1995 Rugby League World Cup
| 1995Rugby League World Cup | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Number of teams | 10 |
| Host countries |  England Wales |
| Winner |  Australia(8th title) |
| Matches played | 15 |
| Attendance | 265,609 (17,707 per match) |
| Points scored | 718 (47.87 per match) |
| Top scorer | Andrew Johns(62) |
| Top try scorer | Steven Menzies(6) |
2000> | |
The1995 Rugby League World Cup(officially known asHalifaxCentenary World Cupfor sponsorship reasons) was the eleventhWorld Cupfor mens national rugby league teams. It was held between 7-28 October and hosted by England and Wales and was won byAustraliawho beat England atWembley Stadium,their eighth World Cup win and fifth in succession.
Organised to celebrate the sportscentenary,ten nations were invited to participate. The tournament had been preceded by doubts and pessimism; many feared that it would produce one-sided-matches that would be unattractive to supporters. The forthcomingSuper League waralso hung over the tournament, with theAustralian Rugby Leaguerefusing to select players who had signed for the rival competition.[1]Those fears proved unfounded, and the tournament was acclaimed a great success.[2][3]
Although some early matches did prove as one-sided as feared, fans still flocked to see newer rugby league nations such asFiji,Tonga,Western SamoaandSouth Africa.Large home crowds for the group involving Wales proved particularly encouraging for the sport.
For the 1995 tournament, a £10,000 cup was made byTiffanysto celebrate the centenary of the game.[4]
Teams[edit]
Ten teams competed in the Centenary World Cup: Australia, England, Fiji,France,New Zealand,Papua New Guinea,South Africa, Tonga, Wales and Western Samoa.[5]It was the first time since the1975 World Seriesthat England and Wales competed, rather thanGreat Britain.Fiji, South Africa, Tonga and Western Samoa all made their World Cup débuts.[6]ScotlandandIrelandtook part in theEmerging Nations Tournamentthat was held alongside the World Cup.
Australia was missing some of their best players, a number of whom had been part of the1994 Kangaroossquad, due to the Super League war and the ARL's refusal to selectSuper League-aligned players.[7]Australia's win in the end, with what many considered to be a second-string side, was seen as a blow to theSuper Leagueorganisation, with which every other nation was aligned.[8]
Canberra RaidersplayersLaurie Daley,Ricky Stuart,Bradley Clyde,Steve WaltersandBrett Mullins,won a court order against the ARL making Super League players eligible for representative games. Despite assurances from the ARL that all players were considered, only ARL loyal players were selected for the Kangaroos World Cup squad.
Venues[edit]
The games were played at various venues inEnglandandWales.
Wembley StadiuminLondonwas the host stadium for the opening ceremony and match featuring hosts England and defending champions Australia. Wembley, England's national stadium, would also host the Final of the tournament.
| London
|
Trafford
|
Wigan
|
Cardiff
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Wembley Stadium | Old Trafford | Central Park | Ninian Park |
| Capacity:82,000 | Capacity:35,000 | Capacity:28,000 | Capacity:21,508 |
|
|
|
|
| Huddersfield
|
Locations of the 1995 Rugby League World Cup host venues in England and Wales |
Leeds
| |
| Alfred McAlpine Stadium | Headingley | ||
| Capacity:20,000 | Capacity:20,000 | ||
|
| ||
| St. Helens
|
Gateshead
| ||
| Knowsley Road | Gateshead International Stadium | ||
| Capacity:17,500 | Capacity:11,800 | ||
|
| ||
| Swansea
|
Hull
|
Warrington
|
Keighley
|
| Vetch Field | The Boulevard | Wilderspool Stadium | Cougar Park |
| Capacity:11,500 | Capacity:10,500 | Capacity:9,200 | Capacity:7,800 |
|
|
| |
Group stage[edit]
Group A[edit]
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England
|
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 112 | 16 | +96 | 6 | Advances to knockout stage |
| Australia
|
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 168 | 26 | +142 | 4 | |
 Fiji
|
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 52 | 118 | −66 | 2 | |
