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
England vs Australia
FB 1 Kris RadlinskiRW 2 Jason RobinsonRC 3 Barrie-Jon MatherLC 4 Paul NewloveLW 5 John BentleySO 6 Daryl PowellSH 7 Shaun Edwards (c)PR 8 Karl HarrisonHK 9 Lee JacksonPR 10 Andy PlattSR 11 Denis BettsSR 12 Phil ClarkeLF 13 Andy FarrellSubstitutions:IC 14 Bobbie GouldingIC 15 Simon HaughtonIC 16 Chris JoyntIC 17Coach: Phil Larder FB 1 Tim BrasherRW 2 Rod WishartRC 3 Mark CoyneLC 4 Terry HillLW 5 John HopoateFE 6 Brad Fittler (c)HB 7 Geoff TooveyPR 8 David GillespieHK 9 Wayne BartrimPR 10 Mark CarrollSR 11 Steve MenziesSR 12 Dean PayLK 13 Jim DymockSubstitutions:IC 14 Matthew JohnsIC 15 Robbie O'DavisIC 16 Jason SmithIC 17 Paul HarragonCoach: Bob Fulton
Fiji vs South Africa
FB 1Waisale SovatabuaRW 2Josaia DakuitogaRC 3Livai Nalagilagi (c)LC 4Fili SeruLW 5Noa NadrukuFE 6Noa NayacaklouHB 7Savenaca TagaPR 8Malaki KaunivaluHK 9Ian SaigatuPR 10Pio NakubuwaiSR 11Apisalome DegeiSR 12Illiesa TogaLK 13Samuela MarayawaSubstitutions:IC 14Kaiava SalusaluIC 15Jioji VatubuaIC 16Ulaiasi WainidroaIC 17Kaleveti NaisoroCoach: Graham Murray FB 1Pierre Van WykeRW 2Guy CoombeRC 3Andrew BallotLC 4Willem BoshoffLW 5Mark JohnsonFE 6Francois CloeteHB 7Barend AlkemaPR 8Gideon WattsHK 9Kobus Van DeventerPR 10Jaco Booysen (c)SR 11Gerald WilliamsSR 12Tim FourieLK 13Jaco AlbertsSubstitutions:IC 14Edwin LudicIC 15Kost HumanIC 16Jaco Van NiekerkIC 17Coach: Tony Fisher
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.
FB 1 Robbie O'DavisRW 2 Brett DallasRC 3 Danny MooreLC 4 Paul McGregorLW 5 John HopoateFE 6 Matthew JohnsHB 7 Andrew JohnsPR 8 Adam MuirHK 9 Aaron RaperPR 10 Paul Harragon (c)SR 11 Billy MooreSR 12 Jason SmithLK 13 Nik KosefSubstitutions:IC 14 Tim BrasherIC 15 Jim DymockIC 16 Wayne BartrimIC 17 Mark CarrollCoach: Bob Fulton FB 1Pierre Van WykeRW 2Guy CoombeRC 3Andrew BallotLC 4Willem BoshoffLW 5Mark JohnsonFE 6Barend AlkemaHB 7Kobus Van DeventerPR 8Gideon WattsHK 9Francois CloetePR 10Jaco Booysen (c)SR 11Gerald WilliamsSR 12Kost HumanLK 13Tim FourieSubstitutions:IC 14Eugene PowellIC 15Nico SerfonteinIC 16Jaco Van NiekerkIC 17Coach: Tony Fisher
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.
FB 1 Kris RadlinskiRW 2 Jason RobinsonRC 3 Nick PinkneyLC 4 Paul NewloveLW 5 John BentleySO 6 Tony SmithSH 7 Bobbie GouldingPR 8 Paul BroadbentHK 9 Lee JacksonPR 10 Dean SampsonSR 11 Denis Betts (c)SR 12 Mick CassidyLF 13 Andy FarrellSubstitutions:IC 14 Paul CookIC 15 Simon HaughtonIC 16 Shaun EdwardsIC 17 Steve McCurrieCoach: Phil Larder FB 1Waisale SovatabuaRW 2Josaia DakuitogaRC 3Livai Nalagilagi (c)LC 4Fili SeruLW 5Noa NadrukuFE 6Noa NayacaklouHB 7Savenaca TagaPR 8Malaki KaunivaluHK 9Ian SaigatuPR 10Pio NakubuwaiSR 11Apisalome DegeiSR 12Illiesa TogaLK 13Samuela MarayawaSubstitutions:IC 14Niumaia KorovataIC 15Ulaiasi WainidroaIC 16Jioji VatubuaIC 17Kaleveti NaisoroCoach: Graham Murray
Australia vs Fiji
FB 1 Tim BrasherRW 2 Brett DallasRC 3 Mark CoyneLC 4 Terry HillLW 5 Robbie O'DavisFE 6 Brad Fittler (c)HB 7 Geoff TooveyPR 8 Dean PayHK 9 Andrew JohnsPR 10 Mark CarrollSR 11 Steve MenziesSR 12 Gary LarsonLK 13 Jim DymockSubstitutions:IC 14 Paul McGregorIC 15 Matthew JohnsIC 16 Jason SmithIC 17 Nik KosefCoach: Bob Fulton FB 1Waisale SovatabuaRW 2Orisi CavuilatiRC 3Livai Nalagilagi (c)LC 4Fili SeruLW 5Noa NadrukuFE 6Noa NayacaklouHB 7Savenaca TagaPR 8Malaki KaunivaluHK 9Ian SaigatuPR 10Pio NakubuwaiSR 11Josaia DakuitogaSR 12Samuela DavetawaluLK 13Niumaia KorovataSubstitutions:IC 14Kaleveti NaisoroIC 15Jioji VatubuaIC 16Waisale VatubuaIC 17Kiniviliame KoroibulekaCoach: Graham Murray
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.
FB 1 Paul CookRW 2 John BentleyRC 3 Nick PinkneyLC 4 Barrie-Jon MatherLW 5 Martin OffiahSO 6 Daryl PowellSH 7 Bobbie GouldingPR 8 Karl HarrisonHK 9 Mick CassidyPR 10 Andy PlattSR 11 Simon HaughtonSR 12 Chris JoyntLF 13 Phil Clarke (c)Substitutions:IC 14 Kris RadlinskiIC 15 Paul BroadbentIC 16 Tony SmithIC 17 Dean SampsonCoach: Phil Larder FB 1Pierre Van WykeRW 2Guy CoombeRC 3Tim FourieLC 4Willem BoshoffLW 5Andrew BallotFE 6Mark JohnsonHB 7Barend AlkemaPR 8Gideon WattsHK 9Kobus Van DeventerPR 10Jaco Booysen (c)SR 11Gerald WilliamsSR 12Jaco AlbertsLK 13John MudgewaySubstitutions:IC 14Justin JenningsIC 15Francois CloeteIC 16Elmar LubbeIC 17Jaco VisserCoach: Tony Fisher
References
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