The 1991 World Club Challenge (marketed as the Foster's World Club Challenge due to sponsorship from the brewer) was contested by 1990–91 RFL Championship winners, Wigan and 1991 NSWRL season premiers, the Penrith Panthers. The match was played on a dry Wednesday 2 October 1991 at Anfield, Liverpool. A crowd of 20,152 was in attendance for the game which was refereed by Frenchman Alain Sablayrolles.
Teams
FB 1Steve HampsonRW 2David MyersCE 3Sam PanapaCE 4Joe LydonLW 5Frano BoticaSO 6Shaun EdwardsSH 7Andy Gregory (c)PR 8Kelvin SkerrettHK 9Martin DermottPR 10Andy PlattSR 11Denis BettsSR 12Billy McGintyLF 13Phil ClarkeSubstitutions:IC 14Ian LucasIC 15Ian GildartIC 16Neil CowieIC 17Mike ForshawCoach: John Monie FB 1Greg BarwickRW 2Darren WillisCE 3Graeme BradleyCE 4Brad IzzardLW 5Graham MackayFE 6Steve CarterHB 7Greg Alexander (c)PR 8Brandon LeeHK 9Royce SimmonsPR 10Paul DunnSR 11Paul ClarkeSR 12John CartwrightLK 13Colin van der VoortSubstitutions:IC 14Ben AlexanderIC 15Grant IzzardIC 16Tony XuerebIC 17Paul SmithCoach: Phil Gould
Match details
Penrith were without their star grand final forward Mark Geyer due to ankle injury that required surgery while Brad Fittler was unavailable as he was part of the Australian Kangaroos team on their end of season tour of Papua New Guinea (Fittler made his test debut for Australia 4 days after the WCC). By just the 13th minute Wigan had gotten away to a handy lead with the score at 8 - 0 after Frano Botica kicked four consecutive penalties. Penrith then answered five minutes later with an unconverted try from Darren Wills. However this was to be the last time Penrith scored in the match. Wigan's Sam Panapa got their first try in the 27th minute which was converted by Botica, bringing the scoreline to 14 - 4 which lasted until half-time.
No points were scored in the second half of the game until two thirds of the way through when Botica kicked a fifth penalty goal. David Myers scored Wigan's second try and the last of the match in the 77th minute. Just before the full-time whistle, Joe Lydon successfully kicked a field goal, adding insult to injury and making the final score Wigan 21, Penrith 4.
References
External links 1991 World Club Challenge at wigan.rlfans.com 1991 World Club Challenge at rugbyleagueproject.com 1991 World Club Challenge at superleague.co.uk