1985 - 1988 Rugby League World Cup
Encyclopedia
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.
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.
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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.
The match was broadcast by the Nine network with commentary from Darryl Eastlake and Jack Gibson
.
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. 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, 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.
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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.
The Kiwis victory meant they qualified to face Australia in the final at Eden Park
, Auckland
.
1Received two points for non-fulfilment of fixtures by France in 1987
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
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.
Rugby League World Cup
The Rugby League World Cup is an international rugby league competition contested by members of the Rugby League International Federation . It has been held nearly once every 4 years on average since its inaugural tournament in France in 1954...
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
Papua New Guinea national rugby league team
The Papua New Guinea national rugby league team represents Papua New Guinea internationally in the sport of rugby league football.In Papua New Guinea, Rugby league is highly popular and is regarded as the country’s national sport. The national side are known as the Kumuls...
. The Kumuls performed creditably, particularly when playing in the front of their fiercely patriotic home crowd. Conversely, France
France national rugby league team
The France national rugby league team represent France in international rugby league tournaments. They are also sometimes referred to as "Les Tricolores" or more commonly "Les Chanticleers"...
were unable to fulfil their 1987 tour of Australasia
Australasia
Australasia is a region of Oceania comprising Australia, New Zealand, the island of New Guinea, and neighbouring islands in the Pacific Ocean. The term was coined by Charles de Brosses in Histoire des navigations aux terres australes...
due to financial difficulties, and had to forfeit away fixtures against Australia, New Zealand
New Zealand national rugby league team
The New Zealand national rugby league team has represented New Zealand in rugby league football since intercontinental competition began for the sport in 1907. Administered by the New Zealand Rugby League, they are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of that name...
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.
1985
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1986
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1987
----1988
----Great Britain were expected to be beaten missing the likes of Shaun Edwards
Shaun Edwards
Shaun Edwards OBE is an English rugby union coach and former rugby league player. He is defence coach of Wales, a post he has held since 2008. In November 2011 he left London Wasps after 10 years with the club, latterly as head coach....
, Kevin Beardmore
Kevin Beardmore
Kevin Beardmore is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1970s, '80s and '90s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, England, and Yorkshire, and at club level for Castleford, playing at , or , i.e...
, Steve Hampson
Steve Hampson
Steve R. Hampson is a former rugby league player. He played for Wigan in the Rugby League Premiership and alongside fellow import Andy Gregory for the Illawarra Steelers in the NSWRL premiership in 1989. He played as a...
, Andy Platt
Andy Platt
Andy Platt is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A Great Britain international representative prop forward, he played for English clubs St Helens, Wigan, Widnes and Salford, as well as in New Zealand for the Auckland Warriors.-Playing career:He started his...
, Garry Schofield
Garry Schofield
Garry E. Schofield OBE is an English retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 1990s. At the time of his retirement he was the most-capped Great Britain player of all time along with Mick Sullivan, with 46 appearances. He also won three England caps, making him the highest...
, Joe Lydon, Lee Crooks
Lee Crooks
-Manchester City:As a club trainee, Crooks signed his first professional contract with Premier League club Manchester City on 1 August 1994...
and Andy Goodway
Andy Goodway
Andy I. Goodway is an English former rugby league footballer and coach. He played for Oldham , Wigan, and Leeds in the Rugby League Premiership and Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the NSWRL competition. He played as a , or /...
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.
The match was broadcast by the Nine network with commentary from Darryl Eastlake and Jack Gibson
Jack Gibson (rugby league)
Jack Arthur Gibson OAM was an Australian rugby league identity – a player, commentator and most notably a coach...
.