 South Africa
|
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 184 | −172 | 0 |
7 October
|
| England
|
20–16 | Australia
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries:Farrell,Joynt,Robinson,Newlove Goals:Farrell(2) |
[9] |
Tries:Menzies(2),Coyne Goals:Wishart(2) |
8 October
|
| Fiji
|
52–6 | South Africa
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries:Sovatabua(2),Seru(2),Nadruku,Taga,Sagaitu,Marayawa,Naisoro,Dakuitoga Goals:Nayacakalou(3),Taga(3) |
[11] |
Goals:van Wyk(3) |
10 October
|
| Australia
|
86–6 | South Africa
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries:Hopoate(3),McGregor(2),A. Johns(2),D. Moore(2),O'Davis(2),Kosef,Raper,Dymock,Smith,Brasher Goals:A. Johns(11) |
[12] |
Tries:Watts Goals:van Wyk |
11 October
|
| England
|
46–0 | Fiji
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries:Robinson(2),Radlinski,Bentley,Broadbent,Haughton,Smith,Newlove Goals:Farrell(4),Goulding(3) |
[13] |
14 October
|
| Australia
|
66–0 | Fiji
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries:Dallas(3),O'Davis(3),Menzies(2),Hill(2),Brasher,Larson Goals:A. Johns(9) |
[14] |
14 October
|
| England
|
46–0 | South Africa
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries:Pinkney(2),Haughton,Goulding,Sampson,Broadbent,Radlinski,Smith Goals:Goulding(7) |
[15] |
Group B[edit]
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 New Zealand
|
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 47 | 30 | +17 | 4 | Advanced to knockout stage |
 Tonga
|
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 52 | 53 | −1 | 1 | |
 Papua New Guinea
|
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 34 | 50 | −16 | 1 |
8 October
|
| New Zealand
|
25–24 | Tonga
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries:Blackmore(2),Hoppe,Kemp,Okesene Goals:Ridge(2) Drop goals:Ridge |
[16] |
Tries:Wolfgramm,Taufa,Veikoso,Finau Goals:Amone(4) |
10 October
|
| Papua New Guinea
|
28–28 | Tonga
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries:Lam,Paiyo,Buko,Gene,Solbat Goals:Paiyo(4) |
[17] |
Tries:Guttenbeil(2),Howlett,Wolfgramm,Liku,Taufa Goals:Amone(2) |
13 October
|
| New Zealand
|
22–6 | Papua New Guinea
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries:Ridge,Blackmore,Hoppe Goals:Ridge(4),Ngamu |
[18] |
Tries:Bai Goals:Paiyo |
Group C[edit]
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wales
|
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 16 | +34 | 4 | Advanced to knockout stage |
 Western Samoa
|
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 66 | 32 | +34 | 2 | |
 France
|
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 16 | 84 | −68 | 0 |
9 October
|
| Wales
|
28–6 | France
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries:Sullivan(3),Harris,Devereux Goals:Davies(3),Harris |
[19] |
Tries:Torreilles Goals:Banquet |
12 October
|
| Western Samoa
|
56–10 | France
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries:Tuigamala(2),Matautia(2),Tatupu(2),Swann,P. Tuimavave,Laumatia,Perelini Goals:Schuster(8) |
[20] |
Tries:Chamorin,Cabestany Goals:Banquet |
15 October
|
| Wales
|
22–10 | Western Samoa
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries:Harris,Sullivan,Ellis Goals:Davies(4) Drop goals:Davies,Harris |
[21] |
Tries:Matautia Goals:Schuster(3) |
Knockout Stage[edit]
Semi-finals[edit]
England as expected defeatedreigningEuropean ChampionsWales in their semi-final atOld Trafford.The other Semi atHuddersfieldalmost produced a boil over. After defeating New Zealand 3–0 in theTrans-Tasman Test seriesearlier in the year, and with the Kiwis lackluster form in their Group B games, Australia was expected to easily account forFrank Endacott's side, but the Kiwis found form and the game ended 20–all at the end of 80 minutes (following a missed sideline conversion attempt by the Kiwis Matthew Ridge and a missed left foot drop goal attempt by the same player - both in the last few minutes of regular time). However, 20 minutes of extra time saw Australia skip away to a 30–20 win to book their place in the Final at Wembley.
