1995 Rugby League World Cup

Infobox Rugby League World Cup |
year = 1995
country = United Kingdom


imagesize = 170px
finalists = 10
winners = rl|Australia
count = 8th
matches = 15
points =
attendance = 265619
top scorer = flagicon|AUS Andrew Johns
(62 points)In 1995 the eleventh Rugby League World Cup was held in the United Kingdom. Badged the Centenary World Cup, reflecting the fact that 1995 marked the 100th birthday of the sport, the tournament was envisaged as a celebration of rugby league. The size of the competition was doubled with four additional teams being invited to the tournament and Great Britain being split between England and Wales (Scotland and Ireland taking part in the Emerging Nations Tournament). In addition, an Emerging Nations Tournament was held alongside the main event, giving teams that had failed to qualify a chance of silverware.

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 forthcoming Super League war hung over the tournament, with the Australian Rugby League refusing to pick players who had signed for the rival competition.

In the event, the fears proved unfounded, and the cup was acclaimed a great success. Although many early matches did prove as one-sided as feared, fans still flocked to see "exotic" nations such as Fiji, Tonga and South Africa, mainly for the novelty value of such encounters. Large home crowds for the group involving Wales proved particularly encouraging.

The final between Australia and England drew a crowd of 66,540 to Wembley Stadium.

Teams

Group 1

Results

rugbybox
date = 1995-10-07
home = rl-rt|England
score = 20–16
away = rl|Australia
stadium = Wembley Stadium, London
----rugbybox
date = 1995-10-08
home = rl-rt|Fiji
score = 52–6
away = rl|South Africa
stadium = Cougar Park, Keighley
----rugbybox
date = 1995-10-10
home = rl-rt|Australia
score = 86–6
away = rl|South Africa
stadium = Gateshead International Stadium, Gateshead
----rugbybox
date = 1995-10-11
home = rl-rt|England
score = 46–0
away = rl|Fiji
stadium = Central Park, Wigan
----rugbybox
date = 1995-10-14
home = rl-rt|Australia
score = 66–0
away = rl|Fiji
stadium = McAlpine Stadium, Huddersfield
----rugbybox
date = 1995-10-14
home = rl-rt|England
score = 46–0
away = rl|South Africa
stadium = Headingley, Leeds

Final standings

Knockout stage

Round4
October 21- Old Trafford, Manchester
rl|England |25 |rl|Wales |10
October 22 - McAlpine Stadium, Huddersfield
rl|Australia |30 |rl|New Zealand |20
October 28 - Wembley Stadium, London
Attendance: 66,540
rl|England |8 |rl|Australia |16

External links

* [http://rl1908.com/Theatre/wcup95.htm 1995 World Cup audio highlights]
* [http://www.rlphotos.com/Pre2000Specials/1995WCFinal/index.htm 1995 World Cup Final at rlphotos.com]
* [http://www2.hunterlink.net.au/~maajjs/res/wcup1995.htm 1995 World Cup data at hunterlink.net.au]
* [http://origin-www.rlwc2008.twiihosting.net/about/pastwinners.aspx?article=1995 1995 World Cup at rlwc2008.com]
* [http://www.rlhalloffame.org.uk/wc1995.htm 1995 World Cup at rlhalloffame.org.uk]
* [http://rugbyleagueproject.com/competitions/World_Cup_1995.html 1995 World Cup at rugbyleagueproject.com]