There IS a Need - Fittler

Australia’s dual World Cup winning captain Brad Fittler is remembered in England as a “party-pooper.”

It was Fittler, now coach of the Roosters in the NRL, who set up the winning try in the 1995 World Cup final that led to Tim Brasher dousing likely celebrations.

Australia was clinging to a 10-8 lead when Fittler created space, fired the ball to Steve Menzies for Brasher to extend the Australian lead.

This all happened in the game marking 100 years of Rugby League in England!

“It was a pretty ordinary game, not nearly as good as the semi-final against the Kiwis,” recalled Fittler.

“But we did the job with Andrew Johns landing four goals.”

Fittler doesn’t subscribe to the theory that “the best is left to last.”

“Finals can be pretty dour affairs with players more mindful of making a mistake,” he said.

“The semi-final win over the Kiwis, 30-20 at Huddersfield, was a brilliant game and great for the fans.”

Fittler is from the same camp who believe in the staging of World Cups in Rugby League.

“It is the best way to foster and encourage teams from other countries,” he said.

“No sport has a World Cup that is up for grabs. Look at Rugby and cricket - two or three teams dominate and Rugby League is no different.

“But don’t be surprised if teams from the islands don’t spring an upset or two.”

And Fittler senses the threat of England who in 1995 beat Australia in the first game of the World Cup. 

“The English club Leeds Rhinos were able to beat Melbourne Storm in the World Club Challenge so who knows what to expect this October,” he said. 

Fittler fondly remember the 1995 final played at Wembley, more for its atmosphere than the game itself.

“The crowd was over 66,000 and until Tim Brasher sealed our win they were all ready to party and celebrate their 100th birthday,” he said, with a wry grin. 

While Fittler expresses warm moments from the 1995 World Cup campaign, Fiji harbour nightmares.

The number 66 will haunt the Fijians until they make amends later this year. 

In the preliminaries in 1995 Australia beat Fiji 66-8 and England beat Fiji 66-4.

Those days are well and truly buried. 

Or are they?

By Geoff Prenter