1995 Rugby League World Cup Group B was one of the three groups in the 1995 Rugby League World Cup. The group consisted of New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tonga.
Ladder
New Zealand vs Tonga Tonga looked to be pulling off the shock of the 1995 World Cup when they came from 12–6 down to lead New Zealand 24–12 with 20 minutes to go in the game at Wilderspool Stadium. However, late tries to Hitro Okesene and Richie Blackmore (his second), both converted by Matthew Ridge who also landed a field goal in the dying moments, saved the Kiwis from an embarrassing loss.
FB 1 Matthew Ridge (c)RW 2 Sean HoppeRC 3 Richie BlackmoreLC 4 Ruben WikiLW 5 Richie BarnettFE 6 Gene NgamuHB 7 Stacey JonesPR 8 Quentin PongiaHK 9 Syd EruPR 10 Jason LowrieSR 11 Tony IroSR 12 Stephen KearneyLF 13 Tony KempSubstitutions:IC 14 Henry PaulIC 15 Hitro OkeseneIC 16 Kevin IroIC 17 Mark HoroCoach: Frank Endacott FB 1Asa AmoneRW 2Una TaufaRC 3Tevita VaikonaLC 4Phil HowlettLW 5Jimmy VeikosoFE 6Angelo DymockHB 7Willie WolfgrammPR 8Martin MasellaHK 9Duane Mann (c)PR 10Liuaki HansenSR 11George MannSR 12Solomon HaumonoLK 13Awen GuttenbeilSubstitutions:IC 14Salesi FinauIC 15Talite Liava'aIC 16Luke LeiluaIC 17Taukolo TongaCoach: Mike McClennan
Papua New Guinea vs Tonga Tonga continued their good form to lead Papua New Guinea 20–0 at half time. However, the Kumuls came alive in the second half to pull out a 28–all draw.
FB 1David BukoRW 2James KopsRC 3David GomiaLC 4John OkulLW 5Joshua KouoruFE 6Stanley GeneHB 7Adrian Lam (c)PR 8Tuiyo EveiHK 9Elias PaiyoPR 10David WestleySR 11Max TiriSR 12Nande YerLK 13Bruce MamandoSubstitutions:IC 14Robert TelaIC 15Lucas SolbatIC 16Marcus BaiIC 17David ReekaCoach: Joe Tokam FB 1Asa AmoneRW 2Una TaufaRC 3Tevita VaikonaLC 4Talite Liava'aLW 5Jimmy VeikosoFE 6Phil HowlettHB 7Willie WolfgrammPR 8Martin MasellaHK 9Duane Mann (c)PR 10Liuaki HansenSR 11George MannSR 12Solomon HaumonoLK 13Awen GuttenbeilSubstitutions:IC 14Salesi FinauIC 15Tauʻalupe LikuIC 16Taukolo TongaIC 17Coach: Mike McClennan
New Zealand vs Papua New Guinea New Zealand finally showed some good form with a 22–6 win over a game Papua New Guinea at Knowsley Road. The Kiwis lost first choice hooker Syd Eru before the game after he failed a drug test. The New Zealand team doctor confirmed the banned substance was part of an over the counter cough medicine Eru had taken for a cold, but the ban stood and he was out for the rest of the tournament. He was replaced at hooker by Gary Freeman playing his 45th and last test for New Zealand.
FB 1 Matthew Ridge (c)RW 2 Sean HoppeRC 3 Richie BlackmoreLC 4 Ruben WikiLW 5 Jason WilliamsFE 6 Henry PaulHB 7 Stacey JonesPR 8 Quentin PongiaHK 9 Gary FreemanPR 10 Jason LowrieSR 11 Stephen KearneySR 12 Mark HoroLF 13 Tony KempSubstitutions:IC 14 Gene NgamuIC 15 Hitro OkeseneIC 16 Kevin IroIC 17 Tony IroCoach: Frank Endacott FB 1David BukoRW 2James KopsRC 3David GomiaLC 4John OkulLW 5Joshua KouoruFE 6Stanley GeneHB 7Adrian Lam (c)PR 8Nande YerHK 9Elias PaiyoPR 10David WestleySR 11Max TiriSR 12Michael AngaraLK 13Bruce MamandoSubstitutions:IC 14Lucas SolbatIC 15Marcus BaiIC 16Ben BiriIC 17Coach: Joe Tokam
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