1995 Rugby League World Cup Group A

1995 Rugby League World Cup Group A was one of the three groups in the 1995 Rugby League World Cup. The group consisted of three countries: Australia, England, Fiji and South Africa.

Ladder

Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts	Qualification
England	3	3	0	0	112	16	+96	6	Advances to knockout stage
Australia	3	2	0	1	168	26	+142	4
Fiji	3	1	0	2	52	118	−66	2
South Africa	3	0	0	3	12	184	−172	0

Source: ^{[ citation needed ]}

England vs Australia

7 October 1995

England	20 – 16	Australia
Tries: Andy Farrell Chris Joynt Jason Robinson Paul Newlove Goals: Andy Farrell (2/4)	[1]	Tries: Steve Menzies (2) Mark Coyne Goals: Rod Wishart (2/3)

Wembley Stadium, London Attendance: 41,271 Referee: Stuart Cummings

England

Australia

FB 1 Kris Radlinski RW 2 Jason Robinson RC 3 Barrie-Jon Mather LC 4 Paul Newlove LW 5 John Bentley SO 6 Daryl Powell SH 7 Shaun Edwards (c) PR 8 Karl Harrison HK 9 Lee Jackson PR 10 Andy Platt SR 11 Denis Betts SR 12 Phil Clarke LF 13 Andy Farrell Substitutions: IC 14 Bobbie Goulding IC 15 Simon Haughton IC 16 Chris Joynt IC 17 Coach: Phil Larder

FB 1 Tim Brasher RW 2 Rod Wishart RC 3 Mark Coyne LC 4 Terry Hill LW 5 John Hopoate FE 6 Brad Fittler (c) HB 7 Geoff Toovey PR 8 David Gillespie HK 9 Wayne Bartrim PR 10 Mark Carroll SR 11 Steve Menzies SR 12 Dean Pay LK 13 Jim Dymock Substitutions: IC 14 Matthew Johns IC 15 Robbie O'Davis IC 16 Jason Smith IC 17 Paul Harragon Coach: Bob Fulton

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Fiji vs South Africa

8 October 1995

Fiji	52 – 6	South Africa
Tries: Fili Seru (2) Waisale Sovatabua (2) Josaia Dakuitoga Samuela Marayawa Noa Nadruku Kaleveti Naisoro Ian Saigatu Saveneca Taga Goals: Noa Nayacaklou (3) Saveneca Taga (3)	[2]	Tries: Goals: Pierre Van Wyke (3)

Cougar Park, Keighley Attendance: 4,845 Referee: David Manson

Fiji	South Africa

FB 1 Waisale Sovatabua RW 2 Josaia Dakuitoga RC 3 Livai Nalagilagi (c) LC 4 Fili Seru LW 5 Noa Nadruku FE 6 Noa Nayacaklou HB 7 Savenaca Taga PR 8 Malaki Kaunivalu HK 9 Ian Saigatu PR 10 Pio Nakubuwai SR 11 Apisalome Degei SR 12 Illiesa Toga LK 13 Samuela Marayawa Substitutions: IC 14 Kaiava Salusalu IC 15 Jioji Vatubua IC 16 Ulaiasi Wainidroa IC 17 Kaleveti Naisoro Coach: Graham Murray

FB 1 Pierre Van Wyke RW 2 Guy Coombe RC 3 Andrew Ballot LC 4 Willem Boshoff LW 5 Mark Johnson FE 6 Francois Cloete HB 7 Barend Alkema PR 8 Gideon Watts HK 9 Kobus Van Deventer PR 10 Jaco Booysen (c) SR 11 Gerald Williams SR 12 Tim Fourie LK 13 Jaco Alberts Substitutions: IC 14 Edwin Ludic IC 15 Kost Human IC 16 Jaco Van Niekerk IC 17 Coach: Tony Fisher

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Australia vs South Africa

The Kangaroos scored a World Cup and international league record 16 tries against minnows South Africa. Australian halfback Andrew Johns kicked 11 goals (from 16 attempts) to break the record for most goals kicked in a rugby league test. Gideon Watts scored the Rhinos only try of the tournament. With the selection of Cronulla hooker Aaron Raper, he became Australia's first second generation World Cup player following the footsteps of his famous father Johnny Raper who captained Australia to World Cup success in 1968. Australian coach Bob Fulton had been a team mate of Raper's father in the 1968 Rugby League World Cup final win over France.

