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World Cup -
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Details from "The
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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.
| Final |
9 October, 1988 |
Australia |
25 |
12 |
New Zealand |
Eden Park Auckland |
47,363 |
| |
Pld |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
| Australia |
8 |
6 |
0 |
2 |
252 |
91 |
12 |
| New Zealand |
8 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
158 |
86 |
11 |
| Great Britain |
8 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
203 |
90 |
10 |
| Papua New Guinea |
8 |
2 |
0 |
6 |
84 |
325 |
4 |
| France |
8 |
1 |
1 |
6 |
35 |
140 |
3 |
| 7 July, 1985 |
New Zealand |
18 |
0 |
Australia |
Carlaw Park, Auckland |
| 9 November, 1985 |
Great Britain |
6 |
6 |
New Zealand |
Headingley, Leeds |
| 7 December, 1985 |
New Zealand |
22 |
0 |
France |
Perpignan |
| 16 February, 1986 |
Great Britain |
10 |
10 |
France |
Avignon |
| 29 July, 1986 |
Australia |
32 |
12 |
New Zealand |
Lang Park, Brisbane |
| 17 August, 1986 |
Papua New Guinea |
24 |
22 |
New Zealand |
Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby |
| 5 October, 1986 |
Australia |
62 |
12 |
Papua New Guinea |
Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby |
| 22 November, 1986 |
Australia |
24 |
15 |
Great Britain |
Central Park, Wigan |
| 13 December, 1986 |
Australia |
52 |
0 |
France |
Carcassone |
| 14 January, 1987 |
Great Britain |
52 |
4 |
France |
Headingley, Leeds |
| 24 October, 1987 |
Great Britain |
42 |
0 |
Papua New Guinea |
Central Park, Wigan |
| 15 November, 1987 |
France |
21 |
4 |
Papua New Guinea |
Carcassone |
| 22 May, 1988 |
Great Britain |
42 |
22 |
Papua New Guinea |
Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby |
| 9 July, 1988 |
Great Britain |
26 |
12 |
Australia |
Sydney Cricket Ground |
| 10 July, 1988 |
New Zealand |
66 |
14 |
Papua New Guinea |
Auckland |
| 17 July, 1988 |
Australia |
70 |
8 |
Papua New Guinea |
Eric Weissel Oval, Wagga Wagga |
| 20 July, 1988 |
New Zealand |
12 |
10 |
Great Britain |
Christchurch |
| |
Australia |
|
|
France |
forfeit |
| |
New Zealand |
|
|
France |
forfeit |
| |
Papua New Guinea |
|
|
France |
forfeit |
World Cup Final, Sunday 9th October 1988. Back
to top
Australia 25
(Allan Langer 2,
Gavin Miller, Dale Shearer tries; Michael O'Connor 4 goals; Ben Elias field
goal)
New Zealand 12
(Tony Iro, Kevin Iro tries; P Brown 2
goals)
Eden Park Auckland. Crowd: 47,363.
Referee: G Ainui (Papua New Guinea).
Australia: Garry Jack; Dale Shearer, Andrew Farrar, Mark McGaw, Michael O'Connor;
Wally Lewis (c), Allan Langer; Wayne Pearce, Gavin Miller, Paul Sironen, Steve
Roach, Ben Elias, Paul Dunn; Terry Lamb (for Wally Lewis), David Gillespie (for
Steve Roach).
New Zealand: G Mercer; Tony Iro, Kevin Iro, Dean Bell (c), M Elia; Gary
Freeman, C Friend; Mark Horo, Mark Graham, Kurt Sorensen, P Brown, W Wallace, A
Shelford; S Cooper (for G Mercer), Sam Stewart (for A Shelford).
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