Five classic games of the 1990s you might not remember

Which are the greatest games of the ‘90s?

The grand finals of 1991 and 1997, perhaps. A miracle involving Mark Coyne. Great escapes involving Ricky Stuart at Old Trafford and the 1998 Canterbury Bulldogs. All good answers.

Here are some of my favourite games of the decade that might not spring to everybody’s mind or be replayed by subscription television during the off-season.

I didn’t intend this be a 1994 season review – it just turned out that way.

1994 first Ashes Test, Great Britain 8 Australia 4, Wembley Stadium
This is arguably the most unlikely victory in rugby league history.

Great Britain had a handy team, including Jason Robinson, Martin Offiah, Phil Clarke and the Welsh Wizard, Jonathan Davies.

But this Kangaroos team was the pick of the great Canberra and Brisbane teams of the early ‘90s, plus Brad Fittler, Paul Harragon, Ian Roberts and Andrew Ettingshausen. They were heavy favourites before a ball was kicked.

Shortly after the first ball was kicked, Great Britain’s five-eighth Daryl Powell limped off with a hamstring injury and their captain and halfback Shaun Edwards was sent off for an awful high tackle on Bradley Clyde.

It was still scoreless at this point, but there was surely only one possible outcome.

Great Britain was fortunate to have a creative lock in Clarke, and Bobby Goulding on the bench.

A Davies penalty goal edged the Lions in front, before the Welsh Wizard’s brilliant solo try extended the lead to six by halftime.

In the second half, the 12 Lions tackled like their lives depended on it. There was an extraordinary moment midway through the half when Fittler beat three defenders before being dragged back from the try line by Offiah and Gary Connolly.

Great Britain had a bit of luck as well – Mal Meninga and David Furner both bombed try-scoring opportunities – but it remains one of the great victories.

1996 elimination final, Cronulla 22 Brisbane 16, Sydney Football Stadium
This was a wildly entertaining, end-to-end affair that would have had Brisbane supporters fuming.

Several debatable refereeing decisions went against the Broncos and Cronulla’s Paul Green and David Broughton were both lucky to finish the game after careless high tackles.

But there was no debating the quality of Cronulla’s start. The Sharks led 12-0 after just 11 minutes through tries to Andrew Ettingshausen and David Peachey.

Brisbane never recovered.

Peachey’s try was the product of a beautiful set-piece scrum play by Green and Ettingshausen.

Brisbane’s second-half comeback was ended by another spectacular try: Richard Barnett’s superman impression with 13 minutes left.

1994 pre-season challenge final, Souths 27 Brisbane 26, Albury
The demise of the pre-season cup is little lamented, but it could be fun and unpredictable, with teams in varying states of readiness for the season proper.

Souths were a promising young team, featuring Craig Field, Jason Bell, Tyran Smith and Paul Mellor.

Brisbane were defending premiers and weren’t easing into the season. They beat Canterbury, Norths and Illawarra on their way to the final and started a full-strength team at Albury.

What transpired was a rollicking affair in which Souths’ young halves, Field and Bell, outplayed their more illustrious counterparts, Kevin Walters and Allan Langer.

By the third quarter, Souths had built a 23-10 lead, thanks in part to a superb try created by Field and finished by Mellor.

Inevitably, the Broncos surged back and hit the front 26-23 in the final quarter.

Souths fought back – they did this a few times in ’94 – and clinched the cup through a frantic attacking raid finished by Field with seven minutes to go.

Round 8 1994, Souths 26 Balmain 24, Sydney Cricket Ground
This was a clash between a dismal Balmain team, who eventually claimed the wooden spoon, and an inconsistent Souths outfit, who entertained but finished ninth, eight points from a finals place.

Balmain led 8-6 after a tight first half but took control of the game early in the second half and looked to be on their way to victory at 18-6.

The highlight of the match was a try conjured by Ben Elias and Tim Brasher in the 62nd minute, which looked to have quelled Souths’ incipient comeback.

The never-say-die Rabbitohs just wouldn’t be denied, though. A David Penna try reduced the margin to two and a wonderful, scrambling effort finished by Paul Mellor in the 75th minute clinched it.

Round 11 1994, Gold Coast 12 Newcastle 10, Seagulls Stadium
The Gold Coast Seagulls won just five games in 1994. Those included victories over the defending premiers Brisbane and the eventual premiers Canberra.

Next up were Newcastle and the Johns brothers at Seagulls Stadium. I was there.

It was a great climax, if not a great game.

With six minutes to go the Seagulls were 6-10 down and, much like the Kangaroos of Old Trafford in 1990, trying to find a way out of their own quarter.

Channelling the spirit of Ricky Stuart, they broke out through Adrian Vowles and David Bouveng before Wayne Bartrim ran 50 metres to score.

Bartrim was, in his own words, “too stuffed” to take the sideline conversion attempt. It fell to Alan Kempnich in what was to be his only attempt at goal in a six-game first-grade career.

He nailed it. The Seagulls finished second last.

Source material
Middleton, D (1995), Rugby League 1995, Harper Sports
Middleton, D (1997), Rugby League 1997, Harper Sports