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Message: [QUOTE="Big Pete, post: 2728813, member: 1899"] World Cup Final AUSTRALIA 10; GREAT BRITAIN 6 at Wembley Stadium Australia broke a long drought at London’s famous Wembley Stadium and emerged with the World Cup after downing Great Britain 10-6, in a desperately fought final before a world record crowd. One try sealed it for Australia, a dazzling effort concocted by the Brisbane Broncos combination of Kevin Walters and Steve Renouf, 12 minutes before fulltime. Walters moved to the blind side and threw a long cut-out pass to Renouf, who got around John Devereux to score out wide and give Australia the lead for the first time in the match. From the sideline, world record pointscorer Mal Meninga proved once again what a magnificent performer he is under pressure by landing the conversion for a 10-6 lead. Walters and Renouf had practised the move repeatedly and their combination became instinctive as the pressure mounted late in the final. The final was one of the most gruelling internationals in years. Great Britain never looked like cracking Australia’s brick-wall defence and Renouf’s try was one of the rare breaks made by Australia in the match. Deryck Fox kept Great Britain in a winning position with three exceptional penalty goals, but Australia having been stung by defeat at Wembley in 1990, were on a mission. Britain went close to scoring in the opening minutes when Tim Brasher spilt a towering bomb but Steve Renouf pounced on the ball, conceding a penalty in the process for offside. Fox’s goal made it 2-0 but Meninga equalised soon after when Bradley Clyde was held in a tackle. Meninga had the chance to kick Australia to a lead in the 15[SUP]th[/SUP] minute after Brad Fittler was felled by a blatant elbow by Great Britain hooker Martin Dermott. Fittler’s cheekbone was fractured by the blow but after consultation with team doctor Nathan Gibbs, he played on and was one of Australia’s stars, Meninga’s kick missed. Fox and Meninga traded goals after referee Dennis Hale penalised both sides for play the ball infringements and then Fox made it 6-4 after Steve Walters was penalised for a deliberate forward pass. It was 6-4 at the break and there was no further score until Renouf’s effort in the 68[SUP]th[/SUP] minute. Earlier Willie Carne had had a try disallowed following a forward pass from Meninga. Great Britain threatened Australia’s line in the final five minutes of play, but the World Championshions defence was equal to the British charges. “They didn’t make a clean break against us, and that is the first time I can remember that happening against Great Britain,” said Australian coach Bob Fulton. Steve Walters won the official man-of-the-match award for a brilliant performance at dummy-half. He made the most of some slack British marker defence and was a constant menace close to the rucks. Big Glenn Lazarus was again a commanding figure in the Australian front-row, second-rower Bob Lindner recaptured his form of the 1990 Kangaroo tour and youngsters Fittler and Brasher were outstanding, the Balmain fullback recovering superbly from his early blemish to be among Australia’s best. Great Britain were best served by centre Gary Connelly, whose defence was a feature of the match until he was replaced with a thigh injury, and prop Andy Platt. Australia 10 (Renouf try; Meninga ¾ goals) defeated Great Britain 6 (Fox ¾ goals) Australia Tim Brasher, Michael Hancock, Steve Renouf, Mal Meninga, Willie Carne Brad Fittler, Allan Langer Glenn Lazarus, Steve Walters, Mark Sargent, Paul Sironen, Bob Lidner, Brad Clyde Interchange: David Gillespie, Kevin Walters, John Cartwright Great Britain Joe Lydon, Martin Offiah, Garry Schofield, Gary Connolly, Alan Hunte Shaun Edwards, Deryck Fox Kevin Ward, Martin Dermott, Andy Platt, Denis Betts, Phil Clarke, Ellery Hanley Interchange: John Devereux, Alan Tait, Kelvin Skerrett, Richie Eyres [/QUOTE]

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