1984-85 Rugby Football League season
Encyclopedia
The 1984–85 Rugby Football League
season was the 90th ever season of professional rugby league football in Britain. Sixteen teams competed from August, 1984 until May, 1985 for the Slalom Lager Championship.
On 21 October 1984 Peter Wood kicked a record-equalling five drop goals for Runcorn Highfield in a match against Batley
. On October 28, two tries by Mal Meninga
inspire St. Helens, to beat Wigan
26–18, and win the Lancashire Cup
for the first time in 16 years.
The 1985 Man of Steel award went to Bradford Northern
utility back, Ellery Hanley
. He also became the first man to score more than 50 tries in a season since Billy Boston
, and the first non-winger to reach this figure for 70 years.
The increase of the Second Division to 20 teams meant that it would have taken 38 rounds to play out a full double round robin
, which was considered too many matches, so a complicated fixture formula was used to reduce it to 28. For this season, Huyton relocated and were renamed Runcorn Highfield, Cardiff City Blue Dragons
relocated and were renamed Bridgend Blue Dragons
, and Kent Invicta
relocated and were renamed were Southend Invicta
, Huddersfield
were renamed Huddersfield Barracudas
, and Mansfield Marksman
, and Sheffield Eagles
joined the Second Division.
St. Helens beat Wigan
26–18 to win the Lancashire Cup
, and Hull beat Hull Kingston Rovers
29–12 to win the Yorkshire Cup
.
Challenge Cup
was won by Wigan
after defeating Hull in the final.
The Final was played on 4 May at Wembley before a crowd of 97,801 and is arguably the greatest ever in Challenge Cup history. Just after half-time Hull were 22 – 8 down before staging a fight back, but Wigan held on to win 28–24, ushering in an era of dominance for the club.
Referee: Ron Campbell (Widnes)
Teams:
Wigan: S. Edwards
; J. Ferguson, D. Stephenson, S. Donlan, H. Gill
; B. Kenny
, M. Ford
; N. Courtney
, N. Kiss
, B. Case
(D. Campbell), G. West
(capt), B. Dunn, I. Potter
(N. Du Toit
).
Coaches: Colin Clarke
& Alan McInnes.
Hull: G. Kemble
; K. James, S. Evans
, J. Leuluai
, D. O'Hara
(G. Schofield
); F. Ah Kuoi
, P. Sterling
; L. Crooks
(capt), S. Patrick, N. Puckering (G. Divorty
), J. Muggleton
, P. Rose
, S. Norton
.
Coach: Arthur Bunting
.
Wigan 28:
Tries: Ferguson (2), Edwards, Kenny, Gill
Goals: Gill (3), Stephenson.
Hull 24:
Tries: Leuluai (2), James, Divorty, Evans.
Goals: Crooks (2).
Lance Todd Trophy
winner: Brett Kenny
Rugby Football League
The Rugby Football League is the governing body for professional rugby league football in England. Based at Red Hall in Leeds, it administers the England national rugby league team, the Challenge Cup, Super League and the Rugby League Championships...
season was the 90th ever season of professional rugby league football in Britain. Sixteen teams competed from August, 1984 until May, 1985 for the Slalom Lager Championship.
Season summary
- Slalom Lager League Champions: Hull Kingston RoversHull Kingston RoversHull Kingston Rovers or Hull KR is an English professional rugby league football club based in Hull, England. The club formed in 1882 and currently competes in Super League, having won promotion from National League One in 2006...
- Silk Cut Challenge Cup Winners: WiganWigan WarriorsWigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
(8 – 28–24 v Hull) - Slalom Lager PremiershipRugby League PremiershipThe Rugby League Premiership was a competition for British rugby league clubs that operated between 1973 and 1995. As the Super League Premiership the competition continued to operate until 1997....
Trophy Winners: St. Helens (36–16 v Hull Kingston RoversHull Kingston RoversHull Kingston Rovers or Hull KR is an English professional rugby league football club based in Hull, England. The club formed in 1882 and currently competes in Super League, having won promotion from National League One in 2006...
at Elland RoadElland RoadElland Road is an all-seater football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...
)- Harry Sunderland TrophyHarry Sunderland TrophyThe Harry Sunderland Trophy is awarded to the Man-of-the-Match in the Super League Grand Final by the Rugby League Writers' Association. It is named after Harry Sunderland, who was an Australian rugby league football administrator in both Australia and the United Kingdom...
