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:

England vs Australia

7 October 1995

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

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

File:Kit left arm.svg File:Kit body.svg File:Kit right arm.svg File:Kit shorts.svg File:Kit socks long.svg England

File:Kit left arm.svg File:Kit body.svg File:Kit right arm.svg File:Kit shorts.svg File:Kit socks long.svg Australia

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

FB 1 File:Balmain colours.svg Tim Brasher RW 2 File:Illawarra colours.svg Rod Wishart RC 3 File:St. George colours.svg Mark Coyne LC 4 File:Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Terry Hill LW 5 File:Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg John Hopoate FE 6 File:Penrith Panthers square flag icon with 2020 colours.svg Brad Fittler (c) HB 7 File:Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Geoff Toovey PR 8 File:Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg David Gillespie HK 9 File:St. George colours.svg Wayne Bartrim PR 10 File:Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Mark Carroll SR 11 File:Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Steve Menzies SR 12 File:Canterbury colours.svg Dean Pay LK 13 File:Canterbury colours.svg Jim Dymock Substitutions: IC 14 File:Newcastle colours.svg Matthew Johns IC 15 File:Newcastle colours.svg Robbie O'Davis IC 16 File:Canterbury colours.svg Jason Smith IC 17 File:Newcastle colours.svg 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)		Tries: Goals: Pierre Van Wyke (3)

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

File:Kit left arm.svg File:Kit body.svg File:Kit right arm.svg File:Kit shorts.svg File:Kit socks long.svg Fiji

File:Kit left arm.svg File:Kit body.svg File:Kit right arm.svg File:Kit shorts.svg File:Kit socks long.svg 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)		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 File:Australian colours.svg

File:Kit left arm.svg File:Kit body.svg File:Kit right arm.svg File:Kit shorts.svg File:Kit socks long.svg Australia

File:Kit left arm.svg File:Kit body.svg File:Kit right arm.svg File:Kit shorts.svg File:Kit socks long.svg South Africa

FB 1 File:Newcastle colours.svg Robbie O'Davis RW 2 File:Canterbury colours.svg Brett Dallas RC 3 File:Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Danny Moore LC 4 File:Illawarra colours.svg Paul McGregor LW 5 File:Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg John Hopoate FE 6 File:Newcastle colours.svg Matthew Johns HB 7 File:Newcastle colours.svg Andrew Johns PR 8 File:Newcastle colours.svg Adam Muir HK 9 File:Cronulla colours.svg Aaron Raper PR 10 File:Newcastle colours.svg Paul Harragon (c) SR 11 File:North Sydney colours.svg Billy Moore SR 12 File:Canterbury colours.svg Jason Smith LK 13 File:Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Nik Kosef Substitutions: IC 14 File:Balmain colours.svg Tim Brasher IC 15 File:Canterbury colours.svg Jim Dymock IC 16 File:St. George colours.svg Wayne Bartrim IC 17 File:Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg 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)		Tries: Goals:

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

File:Kit left arm.svg File:Kit body.svg File:Kit right arm.svg File:Kit shorts.svg File:Kit socks long.svg England

File:Kit left arm.svg File:Kit body.svg File:Kit right arm.svg File:Kit shorts.svg File:Kit socks long.svg Fiji

FB 1 File:Wigancolours.svg Kris Radlinski RW 2 File:Wigancolours.svg Jason Robinson RC 3 File:Cougscolours.svg Nick Pinkney LC 4 File:Bullscolours.svg Paul Newlove LW 5 File:Faxcolours.svg John Bentley SO 6 File:Castleford colours.svg Tony Smith SH 7 File:Saintscolours.svg Bobbie Goulding PR 8 File:Sheffeagles colours.svg Paul Broadbent HK 9 File:Sheffeagles colours.svg Lee Jackson PR 10 File:Castleford colours.svg Dean Sampson SR 11 File:Auckland colours.svg Denis Betts (c) SR 12 File:Wigancolours.svg Mick Cassidy LF 13 File:Wigancolours.svg Andy Farrell Substitutions: IC 14 File:Rhinoscolours.svg Paul Cook IC 15 File:Wigancolours.svg Simon Haughton IC 16 File:Wigancolours.svg Shaun Edwards IC 17 File:Widnes colours.svg 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)		Tries: Goals:

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

File:Kit left arm.svg File:Kit body.svg File:Kit right arm.svg File:Kit shorts.svg File:Kit socks long.svg Australia

File:Kit left arm.svg File:Kit body.svg File:Kit right arm.svg File:Kit shorts.svg File:Kit socks long.svg Fiji

FB 1 File:Balmain colours.svg Tim Brasher RW 2 File:Canterbury colours.svg Brett Dallas RC 3 File:St. George colours.svg Mark Coyne LC 4 File:Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Terry Hill LW 5 File:Newcastle colours.svg Robbie O'Davis FE 6 File:Penrith Panthers square flag icon with 2020 colours.svg Brad Fittler (c) HB 7 File:Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Geoff Toovey PR 8 File:Canterbury colours.svg Dean Pay HK 9 File:Newcastle colours.svg Andrew Johns PR 10 File:Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Mark Carroll SR 11 File:Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Steve Menzies SR 12 File:North Sydney colours.svg Gary Larson LK 13 File:Canterbury colours.svg Jim Dymock Substitutions: IC 14 File:Illawarra colours.svg Paul McGregor IC 15 File:Newcastle colours.svg Matthew Johns IC 16 File:Canterbury colours.svg Jason Smith IC 17 File:Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg 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)		Tries: Goals:

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

File:Kit left arm.svg File:Kit body.svg File:Kit right arm.svg File:Kit shorts.svg File:Kit socks long.svg England

File:Kit left arm.svg File:Kit body.svg File:Kit right arm.svg File:Kit shorts.svg File:Kit socks long.svg South Africa

FB 1 File:Rhinoscolours.svg Paul Cook RW 2 File:Faxcolours.svg John Bentley RC 3 File:Cougscolours.svg Nick Pinkney LC 4 File:Western Reds colours.svg Barrie-Jon Mather LW 5 File:Wigancolours.svg Martin Offiah SO 6 File:Sheffeagles colours.svg Daryl Powell SH 7 File:Saintscolours.svg Bobbie Goulding PR 8 File:Faxcolours.svg Karl Harrison HK 9 File:Wigancolours.svg Mick Cassidy PR 10 File:Auckland colours.svg Andy Platt SR 11 File:Wigancolours.svg Simon Haughton SR 12 File:Saintscolours.svg Chris Joynt LF 13 File:Wigancolours.svg Phil Clarke (c) Substitutions: IC 14 File:Wigancolours.svg Kris Radlinski IC 15 File:Sheffeagles colours.svg Paul Broadbent IC 16 File:Castleford colours.svg Tony Smith IC 17 File:Castleford colours.svg 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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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