1989–1992 Rugby League World Cup#Final

The World Cup final was played at Wembley Stadium in London.

{{see also|1989–1992 Rugby League World Cup players}}

{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WDL

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|col_A=#ccffcc|text_A=Advances to the Final

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|update=complete|source=[https://web.archive.org/web/20131016143827/http://www.rlwc2013.com/past-winners/1989-1992-australia RLWC2013]

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{{Rugbyleaguebox

|date = 23 July 1989

|team1 = {{Rl-rt|NZL}}

|score = 14–22

|team2 = {{Rl|AUS}}

|points1 =

|points2 =

|stadium = Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland

|attendance = 15,000

}}

The first match of the 1989–1992 World Cup was also the 3rd test of the 1989 Trans-Tasman Test series which was won 3–0 by Australia

{{Rugbyleaguebox

|date = 11 November 1989

|team1 = {{Rl-rt|GBR}}

|score = 10–6

|team2 = {{Rl|NZL}}

|points1 =

|points2 =

|stadium = Central Park, Wigan

|attendance = 20,346

}}

{{Rugbyleaguebox

|date = 3 December 1989

|team1 = {{Rl-rt|FRA}}

|score = 0–34

|team2 = {{Rl|NZL}}

|points1 =

|points2 =

|stadium = Stade d'Albert Domec, Carcassonne

|attendance = 4,208

}}

{{Rugbyleaguebox

|date = 2 June 1990

|team1 = {{Rl-rt|PNG}}

|score = 8–40

|team2 = {{Rl|GBR}}

|points1 =

|points2 =

|stadium = Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby

|attendance = 7,837

}}

{{Rugbyleaguebox

|date = 27 June 1990

|team1 = {{Rl-rt|AUS}}

|score = 34–2

|team2 = {{Rl|FRA}}

|points1 =

|points2 =

|stadium = Pioneer Oval, Parkes, New South Wales

|attendance = 12,384

}}

{{Rugbyleaguebox

|date = 15 July 1990

|team1 = {{Rl-rt|NZL}}

|score = 21–18

|team2 = {{Rl|GBR}}

|points1 =

|points2 =

|stadium = Queen Elizabeth II Park, Christchurch

|attendance = 3,133

}}

{{Rugbyleaguebox

|date = 11 August 1990

|team1 = {{Rl-rt|PNG}}

|score = 10–18

|team2 = {{Rl|NZL}}

|points1 =

|points2 =

|stadium = Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby

|attendance = 7,837

}}

{{Rugbyleaguebox

|date = 24 November 1990

|team1 = {{Rl-rt|GBR}}

|score = 0–14

|team2 = {{Rl|AUS}}

|points1 =

|points2 =

|stadium = Elland Road, Leeds

|attendance = 32,500

}}

This match was also the 3rd and deciding test of the 1990 Ashes series.

{{Rugbyleaguebox

|date = 9 December 1990

|team1 = {{Rl-rt|FRA}}

|score = 10–34

|team2 = {{Rl|AUS}}

|points1 =

|points2 =

|stadium = Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan

|attendance = 3,428

}}

{{Rugbyleaguebox

|date = 27 January 1991

|team1 = {{Rl-rt|FRA}}

|score = 10–45

|team2 = {{Rl|GBR}}

|points1 =

|points2 =

|stadium = Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan

|attendance = 3,965

}}

{{Rugbyleaguebox

|date = 23 June 1991

|team1 = {{Rl-rt|NZL}}

|score = 32–10

|team2 = {{Rl|FRA}}

|points1 =

|points2 =

|stadium = Addington Showground, Christchurch

|attendance = 2,000

}}

{{Rugbyleaguebox

|date = 7 July 1991

|team1 = {{Rl-rt|PNG}}

|score = 18–20

|team2 = {{Rl|FRA}}

|points1 =

|points2 =

|stadium = Danny Leahy Oval, Goroka

|attendance = 11,485

}}

{{Rugbyleaguebox

|date = 31 July 1991

|team1 = {{Rl-rt|AUS}}

|score = 40–12

|team2 = {{Rl|NZL}}

|points1 =

|points2 =

|stadium = Lang Park, Brisbane

|attendance = 29,139

}}

This match was also the 3rd and deciding test of the 1991 Trans-Tasman series.