10 October 1995

Australia	86 – 6	South Africa
Tries: John Hopoate (3) Andrew Johns (2) Danny Moore (2) Paul McGregor (2) Robbie O'Davis (2) Tim Brasher Jim Dymock Nik Kosef Aaron Raper Jason Smith Goals: Andrew Johns (11/16)	[3]	Tries: Gideon Watts Goals: Pierre Van Wyke (1/1)

Gateshead International Stadium, Gateshead Attendance: 9,181 Referee: Russell Smith Player of the Match: Andrew Johns

Australia

South Africa

FB 1 Robbie O'Davis RW 2 Brett Dallas RC 3 Danny Moore LC 4 Paul McGregor LW 5 John Hopoate FE 6 Matthew Johns HB 7 Andrew Johns PR 8 Adam Muir HK 9 Aaron Raper PR 10 Paul Harragon (c) SR 11 Billy Moore SR 12 Jason Smith LK 13 Nik Kosef Substitutions: IC 14 Tim Brasher IC 15 Jim Dymock IC 16 Wayne Bartrim IC 17 Mark Carroll Coach: Bob Fulton

FB 1 Pierre Van Wyke RW 2 Guy Coombe RC 3 Andrew Ballot LC 4 Willem Boshoff LW 5 Mark Johnson FE 6 Barend Alkema HB 7 Kobus Van Deventer PR 8 Gideon Watts HK 9 Francois Cloete PR 10 Jaco Booysen (c) SR 11 Gerald Williams SR 12 Kost Human LK 13 Tim Fourie Substitutions: IC 14 Eugene Powell IC 15 Nico Serfontein IC 16 Jaco Van Niekerk IC 17 Coach: Tony Fisher

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England vs Fiji

England captain Shaun Edwards was on the bench and remained there for the entire game amid rumours of a knee injury. The rumours turned out to be true and Edwards did not play again in the tournament. The captaincy was then handed to former Wigan team mate Denis Betts making history by becoming the first player chosen to captain England while not playing in the English premiership. Betts at the time was playing for the Auckland Warriors in the Australian Rugby League competition.

11 October 1995

England	46 – 0	Fiji
Tries: Jason Robinson (2) John Bentley Simon Haughton Tony Smith Paul Newlove Paul Broadbent Kris Radlinski Goals: Andy Farrell (4) Bobbie Goulding (2)	[4]	Tries: Goals:

Central Park, Wigan Attendance: 26,263 Referee: Dennis Hale

England

Fiji

FB 1 Kris Radlinski RW 2 Jason Robinson RC 3 Nick Pinkney LC 4 Paul Newlove LW 5 John Bentley SO 6 Tony Smith SH 7 Bobbie Goulding PR 8 Paul Broadbent HK 9 Lee Jackson PR 10 Dean Sampson SR 11 Denis Betts (c) SR 12 Mick Cassidy LF 13 Andy Farrell Substitutions: IC 14 Paul Cook IC 15 Simon Haughton IC 16 Shaun Edwards IC 17 Steve McCurrie Coach: Phil Larder

FB 1 Waisale Sovatabua RW 2 Josaia Dakuitoga RC 3 Livai Nalagilagi (c) LC 4 Fili Seru LW 5 Noa Nadruku FE 6 Noa Nayacaklou HB 7 Savenaca Taga PR 8 Malaki Kaunivalu HK 9 Ian Saigatu PR 10 Pio Nakubuwai SR 11 Apisalome Degei SR 12 Illiesa Toga LK 13 Samuela Marayawa Substitutions: IC 14 Niumaia Korovata IC 15 Ulaiasi Wainidroa IC 16 Jioji Vatubua IC 17 Kaleveti Naisoro Coach: Graham Murray