: Harry PinnerHarry PinnerHarry Pinner is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1970s and '80s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for St. Helens, Widnes, and Bradford Northern, playing at /, i.e...
- Harry Sunderland Trophy
- John Player Special Trophy Winners: Hull Kingston RoversHull Kingston RoversHull Kingston Rovers or Hull KR is an English professional rugby league football club based in Hull, England. The club formed in 1882 and currently competes in Super League, having won promotion from National League One in 2006...
(12–0 v Hull at Boothferry ParkBoothferry ParkBoothferry Park was a football stadium in Kingston upon Hull, and was home to the football club Hull City for over 50 years from 31 August 1946 until December 2002, when they moved to the Kingston Communications Stadium....
, Hull) - Burtonwood Brewery Lancashire CupRugby league county cupsHistorically, British rugby league clubs competed for the Lancashire Cup and the Yorkshire Cup, known collectively as the county cups. The leading rugby clubs in Yorkshire had played in a cup competition for several years prior to the schism of 1895...
Winners: St. Helens (26–18 v WiganWigan WarriorsWigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
) - 2nd Division Champions: SwintonSwinton LionsSwinton Lions is an English professional rugby league club from Swinton, Greater Manchester. The club has won the Championship six times and three Challenge Cups. They currently play in the Championship.-Early years:...
On 21 October 1984 Peter Wood kicked a record-equalling five drop goals for Runcorn Highfield in a match against Batley
Batley Bulldogs
Batley Bulldogs are an English professional rugby league club from Batley, West Yorkshire. They currently play in the Co-operative Championship. Batley is one of the original twenty-two rugby football clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895...
. On October 28, two tries by Mal Meninga
Mal Meninga
Malcolm Norman Meninga AM is an Australian former rugby league test captain and current coach of Queensland's State of Origin team. As a player he was a legendary goal-kicking centre, counted amongst the finest footballers of the 20th century...
inspire St. Helens, to beat Wigan
Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
26–18, and win the Lancashire Cup
Rugby league county cups
Historically, British rugby league clubs competed for the Lancashire Cup and the Yorkshire Cup, known collectively as the county cups. The leading rugby clubs in Yorkshire had played in a cup competition for several years prior to the schism of 1895...
for the first time in 16 years.
The 1985 Man of Steel award went to Bradford Northern
Bradford Bulls
Bradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. They play in the European Super League and are currently joint 10th in the league....
utility back, Ellery Hanley
Ellery Hanley
Ellery Cuthwyn Hanley MBE is a British former rugby league footballer of the 1970s, 80s and 90s, and former head coach of Great Britain, St. Helens and Doncaster. As a player he played most of his games at /, or /. Over a period of nineteen years, he played for Bradford Northern, Wigan, Balmain,...
. He also became the first man to score more than 50 tries in a season since Billy Boston
Billy Boston
William John "Billy" Boston MBE is a former Wales and Great Britain professional Rugby League World Cup winning footballer. Boston is a member of the Rugby League Hall of Fame, Welsh Sports Hall of Fame and was, along with Shaun Edwards the first to be voted into the Wigan Hall Of Fame...
, and the first non-winger to reach this figure for 70 years.
The increase of the Second Division to 20 teams meant that it would have taken 38 rounds to play out a full double round robin
Round-robin tournament
A round-robin tournament is a competition "in which each contestant meets all other contestants in turn".-Terminology:...
, which was considered too many matches, so a complicated fixture formula was used to reduce it to 28. For this season, Huyton relocated and were renamed Runcorn Highfield, Cardiff City Blue Dragons
Cardiff City Blue Dragons
The Cardiff City Blue Dragons were a rugby league team formed in 1981. Their home ground was Ninian Park which was also used by Cardiff City FC. The club spent three seasons in Cardiff before relocating to Bridgend in 1984 as the Bridgend Blue Dragons, who were finally wound up in 1986. The team...
relocated and were renamed Bridgend Blue Dragons
Cardiff City Blue Dragons
The Cardiff City Blue Dragons were a rugby league team formed in 1981. Their home ground was Ninian Park which was also used by Cardiff City FC. The club spent three seasons in Cardiff before relocating to Bridgend in 1984 as the Bridgend Blue Dragons, who were finally wound up in 1986. The team...