21 October
|
| England
|
25–10[22] | Wales
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries:Offiah(2),Newlove,Betts,Clarke Goals:Farrell,Goulding Drop goals:Goulding |
Tries:Phillips Goals:Davies(3) |
Old Trafford,Manchester
Attendance: 30,042 Referee: Eddie Ward (Australia) Player of the Match:Bobbie Goulding(England) |
22 October
|
| Australia
|
30–20 (AET)[23] | New Zealand
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries:Menzies(2),Brasher,Coyne,Hill,Fittler Goals:A. Johns(3) |
Tries:Barnett,T. Iro,K. Iro Goals:Ridge(4) |
Alfred McAlpine Stadium,Huddersfield
Attendance: 16,608 Referee: Russell Smith (England) Player of the Match:Brad Fittler(Australia) |
Final[edit]
The Australians had reached the final after a hard-fought 30–20 Semi-final win over New Zealand at theMcAlpine Stadiumwhich had gone into extra time after the score was locked at 20-all after 80 minutes. Their opponents and tournament host England, had an easier time defeating Wales 25–10 in their semi atOld Trafford.[24]Even though they were favoured to win, Australia went into the final having lost three of their past four games at Wembley (the only win being theWorld Cup final of 1992), and had already lost the opening match of the tournament there to the English. Also, due to theARL's policy of not selectingSuper Leaguealigned players, the Kangaroos went into the game with 11 of their 17 players under the age of 24. Although considered mostly a 'second string' team without the likes ofLaurie Daley,Ricky Stuart,Andrew Ettingshausen,Steve Renouf,Steve WaltersandGlenn Lazarus,most of the Kangaroos had played in the 3–0 whitewash of New Zealand in the Trans-Tasman series earlier in the year.[25]Kangaroos captain and five-eighth Brad Fittler and fullback Tim Brasher were the only members of Australia's 1992 World Cup final win over Great Britain at Wembley,[8]with both players in the same positions as they had been three years previously.
England's captainShaun Edwardsruled himself out of the final with an infected knee.[26]Despite almost being ruled out of the tournament with pneumonia,St HelenscentrePaul Newlovewas selected by coachPhil Larderfor starting line-up in the final. Larder also handed the captaincy to veteran test forwardDenis Betts.With the formerWiganback rower now playing for theAuckland Warriorsin the Australian premiership, his selection as captain created history as he became the first player to captain England while not currently playing in the British competition.[27]
After winning in 1992, Australian coachBob Fultonbecame just the second coach (afterHarry Bath) to win two Rugby League World Cups. It was Fulton's 5th World Cup win after also winning in1968,1970and1975as a player. Coincidentally, Fulton's coach in the1968and1970World Cup finals was Harry Bath.
Status Quoperformed the pre-match entertainment, performingWhen You Walk in the RoomandRockin' All Over the World.
28 October 1995
14:30 |
| England
|
8–16 | Australia
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Paul Newlove Goals: Bobby Goulding(2/3) |
[28] |
Tries: Rod Wishart Tim Brasher Goals: Andrew Johns(4/6) |
Wembley Stadium,London
Attendance: 66,540 Referee:Stuart Cummings(England) Player of the Match:Andrew Johns(Australia) |
          England
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     Australia
|
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First half
England won the coin toss and Australia's Andrew Johns kicked off the match. In England's first set with the ball Australia werepenalisedfor their skipper Brad Fittler's hightackleon Andrew Farrell. From the resulting goodfieldposition England were able to force a line drop-out and get another set of six in Australia's half of the field. At the end of the set, Radlinski put up ahigh kick,which Australia's fullback Tim Brasher failed to secure and Australia were penalised for regathering the ball when off-side. Bobbie Goulding kicked the penalty goal from fifteen metres out, giving his side a 2–0 lead.[29]From Australia's resulting kick-off, the English players couldn't secure the ball and it was regathered by the Kangaroos deep in the opposition half. On the last tackle of the ensuing set, Johns at first receiver put a chip kick into the left-hand corner of England's in-goal area where winger Rod Wishart dived in and got a hand on it,[30]giving Australia the firsttryof the match in the seventh minute.[31]Johns thenconvertedthe try from the touch-line and the Kangaroos were leading 6–2.