| Australia | Position | Great Britain |
|---|---|---|
| Garry Jack Garry Jack Garry Jack is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He was a representative in the Australian national team and star player with the Balmain Tigers. Jack was a for the Tigers during the late 1980s and early 1990s, under the captaincy of Wayne Pearce and the coaching of Warren Ryan... |
1. FB | Phil Ford Phil Ford (rugby league) Phil 'The Rubber Man' Ford is a Welsh former rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and '90s, who at club level played rugby union for Cardiff RFC, and Rumney RFC, and at representative level played rugby league for Great Britain and Wales, and at club level for... |
| Andrew Ettingshausen Andrew Ettingshausen Andrew Ettingshausen is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. He played his first grade Australian club football for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, retiring with the record of most games at a single club, with 328... |
2. WG | Henderson Gill Henderson Gill Henderson C. Gill is an English former rugby league footballer. He played for Bradford Northern, Wigan and Rochdale Hornets in the Rugby League Premiership and South Sydney Rabbitohs in the NSWRL competition... |
| Michael O'Connor | 3. CE | David Stephenson David Stephenson David Stephenson is an English rugby league forward for Oldham Roughyeds, Hull Sharks, Rochdale Hornets. He was born in Leeds in 1972.-External links:**... |
| Peter Jackson Peter Jackson (rugby league) Peter Jackson was an Australian professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and '90s. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative back, he played club football in both Queensland and New South Wales as well as a season in England... |
4. CE | Paul Loughlin Paul Loughlin Paul J. P. Loughlin was an English rugby league who played for his hometown team, St. Helens and the Bradford Bulls. Loughlin was a talented and loyal centre who served St. Helens well before he was transferred to the Bradford Bulls as part of the record package to bring Paul Newlove to Knowsley... |
| Tony Currie | 5. WG | Martin Offiah Martin Offiah Martin Offiah MBE is an English former rugby league and rugby union footballer.He is known as "Chariots" Offiah after the film Chariots of Fire... |
| Wally Lewis Wally Lewis Walter James "Wally" Lewis AM is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer and coach. Currently a commentator of the sport, he is widely regarded as the greatest rugby league player of all time... (c) |
6. FE | David Hulme |
| Peter Sterling Peter Sterling Peter Maxwell John "Sterlo" Sterling OAM is an Australian rugby league commentator and former player. He was one of the all-time great halfbacks and a major contributor to Parramatta Eels' dominance of the New South Wales Rugby League premiership in the 1980s. Sterling played nineteen Tests for... |
7. HB | Andy Gregory Andy Gregory Andrew "Andy" Gregory is an English former rugby league footballer. A Great Britain international representative /, he is an inductee of the Wigan Hall of Fame... |
| Martin Bella Martin Bella Martin Bella is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A prop forward, he achieved national and state representation and played club football for various teams in Queensland, New South Wales and England. He is of Italian descent.... |
8. PR | Kevin Ward Kevin Ward (rugby league) Kevin Ward is an English former rugby league footballer of the 1970s, '80s and 90s. A product of Stanley Rangers, he was a , and occasionally , who represented Castleford and St. Helens in England. He also represented the Manly Sea Eagles during a spell in Australia... |
| Greg Conescu Greg Conescu Greg "Turtle" Conescu is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s. An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative hooker, he played all of his club football in Queensland with Norths Devils Gladstone Brothers, Redcliffe and the Brisbane... |
9. HK | Paul Hulme Paul Hulme Paul Hulme is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and '90s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and at club level for Widnes, and Warrington Wolves, playing at , i.e. number 9... |
| Sam Backo Sam Backo Sam Backo is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s who has been named as one of the greatest Aboriginal players of the 20th century. He represented Australia and Queensland, and played club football in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership for the Canberra... |
10. PR | Hugh Waddell Hugh Waddell Hugh Waddell is a Scottish former rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and '90s who at representative has played level for Great Britain, England, and Scotland, and at club level for Blackpool Borough, Oldham, Leeds, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, Sheffield Eagles,... |
| Wally Fullerton Smith Wally Fullerton Smith Wally Fullerton Smith is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 1990s. An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative back-rower, he played club football in Queensland, France, England and New South Wales.-Biography:The Redcliffe forward,... |
11. SR | Mike Gregory Mike Gregory Michael Keith "Mike" Gregory , was a rugby league player and later coach; the former head coach of Wigan and player for Warrington and Great Britain.-Playing career:... |
| Paul Vautin Paul Vautin Paul Vautin , is an Australian sports television personality and former rugby league footballer and coach. He currently hosts the NRL Footy Show and provides commentary for the Nine Network's coverage of rugby league matches... |
12. SR | Roy Powell Roy Powell (rugby league) Roy Colin Powell was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and '90s who at representative level played for Great Britain, and at club level for Leeds, Bradford, Featherstone Rovers, Batley, and Rochdale Hornets, playing at , or , i.e. number 8 or 10, or 11 or 12... |
