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{{Short description|9th Rugby League World Cup tournament}}
{{EngvarB|date=May 2014}}
{{EngvarB|date=May 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox rugby league international tournament
{{Infobox rugby league international tournament
| year = 1985–1988
| year = 1985–1988
| title = World Cup
| title = World Cup
| image =
| image =
Line 15: Line 16:
| tries =
| tries =
| topscorer-flag = AUS
| topscorer-flag = AUS
| topscorer = [[Michael O'Connor (rugby)|Michael O'Connor]] (74)
| topscorer = [[Michael O'Connor (rugby)|Michael O'Connor]] (100)
| top try scorer-flag = AUS
| top try scorer-flag = AUS
| top try scorer = [[Michael O'Connor (rugby)|Michael O'Connor]] (6)
| top try scorer = [[Michael O'Connor (rugby)|Michael O'Connor]] (8)
| tournaments = Rugby League World Cup
| tournaments = Rugby League World Cup
| last = [[1977 Rugby League World Cup|1977]]
| last = [[1977 Rugby League World Cup|1977]]
| next = [[1989–1992 Rugby League World Cup|1989–1992]]
| next = [[1989–1992 Rugby League World Cup|1989–1992]]
}}
}}
The '''1985–1988 Rugby League World Cup''' was the ninth [[Rugby League World Cup]] tournament held and saw yet another change of format with competition stretched to cover almost three years ('''1985 to 1988'''). The national [[rugby league]] teams of [[Australia national rugby league team|Australia]], [[France national rugby league team|France]], [[Great Britain national rugby league team|Great Britain]], [[New Zealand national rugby league team|New Zealand]] and [[Papua New Guinea national rugby league team|Papua New Guinea]] played 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 '''1985–1988 Rugby League World Cup''' (sometimes shortened to '''1988 Rugby League World Cup''') was the ninth edition of the [[Rugby League World Cup]]. Unlike previous World Cups that were held over a couple of months, this World Cup was held over the course of three years with teams playing each other on a home and away basis.
The competition was further altered by the addition of a new nation, [[Papua New Guinea national rugby league team|Papua New Guinea]].<ref>Paddy McAteer (22 December 2010) [http://www.nwemail.co.uk/sport/whole-world-in-their-hands-1.793415?referrerPath=sport/ "Whole World in their Hands"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005172123/http://www.nwemail.co.uk/sport/whole-world-in-their-hands-1.793415?referrerPath=sport/ |date=5 October 2012 }} ''[[North West Evening Mail]]''</ref> The ''Kumuls'' performed creditably, particularly when playing in the front of their fiercely patriotic home crowd. Conversely, [[France national rugby league team|France]] were unable to fulfil their 1987 tour of [[Australasia]] due to financial difficulties, and had to forfeit away fixtures against [[Australia national rugby league team|Australia]], [[New Zealand national rugby league team|New Zealand]] and Papua New Guinea.


World Cup games 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 tournament culminated in the [[1988 Rugby League World Cup final]].
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 join them in the final which Australia had won the right to host, but due to declining international attendances in Australia largely due to the Kangaroo's dominance since the mid-late 1970s (since 1974, they had only lost one test series to France in [[1978 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France|1978]]) and allowed the [[New Zealand Rugby League]] to host the World Cup Final at the [[Eden Park]] ground in [[Auckland]]. Unfortunately for them, home advantage with a record New Zealand attendance of over 47,000 was not enough for the Kiwis who went down 25–12 to the seemingly invincible Australians.


[[France national rugby league team|France]] were unable to fulfil their 1987 tour of [[Australasia]] due to financial difficulties, and had to forfeit away fixtures against [[Australia national rugby league team|Australia]], [[New Zealand national rugby league team|New Zealand]] and [[Papua New Guinea national rugby league team|Papua New Guinea]], who were invited to participate for the first time.<ref>Paddy McAteer (22 December 2010) [http://www.nwemail.co.uk/sport/whole-world-in-their-hands-1.793415?referrerPath=sport/ "Whole World in their Hands"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005172123/http://www.nwemail.co.uk/sport/whole-world-in-their-hands-1.793415?referrerPath=sport%2F |date=5 October 2012 }} ''[[North West Evening Mail]]''</ref>
==Venues==

<center>
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 join them in the final. Despite finishing top of the table, poor international attendances since the mid-1970s meant the Australians declined to host the final, and asked [[New Zealand Rugby League]] to host the World Cup final at [[Eden Park]] in [[Auckland]]; Cup organisers and New Zealand officials accepted this request.

In front of a record New Zealand attendance of over 47,000 the Kiwis lost 25–12 to the Australians.

== Venues ==
<div style="text-align: center;">
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
! {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Sydney]]
! [[Auckland]] (New Zealand)
! {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Wigan]]
! [[Sydney]] (Australia)
! {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Brisbane]]
! [[Wigan]] (England)
! {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Leeds]]
! [[Brisbane]] (Australia)
|-
|-
| [[Sydney Football Stadium (1988)|Sydney Football Stadium]]
| [[Eden Park]]
| [[Sydney Football Stadium]]
| [[Central Park (Wigan)|Central Park]]
| [[Central Park (Wigan)|Central Park]]
| [[Lang Park]]
| [[Lang Park]]
| [[Headingley Rugby Stadium|Headingley]]
|-
|-
| Capacity: '''48,000'''
| Capacity: '''40,000'''
| Capacity: '''40,000'''
| Capacity: '''37,000'''
| Capacity: '''37,000'''
| Capacity: '''33,500'''
| Capacity: '''32,500'''
| Capacity: '''22,000'''
|-
|-
| [[File:Eden Park cropped.jpg|150px]]
| [[File:Sydney Football Stadium.jpg|200px]]
| [[File:Sydney Football Stadium.jpg|150px]]
| [[File:Central park kop.jpg|200px]]
| [[File:Central park kop.jpg|150px]]
| [[File:Suncorp Stadium Brisbane Australia 04.jpg|200px]]
| [[File:South Stand, Headingley Stadium during the second day of the England-Sri Lanka test (21st April 2014) 001.JPG|200px]]
| [[File:Suncorp-Stadium-Milton-Queensland.jpg|150px]]
|-
|-
! {{flagicon|NZL}} [[Auckland]]
! [[Leeds]] (England)
! {{flagicon|PNG}} [[Port Moresby]]
! [[Auckland]] (New Zealand)
! {{flagicon|NZL}} [[Christchurch]]
! [[Port Moresby]] (Papua New Guinea)
! {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Avignon]]
! [[Christchurch]] (New Zealand)
|-
|-
| [[Headingley Rugby Stadium|Headingley]]
| [[Carlaw Park]]
| [[Carlaw Park]]
| [[Lloyd Robson Oval]]
| [[Lloyd Robson Oval]]
| [[Addington Showgrounds]]
| [[Addington Showgrounds]]
| [[Parc des Sports (Avignon)|Parc des Sports]]
|-
|-
| Capacity: '''22,000'''
| Capacity: '''20,000'''
| Capacity: '''20,000'''
| Capacity: '''17,000'''
| Capacity: '''17,000'''
| Capacity: '''15,000'''
| Capacity: '''15,000'''
| Capacity: '''15,000'''
|-
|-
| [[File:The South Stand at Headingley Stadium.jpg|150px]]
| [[File:Carlaw Park, 1958 (crop).jpg|200px]]
| [[File:Carlaw Park.jpg|150px]]
|
|
| [[File:Addington Rugby Stadium.jpg|150px]]
| [[File:Addington Rugby Stadium.jpg|200px]]
| [[File:Stade Avignon.JPG|200px]]
|-
|-
! {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Perpignan]]
! [[Avignon]] (France)
! {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Wagga Wagga]]
! [[Perpignan]] (France)
! {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Carcassonne]]
! [[Wagga Wagga]] (Australia)
! [[Carcassonne]] (France)
|-
|-
| [[Parc des Sports (Avignon)|Parc des Sports]]
| [[Stade Gilbert Brutus]]
| [[Stade Gilbert Brutus]]
| [[Eric Weissel Oval]]
| [[Eric Weissel Oval]]
| [[Stade Albert Domec]]
| [[Stade Albert Domec]]
|-
|-
| Capacity: '''15,000'''
| Capacity: '''13,000'''
| Capacity: '''13,000'''
| Capacity: '''12,000'''
| Capacity: '''12,000'''
| Capacity: '''10,000'''
| Capacity: '''10,000'''
|-
|-
| [[File:Stade Avignon.JPG|150px]]
| [[File:Tribune Guasch Laborde.JPG|200px]]
| [[File:Tribune Guasch Laborde.JPG|150px]]
| [[File:Eric Weissel Oval.jpg|200px]]
| [[File:Eric Weissel Oval.jpg|150px]]
| [[File:Stade Albert Domec Entrée.jpg|200px]]|}
|}</div>
| [[File:Stade Albert Domec Entrée.jpg|150px]]
|}


