 By the 1991 World Cup New Zealand were an ageing side , co @-@ coached by Alex Wyllie and John Hart . After beating hosts England in the tournament opener , they struggled during pool matches against the United States and Italy , and won their quarter @-@ final against Canada . They were then knocked out by eventual winners Australia 16 – 6 in their semi @-@ final at Lansdowne Road . In the wake of the tournament , there were many retirements , including coach Wyllie , who had enjoyed an 86 % win rate during 29 tests in charge . 