{{Rugbyleaguebox

|date = 13 October 1991

|team1 = {{Rl-rt|PNG}}

|score = 6–40

|team2 = {{Rl|AUS}}

|points1 =

|points2 =

|stadium = Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby

|attendance = 14,500

}}

Australian winger Willie Carne crossed for a hat trick of tries in Port Moresby.

{{Rugbyleaguebox

|date = 9 November 1991

|team1 = {{Rl-rt|GBR}}

|score = 56–4

|team2 = {{Rl|PNG}}

|points1 =

|points2 =

|stadium = Central Park, Wigan

|attendance = 4,193

}}

{{Rugbyleaguebox

|date = 24 November 1991

|team1 = {{Rl-rt|FRA}}

|score = 28–14

|team2 = {{Rl|PNG}}

|points1 =

|points2 =

|stadium = Stade d'Albert Domec, Carcassonne

|attendance = 1,440

}}

{{Rugbyleaguebox

|date = 7 March 1992

|team1 = {{Rl-rt|GBR}}

|score = 36–0

|team2 = {{Rl|FRA}}

|points1 =

|points2 =

|stadium = The Boulevard, Kingston-upon-Hull

|attendance = 5,250

}}

{{rugbyleaguebox

|date = 3 July 1992

|time =

|team1 = {{Rl-rt|AUS}}

|score = 16–10

|report =

|team2 = {{Rl|GBR}}

|points1 = Tries:
Daley
Meninga
Goals:
Meninga (4)

|points2 = Tries:
Offiah
Goals:
Eastwood (3)

|stadium = Lang Park, Brisbane

|attendance = 32,313

|referee =

|manofmatch = Paul Sironen (Australia)

}}

In addition to being an allocated World Cup match, this was the third, deciding test of the 1992 Ashes series. This six-point margin of defeat meant that New Zealand would need to beat Papua New Guinea by 109 points in the following match to prevent a Great Britain-Australia World Cup final in October.[https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-league-meninga-breaks-britains-resistance-australians-recover-their-full-power-to-shackle-the-resilient-lions-and-ensure-another-series-victory-in-the-third-and-deciding-test-1531190.html Meninga breaks Britain's resistance] (independent.co.uk)

{{Rugbyleaguebox

|date = 5 July 1992

|team1 = {{Rl-rt|NZL}}

|score = 66–10

|team2 = {{Rl|PNG}}

|points1 =

|points2 =

|stadium = Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland

|attendance = 3,000

}}

{{Rugbyleaguebox

|date = 15 July 1992

|team1 = {{Rl-rt|AUS}}

|score = 36–14

|team2 = {{Rl|PNG}}

|points1 =

|points2 =

|stadium = Townsville Sports Reserve, Queensland

|attendance = 12,470

}}

{{Main|1992 Rugby League World Cup final}}

{{Rugbyleaguebox

|bg = #eeeeee

|date = 24 October 1992

|time = 2:30PM (BST)

|team1 = {{rl-rt|GBR}}

|score = 6–10

|team2 = {{rl|AUS}}

|points1 = Tries:

Goals:
Deryck Fox (3/4)

|points2 = Tries:
Steve Renouf
Goals:
Mal Meninga (3/4)

|stadium = Wembley Stadium, London

|attendance = 73,631[http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/world-cup-1989/final/great-britain-vs-australia.html 1992 Rugby League World Cup final]

|referee = Dennis Hale {{flagicon|NZL}}

|manofmatch = Steve Walters

|report =

}}

|valign="top" width="50%"|

|}

This match set a new world record attendance for a rugby league international of 73,631, beating the previous record of 70,204 set at the Sydney Cricket Ground during the 1932 Ashes series.{{cite news |first=Andy |last=Wilson |title=Wembley Rugby League internationals – in pictures |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/gallery/2011/nov/04/wembley-rugby-league-internationals-in-pictures#/?picture=381413774&index=1|newspaper=The Guardian |date=4 November 2011}} As they had done in 1988, Australia won the right to host the World Cup final. However, in the interests of rugby league, and the potential for a much larger attendance since at the time Lang Park in Brisbane could only hold 33,000, and the Sydney Football Stadium could only seat 42,000, the ARL agreed to Great Britain hosting the final at the 82,000 capacity Wembley.

