Page "1985–1988 Rugby League World Cup" Paragraph 1

The competition was further altered by the addition of a new nation, Papua New Guinea.

The Kumuls performed creditably, particularly when playing in the front of their fiercely patriotic home crowd.

Conversely, France were unable to fulfil their 1987 tour of Australasia due to financial difficulties, and had to forfeit away fixtures against Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.