, and Kent Invicta
Kent Invicta
Kent Invicta is a defunct rugby league team that were based in Maidstone, Kent and later Southend in Essex.-Kent Invicta RLFC:Kent Invicta RLFC were formed by Paul Faires and were admitted to the Rugby League on 6 April 1983. The moniker "Invicta" being the motto of Kent. The club colours...
relocated and were renamed were Southend Invicta
Kent Invicta
Kent Invicta is a defunct rugby league team that were based in Maidstone, Kent and later Southend in Essex.-Kent Invicta RLFC:Kent Invicta RLFC were formed by Paul Faires and were admitted to the Rugby League on 6 April 1983. The moniker "Invicta" being the motto of Kent. The club colours...
, Huddersfield
Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C....
were renamed Huddersfield Barracudas
Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C....
, and Mansfield Marksman
Mansfield Marksman
Mansfield Marksman was a rugby league team based at various times in Mansfield, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Alfreton and ultimately Nottingham.Amateur rugby league continues in Nottingham in the shape of Nottingham Outlaws who play in the Rugby League Conference National Division.-Mansfield Marksman...
, and Sheffield Eagles
Sheffield Eagles
Sheffield Eagles RLFC are an English rugby league club based in the South Yorkshire city of Sheffield. They currently play in the Co-operative Championship. Their home games are played at Bramall Lane after leaving Don Valley Stadium in late 2009....
joined the Second Division.
St. Helens beat Wigan
Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
26–18 to win the Lancashire Cup
Rugby league county cups
Historically, British rugby league clubs competed for the Lancashire Cup and the Yorkshire Cup, known collectively as the county cups. The leading rugby clubs in Yorkshire had played in a cup competition for several years prior to the schism of 1895...
, and Hull beat Hull Kingston Rovers
Hull Kingston Rovers
Hull Kingston Rovers or Hull KR is an English professional rugby league football club based in Hull, England. The club formed in 1882 and currently competes in Super League, having won promotion from National League One in 2006...
29–12 to win the Yorkshire Cup
Rugby league county cups
Historically, British rugby league clubs competed for the Lancashire Cup and the Yorkshire Cup, known collectively as the county cups. The leading rugby clubs in Yorkshire had played in a cup competition for several years prior to the schism of 1895...
.
Championship
Hull Kingston Rovers finished on top of the First Division table to claim their fifth championship.Championship Final Standings
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Hull Kingston RoversHull Kingston Rovers Hull Kingston Rovers or Hull KR is an English professional rugby league football club based in Hull, England. The club formed in 1882 and currently competes in Super League, having won promotion from National League One in 2006... |
30 | 24 | 0 | 6 | 778 | 391 | 48 | |
| 2 |  St. Helens |
30 | 22 | 1 | 7 | 920 | 508 | 45 | |
| 2 |  WiganWigan Warriors Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011.... |
30 | 21 | 1 | 8 | 720 | 459 | 43 | |
| 4 |  LeedsLeeds Rhinos Leeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League... |
30 | 20 | 1 | 9 | 650 | 377 | 41 | |
| 5 |  OldhamOldham Roughyeds Oldham Roughyeds is an English professional rugby league club based in Oldham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Championship One. Oldham is one of the original twenty-two rugby clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895.... |
30 | 18 | 1 | 11 | 563 | 439 | 37 | |
| 6 |  Hull F.C. |
30 | 17 | 1 | 12 | 733 | 550 | 35 | |
| 7 |  WidnesWidnes Vikings Widnes Vikings RLFC are an English professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They currently play in the Engage Super League, the top tier of European rugby league, after being awarded a license to compete in the top-flight Super League from 2012 onward... |
30 | 17 | 0 | 13 | 580 | 517 | 34 | |
| 8 |  Bradford NorthernBradford Bulls Bradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. They play in the European Super League and are currently joint 10th in the league.... |
30 | 16 | 1 | 13 | 600 | 500 | 33 | |
