# 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 | Advances to knockout stage |
| Fiji | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 52 | 118 | −66 | 2 | |
| South Africa | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 184 | −172 | 0 | |

## 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
| 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 ||

## 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
| 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 ||

## 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
| 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 ||

## 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
| 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 ||

## 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
| 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 ||

## 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
| 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 ||