1989 - 1992 Rugby League World Cup

Infobox Rugby League World Cup |
year = 1989 - 1992
country = Worldwide


imagesize = 100px
finalists = 5
winners = rl|Australia
count = 7th
matches = 21
points = 835
attendance = 251809
top scorer = The tenth Rugby League World Cup continued to use the three-year format, stretching to cover the years 1989 to 1992. As with the previous competition teams 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 matches went strictly to form, with Australia undefeated and certain to claim a world cup final berth as early as 1991. France and Papua New Guinea were uncompetitive, leading to a straight fight between New Zealand and Great Britain for the right to meet the Kangaroos in the final. In the event the Lions were able to just edge out the Kiwis on points difference.

The final, at Wembley, was a surprisingly close affair, with Great Britain leading with only 12 minutes to go. The game's only try was then scored by Steve Renouf and Australia were able to claim victory in front of a Rugby League World Cup record crowd of 73,631.

Results

1989

rugbybox
date = 1989-07-23
home = rl-rt|New Zealand
score = 14–22
away = rl|Australia
stadium = Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
attendance=20,000----rugbybox
date = 1989-11-11
home = rl-rt|Great Britain
score = 10–6
away = rl|New Zealand
stadium = Central Park, Wigan
attendance=20,346----rugbybox
date = 1989-12-03
home = rl-rt|France
score = 0–34
away = rl|New Zealand
stadium = Carcassonne
attendance=4,208

1990

rugbybox
date = 1990-06-02
home = rl-rt|Papua New Guinea
score = 8–40
away = rl|Great Britain
stadium = Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby
attendance=7,837----rugbybox
date = 1990-06-27
home = rl-rt|Australia
score = 34–2
away = rl|France
stadium = Parkes, New South Wales
attendance=12,384----rugbybox
date = 1990-07-15
home = rl-rt|New Zealand
score = 21–18
away = rl|Great Britain
stadium = Christchurch
attendance=3,133----rugbybox
date = 1990-08-11
home = rl-rt|Papua New Guinea
score = 10–18
away = rl|New Zealand
stadium = Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby
attendance=7,837----rugbybox
date = 1990-11-24
home = rl-rt|Great Britain
score = 0–14
away = rl|Australia
stadium = Headingley, Leeds
attendance=32,500----rugbybox
date = 1990-12-09
home = rl-rt|France
score = 10–34
away = rl|Australia
stadium = Perpignan
attendance=3,428

1991

rugbybox
date = 1991-01-27
home = rl-rt|France
score = 10–45
away = rl|Great Britain
stadium = Perpignan
attendance=3,965----rugbybox
date = 1991-06-23
home = rl-rt|New Zealand
score = 32–10
away = rl|France
stadium = Christchurch
attendance=2,000----rugbybox
date = 1991-07-07
home = rl-rt|Papua New Guinea
score = 18–20
away = rl|France
stadium = Goroka
attendance=11,485----rugbybox
date = 1991-07-31
home = rl-rt|Australia
score = 40–12
away = rl|New Zealand
stadium = Lang Park, Brisbane
attendance=29,139----rugbybox
date = 1991-10-13
home = rl-rt|Papua New Guinea
score = 6–40
away = rl|Australia
stadium = Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby
attendance=14,500----rugbybox
date = 1991-11-09
home = rl-rt|Great Britain
score = 56–4
away = rl|Papua New Guinea
stadium = Central Park, Wigan
attendance=4,193----rugbybox
date = 1991-11-24
home = rl-rt|France
score = 28–14
away = rl|Papua New Guinea
stadium = Carcassonne
attendance=1,440

1992

rugbybox
date = 1992-03-07
home = rl-rt|Great Britain
score = 36–0
away = rl|France
stadium = The Boulevard, Kingston-upon-Hull
attendance=5,250----rugbybox
date = 1992-07-03
home = rl-rt|Australia
score = 16–10
away = rl|Great Britain
stadium = Lang Park, Brisbane
attendance=31,000----rugbybox
date = 1992-07-05
home = rl-rt|New Zealand
score = 66–10
away = rl|Papua New Guinea
stadium = Auckland
attendance=3,000----rugbybox
date = 1992-07-15
home = rl-rt|Australia
score = 36–14
away = rl|Papua New Guinea
stadium = Townsville, Queensland
attendance=12,470

Final standings

Final

rugbybox
date = 1992-10-24
home = rl-rt|Australia | score = 10–6
away = rl|Great Britain | homescore = Try: Renouf Goal: Meninga (3)| awayscore = Goal: Fox (3)| stadium = Wembley Stadium, London
attendance = 73,631
referee = Dennis Hale flagicon|New ZealandThe hard-fought final was a one-try affair, with the two teams' kickers called upon to score most of the points. The rain started pouring in the second half and Australia was able to hold Great Britain out and maintain their lead until the final siren.

Australia's World Cup triumph ended a mini-hoodoo for them at London's Wembley Stadium. The Kangaroos left the arena 21-12 losers in 1973 and the 1990 tourists were outplayed by Great Britain 19-12, but when it mattered most this time around Australia proved themselves as worthy World champions to retain the crown they won against New Zealand in 1988.

External links

* [http://www.rlhalloffame.org.uk/wc1992.htm 1989-1992 World Cup at rlhalloffame.org.uk]
* [http://www.rlwc08.com/about/pastwinners.aspx?article=1992 1989-1992 World Cup at rlwc08.com]
* [http://rugbyleagueproject.com/competitions/World_Cup_1992.html 1989-1992 World Cup at rugbyleagueproject.com]