==Results==
=== Final ===
The World Cup final was held at [[Eden Park]] in [[Auckland]], [[New Zealand]].


<div style="text-align: center;">
===1985===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! {{flagicon|NZL}} [[Auckland]]
|-
| [[Eden Park]]
|-
| Capacity: '''48,000'''
|-
| [[File:Eden Park (1965).jpg|250px]]
|}</div>

== Results ==

=== 1985 ===
{{Rugbybox |
{{Rugbybox |
date = 7 July |
date = 7 July |
home = {{Rl-rt|NZL}} |
home = {{Rl-rt|NZL}} |
score = 18–0 |
score = 18 – 0 |
away = {{Rl|AUS}} |
away = {{Rl|AUS}} |
stadium = [[Carlaw Park]], [[Auckland]] |
stadium = [[Carlaw Park]], [[Auckland]] |
Line 108: Line 125:
date = 9 November |
date = 9 November |
home = {{Rl-rt|GBR}} |
home = {{Rl-rt|GBR}} |
score = 6–6 |
score = 6 – 6 |
away = {{Rl|NZL}} |
away = {{Rl|NZL}} |
stadium = [[Headingley Carnegie Rugby Stadium|Headingley]], [[Leeds]] |
stadium = [[Elland Road]], [[Leeds]] |
attendance = 22,209 |
attendance = 22,209 |
}}
}}
Line 117: Line 134:
date = 7 December |
date = 7 December |
home = {{Rl-rt|FRA}} |
home = {{Rl-rt|FRA}} |
score = 0–22 |
score = 0 – 22 |
away = {{Rl|NZL}} |
away = {{Rl|NZL}} |
stadium = [[Stade Gilbert Brutus]], [[Perpignan]] |
stadium = [[Stade Gilbert Brutus]], [[Perpignan]] |
Line 124: Line 141:
----
----


===1986===
=== 1986 ===
{{Rugbybox |
{{Rugbybox |
date = 16 February |
date = 16 February |
home = {{Rl-rt|FRA}} |
home = {{Rl-rt|FRA}} |
score = 10–10 |
score = 10 – 10 |
away = {{Rl|GBR}} |
away = {{Rl|GBR}} |
stadium = [[Parc des Sports (Avignon)|Parc des Sports]], [[Avignon]] |
stadium = [[Parc des Sports (Avignon)|Parc des Sports]], [[Avignon]] |
Line 137: Line 154:
date = 29 July |
date = 29 July |
home = {{Rl-rt|AUS}} |
home = {{Rl-rt|AUS}} |
score = 32–12 |
score = 32 – 12 |
away = {{Rl|NZL}} |
away = {{Rl|NZL}} |
stadium = [[Lang Park]], [[Brisbane]] |
stadium = [[Lang Park]], [[Brisbane]] |
Line 146: Line 163:
date = 17 August|
date = 17 August|
home = {{Rl-rt|PNG}} |
home = {{Rl-rt|PNG}} |
score = 24–22 |
score = 24 – 22 |
away = {{Rl|NZL}} |
away = {{Rl|NZL}} |
stadium = [[Lloyd Robson Oval]], [[Port Moresby]] |
stadium = [[Lloyd Robson Oval]], [[Port Moresby]] |
Line 155: Line 172:
date = 4 October|
date = 4 October|
home = {{Rl-rt|PNG}} |
home = {{Rl-rt|PNG}} |
score = 12–62 |
score = 12 – 62 |
away = {{Rl|AUS}} |
away = {{Rl|AUS}} |
stadium = [[Lloyd Robson Oval]], [[Port Moresby]] |
stadium = [[Lloyd Robson Oval]], [[Port Moresby]] |
Line 165: Line 182:
date = 22 November|
date = 22 November|
home = {{Rl-rt|GBR}} |
home = {{Rl-rt|GBR}} |
score = 15–24 |
score = 15 – 24 |
away = {{Rl|AUS}} |
away = {{Rl|AUS}} |
stadium = [[Central Park (Wigan)|Central Park]], [[Wigan]] |
stadium = [[Central Park (Wigan)|Central Park]], [[Wigan]] |
Line 176: Line 193:
date = 13 December|
date = 13 December|
home = {{Rl-rt|FRA}} |
home = {{Rl-rt|FRA}} |
score = 0–52 |
score = 0 – 52 |
away = {{Rl|AUS}} |
away = {{Rl|AUS}} |
stadium = [[Stade d'Albert Domec]], [[Carcassonne]] |
stadium = [[Stade d'Albert Domec]], [[Carcassonne]] |
Line 183: Line 200:
----
----


