1986 New Zealand rugby league tour of Australia and Papua New Guinea 1986 series 3-0. New Zealand then continued their tour to Papua New Guinea. In Papua New Guinea they won the first test against Papua New Guinea 36-26. They then lost the second test match 22-24, a match which counted towards the 1988 World Cup. Australia was coached for the first time by 1956–57 Kangaroo Tourist Don Furner. Wally Lewis was the captain of the team with Wayne Pearce the team vice captain. The players used by Australia in the series was: Wally Lewis (Wynnum Manly) (c), Wayne Pearce (Balmain) (vc), Noel Cleal (Manly Warringah), Steve Folkes (Canterbury-Bankstown), Garry Jack (Balmain),
1986 New Zealand rugby league tour of Australia and Papua New Guinea failing a team medical. Australia continued its international dominance and scored a clean sweep against the Kiwis with a 32-12, 6 tries to 2 win in front of almost 23,000 at Lang Park. The match was broadcast into NSW and Qld by the Nine Network and via relay into New Zealand. This game also counted towards the 1985-1988 Rugby League World Cup. In Papua New Guinea they defeated Island Zone 26-6 and lost to Southern Zone 20-26 before the two test matches. This match counted towards the 1988 Rugby League World Cup. Papua New Guinea scored their first ever test