2000 | Rugby League World Cup|
---|---|
Number of teams | 16 |
Host countries |
England France Ireland Scotland Wales |
Winner | Australia (9th title) |
Matches played | 31 |
Attendance | 263,921 (8,514 per match) |
Top scorer | Mat Rogers (70) |
Top try scorer | Wendell Sailor (10) |
<
1995
2008 > |
The 2000 Rugby League World Cup was the twelfth staging of the Rugby League World Cup. It was held in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and France, and took place between 28 October and 25 November 2000. Sixteen national teams competed in four groups of four, playing each other once over three weekly rounds before a series of play-offs that culminated in the final between Australia and New Zealand. Tournament favourites Australia defeated New Zealand in the final, claiming their sixth consecutive and ninth total Rugby League World Cup title. Australian winger Wendell Sailor was named player of the tournament.
Building on the 1995 Rugby League World Cup, it was decided to expand the format further, with the number of teams rising from 10 to 16. As before, an Emerging Nations Tournament was held alongside the main event.
The millennium World Cup attracted a record sponsorship of over £1 million from Lincoln Financial Group, who had also sponsored Great Britain's Tests against New Zealand the previous autumn. [1]
The 2000 World Cup was not considered a great success.[ citation needed] There were too many mismatches in the early stages, and some of the teams lacked credibility. Notably the inclusion of a side representing New Zealand's Māori population, Aotearoa Māori, alongside the full New Zealand team, and a Lebanon side consisting entirely of Australians of Lebanese origin, led to derisory comments in the media. [2] The tournament's organisers also attracted criticism regarding marketing and ticketing. For these reasons crowds at the tournament were low; also torrential rainstorms and the crisis on Britain's railways following the Hatfield rail crash did not help encourage spectators.[ citation needed]
There were however some positives: the tournament returned a profit of more than £2 million despite the small crowds it attracted; [3] the French performed creditably, and attendance for the games held in France was encouraging. The much-derided Lebanon team also proved the catalyst for domestic competition in that country.
On the competition side of things, favourites Australia [4] and New Zealand cut a swathe through the tournament, with several dominant performances setting up an obvious final clash. New Zealand's 49–6 semi-final dispatch of England, coupled with Australia only hitting the lead in their semi-final against Wales with 23 minutes remaining, had New Zealand installed as favourites in some quarters. However, it was Australia who prevailed in a tense, absorbing finale. Australia only led 18–12 with 15 minutes remaining, but a glut of possession saw them finish strongly – scoring four late tries to give the appearance of an easy victory.
Six countries – Lebanon, the United States, Morocco, Canada, Italy and Japan – competed for one available place in the tournament. Lebanon defeated the United States 62–8 in the final play-off match.
The 2000 World Cup tournament features 16 teams:
The games were played at various venues in England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France.
The Twickenham Stadium in London, the home of the English rugby union was the host stadium for the opening ceremony and match featuring hosts England and defending champions Australia. [5]
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Australia | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 198 | 14 | +184 | 6 | Advance to knockout stage |
2 | England | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 144 | 36 | +108 | 4 | |
3 | Fiji | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 56 | 144 | −88 | 2 | |
4 | Russia | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 20 | 224 | −204 | 0 |
England | 2–22 | Australia |
---|---|---|
Goals:
Farrell (1/1) |
Summary |
Tries:
Sailor (2),
Gidley,
MacDougall Goals: Rogers (3/4) |
Twickenham Stadium,
London
Attendance: 33,758 Referee: David Pakieto ( New Zealand) Player of the Match: Brett Kimmorley (Australia) |
29 October 2000
|
Fiji | 38–12 | Russia |
---|---|---|
Try:
Vunivalu (3), Tuqiri (2), Kuraduadua, Sovatabua Con: Tuqiri (5/7) |
Summary |
Try:
Rullis, Ilyasov Con: Zhiltsov (1/1) Mitrofanov (1/1) |
1 November 2000
|
Australia | 66–8 | Fiji |
---|---|---|
Try:
Rogers (4), Girdler (2), Kennedy (2), Hindmarsh, Barrett, MacDougall, Gidley Con: Rogers (9/12) |
Summary |
Try:
Cakacaka (m), Tuqiri (m) Con: ? (0/2) |
1 November 2000 |
England | 76–4 | Russia |
Try:
Sinfield (3), Jamie Peacock (2), Long (2), Rowley (2), Walker, Stephenson, Hay, Deacon, Pryce Con: Farrell (5), Long (5) | Summary | Pen: Mitrofanov (2) |
Knowsley Road, St Helens Attendance: 5,736 Referee: Bill Shrimpton |
4 November 2000 |
England | 66–10 | Fiji |
Try:
Jamie Peacock (3), Wellens (2), Rogers (2), Naylor, Hay, Radlinski, Smith, Farrell Con: Farrell (9/12) | Summary | Try:
Tuqiri (m), Navale (c), Con: Vunivalu (1/2) |
Headingley Rugby Stadium,
Leeds Attendance: 10,052 Referee: Thierry Alibert |
4 November 2000 |
Australia | 110–4 | Russia |
Try:
Sailor (4), Girdler (3), Croker (2), Hindmarsh (2), Barrett (2), Johns, Tallis, Fletcher, Webcke, MacDougall, Gidley Con: Girdler (17/19) | Summary | Try:
Matt Donovan Con: Mikhail Mitrofanov (0/2) |
The Boulevard, Hull Attendance: 3,044 Referee: Stuart Cummings |
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | New Zealand | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 206 | 28 | +178 | 6 | Advance to knockout stage |
2 | Wales | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 80 | 86 | −6 | 4 | |
3 | Lebanon | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 44 | 110 | −66 | 1 | |
4 | Cook Islands | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 38 | 144 | −106 | 1 |
29 October 2000
|
New Zealand | 64–0 | Lebanon |
---|---|---|
Try:
Jones (2), Carroll (2), Vainikolo (2), Talau (2), Barnett (2), Swain, Jellick Con: Jones (6), Paul (2) |
29 October 2000
|
Wales | 38–6 | Cook Islands |
---|---|---|
Try:
Tassell (3), Jenkins, Briers, Cunningham Con: Harris (6/6) Pen.: Harris (1/1) |
Try:
Temata Con: Piakura (1/1) |
2 November 2000 |
New Zealand | 84–10 | Cook Islands |
Try:
Vaealiki (2), Paul (2), Barnett (2), Lavea (2), Lauiti'iti, Vainikolo, Wiki, Cayless, Pongia, Vagana, Puletua Con: Lavea (12/15) | Try:
Noovao Iro Con: Piakura (1/2) |
Madejski Stadium, Reading Attendance: 3,982 Referee: Tim Mander |
2 November 2000 |
Wales | 24–22 | Lebanon |
Try:
Harris (2), Davies, Cunningham, Sterling Con: Harris (2/5) | Try:
Saleh (2), Coorey El Masri Con: El Masri (3/4) |
Stradey Park, Llanelli Attendance: 1,497 Referee: David Pakieto |
5 November 2000 |
Cook Islands | 22–22 | Lebanon |
Try:
Berryman (2), Toa, Joe Con: Berryman (2) Piakura | Try:
El Masri (2), Touma, Saleh Con: El Masri (3/4) |
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Attendance: 17,612 Referee: Bill Shrimpton |
5 November 2000 |
Wales | 18–58 | New Zealand |
Try:
Briers, Atcheson, Farrell Con: Harris (3/3) | Try:
Vainikolo (3), Barnett (2), Lauiti'iti, Wiki, Vagana, Paul, Talau, Carroll Con: Paul (5) Lavea (2) |
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Attendance: 17,612 Referee: Russell Smith |
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Papua New Guinea | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 69 | 42 | +27 | 6 | Advance to knockout stage |
2 | France | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 104 | 37 | +67 | 4 | |
3 | Tonga | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 96 | 76 | +20 | 2 | |
4 | South Africa | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 24 | 138 | −114 | 0 |
28 October 2000
|
Papua New Guinea | 23–20 | France |
---|---|---|
Tries: Bai, Krewanty, Buko, Lam. Goals: Buko, Wilshere 2. Drop Goals: Lam. |
Tries: Benausse, Dekkiche, Hechiche 2. Goals: Banquet 2. |
28 October 2000
|