===1987===
=== 1987 ===
{{Rugbybox |
{{Rugbybox |
date = 24 January|
date = 24 January|
home = {{Rl-rt|GBR}} |
home = {{Rl-rt|GBR}} |
score = 52–4 |
score = 52 – 4 |
away = {{Rl|FRA}} |
away = {{Rl|FRA}} |
stadium = [[Headingley Carnegie Rugby Stadium|Headingley]], [[Leeds]] |
stadium = [[Headingley Carnegie Rugby Stadium|Headingley]], [[Leeds]] |
Line 196: Line 213:
date = 24 October|
date = 24 October|
home = {{Rl-rt|GBR}} |
home = {{Rl-rt|GBR}} |
score = 42–0 |
score = 42 – 0 |
away = {{Rl|PNG}} |
away = {{Rl|PNG}} |
stadium = [[Central Park (Wigan)|Central Park]], [[Wigan]] |
stadium = [[Central Park (Wigan)|Central Park]], [[Wigan]] |
Line 205: Line 222:
date = 15 November|
date = 15 November|
home = {{Rl-rt|FRA}} |
home = {{Rl-rt|FRA}} |
score = 21–4 |
score = 21 – 4 |
away = {{Rl|PNG}} |
away = {{Rl|PNG}} |
stadium = [[Stade d'Albert Domec]], [[Carcassonne]] |
stadium = [[Stade d'Albert Domec]], [[Carcassonne]] |
Line 212: Line 229:
----
----


===1988===
=== 1988 ===
{{Details|1988 Great Britain Lions tour#Papua New Guinea}}
{{Further|1988 Great Britain Lions tour#Papua New Guinea}}
{{Rugbybox |
{{Rugbybox |
date = 22 May|
date = 22 May|
home = {{Rl-rt|PNG}} |
home = {{Rl-rt|PNG}} |
score = 22-42 |
score = 22 – 42 |
away = {{Rl|GBR}} |
away = {{Rl|GBR}} |
stadium = [[Lloyd Robson Oval]], [[Port Moresby]] |
stadium = [[Lloyd Robson Oval]], [[Port Moresby]] |
attendance = 12,107 |
attendance = 12,107 |
}}
}}

The victory lifted Great Britain above New Zealand into second place on the World Cup table on eight points – one ahead of the Kiwis.<ref>{{cite news|title=Schofield too hot for PNG|url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=news880522_0273_6126|accessdate=14 February 2014|date=22 May 1988}}</ref>
The victory lifted Great Britain above New Zealand into second place on the World Cup table on eight points – one ahead of the Kiwis.<ref>{{cite news|title=Schofield too hot for PNG|url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=news880522_0273_6126|access-date=14 February 2014|date=22 May 1988}}</ref>
----
----
{{Details|1988 Great Britain Lions tour#3rd Ashes Test}}
{{Further|1988 Great Britain Lions tour#3rd Ashes Test}}
{{Rugbybox |
{{Rugbybox |
date = 9 July|
date = 9 July|
home = {{Rl-rt|AUS}} |
home = {{Rl-rt|AUS}} |
score = 12–26 |
score = 12 – 26 |
away = {{Rl|GBR}} |
away = {{Rl|GBR}} |
stadium = [[Sydney Football Stadium]], [[Sydney]] |
stadium = [[Sydney Football Stadium (1988)|Sydney Football Stadium]], [[Sydney]] |
attendance = 15,944 |
attendance = 15,944 |
}}
}}
Line 237: Line 255:
| first =Andrew
| first =Andrew
| title =100 years of rugby league: From the great divide to the Super era
| title =100 years of rugby league: From the great divide to the Super era
| newspaper = [[The Independent|Independent, The]]
| newspaper = [[The Independent]]
| publisher =independent.co.uk
| date =20 August 1995
| date =20 August 1995
| url =http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/100-years-of-rugby-league-from-the-great-divide-to-the-super-era-1597130.html
| url =https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/100-years-of-rugby-league-from-the-great-divide-to-the-super-era-1597130.html
| accessdate =25 September 2009 }}</ref> and Great Britain's first Test victory over the Kangaroos since their 18–14 win at Odsal during the [[1978 Kangaroo tour]], as well as their first win in Australia for 18 years. It also put Great Britain on top of the World Cup points table.<ref>{{cite news|title=Best of British shocks Aussies|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qxQ-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=IkoMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5137,2151956|accessdate=1 May 2011|newspaper=[[Evening Times]]|date=9 July 1988}}</ref>
| access-date =25 September 2009 }}</ref> and Great Britain's first Test victory over the Kangaroos since their 18–14 win at Odsal during the [[1978 Kangaroo tour]], as well as their first win in Australia for 18 years. It also put Great Britain on top of the World Cup points table.<ref>{{cite news|title=Best of British shocks Aussies|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qxQ-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=IkoMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5137,2151956|access-date=1 May 2011|newspaper=[[Evening Times]]|date=9 July 1988}}</ref>
----
----
{{Rugbybox |
{{Rugbybox |
date = 10 July|
date = 10 July|
home = {{Rl-rt|NZL}} |
home = {{Rl-rt|NZL}} |
score = 66–14 |
score = 66 – 14 |
away = {{Rl|PNG}} |
away = {{Rl|PNG}} |
stadium = [[Carlaw Park]], [[Auckland]] |
stadium = [[Carlaw Park]], [[Auckland]] |
Line 252: Line 269:
}}
}}
----
----
{{Details|1988 Great Britain Lions tour#New Zealand}}
{{Further|1988 Great Britain Lions tour#New Zealand}}
{{Rugbybox |
{{Rugbybox |
date = 17 July|
date = 17 July|
home = {{Rl-rt|NZL}} |
home = {{Rl-rt|NZL}} |
score = 12-10|
score = 12 – 10|
away = {{Rl|GBR}} |
away = {{Rl|GBR}} |
stadium = [[Rugby League Park|Addington Showground]], [[Christchurch]] |
stadium = [[Rugby League Park|Addington Showground]], [[Christchurch]] |
attendance = 8,525 |
attendance = 8,525 |
}}
}}