| Wayne Pearce Wayne Pearce Wayne John Pearce OAM is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. An athletic Lock Forward for the Balmain Tigers, he was affectionately known as 'Junior'... |
13. LF | Ellery Hanley Ellery Hanley Ellery Cuthwyn Hanley MBE is a British former rugby league footballer of the 1970s, 80s and 90s, and former head coach of Great Britain, St. Helens and Doncaster. As a player he played most of his games at /, or /. Over a period of nineteen years, he played for Bradford Northern, Wigan, Balmain,... (c) |
| Gary Belcher Gary Belcher Gary Belcher is an Australian rugby league football commentator and former player of the 1980s and '90s. An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative goal-kicking fullback, he played club football in the Brisbane Rugby League premiership for Souths and in the NSWRL... |
14. Res. | Brian Case Brian Case Brian G. Case is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Blackbrook, Warrington, and Wigan, playing at , i.e... |
| Bob Lindner Bob Lindner Bob Lindner is a former Australian representative rugby league player and coach. He represented his country in the sport and is one of a handful of players to be man-of-the-match in State of Origin football more than once... |
15. Res. | Darren Wright Darren Wright Darren Wright was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A Great Britain international representative three-quarter back, he played club football in England for Widnes and in Australia for the North Sydney BearsWright toured Australia and New Zealand with the British... |
| Don Furner Don Furner Don Furner is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. As a player he represented Queensland on nine occasions and also toured with the 1956–57 Kangaroos.... |
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. 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
Scrum
Scrum can refer to:* Scrum , a rugby restart after an interruption* Media scrum , similar to a rugby scrum, occurs when public figures, such as politicians, are surrounded by a group of journalists and are asked questions in an impromptu or loosely organized manner* Scrum , an agile software...
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, 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.
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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.
The Kiwis victory meant they qualified to face Australia in the final at Eden Park
Eden Park
Eden Park is the biggest stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. It is used primarily for rugby union in winter and cricket in summer . The ground also occasionally hostts rugby league matches. To accommodate all three sports, the cricket pitch is removable...
, Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
.
Final standings
| Team | Played | Won | Drew | Lost | For | Against | Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 252 | 91 | +161 | 121 | |
| 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 158 | 86 | +72 | 111 | |
| 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 203 | 90 | +113 | 10 | |
| 7 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 84 | 325 | −241 | 41 | |
| 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. Prior to kick-off Graham BrazierGraham Brazier
Graham Brazier is a New Zealand musician and songwriter. He first came to prominence in the band Hello Sailor. After Hello Sailor he formed a band called the Legionnaires...
performed the New Zealand national anthem
God Defend New Zealand
"God Defend New Zealand" is one of two national anthems of New Zealand, the other being "God Save the Queen". Legally they have equal status, but "God Defend New Zealand" is more commonly used, and is popularly referred to as "the national anthem"...
.
New Zealand:
1. Gary Mercer
Gary Mercer
Gary Ivan Mercer is a New Zealand rugby league coach and former professional footballer. A New Zealand international representative player, he has spent most of his career in England both playing and coaching.-Playing career:...
; 2. Tony Iro
Tony Iro
Tony Roy Iro is the Assistant Coach of the New Zealand Warriors, selector and Assistant Coach of the New Zealand national rugby league team and a former rugby league player...
; 3. Kevin Iro
Kevin Iro
Kevin Leslie Iro is a former professional rugby league international footballer who has representated both New Zealand and the Cook Islands. In his domestic career, his achievements include playing in the Challenge Cup final for Leeds, Wigan and St. Helens.Iro is the younger brother of New Zealand...
; 4. Dean Bell
Dean Bell
Dean Bell is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer and coach. A New Zealand international representative centre, he played his club football in England, Australia and New Zealand, but most notably with Wigan, with whom he won seven consecutive Challenge Cup finals, a Lance Todd Trophy and a...
(c); 5. Mark Elia
Mark Elia
Mark Wycliffe Elia was a rugby league player who represented both New Zealand and Western Samoa.-Playing career:During his long career, Elia played for the Te Atatu Roosters, Kent Invicta, Southend Invicta, St...
; 6. Gary Freeman; 7. Clayton Friend
Clayton Friend
Clayton Ivan Friend is a New Zealander former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s who at representative level has played for New Zealand, and at club level for Carlisle , North Sydney Bears, and Whitehaven, playing at /, i.e...
8. Peter Brown; 9. Wayne Wallace
Wayne Wallace
Wayne John Wallace is a New Zealand former rugby league player and coach who represented his country in the 1988 World Cup Final.-Playing career:...