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Australia vs Fiji

14 October 1995

Australia	66 – 0	Fiji
Tries: Brett Dallas (3) Steve Menzies (2) Terry Hill (2) Robbie O'Davis (3) Gary Larson Tim Brasher Goals: Andrew Johns (9)	[5]	Tries: Goals:

Alfred McAlpine Stadium, Huddersfield Attendance: 7,127 Referee: Eddie Ward

Australia

Fiji

FB 1 Tim Brasher RW 2 Brett Dallas RC 3 Mark Coyne LC 4 Terry Hill LW 5 Robbie O'Davis FE 6 Brad Fittler (c) HB 7 Geoff Toovey PR 8 Dean Pay HK 9 Andrew Johns PR 10 Mark Carroll SR 11 Steve Menzies SR 12 Gary Larson LK 13 Jim Dymock Substitutions: IC 14 Paul McGregor IC 15 Matthew Johns IC 16 Jason Smith IC 17 Nik Kosef Coach: Bob Fulton

FB 1 Waisale Sovatabua RW 2 Orisi Cavuilati RC 3 Livai Nalagilagi (c) LC 4 Fili Seru LW 5 Noa Nadruku FE 6 Noa Nayacaklou HB 7 Savenaca Taga PR 8 Malaki Kaunivalu HK 9 Ian Saigatu PR 10 Pio Nakubuwai SR 11 Josaia Dakuitoga SR 12 Samuela Davetawalu LK 13 Niumaia Korovata Substitutions: IC 14 Kaleveti Naisoro IC 15 Jioji Vatubua IC 16 Waisale Vatubua IC 17 Kiniviliame Koroibuleka Coach: Graham Murray

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England vs South Africa

England went into the match already having booked a Semi-final berth. For South Africa, the Rhinos had pride on the line and the want to not have England put a big score on them. The Rhinos earned the respect of their opponents and the 14,041 crowd at Headingley with a willing display.

14 October 1995

England	46 – 0	South Africa
Tries: Nick Pinkney (2) Simon Haughton Bobbie Goulding Dean Sampson Paul Broadbent John Bentley Kris Radlinski Tony Smith Goals: Bobbie Goulding (7)	[6]	Tries: Goals:

Headingley, Leeds Attendance: 14,041 Referee: David Manson

England

South Africa

FB 1 Paul Cook RW 2 John Bentley RC 3 Nick Pinkney LC 4 Barrie-Jon Mather LW 5 Martin Offiah SO 6 Daryl Powell SH 7 Bobbie Goulding PR 8 Karl Harrison HK 9 Mick Cassidy PR 10 Andy Platt SR 11 Simon Haughton SR 12 Chris Joynt LF 13 Phil Clarke (c) Substitutions: IC 14 Kris Radlinski IC 15 Paul Broadbent IC 16 Tony Smith IC 17 Dean Sampson Coach: Phil Larder

FB 1 Pierre Van Wyke RW 2 Guy Coombe RC 3 Tim Fourie LC 4 Willem Boshoff LW 5 Andrew Ballot FE 6 Mark Johnson HB 7 Barend Alkema PR 8 Gideon Watts HK 9 Kobus Van Deventer PR 10 Jaco Booysen (c) SR 11 Gerald Williams SR 12 Jaco Alberts LK 13 John Mudgeway Substitutions: IC 14 Justin Jennings IC 15 Francois Cloete IC 16 Elmar Lubbe IC 17 Jaco Visser Coach: Tony Fisher

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References

1. 1995 RLWC - England vs Australia
2. 1995 RLWC - Fiji vs South Africa
3. 1995 RLWC - Australia vs South Africa
4. 1995 RLWC - England vs Fiji
5. 1995 RLWC - Australia vs Fiji
6. 1995 RLWC - England vs South Africa

External links

• 1995 World Cup audio highlights
• 1995 World Cup final at rlphotos.com
• 1995 World Cup data at hunterlink.net.au
• 1995 World Cup at rlif.com
• 1995 World Cup at rlhalloffame.org.uk
• 1995 World Cup at rugbyleagueproject.com
• 1995 World Cup at 188-rugby-league.co.uk