The last group stage match for both teams turned out to be a sudden death battle for a spot in the final. For New Zealand nothing less than a win would get them to the Final while Great Britain only needed a draw. It was also the last Test match of the [[1988 Great Britain Lions tour]]. The Kiwis victory meant they qualified to face Australia in the final at [[Eden Park]], [[Auckland]].
The last group stage match for both teams turned out to be a sudden death battle for a spot in the final. For New Zealand nothing less than a win would get them to the Final while Great Britain only needed a draw. It was also the last Test match of the [[1988 Great Britain Lions tour]]. The Kiwis victory meant they qualified to face Australia in the final at [[Eden Park]], [[Auckland]].
----
----
Line 266: Line 284:
date = 20 July|
date = 20 July|
home = {{Rl-rt|AUS}} |
home = {{Rl-rt|AUS}} |
score = 70–8 |
score = 70 – 8 |
away = {{Rl-rt|PNG}} |
away = {{Rl-rt|PNG}} |
stadium = [[Eric Weissel Oval]], [[Wagga Wagga]] |
stadium = [[Eric Weissel Oval]], [[Wagga Wagga]] |
attendance = 11,685 |
attendance = 11,685 |
}}
}}
Australia's 62-point win set a new record for largest winning margin in international rugby league. Winger [[Michael O'Connor (rugby)|Michael O'Connor]] also set a new record for most points scored by an individual in international rugby league.<ref>{{cite news|title=O'Connor helps set Test records|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=r3BVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=fpYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3512,275171|accessdate=18 October 2013|newspaper=[[The Age]]|date=21 July 1988}}</ref> The sellout crowd of 11,685 also set a ground attendance record at [[Wagga Wagga]]'s [[Eric Weissel Oval]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Rugby League World Cup – Roo Tour Memories: Allan Langer|url=http://www.broncos.com.au/news-display/Rugby-League-World-Cup--Roo-Tour-Memories-Allan-Langer/86127|accessdate=18 October 2013|newspaper=broncos.com.au|date=18 October 2013}}</ref>
Australia's 62-point win set a new record for largest winning margin in international rugby league. Winger [[Michael O'Connor (rugby)|Michael O'Connor]] also set a new record for most points scored by an individual in international rugby league.<ref>{{cite news|title=O'Connor helps set Test records|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=r3BVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=fpYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3512,275171|access-date=18 October 2013|newspaper=[[The Age]]|date=21 July 1988}}</ref> The sellout crowd of 11,685 also set a ground attendance record at [[Wagga Wagga]]'s [[Eric Weissel Oval]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Rugby League World Cup – Roo Tour Memories: Allan Langer|url=http://www.broncos.com.au/news-display/Rugby-League-World-Cup--Roo-Tour-Memories-Allan-Langer/86127|access-date=18 October 2013|newspaper=broncos.com.au|date=18 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019152038/http://www.broncos.com.au/news-display/Rugby-League-World-Cup--Roo-Tour-Memories-Allan-Langer/86127|archive-date=19 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>


== Tournament standings ==
== Tournament standings ==
{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WDL
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|show_positions=n|res_col_header=Q
! Team !! Played !! Won !! Drew !! Lost !! For !! Against !! Difference !! Points
|for_against_style=points|winpoints=2

|team1=AUS|name_AUS={{Rl|Australia}}
|team2=NZL|name_NZL={{Rl|New Zealand}}
|team3=GBR|name_GBR={{Rl|Great Britain}}
|team4=PNG|name_PNG={{Rl|Papua New Guinea}}
|team5=FRA|name_FRA={{Rl|France}}
|win_AUS=6|draw_AUS=0|loss_AUS=2|pf_AUS=252|pa_AUS=91
|win_NZL=5|draw_NZL=1|loss_NZL=2|pf_NZL=158|pa_NZL=86
|win_GBR=4|draw_GBR=2|loss_GBR=2|pf_GBR=203|pa_GBR=90
|win_PNG=2|draw_PNG=0|loss_PNG=6|pf_PNG=84|pa_PNG=325
|win_FRA=1|draw_FRA=1|loss_FRA=6|pf_FRA=35|pa_FRA=140
|update=complete|source=
| hth_AUS=France's 1987 away fixtures against Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea were cancelled and each team awarded two points as the French were unable to tour Australasia that year due to financial difficulties.
| hth_NZL=AUS
| hth_PNG=AUS
|result1=A|result2=A
|col_A=green2|text_A=Qualified for the World Cup final
}}

== World Cup final ==
{{Main|1988 Rugby League World Cup final}}
{{Rugbyleaguebox
|bg = #eeeeee
|date = 9 October 1988
|time = 14:30
|team1 = {{rl-rt|NZL}}
|score = 12–25
|team2 = {{rl|AUS}}
|points1 = '''Tries''': <br> [[Kevin Iro]] <br> [[Tony Iro]] <br><br> '''Goals:''' <br> [[Peter Brown (rugby league)|Peter Brown]] (2/5)
|points2 = '''Tries''': <br> [[Allan Langer]] (2) <br> [[Gavin Miller]] <br> [[Dale Shearer]] <br> '''Goals:''' <br> [[Michael O'Connor (rugby)|Michael O'Connor]] (4/7) <br> '''Field Goal''': <br> [[Ben Elias]]
|stadium = [[Eden Park]], [[Auckland]]
|attendance = 47,363 <ref>[http://www.rlif.co.uk/past_winners/1985_1988_australia RLWC 1985 – 1988: Australia] at [[RLIF]].co.uk</ref>
|referee = [[Graham Ainui]] {{flagicon|PNG}}
|manofmatch = [[Gavin Miller]]
|report = [http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/world-cup-1985/final/new-zealand-vs-australia.html]
}}
{| width=92%
|-
|-
|{{Football kit
|align=left| {{Rl|Australia}} || 8 || 6 || 0 || 2 || 252 || 91 || +161 || 12<sup>1</sup>
|pattern_la = _whiteshoulders
|pattern_b = _NZKiwis
|pattern_ra = _whiteshoulders
|pattern_sh =
|pattern_so = _solid_black
|leftarm = 000000
|body = 000000
|rightarm = 000000
|shorts = 000000
|socks = 000000
|title = New Zealand
}}
|{{Football kit
|pattern_la = _kangaroos
|pattern_b = _kangaroos1992
|pattern_ra = _kangaroos
|pattern_sh = _thingoldsides
|pattern_so = _hoops_gold
|leftarm = 023E00
|body = 023E00
|rightarm = 023E00
|shorts = 023E00
|socks = 023E00
|title = Australia
}}
|}
{| width="100%"
|valign="top" width="50%"|
{| style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
|-
|-
!width="25"| !!width="25"|
|align=left| {{Rl|New Zealand}} || 8 || 5 || 1 || 2 || 158 || 86 || +72 || 11<sup>1</sup>
|-
|-
|FB ||'''1'''|| [[Gary Mercer]]
|align=left| {{Rl|Great Britain}} || 8 || 4 || 2 || 2 || 203 || 90 || +113 || 10
|-
|-
|RW ||'''2'''|| [[Tony Iro]]
|align=left| {{Rl|Papua New Guinea}} || 8 || 2 || 0 || 6 || 84 || 325 || −241 || 4<sup>1</sup>
|-
|-
|RC ||'''3'''|| [[Kevin Iro]]
|align=left| {{Rl|France}} || 8 || 1 || 1 || 6 || 35 || 140 || −105 || 3
|-
|LC ||'''4'''|| [[Dean Bell]] ([[Captain (sports)|c]])
|-
|LW ||'''5'''|| [[Mark Elia]]
|-
|FE ||'''6'''|| [[Gary Freeman (rugby league)|Gary Freeman]]
|-
|HB ||'''7'''|| [[Clayton Friend]]
|-
|PR ||'''8'''|| [[Peter Brown (rugby league)|Peter Brown]]
|-
|HK ||'''9'''|| [[Wayne Wallace]]
|-
|PR ||'''10'''|| [[Adrian Shelford]]
|-
|SR ||'''11'''|| [[Mark Graham (rugby league)|Mark Graham]]
|-
|SR ||'''12'''|| [[Kurt Sorensen]]
|-
|LF ||'''13'''|| [[Mark Horo]]
|-
|colspan=3|'''Substitutions:'''
|-
|IC ||'''14'''|| [[Shane Cooper (rugby league)|Shane Cooper]]
|-
|IC ||'''15'''|| [[Sam Stewart (rugby league)|Sam Stewart]]
|-
|colspan=3|'''Coach:'''
|-
|colspan="4"|{{flagicon|NZL}} [[Tony Gordon (rugby)|Tony Gordon]]
|}
|}
|valign="top" width="50%"|
<sup>''1''</sup> France's 1987 away fixtures against Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea were scratched and each team awarded two points as the French were unable to tour Australasia that year due to finanical difficulties.
{| style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"