| 9 |  Featherstone RoversFeatherstone Rovers Featherstone Rovers are a semi-professional rugby league club, based in Featherstone, West Yorkshire, England. They currently play in the Championship. The Rovers are one of the last vestiges of "small town teams" that were once common in rugby league during the early twentieth century... |
30 | 15 | 0 | 15 | 461 | 475 | −14 | 30 |
| 10 |  HalifaxHalifax RLFC Halifax RLFC is one of the most historic rugby league clubs in the game, formed over a century ago, in 1873 in the Yorkshire town of Halifax. Known as 'Fax', the official club colours are blue and white hoops, blue shorts and blue socks . They share The Shay stadium with football club FC Halifax Town... |
30 | 12 | 2 | 16 | 513 | 565 | −52 | 26 |
| 11 |  WarringtonWarrington Wolves Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003.... |
30 | 13 | 0 | 17 | 530 | 620 | −90 | 26 |
| 12 |  CastlefordCastleford Tigers Castleford Tigers are a professional rugby league club based in Castleford in West Yorkshire, England. They participate in the professional European competition Super League. They are sometimes known as 'Cas', 'Cas Tigers', 'Classy Cas' or the 'Black & Amber'... |
30 | 12 | 1 | 17 | 552 | 518 | 25 | |
| 13 |  BarrowBarrow Raiders Barrow Raiders are an English professional rugby league team from Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, who are coached by Dave Clark. Formed in 1875 as Barrow Football Club, the club is the oldest of the current professional sports teams in Cumbria.... |
30 | 9 | 1 | 20 | 483 | 843 | −360 | 19 |
| 14 |  LeighLeigh Centurions Leigh Centurions is an English professional rugby league club based in Leigh, Greater Manchester who play in the Co-operative Championship.The club was founded in 1878 as Leigh Rugby Football Club and is one of the original twenty-two clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in... |
30 | 8 | 2 | 20 | 549 | 743 | −194 | 18 |
| 15 |  HunsletHunslet Hawks Hunslet Hawks is a professional rugby league club based in Hunslet, West Yorkshire, England. The club, sometimes known as 'the Parksiders' after their former stadium, are currently champions of Championship One.-History:-Early years:... |
30 | 7 | 1 | 22 | 463 | 952 | −489 | 15 |
| 16 |  Workington TownWorkington Town Workington Town is a professional rugby league club playing in Workington in West Cumbria. They play in the Championship 1. Their stadium is called Derwent Park, which they share with Workington Comets, a speedway team.... |
30 | 2 | 1 | 27 | 297 | 935 | −638 | 5 |
| Champions | Relegated |
Second Division Final Standings
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Swinton Swinton Lions Swinton Lions is an English professional rugby league club from Swinton, Greater Manchester. The club has won the Championship six times and three Challenge Cups. They currently play in the Championship.-Early years:... |
28 | 24 | 1 | 3 | 727 | 343 | 384 | 49 |
| 2 | Salford Salford City Reds Salford City Reds are an English rugby league club based in Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1873, they currently play in the Super League. They have won six Rugby Football League Championships and one Challenge Cup... |
28 | 20 | 3 | 5 | 787 | 333 | 454 | 43 |
| 3 | York York City Knights York City Knights Rugby League Club is a British professional rugby league club hailing from York. They play at the Huntington Stadium, situated to the north of York city centre... |
28 | 21 | 1 | 6 | 717 | 430 | 287 | 43 |
| 4 | Dewsbury Dewsbury Rams Dewsbury Rams RLFC is a professional rugby league club based in the West Yorkshire town of Dewsbury. They are arguably most famous for becoming Champions in 1972-73 after finishing the regular season in 8th place. In the playoffs they beat Featherstone away, Warrington away, and then Leeds in the... |
28 | 21 | 1 | 6 | 539 | 320 | 219 | 43 |
| 5 | Carlisle | 28 | 19 | 0 | 9 | 547 | 437 | 110 | 38 |
| 6 | Whitehaven | 28 | 16 | 3 | 9 | 496 | 385 | 111 | 35 |
| 7 | Batley Batley Bulldogs Batley Bulldogs are an English professional rugby league club from Batley, West Yorkshire. They currently play in the Co-operative Championship. Batley is one of the original twenty-two rugby football clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895... |
28 | 17 | 0 | 11 | 489 | 402 | 87 | 34 |
| 8 | Fulham | 28 | 16 | 1 | 11 | 521 | 526 | −5 | 33 |
| 9 | Mansfield | 28 | 15 | 0 | 13 | 525 | 398 | 127 | 30 |
| 10 | Blackpool | 28 | 15 | 0 | 13 | 486 | 434 | 52 | 30 |
| 11 | Wakefield Trinity Wakefield Trinity Wildcats Wakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts... |