[32]A few minutes later England were penalised around the centre of the field and Johns attempted the kick at goal but missed. With the game now swinging from end to end, Johns conceded a penalty close to the goal posts and Goulding's kick bounced off the uprights but went in,[29]so England were trailing 6–4 by the eighteenth minute. A few minutes later England conceded a penalty in front of their goal posts and Johns kicked Australia to an 8–4 lead. Shortly after that England winger Martin Offiah made a break down along the left sideline and was contentiously ruled to have been taken over the sideline by a desperate Tim Brasher tackle as he threw the ball back into the field for Paul Newlove to toe ahead and dive on, though television replays suggested that Offiah had managed to release the ball before he went into touch.[24]After a high shot from Andy Farrell on Mark Carroll, Johns kicked another penalty giving Australia a 10–4 lead at the 30-minute mark. Just before the half-time break England conceded another penalty in the ruck but Johns' kick missed so the score remained unchanged at the break.[33]
Second half
After making their way into good attacking field position, England played the ball ten metres out from Australia's goal-line where centre Paul Newlove at dummy-half ran the ball at the defence forced his way through to score in the left corner.[34]The sideline conversion attempt by Goulding missed so England trailed 10–8 after five minutes of the second half.[24]Around the ten-minute mark the game was interrupted by a topless femalestreaker.[35]The play continued swinging from one end of the field to the other, with neither team able to capitalise on their scoring opportunities for the next twenty minutes. Australian interchange player Jason Smith was blood binned and had to return to the bench. A few minutes later the Kangaroos had made their way deep into England's half when, on the last tackle, the ball was moved through the hands and eventually flicked passed back from Johns as he was being tackled to the feet of Brasher who kicked it ahead to the try-line.[34]Both fullbacks then scrambled to get to the ball and the referee ruled that Brasher had grounded it, awarding Australia a try.[24]Johns converted the try so Australia lead 16–8 with just over 10 minutes remaining. England forward Karl Harrison then had to come off the field with an injured arm. A few minutes from full-time Australian forward Mark Carroll was sent to the sin-bin for an infringement in the ruck. The remainder of the match extended into additional injury time but was played with no further points so Australia retained the World Cup with a 16–8 victory and their fifth consecutive world title.
21-year-old Andrew Johns was named man-of-the-match.[36]Kangaroos coachBob Fultonhad named the young half as the team hooker, and he did indeed pack into the scrums. However Johns played at halfback in general play with Geoff Toovey having the dummy-half duties, necessary because Toovey had actually injured his neck during the tournament and simply could not pack into the front row in the scrums.[6]
Following the matchPrince Edward, Earl of Wessexpresented Kangaroos captain Brad Fittler with the Cup and each of the players with medals.[8][33]During the1990 Kangaroo Tour,an 18-year-old Fittler had reportedly broken protocol when he had said"G'day dude"to Prince Edward's father,Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburghwhen the team had met the Duke as part of the tour. History allegedly repeated itself as Fittler was heard to say"Thanks dude"to Prince Edward when receiving the World Cup on the Wembley balcony.
Team of the tournament[edit]
The following players were selected as the 1995 World Cup "Team of the Tournament"[citation needed]
|
|
Try scorers[edit]
- 6 tries
- 5 tries
- 4 tries
- 3 tries
- 2 tries
- 1 try
- Jim Dymock
- Brad Fittler
- Nik Kosef
- Gary Larson
- Aaron Raper
- Jason Smith
- Rod Wishart
- John Bentley
- Denis Betts
- Phil Clarke
- Andrew Farrell
- Bobbie Goulding
- Chris Joynt
- Dean Sampson
- Joe Dakuitoga
- Samuela Marayawa
- Noa Nadruku
- Kalaveti Naisoro
- Ian Sagaitu
- Savenaca Taga
- Didier Cabestany
- Pierre Chamorin
- Patrick Torreilles
- Richie Barnett
- Kevin Iro
- Tony Iro
- Tony Kemp
- Hitro Okesene
- Matthew Ridge
- Marcus Bai
- David Buko
- Stanley Gene
- Adrian Lam
- Elias Paiyo
- Lucas Solbat
- Brian Laumatia
- Apollo Perelini
- Willie Swann
- Paki Tuimavave
- Gideon Watts
- Salesi Finau
- Phil Howlett
- Tau'alupe Liku
- Jimmy Veikoso
- John Devereux
- Kevin Ellis
- Rowland Phillips
References[edit]
- ^Hadfield, Dave (1 October 1995)."Celebration a slow burn".The Independent.London: Independent Print.Retrieved6 October2009.
- ^"1995 Rugby League World Cup".gillette4nations.co.uk.Rugby League International Federation.Archived fromthe originalon 4 January 2014.Retrieved4 January2014.
- ^Masters, Roy (30 October 1995)."Cup recipe is a big winner".The Sydney Morning Herald.Retrieved4 January2014.
- ^"A history of the Rugby League World Cup".St Helens Star.1 October 2013.Retrieved4 January2014.
- ^Hadfield, Dave (6 October 1995)."Team-by-team guide to Centenary Celebrations".The Independent.London.Retrieved6 October2009.