==World Cup Final==
{{Main article|1988 Rugby League World Cup Final}}
{{Rugbyleaguebox |
bg = #eeeeee |
date = 9 October 1988|
team1 = {{rl-rt|NZL}} |
score = 12 – 25 |
report = |
team2 = {{rl|AUS}} |
points1 = '''Tries:''' <br> [[Tony Iro]] <br> [[Kevin Iro]] <br><br> '''Goals:''' <br> [[Peter Brown (rugby league)|Peter Brown]] (2) |
points2 = '''Tries:''' <br> [[Allan Langer]] (2) <br> [[Gavin Miller]] <br> [[Dale Shearer]] <br> '''Goals:''' <br> [[Michael O'Connor (rugby)|Michael O'Connor]] (4) <br> '''Field Goal:''' <br> [[Ben Elias]]|
stadium = [[Eden Park]], [[Auckland]] |
attendance = 47,363<ref>[http://www.rlif.co.uk/past_winners/1985_1988_australia RLWC 1985 – 1988: Australia] at [[RLIF]].co.uk</ref> |
referee = Graham Ainui {{flagicon|PNG}} |
manofmatch = [[Gavin Miller]] {{leagueicon|Australia|16}} }}
{| align=right style="font-size:90%; margin-left:1em"
|- bgcolor=#FF0033
!align="centre" width="126" style="border: 2px solid silver; background: black; color: white"|New Zealand
!align="center" width="80" style="background: #eeeeee; color: black"|Position
!align="centre" width="126" style="border: 2px solid gold; background: green; color: gold"|Australia
|-
|-
!width="25"| !!width="25"|
|align="center"|[[Gary Mercer]]||align="center" style="background: #eeeeee"|[[Fullback (rugby league)|Fullback]]||align="center"|[[Garry Jack]]
|-
|-
|FB ||'''1'''|| [[Garry Jack]]
|align="center"|[[Tony Iro]]||align="center" style="background: #eeeeee"|[[Rugby league positions#Wing|Wing]]||align="center"|[[Dale Shearer]]
|-
|-
|RW ||'''2'''|| [[Dale Shearer]]
|align="center"|[[Kevin Iro]]||align="center" style="background: #eeeeee"|[[Rugby league positions#Centre|Centre]]||align="center"|[[Andrew Farrar]]
|-
|-
|RC ||'''3'''|| [[Andrew Farrar]]
|align="center"|[[Dean Bell]] (c)||align="center" style="background: #eeeeee"|[[Rugby league positions#Centre|Centre]]||align="center"|[[Mark McGaw]]
|-
|-
|LC ||'''4'''|| [[Mark McGaw]]
|align="center"|[[Mark Elia]]||align="center" style="background: #eeeeee"|[[Rugby league positions#Wing|Wing]]||align="center"|[[Michael O'Connor (rugby)|Michael O'Connor]]
|-
|-
|LW ||'''5'''|| [[Michael O'Connor (rugby)|Michael O'Connor]]
|align="center"|[[Gary Freeman (rugby league)|Gary Freeman]]||align="center" style="background: #eeeeee"|[[Five-eighth|Five-Eighth]]||align="center"|[[Wally Lewis]] (c)
|-
|-
|FE ||'''6'''|| [[Wally Lewis]] ([[Captain (sports)|c]])
|align="center"|[[Clayton Friend]]||align="center" style="background: #eeeeee"|[[Rugby League positions#Scrum half|Halfback]]||align="center"|[[Allan Langer]]
|-
|-
|HB ||'''7'''|| [[Allan Langer]]
|align="center"|[[Peter Brown (rugby league)|Peter Brown]]||align="center" style="background: #eeeeee"|[[Rugby league positions#Prop|Prop]]||align="center"|[[Paul Dunn (rugby league)|Paul Dunn]]
|-
|-
|PR ||'''8'''|| [[Paul Dunn (rugby league)|Paul Dunn]]
|align="center"|[[Wayne Wallace]]||align="center" style="background: #eeeeee"|[[Hooker (rugby league)|Hooker]]||align="center"|[[Ben Elias]]
|-
|-
|HK ||'''9'''|| [[Benny Elias]]
|align="center"|[[Adrian Shelford]]||align="center" style="background: #eeeeee"|[[Rugby league positions#Prop|Prop]]||align="center"|[[Steve Roach (rugby league)|Steve Roach]]
|-
|-
|PR ||'''10'''|| [[Steve Roach (rugby league)|Steve Roach]]
|align="center"|[[Mark Graham (rugby league)|Mark Graham]]||align="center" style="background: #eeeeee"|[[Rugby league positions#Second-row forward|Second Row]]||align="center"|[[Paul Sironen]]
|-
|-
|SR ||'''11'''|| [[Paul Sironen]]
|align="center"|[[Kurt Sorensen]]||align="center" style="background: #eeeeee"|[[Rugby League positions#Second-row forward|Second Row]]||align="center"|[[Gavin Miller]]
|-
|-
|SR ||'''12'''|| [[Gavin Miller]]
|align="center"|[[Mark Horo]]||align="center" style="background: #eeeeee"|[[Rugby league positions#Loose forward|Lock]]||align="center"|[[Wayne Pearce]]
|-
|-
|LF ||'''13'''|| [[Wayne Pearce]]
|align="center"|[[Shane Cooper (rugby league)|Shane Cooper]]||align="center" style="background: #eeeeee"|Res.||align="center"|[[David Gillespie]]
|-
|-
|colspan=3|'''Substitutions:'''
|align="center"|[[Sam Stewart (rugby league)|Sam Stewart]]||align="center" style="background: #eeeeee"|Res.||align="center"|[[Terry Lamb]]
|-
|-
|IC ||'''14'''|| [[David Gillespie]]
|align="center"|[[Tony Gordon (rugby league)|Tony Gordon]]||align="center" style="background: #eeeeee"|Coach||align="center"|[[Don Furner]]
|-
|IC ||'''15'''|| [[Terry Lamb]]
|-
|colspan=3|'''Coach:'''
|-
|colspan="4"|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Don Furner]]
|}
|}
|}


