Rugby League World Cup : 1989-92

This was the second and final RL WC where it was played over three years with a match of each tour counting as a WC game. It had its good and not so good aspects but was certainly something different.

What this WC did have was a virtual absence of any surprises. Australia went through the group stage undefeated with eight wins from eight. Papua New Guinea at its second tournament was less effective and lost all eight matches it played. France beat PNG twice but lost all the other games. The Great Britain vs New Zealand contests were more even, with the victories shared one each.

Match attendances varied somewhat. Overall they were better than most previous tournaments, but disappointing in France where that nations deteriorating international record seemingly putting off the locals. The clashes between GB and Australia got the most spectators.

GB made the final due to a much better points scored differential. The final was held in Wembley Staduim and nearly 74,000 fans turned up. Despite Australia doing much better through the tournament, in the final it was an extremely close affair. Penalty goals were the only scoring for most of the match and with 12 minutes to play, GB lead 6-4. However, Australia scored the game's only try and that was enough to give them a 10-6 victory.

The next in the series (1995) is found by clicking here.
The first in the series (1954) can be seen by clicking here.

1989-92 FINAL : ENGLAND / WINNER : AUSTRALIA
AUS	22	GBR	10	NZL	34	GBR	40	AUS	34	NZL	21	NZL	18	AUS	16	+168
NZL	14	NZL	6	FRA	0	PNG	8	FRA	2	GBR	18	PNG	10	GBR	10	+142
														NZL	10	+77
AUS	14	AUS	34	GBR	45	NZL	32	FRA	20	AUS	40	AUS	40	FRA	4	-167
GBR	0	FRA	10	FRA	10	FRA	10	PNG	18	NZL	12	PNG	6	PNG	0	-220
														FINAL
GBR	56	FRA	28	GBR	36	AUS	16	NZL	66	AUS	36			AUS	10
PNG	4	PNG	14	FRA	0	GBR	10	PNG	10	PNG	14			GBR	6