Unlike 1988 when Australia had agreed to let New Zealand host the Final at Eden Park in Auckland due to dwindling international attendances in Australia, the international game had become popular again over the next four years (mainly due to much improved performances by Great Britain and New Zealand) and there was a good chance of sell-out crowd in either Brisbane or Sydney for the game. However, the potential for an attendance at Wembley that would be almost or more than double the size that could be seen in Australia, and the potential exposure from playing the game at one of the world's most iconic stadiums, could not be ignored.

Both coaches picked experienced teams, with only Australian's Tim Brasher (fullback) and Steve Renouf (centre) making their international debut in the game. With incumbent fullback Andrew Ettingshausen unavailable through injury, Australian coach Bob Fulton preferred utility outside back Brasher over Newcastle Knights fullback Brad Godden due to Brasher's previous big game experience having played in Balmain's 1989 Grand Final loss as well as making his State of Origin debut earlier in the year. Fulton also chose seven members from the Brisbane Broncos 1992 Winfield Cup premiership winning team including exciting centre Renouf. Lions coach Mal Reilly chose to retain Garry Schofield as captain despite the presence of Ellery Hanley in the team. He also went with pace on the wings with Martin Offiah and St. Helens flyer Alan Hunte.

The hard-fought final was a one-try affair, with Great Britain leading 6–4 with only 12 minutes remaining.{{cite web|title=1989 – 1992: AUSTRALIA|url=http://www.rlwc2013.com/past-winners/1989-1992-australia|work=rlwc2013.com|publisher=Rugby League International Federation|access-date=23 July 2013|archive-date=16 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016143827/http://www.rlwc2013.com/past-winners/1989-1992-australia|url-status=dead}} The only try of the match was then set up by Australian replacement back Kevin Walters, who, with a clever cut-out pass, put his Broncos teammate Steve Renouf into a gap not covered by replacement Lions centre John Devereux. Renouf, in his debut test for Australia, then raced 20 metres to score in the corner.{{cite book |title=Great Australian Sporting Moments |last=Roberts |first=Michael |year=2008 |publisher=The Miegunyah Press |location=Australia |isbn=978-0-522-85547-0 |page=275 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dvWZHv2l7J0C}} Otherwise, the two teams' kickers (Mal Meninga and Deryck Fox) were called upon to score most of the points, including Meninga's pressure sideline conversion of Renouf's try. 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 triumph saw them win their fourth World Cup in a row after winning the previous cups in 1975, 1977 and 1988. It also ended a mini-hoodoo for the Kangaroos at London's Wembley Stadium. Australia had previously left the arena 21–12 losers in 1973, and the 1990 Kangaroos were outplayed by Great Britain 19–12, but when it mattered most this time around Australia proved themselves as worthy World Cup champions.

The match was telecast live late at night throughout Australia on the Nine Network, with commentary provided by Ray Warren, Peter Sterling and Paul Vautin, with sideline comments from Chris Bombolas. The game broke Australia's midnight-to-dawn television ratings record which was set a year earlier by the rugby union's 1991 Rugby World Cup final.{{cite news |last=Oliver |first=Robin |title='Roos give 9 early-hours record |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |pages=6 |date=27 October 1992|url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=smh&docID=news921027_0088_9090}}

{{Clear}}

;7

{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}

• {{flagicon|AUS}} Mal Meninga

{{div col end}}

;5

{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}

• {{flagicon|AUS}} Willie Carne
• {{flagicon|AUS}} Brad Mackay
• {{flagicon|GBR}} Martin Offiah
• {{flagicon|GBR}} Garry Schofield
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Richie Blackmore
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Dave Watson

{{div col end}}

;4

{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}

• {{flagicon|AUS}} Laurie Daley
• {{flagicon|AUS}} Andrew Ettingshausen

{{div col end}}

;3

{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}

• {{flagicon|AUS}} Bradley Clyde
• {{flagicon|AUS}} Dale Shearer
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Tony Kemp