The 1985–1988 Rugby League World Cup saw [[New Zealand Kiwis|New Zealand]] play [[Australian Kangaroos|Australia]] in the World Cup final, the culmination of four years of competition. The Final was played at the spiritual home of [[rugby union]] in [[New Zealand]], [[Auckland]]'s [[Eden Park]]. It was the first time that rugby league had been played at the ground since 1919. The final attracted the highest ever crowd for a rugby league match in New Zealand of 47,363 (only 672 less than had attended the [[1987 Rugby World Cup Final]] at the venue).<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/8498138.stm BBC Sport – Rugby league – England to face New Zealand in 2010 Four Nations opener]</ref> Australia had won the right to host the final, but in the interests of promoting the game, and because attendances for internationals played in Australia had been dwindling for over a decade due to the Kangaroos dominance, the [[Australian Rugby League|ARL]] agreed to move the game to New Zealand. Prior to kick-off [[Graham Brazier]] performed the [[God Defend New Zealand|New Zealand national anthem]].
The 1985–1988 Rugby League World Cup saw [[New Zealand national rugby league team|New Zealand]] play [[Australian Kangaroos|Australia]] in the World Cup final, the culmination of four years of competition. The Final was played at the spiritual home of [[rugby union]] in [[New Zealand]], [[Auckland]]'s [[Eden Park]]. It was the first time that rugby league had been played at the ground since 1919. The final attracted the highest ever crowd for a rugby league match in New Zealand of 47,363 (only 672 less than had attended the [[1987 Rugby World Cup final]] at the venue).<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/8498138.stm BBC Sport – Rugby league – England to face New Zealand in 2010 Four Nations opener]</ref> Australia had won the right to host the final, but in the interests of promoting the game, and because attendances for internationals played in Australia had been dwindling for over a decade due to the Kangaroos dominance, the [[Australian Rugby League|ARL]] agreed to move the game to New Zealand. Prior to kick-off [[Graham Brazier]] performed the [[God Defend New Zealand|New Zealand national anthem]].


Despite Australia's successful [[The Ashes (rugby league)|Ashes]] defence against [[Great Britain Lions|Great Britain]] earlier in the year, the inexperience of the Australian World Cup Final team (and because NZ had defeated Australia in their previous encounter in a one-off test in Brisbane in 1987), saw the hosts actually go into the match as favourites in the eyes of many critics. However, the [[Wally Lewis]] led Kangaroos, boasting veteran test players [[Garry Jack]], [[Dale Shearer]], [[Michael O'Connor (rugby)|Michael O'Connor]], [[Steve Roach (rugby league)|Steve Roach]], [[Paul Dunn (rugby league)|Paul Dunn]], [[Wayne Pearce]], and [[Terry Lamb]], along with [[1986 Kangaroo tour|1986 Kangaroos]] [[Ben Elias]] and [[Paul Sironen]], mixed with newer international players [[Mark McGaw]], [[Allan Langer]], [[Gavin Miller]], [[Andrew Farrar]] and [[David Gillespie]], 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 [[Tony Iro|Tony]] and [[Kevin Iro|Kevin]], [[Gary Freeman (rugby league)|Gary Freeman]], [[Clayton Friend]], [[Mark Graham (rugby league)|Mark Graham]], [[Adrian Shelford]], [[Kurt Sorensen]] and captain [[Dean Bell]] dished out the punishment.
Despite Australia's successful [[The Ashes (rugby league)|Ashes]] defence against [[Great Britain Lions|Great Britain]] earlier in the year, the inexperience of the Australian World Cup final team (and because NZ had defeated Australia in their previous encounter in a one-off test in Brisbane in 1987), saw the hosts actually go into the match as favourites in the eyes of many critics. However, the [[Wally Lewis]] led Kangaroos, boasting veteran test players [[Garry Jack]], [[Dale Shearer]], [[Michael O'Connor (rugby)|Michael O'Connor]], [[Steve Roach (rugby league)|Steve Roach]], [[Paul Dunn (rugby league)|Paul Dunn]], [[Wayne Pearce]], and [[Terry Lamb]], along with [[1986 Kangaroo tour|1986 Kangaroos]] [[Ben Elias]] and [[Paul Sironen]], mixed with newer international players [[Mark McGaw]], [[Allan Langer]], [[Gavin Miller]], [[Andrew Farrar]] and [[David Gillespie]], 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 [[Tony Iro|Tony]] and [[Kevin Iro|Kevin]], [[Gary Freeman (rugby league)|Gary Freeman]], [[Clayton Friend]], [[Mark Graham (rugby league)|Mark Graham]], [[Adrian Shelford]], [[Kurt Sorensen]] and captain [[Dean Bell]] dished out the punishment.


Despite [[Queensland Maroons|Queensland]] having won the [[1988 State of Origin series|State of Origin series]] 3–0 over [[New South Wales rugby league team|New South Wales]] earlier in the year, the Maroons only supplied three of Australia's 15 players for the World Cup Final. Captain Wally Lewis (who broke his right forearm in the 15th minute of the game while tackling Tony Iro), Dale Shearer and Allan Langer. Lewis later claimed that it was the same as had been the case since Origin started in [[1980 State of Origin game|1980]], Qld wins the series but it was mainly NSW players picked for Australia.
Despite [[Queensland Maroons|Queensland]] having won the [[1988 State of Origin series|State of Origin series]] 3–0 over [[New South Wales rugby league team|New South Wales]] earlier in the year, the Maroons only supplied three of Australia's 15 players for the World Cup final. Captain Wally Lewis (who broke his right forearm in the 15th minute of the game while tackling Tony Iro), Dale Shearer and Allan Langer. Lewis later claimed that it was the same as had been the case since Origin started in [[1980 State of Origin game|1980]], Qld wins the series but it was mainly NSW players picked for Australia.
{{clear}}
{{clear}}


==References==
== Try scorers ==
;8
{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}
* {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Michael O'Connor (rugby)|Michael O'Connor]]
{{div col end}}

;6
{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}
* {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Dale Shearer]]
{{div col end}}

;5
{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}
* {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Garry Jack]]
* {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Wally Lewis]]
{{div col end}}

;4
{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}
* {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Alan Langer]]
* {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Shaun Edwards]]
* {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Henderson Gill]]
* {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Mike Gregory]]
* {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Ellery Hanley]]
* {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Garry Schofield]]
* {{flagicon|NZL}} [[Kevin Iro]]
* {{flagicon|PNG}} [[Dairi Kovae]]
{{div col end}}

;3
{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}
* {{flagicon|NZL}} [[Shane Horo]]
* {{flagicon|NZL}} [[Hugh McGahan]]
* {{flagicon|NZL}} [[Darrell Williams (rugby league)|Darrell Williams]]
{{div col end}}

;2
{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}
* {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Noel Cleal]]
* {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Brett Kenny]]
* {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Les Kiss]]
* {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Bob Lindner]]
* {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Mal Meninga]]
* {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Gavin Miller]]
* {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Gene Miles]]
* {{flagicon|FRA}} [[David Fraisse]]
* {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Phil Ford (rugby)|Phil Ford]]
* {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Joe Lydon (rugby)|Joe Lydon]]
* {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Paul Medley]]
* {{flagicon|NZL}} [[Gary Freeman (rugby league)|Gary Freeman]]
* {{flagicon|NZL}} [[Clayton Friend]]
* {{flagicon|NZL}} [[Mark Graham (rugby league)|Mark Graham]]
* {{flagicon|NZL}} [[Gary Mercer]]
* {{flagicon|NZL}} [[Wayne Wallace]]
* {{flagicon|PNG}} [[Darius Haili]]
* {{flagicon|PNG}} [[Bal Numapo]]
{{div col end}}