; 10. Adrian Shelford
Adrian Shelford
Adrian Tremain Shelford , born in New Zealand, was a rugby league player who represented his country. Shelford played for Wigan and Wakefield Trinity in the Rugby League Premiership as well as the Newcastle Knights and Manly Sea Eagles in the NSWRL Premiership as a prop.-Early years:Shelford played...
; 11. Mark Graham
Mark Graham (rugby league)
Mark Kerry Graham is a New Zealand retired rugby league footballer and coach. A back-rower and former captain of the New Zealand national rugby league team, he has been named as the greatest player the country has produced in the century from 1907 to 2006.-Playing career:An Otahahu junior, Graham...
; 12. Kurt Sorenson; 13. Mark Horo
Mark Horo
Mark Gregory Horo is a New Zealand rugby league coach and former footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A New Zealand international representative, he played club football in New Zealand for Te Atatu and in Australia for Parramatta and Wests before finishing his career back in Auckland with the Warriors...
Replacements: Shane Cooper
Shane Cooper (rugby league)
Shane David Cooper is a New Zealand former rugby league player who represented his country in the 1988 World Cup final and had a long career in England with St. Helens and Widnes.-Playing career:...
& Sam Stewart
Sam Stewart (rugby league)
Samuel Weka Stewart is a former rugby league footballer who represented his country. He played for the Newcastle Knights when they first started competing in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership and became the Knights first captain.-Playing career:...
Coach: Tony Gordon
Tony Gordon (rugby league)
Anthony Ralph "Tank" Gordon is a New Zealand former rugby league and rugby union player and coach who represented the New Zealand Kiwis in the 1975 World Cup and coached them to the 1988 World Cup Final.-Early years:...
Australia:
1. Garry Jack
Garry Jack
Garry Jack is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He was a representative in the Australian national team and star player with the Balmain Tigers. Jack was a for the Tigers during the late 1980s and early 1990s, under the captaincy of Wayne Pearce and the coaching of Warren Ryan...
; 2. Dale Shearer
Dale Shearer
Dale Shearer is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative winger/fullback of Aboriginal heritage, he played club football in Queensland, New South Wales and England...
; 3. Andrew Farrar
Andrew Farrar
Andrew Farrar is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He played for the Canterbury Bulldogs, Western Suburbs Magpies, Wigan Warriors and Illawarra Steelers. Farrar also played for New South Wales in the State of Origin on several occasions and played for Australia in the 1988...
; 4. Mark McGaw
Mark McGaw
Mark McGaw is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. He achieved national and state representative honours in the sport and following his retirement became one of the Gladiators in the Australian version of the TV show...
; 5. Michael O'Connor; 6. Wally Lewis
Wally Lewis
Walter James "Wally" Lewis AM is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer and coach. Currently a commentator of the sport, he is widely regarded as the greatest rugby league player of all time...
(c); 7. Allan Langer
Allan Langer
Allan "Alfie" Langer AM is an Australian former multi-award-winning rugby league footballer of the 1980s, 90s and 2000s who works as an assistant coach for the Australian national team and Brisbane Broncos...
8. Paul Dunn
Paul Dunn (rugby league)
Paul Dunn is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A New Souht Wales State of Origin and Australian international representative forward, he played club football in Sydney for Eastern Suburbs, Canterbury-Bankstown, Parramatta and Penrith.-Biography:Dunn was...
; 9. Ben Elias; 10. Steve Roach; 11. Paul Sironen
Paul Sironen
Paul Sironen is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who was a prominent second rower for the Balmain Tigers during the late 1980s and early 1990s...
; 12. Gavin Miller
Gavin Miller
Gavin John Miller is an Australian former rugby league footballer who at his peak was regarded as the most dangerous attacking force in the NSWRL owing to his great ball skills...
; 13. Wayne Pearce
Wayne Pearce
Wayne John Pearce OAM is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. An athletic Lock Forward for the Balmain Tigers, he was affectionately known as 'Junior'...
Replacements: David Gillespie
David Gillespie
David "Cement" Gillespie is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A sturdy forward, he played for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Western Suburbs Magpies, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, New South Wales and for the Australian national side...
& Terry Lamb
Terry Lamb
Terry Lamb OAM, is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer and coach. He played 349 games , with Wests , and Canterbury . Lamb was known for his support of the ball-carrier - his ability to be in the right place at the right time netted him 164 tries. This earned him the moniker...
Coach: Don Furner
Don Furner
Don Furner is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. As a player he represented Queensland on nine occasions and also toured with the 1956–57 Kangaroos....
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.