1989 Panasonic Cup (rugby league)
For background information about this competition, please refer to the Amco Cup main page.
Format
For one of the few times in the competition's history, the format remained unchanged form the previous year, with the 19 teams participating in a straight knock-out. There was a random draw for all rounds other than the Preliminary Rounds.
Preliminary rounds
| Date | Winner | Score | Loser | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/04/89 | Brisbane (BRL) | 21 | Port Moresby | 12 | Port Moresby |
| 7/04/89 | Brisbane (BRL) | 9 | Country NSW | 2 | Seagulls Stadium |
| 12/04/89 | St George | 14 | Brisbane (BRL) | 10 | Lang Park |
Qualifying Round
| Date | Winner | Score | Loser | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/03/89 | Brisbane Broncos | 18 | Canberra | 13 | Parkes |
| 8/03/89 | South Sydney | 36 | Penrith | 12 | Parramatta Stadium |
| 10/03/89 | Parramatta | 22 | Balmain | 12 | WACA Ground |
| 15/03/89 | Canterbury | 24 | Newcastle | 2 | Parramatta Stadium |
| 22/03/89 | Cronulla | 22 | Easts | 10 | Parramatta Stadium |
| 29/03/89 | Illawarra | 12 | Wests | 0 | Parramatta Stadium |
| 19/04/89 | North Sydney | 13 | Gold Coast | 6 | Parramatta Stadium |
| 26/04/89 | Manly | 22 | St George | 10 | Wagga Wagga |
Quarter finals
| Date | Winner | Score | Loser | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/04/89 | South Sydney^ | 10 | Canterbury | 10 | Parramatta Stadium |
| 3/05/89 | North Sydney | 16 | Manly | 8 | Parramatta Stadium |
| 10/05/89 | Illawarra | 40 | Cronulla | 0 | Parramatta Stadium |
| 17/05/89 | Brisbane Broncos | 42 | Parramatta | 6 | Townsville Sports Reserve |
Semi finals
| Date | Winner | Score | Loser | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24/05/89 | Illawarra% | 12 | North Sydney | 12 | Parramatta Stadium |
| 31/05/89 | Brisbane Broncos | 24 | South Sydney | 4 | Bathurst |
Final
| Date | Winner | Score | Loser | Score | Venue | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 June 1989 | Brisbane Broncos | 22 | Illawarra Steelers | 20 | Parramatta Stadium | 16,968 |
The Broncos raced to a 16-0 lead and it seemed the Steelers' much more fancied opponents would run away with the game. But Illawarra hit back. Illawarra lost the match 22-20, however Brisbane scored a try off what appeared to be forward a pass. The large Illawarra contingent of the 16,968 strong crowd at Parramatta Stadium booed the Broncos after their win, with Brisbane captain Wally Lewis gaining their ire by gesturing back.[1] Illawarra's performance inspired Australian folk singer John Williamson to write a song about the match.
Notes
^- advanced having scored the first try
%- advanced on penalty countback
Awards
Player of the Series
- Terry Matterson (Brisbane Broncos)