;1
{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}
* {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Sam Backo]]
* {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Greg Conescu]]
* {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Tony Currie (rugby league)|Tony Currie]]
* {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Steve Folkes]]
* {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Wally Fullerton-Smith]]
* {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Des Hasler]]
* {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Chris Mortimer]]
* {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Bryan Niebling]]
* {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Steve Roach (rugby league)|Steve Roach]]
* {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Peter Sterling (rugby league)|Peter Sterling]]
* {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Gilles Dumas]]
* {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Cyril Pons]]
* {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Hugues Ratier]]
* {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Mark Forster (rugby league)|Mark Forster]]
* {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Andy Goodway]]
* {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Andy Gregory]]
* {{flagicon|GBR}} [[David Hulme (rugby league)|David Hulme]]
* {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Paul Loughlin]]
* {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Martin Offiah]]
* {{flagicon|GBR}} [[David Stephenson (rugby league, born 1958)|David Stephenson]]
* {{flagicon|NZL}} [[Peter Brown (rugby league)|Peter Brown]]
* {{flagicon|NZL}} [[Tony Iro]]
* {{flagicon|NZL}} [[Gary Kemble]]
* {{flagicon|NZL}} [[A'au James Leuluai]]
* {{flagicon|NZL}} [[Joe Ropati]]
* {{flagicon|NZL}} [[Adrian Shelford]]
* {{flagicon|NZL}} [[Kurt Sorensen]]
* {{flagicon|PNG}} [[Bobby Ako]]
* {{flagicon|PNG}} [[Lauta Atoi]]
* {{flagicon|PNG}} [[Arnold Krewanty]]
* {{flagicon|PNG}} [[Michael Matmillo]]
* {{flagicon|PNG}} [[Mea Morea]]
* {{flagicon|PNG}} [[Isaac Rop]]
{{div col end}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
== External links ==
*[http://www.rlwc08.com/about/pastwinners.aspx?article=1988 1985–1988 World Cup at rlwc08.com]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081012230157/http://www.rlwc08.com/about/pastwinners.aspx?article=1988 1985–1988 World Cup at rlwc08.com]
*[http://www.rlhalloffame.org.uk/wc1988.htm 1985–1988 World Cup at rlhalloffame.org.uk]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081121121107/http://www.rlhalloffame.org.uk/wc1988.htm 1985–1988 World Cup at rlhalloffame.org.uk]
*[http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/competitions/World_Cup_1985/summary.html 1985–1988 World Cup at rugbyleagueproject.com]
* [http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/competitions/World_Cup_1985/summary.html 1985–1988 World Cup at rugbyleagueproject.com]
*[http://www2.hunterlink.net.au/~maajjs/res/wcup1985.htm 1985–1988 World Cup data at hunterlink.net.au]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070929094121/http://www2.hunterlink.net.au/~maajjs/res/wcup1985.htm 1985–1988 World Cup data at hunterlink.net.au]
*[http://www.188-rugby-league.co.uk/content/feedstory/world-cup-19851988 1985–1988 World Cup at 188-rugby-league.co.uk]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090807091711/http://www.188-rugby-league.co.uk/content/feedstory/world-cup-19851988 1985–1988 World Cup at 188-rugby-league.co.uk]


{{Rlwc}}
{{Rlwc}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:1985-1988 Rugby League World Cup}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:1985-1988 Rugby League World Cup}}
[[Category:1985–1988 Rugby League World Cup|*]]
[[Category:1985–1988 Rugby League World Cup| ]]

Latest revision as of 20:53, 6 November 2024

1985–1988 (1985–1988) World Cup  ()
Number of teams5
Winner Australia (6th title)
Matches played18
Attendance218,246 (12,125 per match)
Points scored769 (42.72 per match)
Top scorerAustralia Michael O'Connor (100)
Top try scorerAustralia Michael O'Connor (8)
Tournaments
 < 1977

The 1985–1988 Rugby League World Cup (sometimes shortened to 1988 Rugby League World Cup) was the ninth edition of the Rugby League World Cup. Unlike previous World Cups that were held over a couple of months, this World Cup was held over the course of three years with teams playing each other on a home and away basis.

World Cup games 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 tournament culminated in the 1988 Rugby League World Cup final.

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, who were invited to participate for the first time.[1]

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 join them in the final. Despite finishing top of the table, poor international attendances since the mid-1970s meant the Australians declined to host the final, and asked New Zealand Rugby League to host the World Cup final at Eden Park in Auckland; Cup organisers and New Zealand officials accepted this request.

In front of a record New Zealand attendance of over 47,000 the Kiwis lost 25–12 to the Australians.

Venues

[edit]
Australia Sydney England Wigan Australia Brisbane England Leeds
Sydney Football Stadium Central Park Lang Park Headingley
Capacity: 40,000 Capacity: 37,000 Capacity: 32,500 Capacity: 22,000
New Zealand Auckland Papua New Guinea Port Moresby New Zealand Christchurch France Avignon
Carlaw Park Lloyd Robson Oval Addington Showgrounds Parc des Sports
Capacity: 20,000 Capacity: 17,000 Capacity: 15,000 Capacity: 15,000
France Perpignan Australia Wagga Wagga France Carcassonne
Stade Gilbert Brutus Eric Weissel Oval Stade Albert Domec
Capacity: 13,000 Capacity: 12,000 Capacity: 10,000
|}

Final

[edit]

The World Cup final was held at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.

New Zealand Auckland
Eden Park
Capacity: 48,000

Results

[edit]

1985

[edit]
7 July
New Zealand 18 – 0 Australia
Carlaw Park, Auckland
Attendance: 15,327
9 November
Great Britain 6 – 6 New Zealand
Elland Road, Leeds
Attendance: 22,209
7 December
France 0 – 22 New Zealand
Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan
Attendance: 5,000

1986

[edit]
16 February
France 10 – 10 Great Britain
Parc des Sports, Avignon
Attendance: 4,000
29 July
Australia 32 – 12 New Zealand
Lang Park, Brisbane
Attendance: 22,811
17 August
Papua New Guinea 24 – 22 New Zealand
Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby
Attendance: 15,000
4 October
Papua New Guinea 12 – 62 Australia
Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby
Attendance: 17,000

This match was the third Test of the 1986 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France's Ashes series.

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

This was the final Test match of the 1986 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France.