Tonga | 66–18 | South Africa |
---|---|---|
Try:
Vaikona 5' (c) D. Mann 7' (c) Vaikona 20' (c) Liava'a ?' (m) Masella ?' (m) Moala ?' (m) E. Mann 44' (m) Vaikona 46' (m) Lomi 51' (c) Vaikona 55' (c) Kaufusi ?' (?) D. Mann ?' (?) Mason ?' (?) Con: Moala (4/9) Mason (1/1) |
Try:
Breytenbach 17' (m) Barnard ?' (c) Best ?' (c) Con: ? (0/1) Bloem (2/2) Pen: O'Shea (1/1) |
1 November 2000
|
France | 28–8 | Tonga |
---|---|---|
Try:
Banquet ?' (c) Sirvent ?' (c) Dulac 66' (m) Garcia ?' (c) Jampy ?' (c) Con: Banquet (4/5) Pen: Banquet (0/2) |
Try:
D. Fisi'iahi ?' (m) P. Fisi'iahi 60' (m) Con: Moala (0/2) |
2 November 2000 |
Papua New Guinea | 16–0 | South Africa |
Try:
Aila 25' (c) Wilshere 31' (c) Paiyo 52' (m) Con: Wilshere (2/3) |
Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse Attendance: 4,313 Referee: Darren Hopewell |
5 November 2000 |
France | 56–6 | South Africa |
Try:
Cassin 8' (c) Banquet 21' (c) Cassin 35' (c) Guisset 38' (c) Jampy ?' (c) Jampy ?' (c) Jampy 53' (c) Sirvent ?' (c) Tallec ?' (c) Con: Banquet (9/9) Pen: Banquet (1/1) 18' | Try:
De Villiers ?' (m) Con: ? (0/1) Pen: Bloem (1/1) ?' |
Stadium Municipal d'Albi, Albi Attendance: 7,969 Referee: Steve Clark |
6 November 2000 |
Papua New Guinea | 30–22 | Tonga |
Try:
Mondo 19' (c) Gene 23' (m) Buko 35' (c) Karl ?' (m) Gene ?' (c) Con: Wiltshere (3/5) Pen: Wiltshere (2/2) 5', 42' | Try:
Moala 10' (c) Mason 39' (c) Moala ?' (m) Vaikona ?' (m) Con: Moala (2/2) Pen: Moala (1/1) 7' |
Saint-Esteve, Perpignan Attendance: 3,666 Referee: Steve Ganson |
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ireland | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 78 | 38 | +40 | 6 | Advance to knockout stage |
2 | Samoa | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 57 | 58 | −1 | 4 | |
3 | Aotearoa Māori | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 49 | 67 | −18 | 2 | |
4 | Scotland | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 34 | 55 | −21 | 0 |
28 October 2000
|
Ireland | 30–16 | Samoa |
---|---|---|
Tries: Joynt, Ricketson, Eagar, Carney, Prescott. Goals: Prescott 5 |
Tries: Leauma, Milford, Betham. Goals: Geros 2. |
Windsor Park, Belfast
[12]
Attendance: 3,207 Referee: Tim Mander Player of the Match: Barrie McDermott [13] |
29 October 2000
|
Scotland | 16–17 | Aotearoa Māori |
---|---|---|
Tries: Penny, Maiden, Bell Goals: Mackay, Crowther |
Tries: Toopi 2, Kidwell Goals: Ngamu 2 Drop Goals: Ngamu |
1 November 2000
|
Ireland | 18–6 | Scotland |
---|---|---|
Tries: Sheridan, Withers. Goals: Prescott 5. |
Tries: Arnold. Goals: Crowther. |
1 November 2000
|
Samoa | 21–16 | Aotearoa Māori |
---|---|---|
Tries: Faafili 2, W Swann, Milford. Goals: Poching 2. |
Tries: Mathews, Nelson, Rauhihi. Goals: Goodwin 2. |
The top 2 teams from each pool advanced to the quarter-finals.
Quarter-finals | Semi-finals | Final | ||||||||
11 November – Leeds | ||||||||||
Ireland | 16 | |||||||||
18 November – Bolton | ||||||||||
England | 26 | |||||||||
England | 6 | |||||||||
12 November – Castleford | ||||||||||
New Zealand | 49 | |||||||||
New Zealand | 54 | |||||||||
25 November – Manchester | ||||||||||
France | 6 | |||||||||
New Zealand | 12 | |||||||||
11 November – Watford | ||||||||||
Australia | 40 | |||||||||
Australia | 66 | |||||||||
19 November – Huddersfield | ||||||||||
Samoa | 10 | |||||||||
Australia | 46 | |||||||||
12 November – Widnes | ||||||||||
Wales | 22 | |||||||||
Papua New Guinea | 8 | |||||||||
Wales | 22 | |||||||||
18 November 2000
|
New Zealand | 49–6 | England |
---|---|---|
Summary |
Reebok Stadium,
Bolton
Attendance: 16,032 Referee: Tim Mander ( Australia) Player of the Match: Stephen Kearney (New Zealand) |
25 November 2000
|
Australia | 40–12 | New Zealand |
---|---|---|
Tries:
Gidley 26' Hindmarsh 46' Lockyer 53' Sailor (2) 66', 69' Fittler 74' Barrett 76' Goals: Rogers (6/7) |
Summary |
Tries: Vainikolo 50' Carroll 57' Goals: H. Paul (2/2) |
Old Trafford,
Manchester
[15]
Attendance: 44,329 Referee: Stuart Cummings ( England) Player of the Match: Wendell Sailor (Australia) |