{{div col end}}

;2

{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}

• {{flagicon|AUS}} Graham Mackay
• {{flagicon|AUS}} Mark McGaw
• {{flagicon|AUS}} Rod Wishart
• {{flagicon|FRA}} Jean-Marc Garcia
• {{flagicon|FRA}} Cyril Pons
• {{flagicon|GBR}} Denis Betts
• {{flagicon|GBR}} Paul Eastwood
• {{flagicon|GBR}} Shaun Edwards
• {{flagicon|GBR}} Carl Gibson
• {{flagicon|GBR}} Michael Jackson
• {{flagicon|GBR}} Paul Moriarty
• {{flagicon|GBR}} Andy Platt
• {{flagicon|GBR}} Daryl Powell
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Dean Clark
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Sam Panapa
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Kelly Shelford
• {{flagicon|PNG}} Stanley Haru
• {{flagicon|PNG}} Jack Uradok

{{div col end}}

;1

{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}

• {{flagicon|AUS}} Greg Alexander
• {{flagicon|AUS}} Gary Belcher
• {{flagicon|AUS}} Ben Elias
• {{flagicon|AUS}} Brad Fittler
• {{flagicon|AUS}} Peter Jackson
• {{flagicon|AUS}} Chris Johns
• {{flagicon|AUS}} Michael O'Connor
• {{flagicon|AUS}} Steve Renouf
• {{flagicon|AUS}} Steve Roach
• {{flagicon|AUS}} Mark Sargent
• {{flagicon|AUS}} Steve Walters
• {{flagicon|FRA}} Christophe Auroy
• {{flagicon|FRA}} Denis Biénès
• {{flagicon|FRA}} Christophe Bonnafous
• {{flagicon|FRA}} Patrick Entat
• {{flagicon|FRA}} David Despin
• {{flagicon|FRA}} Daniel Divet
• {{flagicon|FRA}} Gilles Dumas
• {{flagicon|FRA}} David Fraisse
• {{flagicon|FRA}} Daniel Verdès
• {{flagicon|GBR}} Martin Dermott
• {{flagicon|GBR}} Paul Dixon
• {{flagicon|GBR}} Karl Fairbank
• {{flagicon|GBR}} Deryck Fox
• {{flagicon|GBR}} Bobbie Goulding
• {{flagicon|GBR}} Les Holliday
• {{flagicon|GBR}} Alan Hunte
• {{flagicon|GBR}} Paul Newlove
• {{flagicon|GBR}} Roy Powell
• {{flagicon|GBR}} Anthony Sullivan
• {{flagicon|GBR}} Alan Tait
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Dean Bell
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Mark Elia
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Gary Freeman
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Clayton Friend
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Gavin Hill
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Sean Hoppe
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Kevin Iro
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Mike Kuiti
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Dean Lonergan
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Duane Mann
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Jarrod McCracken
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Gary Mercer
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Tawera Nikau
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Matthew Ridge
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Brent Stuart
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Darrell Williams
• {{flagicon|PNG}} Sauna Babago
• {{flagicon|PNG}} Aquila Emil
• {{flagicon|PNG}} Paul Gela
• {{flagicon|PNG}} Chris Itam
• {{flagicon|PNG}} August Joseph
• {{flagicon|PNG}} James Naipo
• {{flagicon|PNG}} Gigmai Ongugo
• {{flagicon|PNG}} Opoe Soga
• {{flagicon|PNG}} Goie Waine

{{div col end}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080828123718/http://www.rlhalloffame.org.uk/wc1992.htm 1989–1992 World Cup at rlhalloffame.org.uk]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20081012230202/http://www.rlwc08.com/about/pastwinners.aspx?article=1992 1989–1992 World Cup at rlwc08.com]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080820131720/http://rugbyleagueproject.com/competitions/World_Cup_1992.html 1989–1992 World Cup at rugbyleagueproject.com]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070929094031/http://www2.hunterlink.net.au/~maajjs/res/wcup1989.htm 1989–1992 World Cup data at hunterlink.net.au]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090807092013/http://www.188-rugby-league.co.uk/content/feedstory/world-cup-19891992 1989–1992 World Cup at 188-rugby-league.co.uk]

{{Rlwc}}

{{1992 in rugby league}}

{{1989-1992 RLWC Venues}}

{{Australia 1992 Rugby League World Cup final squad}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1989-1992 Rugby League World Cup}}