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

1987

[edit]
24 January
Great Britain 52 – 4 France
Headingley, Leeds
Attendance: 6,567
24 October
Great Britain 42 – 0 Papua New Guinea
Central Park, Wigan
Attendance: 9,121
15 November
France 21 – 4 Papua New Guinea
Stade d'Albert Domec, Carcassonne
Attendance: 5,000

1988

[edit]
Further information: 1988 Great Britain Lions tour § Papua New Guinea
22 May
Papua New Guinea 22 – 42 Great Britain
Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby
Attendance: 12,107

The victory lifted Great Britain above New Zealand into second place on the World Cup table on eight points – one ahead of the Kiwis.[2]

Further information: 1988 Great Britain Lions tour § 3rd Ashes Test
9 July
Australia 12 – 26 Great Britain
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 15,944

This was the end of a 15-match winning streak for the Australians,[3] and Great Britain's first Test victory over the Kangaroos since their 18–14 win at Odsal during the 1978 Kangaroo tour, as well as their first win in Australia for 18 years. It also put Great Britain on top of the World Cup points table.[4]

10 July
New Zealand 66 – 14 Papua New Guinea
Carlaw Park, Auckland
Attendance: 8,392
Further information: 1988 Great Britain Lions tour § New Zealand
17 July
New Zealand 12 – 10 Great Britain
Addington Showground, Christchurch
Attendance: 8,525

The last group stage match for both teams turned out to be a sudden death battle for a spot in the final. For New Zealand nothing less than a win would get them to the Final while Great Britain only needed a draw. It was also the last Test match of the 1988 Great Britain Lions tour. The Kiwis victory meant they qualified to face Australia in the final at Eden Park, Auckland.

20 July
Australia 70 – 8Papua New Guinea 
Eric Weissel Oval, Wagga Wagga
Attendance: 11,685

Australia's 62-point win set a new record for largest winning margin in international rugby league. Winger Michael O'Connor also set a new record for most points scored by an individual in international rugby league.[5] The sellout crowd of 11,685 also set a ground attendance record at Wagga Wagga's Eric Weissel Oval.[6]

Tournament standings

[edit]
Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
 Australia 8 6 0 2 252 91 +161 12[a] Qualified for the World Cup final
 New Zealand 8 5 1 2 158 86 +72 11[a]
 Great Britain 8 4 2 2 203 90 +113 10
 Papua New Guinea 8 2 0 6 84 325 −241 4[a]
 France 8 1 1 6 35 140 −105 3
Source: [citation needed]
Notes:
  1. ^ a b c France's 1987 away fixtures against Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea were cancelled and each team awarded two points as the French were unable to tour Australasia that year due to financial difficulties.

World Cup final

[edit]
Main article: 1988 Rugby League World Cup final
9 October 1988
14:30
New Zealand  12–25  Australia
Tries:
Kevin Iro
Tony Iro

Goals:
Peter Brown (2/5) 		[1]
 Tries:
Allan Langer (2)
Gavin Miller
Dale Shearer
Goals:
Michael O'Connor (4/7)
Field Goal:
Ben Elias
Eden Park, Auckland
Attendance: 47,363 [7]
Referee: Graham Ainui Papua New Guinea
Player of the Match: Gavin Miller
New Zealand
Australia
FB 1 Gary Mercer
RW 2 Tony Iro
RC 3 Kevin Iro
LC 4 Dean Bell (c)
LW 5 Mark Elia
FE 6 Gary Freeman
HB 7 Clayton Friend
PR 8 Peter Brown
HK 9 Wayne Wallace
PR 10 Adrian Shelford
SR 11 Mark Graham
SR 12 Kurt Sorensen
LF 13 Mark Horo
Substitutions:
IC 14 Shane Cooper
IC 15 Sam Stewart
Coach:
New Zealand Tony Gordon
FB 1 Garry Jack
RW 2 Dale Shearer
RC 3 Andrew Farrar
LC 4 Mark McGaw
LW 5 Michael O'Connor
FE 6 Wally Lewis (c)
HB 7 Allan Langer
PR 8 Paul Dunn
HK 9 Benny Elias
PR 10 Steve Roach
SR 11 Paul Sironen
SR 12 Gavin Miller
LF 13 Wayne Pearce
Substitutions:
IC 14 David Gillespie
IC 15 Terry Lamb
Coach:
Australia Don Furner

The 1985–1988 Rugby League World Cup saw New Zealand play Australia in the World Cup final, the culmination of four years of competition. The Final was played at the spiritual home of rugby union in New Zealand, Auckland's Eden Park. It was the first time that rugby league had been played at the ground since 1919. The final attracted the highest ever crowd for a rugby league match in New Zealand of 47,363 (only 672 less than had attended the 1987 Rugby World Cup final at the venue).[8] Australia had won the right to host the final, but in the interests of promoting the game, and because attendances for internationals played in Australia had been dwindling for over a decade due to the Kangaroos dominance, the ARL agreed to move the game to New Zealand. Prior to kick-off Graham Brazier performed the New Zealand national anthem.

Despite Australia's successful Ashes defence against Great Britain earlier in the year, the inexperience of the Australian World Cup final team (and because NZ had defeated Australia in their previous encounter in a one-off test in Brisbane in 1987), saw the hosts actually go into the match as favourites in the eyes of many critics. However, the Wally Lewis led Kangaroos, boasting veteran test players Garry Jack, Dale Shearer, Michael O'Connor, Steve Roach, Paul Dunn, Wayne Pearce, and Terry Lamb, along with 1986 Kangaroos Ben Elias and Paul Sironen, mixed with newer international players Mark McGaw, Allan Langer, Gavin Miller, Andrew Farrar and David Gillespie, 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 Tony and Kevin, Gary Freeman, Clayton Friend, Mark Graham, Adrian Shelford, Kurt Sorensen and captain Dean Bell dished out the punishment.

Despite Queensland having won the State of Origin series 3–0 over New South Wales earlier in the year, the Maroons only supplied three of Australia's 15 players for the World Cup final. Captain Wally Lewis (who broke his right forearm in the 15th minute of the game while tackling Tony Iro), Dale Shearer and Allan Langer. Lewis later claimed that it was the same as had been the case since Origin started in 1980, Qld wins the series but it was mainly NSW players picked for Australia.

Try scorers

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8
6
5
4
3
2
1

References

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  1. ^ Paddy McAteer (22 December 2010) "Whole World in their Hands" Archived 5 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine North West Evening Mail
  2. ^ "Schofield too hot for PNG". 22 May 1988. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  3. ^ Baker, Andrew (20 August 1995). "100 years of rugby league: From the great divide to the Super era". The Independent. Retrieved 25 September 2009.
  4. ^ "Best of British shocks Aussies". Evening Times. 9 July 1988. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
  5. ^ "O'Connor helps set Test records". The Age. 21 July 1988. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  6. ^ "Rugby League World Cup – Roo Tour Memories: Allan Langer". broncos.com.au. 18 October 2013. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  7. ^ RLWC 1985 – 1988: Australia at RLIF.co.uk
  8. ^ BBC Sport – Rugby league – England to face New Zealand in 2010 Four Nations opener
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