28 | 12 | 2 | 14 | 450 | 459 | −9 | 26 |
| 12 | Rochdale Hornets Rochdale Hornets Rochdale Hornets RLFC is an English professional rugby league club from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, England. They currently play in Championship One... |
28 | 12 | 2 | 14 | 436 | 466 | −30 | 26 |
| 13 | Huddersfield Huddersfield Giants Huddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C.... |
28 | 12 | 1 | 15 | 476 | 476 | 0 | 25 |
| 14 | Runcorn | 28 | 11 | 1 | 16 | 462 | 538 | −76 | 23 |
| 15 | Keighley Keighley Cougars Keighley Cougars are a professional rugby league club from Keighley in West Yorkshire, England. As of 2012 they will play in Co-operative Championship having won the Co-operative Championship 1 play off final 32-12 against Workington... |
28 | 11 | 0 | 17 | 495 | 567 | −72 | 22 |
| 16 | Bramley Bramley Buffaloes Bramley Buffaloes is a rugby league club from the Bramley area of West Leeds in West Yorkshire, England. Previously known simply as Bramley RLFC, the club is a famous name in rugby league, having existed prior to the formation of the Northern Union in 1895... |
28 | 9 | 2 | 17 | 439 | 492 | −53 | 20 |
| 17 | Sheffield Eagles Sheffield Eagles Sheffield Eagles RLFC are an English rugby league club based in the South Yorkshire city of Sheffield. They currently play in the Co-operative Championship. Their home games are played at Bramall Lane after leaving Don Valley Stadium in late 2009.... |
28 | 8 | 0 | 20 | 424 | 582 | -158 | 16 |
| 18 | Doncaster | 28 | 6 | 2 | 20 | 353 | 730 | −377 | 14 |
| 19 | Southend | 28 | 4 | 0 | 24 | 347 | 690 | −343 | 8 |
| 20 | Bridgend | 28 | 1 | 0 | 27 | 258 | 966 | −708 | 2 |
| Promoted |
Challenge Cup
The 1984–85 Silk CutSilk Cut
Silk Cut is brand of low tar cigarette produced by the Gallaher Group. The packaging is characterised by a distinctive stark white packet with the brand name in a purple, blue, red, silver, white or green square....
Challenge Cup
Challenge Cup
The Challenge Cup is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs organised by the Rugby Football League. Originally it was contested only by British teams but in recent years has been expanded to allow teams from France and Russia to take part....
was won by Wigan
Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
after defeating Hull in the final.
The Final was played on 4 May at Wembley before a crowd of 97,801 and is arguably the greatest ever in Challenge Cup history. Just after half-time Hull were 22 – 8 down before staging a fight back, but Wigan held on to win 28–24, ushering in an era of dominance for the club.
Referee: Ron Campbell (Widnes)
Teams:
Wigan: S. Edwards
Shaun Edwards
Shaun Edwards OBE is an English rugby union coach and former rugby league player. He is defence coach of Wales, a post he has held since 2008. In November 2011 he left London Wasps after 10 years with the club, latterly as head coach....
; J. Ferguson, D. Stephenson, S. Donlan, H. Gill
Henderson Gill
Henderson C. Gill is an English former rugby league footballer. He played for Bradford Northern, Wigan and Rochdale Hornets in the Rugby League Premiership and South Sydney Rabbitohs in the NSWRL competition...
; B. Kenny
Brett Kenny
Brett Kenny is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. He was a five-eighth for the Australian national team, the New South Wales Blues representative side and the Parramatta Eels. He played in 17 Tests, made 17 State of Origin appearances and won 4...
, M. Ford
Mike Ford (rugby)
Mike A. Ford is an English former rugby league player and current rugby union coach. He is the England national rugby union team's defence coach....
; N. Courtney
Neil Courtney
Neil Courtney is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and at club level for Warrington, and Wigan, playing at , i.e...
, N. Kiss
Nicky Kiss
Nicholas "Nicky" S. Kiss is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1970s and '80s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and at club level for Wigan, playing at , i.e. number 9.-International honours:...
, B. Case
Brian Case
Brian G. Case is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Blackbrook, Warrington, and Wigan, playing at , i.e...
(D. Campbell), G. West
Graeme West
Graeme Leonard West is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer and coach. Standing at six-foot, five inches, he played in the forwards, captaining English club Wigan...
