1989 - 1992 Rugby League World Cup - Definition

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 games only try was then scored by Steve Renouf and Australia were able to claim victory in from of a Rugby League World Cup record crowd of 73,631.

Results

• July 23, 1989: New Zealand 14 - 22 Australia (Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland)
• November 11, 1989: Great Britain 10 - 6 New Zealand (Central Park, Wigan)
• December 3, 1989: France 0 - 34 New Zealand (Carcassonne)
• June 2, 1990: Papua New Guinea 8 - 40 Great Britain (Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby)
• June 27, 1990: Australia 34 - 2 France (Parkes, New South Wales)
• July 15, 1990: New Zealand 21 - 18 Great Britain (Christchurch)
• August 11, 1990: Papua New Guinea 10 - 18 New Zealand (Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby)
• November 24, 1990: Great Britain 0 - 14 Australia (Headingley, Leeds)
• December 9, 1990: France 10 - 34 Australia (Perpignan)
• January 27, 1991: France 10 - 45 Great Britain (Perpignan)
• June 23, 1991: New Zealand 32 - 10 France (Christchurch)
• July 7, 1991: Papua New Guinea 18 - 20 France (Goroka)
• July 31, 1991: Australia 40 - 12 New Zealand (Lang Park, Brisbane)
• October 13, 1991: Papua New Guinea 6 - 40 Australia (Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby)
• November 9, 1991: Great Britain 56 - 4 Papua New Guinea (Central Park, Wigan)
• November 24, 1991: France 28 - 14 Papua New Guinea (Carcassone)
• March 7, 1992: Great Britain 36 - 0 France (The Boulevard, Kingston-upon-Hull)
• July 3, 1992: Australia 16 - 10 Great Britain (Lang Park, Brisbane)
• July 5, 1992: New Zealand 66 - 10 Papua New Guinea (Auckland)
• July 15, 1992: Australia 36 - 14 Papua New Guinea (Townsville, Queensland)

Final standings

Team	Played	Won	Drew	Lost	For	Against	Difference	Points
Australia	8	8	0	0	236	68	168	16
Great Britain	8	5	0	3	221	79	142	10
Flag_of_New_Zealand.png New Zealand	8	5	0	3	197	120	77	10
France	8	2	0	6	80	247	-167	4
Papua New Guinea	8	0	0	8	84	304	-220	0

Final

• October 24, 1992: Great Britain 6 - 10 Australia (Wembley Stadium, London)

Other Rugby League World Cups

1954 - 1957 - 1960 - 1968 - 1970 - 1972 - 1975 - 1977 - 1985 to 1988 - 1989 - 1992 - 1995 - 2000 - 2008