1985–1988 (1985–1988) World Cup  ()
Number of teams	5
Host country	World
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. 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 1 Results 1.1 Final standings 1.2 Final 2 References 3 External links

[edit] Results

1985-07-07	New Zealand	18–0	Australia	Carlaw Park, Auckland Attendance: 15,327

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1985-11-09	Great Britain	6–6	New Zealand	Headingley, Leeds Attendance: 22,209

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1985-12-07	France	0–22	New Zealand	Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan Attendance: 5,000

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1986-02-16	France	10–10	Great Britain	Parc des Sports, Avignon Attendance: 4,000

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1986-07-29	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

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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

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

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1988-07-09	Australia	12–26	Great Britain	Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney Attendance: 15,944

This was Great Britain's first Test victory in Australia for 14 years, and the end of a 15-match winning streak for the Australians.^[1]

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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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1988-07-20	New Zealand	12–10	Great Britain	Addington Showground, 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

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.

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

Sun. October 9, 1988	Australian Kangaroos	25–12	New Zealand Kiwis	Eden Park, Auckland Attendance: 47,363 Referee: G. 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 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.

[edit] References

[edit] 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

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