(capt), B. Dunn, I. Potter
Ian Potter (rugby league)
Ian Potter is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and England and at club level for Warrington, Wigan, and Leigh, playing at , or /, i.e...
(N. Du Toit
Nick du Toit
Nick du Toit is a former South African arms dealer, former mercenary and former army officer of 32 Battalion and the 5th Reconnaissance Commando. He was implicated in the plot to overthrow Teodoro Obiang of Equatorial Guinea....
).
Coaches: Colin Clarke
Colin Clarke (rugby league)
Colin Clarke is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1960s and '70s, and coach of the 1980s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and at club level for Wigan, playing at , i.e. number 9, during the era of contested scrums, and at club level has coached...
& Alan McInnes.
Hull: G. Kemble
Gary Kemble
Gary Edward Kemble is a New Zealand rugby league coach and former player. He has both played and coached the New Zealand Kiwis. He is the current head coach of the Papakura Sea Eagles in the Auckland Rugby League.-Playing career:...
; K. James, S. Evans
Steve Evans (rugby league)
Steve Evans is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1960s, '70s and '80s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Featherstone Rovers, Hull, Bradford Northern and Wakefield Trinity, playing at , or , i.e...
, J. Leuluai
James Leuluai
A'au James Leuluai is a New Zealand former international rugby league player. His favoured position was centre. He is the father of Wigan Warriors and New Zealand international Thomas Leuluai. He is also the uncle of Leeds Rhinos prop Kylie Leuluai....
, D. O'Hara
Dane O'Hara
Dane Bradford Mark O'Hara is a former rugby league player who represented both New Zealand. At the time of his retirement he held the record for most international matches for his country.-Early years:...
(G. Schofield
Garry Schofield
Garry E. Schofield OBE is an English retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 1990s. At the time of his retirement he was the most-capped Great Britain player of all time along with Mick Sullivan, with 46 appearances. He also won three England caps, making him the highest...
); F. Ah Kuoi
Fred Ah Kuoi
Fred "Freddie" Ah Kuoi is a former New Zealand rugby league player who represented his country.-Early years:...
, P. Sterling
Peter Sterling
Peter Maxwell John "Sterlo" Sterling OAM is an Australian rugby league commentator and former player. He was one of the all-time great halfbacks and a major contributor to Parramatta Eels' dominance of the New South Wales Rugby League premiership in the 1980s. Sterling played nineteen Tests for...
; L. Crooks
Lee Crooks (rugby league)
Lee Crooks is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and '90s, and coach of the 1990s and 2000s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, England, and Yorkshire, and at club level for Hull, Western Suburbs Magpies, Balmain Tigers, Leeds, and Castleford,...
(capt), S. Patrick, N. Puckering (G. Divorty
Gary Divorty
Gary Divorty is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and '90s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and at club level for Heworth, Hull, Gold Coast-Tweed Giants, Leeds Halifax, Wakefield Trinity, and York, playing at , or , i.e...
), J. Muggleton
John Muggleton
John Muggleton is a former rugby league player who represented Parramatta Eels in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership, New South Wales in State of Origin competition and the Australian national team...
, P. Rose
Paul Rose (rugby league)
Paul Rose is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1960s, '70s and '80s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Hull Kingston Rovers, and Hull, playing at , or , i.e...
, S. Norton
Steve Norton
Steve 'Knocker' Norton is an English former rugby league footballer. He represented Yorkshire, England and Great Britain and played club football for Castleford before moving to Hull, and Wakefield Trinity. Norton was widely regarded as one of the greatest exponents of the game, with a distinctive...
.
Coach: Arthur Bunting
Arthur Bunting
Arthur Bunting is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1950s and '60s, and coach of the 1960s, '70s and 80s, who at club level has played for Hull Kingston Rovers, playing at , i.e...
.
Wigan 28:
Tries: Ferguson (2), Edwards, Kenny, Gill
Goals: Gill (3), Stephenson.
Hull 24:
Tries: Leuluai (2), James, Divorty, Evans.
Goals: Crooks (2).
Lance Todd Trophy
Lance Todd Trophy
The Lance Todd Trophy is awarded to the Man-of-the-Match in rugby league football's Challenge Cup Final.The trophy was introduced in 1946, in memory of Lance Todd, the New Zealand-born player and administrator, who was killed in a road accident during the Second World War...
winner: Brett Kenny