don Furner

Sunday, 9 October 1988	Australian Kangaroos	25–12	New Zealand Kiwis	Eden Park, Auckland Attendance: 47,363[7] Referee/s: Graham Ainui
	Tries: Allan Langer (2) Gavin Miller Dale Shearer Goals: Michael O'Connor (4) Drop goals: Ben Elias		Tries: Tony Iro Kevin Iro Goals: Peter Brown (2)

Due to the inexperience of the Australian team, the hosts went into the match as favourites in the eyes of many critics. However, the Wally Lewis-led Kangaroos - 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 Australians 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.

References

1. ^ Paddy McAteer (22 December 2010) "Whole World in their Hands" North West Evening Mail
2. ^ de la Rivière, Richard (2005). "Brits Bounce Back". Thirteen. http://richarddelariviere.co.uk/?p=653. Retrieved 1 May 2011. 
3. ^ Skinner, Steve (10 July 1988). "How they did it". The Sun-Herald. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=USpWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=VeQDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2139,8688000. Retrieved 1 May 2011. 
4. ^ Baker, Andrew (1995-08-20). "100 years of rugby league: From the great divide to the Super era". Independent, The (independent.co.uk). http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/100-years-of-rugby-league-from-the-great-divide-to-the-super-era-1597130.html. Retrieved 2009-09-25. 
5. ^ "Best of British shocks Aussies". Evening Times. 9 July 1988. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qxQ-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=IkoMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5137,2151956. Retrieved 1 May 2011. 
6. ^ BBC Sport - Rugby league - England to face New Zealand in 2010 Four Nations opener
7. ^ RLWC 1985 - 1988: Australia at RLIF.co.uk

External links

• 1985-1988 World Cup at rlwc08.com
• 1985-1988 World Cup at rlhalloffame.org.uk
• 1985-1988 World Cup at rugbyleagueproject.com
• 1985-1988 World Cup data at hunterlink.net.au
• 1985-1988 World Cup at 188-rugby-league.co.uk