- ^ab"History of the Rugby League World Cup".skysports.com.16 October 2013.Retrieved4 January2014.
- ^Richard, de la Riviere."The Golden Boot: The Missing Years – 1995".totalrl.com.League Publications. Archived fromthe originalon 4 January 2014.Retrieved4 January2014.
- ^abc"Kangaroos' win blow to rebel league".The Age.30 October 1995.Retrieved4 January2014.
- ^Fletcher, Raymond & Howes, David (1996).Rothman's Rugby League Yearbook 1996.p. 222.ISBN978-0747-27767-5.
- ^Wilson, Andy (4 November 2011)."Wembley Rugby League internationals – in pictures".guardian.co.uk.Retrieved27 December2011.
- ^Fletcher, Raymond & Howes, David (1996).Rothman's Rugby League Yearbook 1996.p. 223.ISBN978-0747-27767-5.
- ^Fletcher, Raymond & Howes, David (1996).Rothman's Rugby League Yearbook 1996.p. 224.ISBN978-0747-27767-5.
- ^Fletcher, Raymond & Howes, David (1996).Rothman's Rugby League Yearbook 1996.p. 225.ISBN978-0747-27767-5.
- ^Hadfield, Dave (15 October 1995)."Rugby League World Cup: Flying Fittler floors Fiji".The Independent.London.Archivedfrom the original on 1 May 2022.Retrieved20 April2010.
- ^Fletcher, Raymond & Howes, David (1996).Rothman's Rugby League Yearbook 1996.p. 228.ISBN978-0747-27767-5.
- ^Fletcher, Raymond & Howes, David (1996).Rothman's Rugby League Yearbook 1996.p. 231.ISBN978-0747-27767-5.
- ^Fletcher, Raymond & Howes, David (1996).Rothman's Rugby League Yearbook 1996.p. 232.ISBN978-0747-27767-5.
- ^Fletcher, Raymond & Howes, David (1996).Rothman's Rugby League Yearbook 1996.p. 233.ISBN978-0747-27767-5.
- ^Fletcher, Raymond & Howes, David (1996).Rothman's Rugby League Yearbook 1996.p. 236.ISBN978-0747-27767-5.
- ^Fletcher, Raymond & Howes, David (1996).Rothman's Rugby League Yearbook 1996.p. 237.ISBN978-0747-27767-5.
- ^Fletcher, Raymond & Howes, David (1996).Rothman's Rugby League Yearbook 1996.p. 238.ISBN978-0747-27767-5.
- ^Fletcher, Raymond & Howes, David (1996).Rothman's Rugby League Yearbook 1996.p. 241.ISBN978-0747-27767-5.
- ^Fletcher, Raymond & Howes, David (1996).Rothman's Rugby League Yearbook 1996.p. 242.ISBN978-0747-27767-5.
- ^abcdThomsen, Ian (30 October 1995)."Australians Retain Rugby League Title".The New York Times.Retrieved4 January2014.
- ^Ian, Thomsen (28 October 1995)."Australia Faces England at Wembley: A Final of Rugby Favorites".The New York Times.Retrieved5 November2009.
- ^"A fear of failure spurs Australia".The Age.27 October 1995.Retrieved4 January2014.
- ^Hadfield, Dave (28 October 1995)."Connolly returns as England gamble".The Independent.Archivedfrom the original on 1 May 2022.Retrieved8 January2014.
- ^1995 World Cup final
- ^abCorrigan, Peter (29 October 1995)."Australia deliver the magic".The Independent.Archivedfrom the original on 1 May 2022.Retrieved8 January2014.
- ^Richard, de la Riviere."28th October: Aussies win Centenary World Cup".totalrl.com.League Publications.Retrieved8 January2014.
- ^"On this day".espn.co.uk.ESPN Sports Media.Retrieved8 January2014.
- ^Johns, Matthew (11 April 2007)."Matthew Johns on his brother".The Daily Telegraph.Retrieved8 January2014.
- ^abRobinson, Jason (2012).Finding My Feet.UK: Hachette.ISBN9781444718034.
- ^abMasters, Roy (30 October 1995)."Roos on top of the world".The Sydney Morning Herald.Retrieved4 January2014.
- ^"Pitch invaders!"(PDF).psillakis.com.Retrieved4 January2014.
- ^The Guardian."The Joy of Six: Rugby League World Cup moments".The Guardian.Guardian News and Media.Retrieved5 January2014.