1985 - 1988 Rugby League World Cup
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The ninth Rugby League World Cup saw yet another change of format. The competition was stretched to cover almost three years (1985 to 1988), with teams playing 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 competition was further altered by the addition of a new nation, Papua New Guinea. The Kumuls performed creditably, particularly when playing in the front of their fiercely patriotic home crowd. Conversely, France were unable to fulfil their 1987 tour of Australasia due to financial difficulties, and had to forfeit away fixtures against Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
The competition was confusing to follow, and for the early stages it was difficult for supporters to focus on. Towards the end of the cycle things improved, with the final group stage match between New Zealand and Great Britain being a sudden death battle for a spot in the final, Britain needing only a draw. In the event the Kiwis came through 12-10, and went on to face Australia in the final at Eden Park, Auckland.
The final attracted one of the highest ever crowds for a rugby league match in New Zealand: 47,363. Unfortunately for them, home advantage was not enough for New Zealand, who went down 12-25 to the seemingly invincible Australians.
Results
- July 7, 1985: New Zealand 18 - 0 Australia (Carlaw Park, Auckland)
- November 9, 1985: Great Britain 6 - 6 New Zealand (Headingley, Leeds)
- December 7, 1985: France 0 - 22 New Zealand (Perpignan)
- February 16, 1986: France 10 - 10 Great Britain (Avignon)
- July 29, 1986: Australia 32 - 12 New Zealand (Lang Park, Brisbane)
- August 17, 1986: Papua New Guinea 24 - 22 New Zealand (Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby)
- October 5, 1986: Papua New Guinea 12 - 62 Australia (Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby)
- November 22, 1986: Great Britain 15 - 24 Australia (Central Park, Wigan)
- December 13, 1986: France 0 - 52 Australia (Carcassone)
- January 14, 1987: Great Britain 52 - 4 France (Headingley, Leeds)
- October 24, 1987: Great Britain 42 - 0 Papua New Guinea (Central Park, Wigan)
- November 15, 1987: France 21 - 4 Papua New Guinea (Carcassone)
- May 22, 1988: Papua New Guinea 22 - 42 Great Britain (Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby)
- July 9, 1988: Australia 12 - 26 Great Britain (Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney)
- July 10, 1988: New Zealand 66 - 14 Papua New Guinea (Auckland)
- June 17, 1988: Australia 70 - 8 Papua New Guinea (Eric Weissel Oval, Wagga Wagga)
- July 20, 1988: New Zealand 12 - 10 Great Britain (Christchurch)
Final standings
| Team | Played | Won | Drew | Lost | For | Against | Difference | Points |
 Australia | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 252 | 91 | 161 | 121 |
| Missing image Flag_of_New_Zealand.png New Zealand | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 158 | 86 | 72 | 111 |
 Great Britain | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 203 | 90 | 113 | 10 |
| Missing image Papua_new_guinea_flag_large.png Papua New Guinea | 7 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 84 | 325 | -241 | 41 |
 France | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 35 | 140 | -105 | 3 |
1 = Received two points for non-fulfilment of fixtures by France in 1987