2000 Rugby League World Cup

2000 (2000) World Cup  ()
Number of teams	16
Host countries	United Kingdom  Ireland  France
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)
Tournaments  < 1995 2008 >

The 2000 Rugby League World Cup was the twelfth staging of the tournament and was held during October and November in Great Britain, Ireland and France. Building on the previous successful competition, 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.

Contents 1 Summary 2 Qualifying 3 Squads 4 Group 1 4.1 Results 4.2 Final standings 5 Group 2 5.1 Results 5.2 Final standings 6 Group 3 6.1 Results 6.2 Final standings 7 Group 4 7.1 Results 7.2 Final standings 8 Quarter-Finals 9 Semi-Finals 10 Final 11 References 12 External links

Summary

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. 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 criticisim regarding marketing and ticketing. Due to 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.

There were however some positives: the tournament returned a profit of more than £2m despite the small crowds the tournament 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, Australia 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.

Australia's Wendell Sailor was named player of the tournament.

Qualifying

Six countries competed for one available place in the tournament. Lebanon were successful, defeating the United States in the playoff 62-8.

Squads

Group 1

Results

2000-10-28	England	2 – 22	Australia	Twickenham Stadium, London Attendance: 33,758 Referee: David Pakieto
	Pen: Farrell		Try: Sailor (2), Gidley, MacDougall Con: Rogers (3/4)

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2000-10-29	Fiji	38 – 12	Russia	Craven Park, Barrow-in-Furness Attendance: 2,187 Referee: Russell Smith
	Try: Vunivalu (3), Tuqiri (2), Kuraduadua, Sovatabua Con: Tuqiri (5/7)		Try: Rullis, Iliassov Con: Jiltsov (1/1) Mitrofanov (1/1)

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2000-11-01	Australia	66 – 8	Fiji	Gateshead International Stadium, Gateshead Attendance: 4,197 Referee: Robert Connolly
	Try: Rogers (4), Girdler (2), Kennedy (2), Hindmarsh, Barrett, MacDougall, Gidley Con: Rogers (9/12)		Try: Cakacaka (m), Tuqiri (m) Con: ? (0/2)

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2000-11-01	England	76 – 4	Russia	Knowsley Road, St Helens Attendance: 5,736 Referee: Bill Shrimpton
	Try: Sinfield (3), Jamie Peacock (2), Long (2), Rowley (2), Walker, Stephenson, Hay, Deacon, Pryce Con: Farrell (5), Long (5)		Pen: Mitrofanov (2)

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2000-11-04	England	66 – 10	Fiji	Headingley Stadium, Leeds Attendance: 10,052 Referee: Thierry Alibert
	Try: Jamie Peacock (3), Wellens (2), Rogers (2), Naylor, Hay, Radlinski, Smith, Farrell Con: Farrell (9/12)		Try: Tuqiri (m), Navale (c), Con: Vunivalu (1/2)

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2000-11-04	Australia	110 – 4	Russia	The Boulevard, Hull Attendance: 3,044 Referee: Stuart Cummings
	Try: Sailor (4), Girdler (3), Croker (2), Hindmarsh (2), Barrett (2), Johns, Tallis, Fletcher, Webcke, MacDougall, Gidley Con: Girdler (17/19)		Try: Donovan Con: ? (0/1)

Final standings

Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against	Diff	Points
Australia	3	3	0	0	198	14	+184	6
England	3	2	0	1	144	36	+108	4
Fiji	3	1	0	2	56	144	-88	2
Russia	3	0	0	3	20	224	-204	0

Group 2

Results

2000-10-29	New Zealand	64 – 0	Lebanon	Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester Attendance: 2,496 Referee: Bill Harrigan
	Try: Jones (2), Carroll (2), Vainikolo (2), Talau (2), Barnett (2), Swain, Jellick Con: Jones (6), Paul (2)

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2000-10-29	Wales	38 – 6	Cook Islands	Racecourse Ground, Wrexham Attendance: 5,016 Referee: Thierry Alibert
	Try: Tassell (3), Jenkins, Briers, Cunningham Con: Harris (6/6) Pen: Harris		Try: Temata Con: Piakura (1/1)

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2000-11-02	New Zealand	84 – 10	Cook Islands	Madejski Stadium, Reading Attendance: 3,982 Referee: Tim Mander
	Try: Vaealiki (2), Paul (2), Barnett (2), Lavea (2), Lauitiiti, Vainikolo, Wiki, Cayless, Pongia, Vagana, Puletua Con: Lavea (12/15)		Try: Noovao Iro Con: Piakura (1/2)

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2000-11-02	Wales	24 – 22	Lebanon	Stradey Park, Llanelli Attendance: 1,497 Referee: David Pakieto
	Try: Harris (2), Davies, Cunningham, Sterling Con: Harris (2/5)		Try: Saleh (2), Coorey El Masri Con: El Masri (3/4)

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2000-11-05	Cook Islands	22 – 22	Lebanon	Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Attendance: 17,612 Referee: Bill Shrimpton
	Try: Berryman (2), Toa, Joe Con: Berryman (2) Piakura		Try: El Masri (2), Touma, Saleh Con: El Masri (3/4)

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2000-11-05	Wales	18 – 58	New Zealand	Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Attendance: 17,612 Referee: Russell Smith
	Try: Briers, Atcheson, Farrell Con: Harris (3/3)		Try: Vainikolo (3), Barnett (2), Lauitiiti, Wiki, Lauitiiti, Vagana, Paul, Talau, Carroll Con: Paul (5) Lavea (2)

Final standings

Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against	Diff	Points
New Zealand	3	3	0	0	206	28	+178	6
Wales	3	2	0	1	80	86	-6	4
Lebanon	3	0	1	2	44	110	-66	1
Cook Islands	3	0	1	2	38	144	-106	1

Group 3

Results

2000-10-28	Papua New Guinea	23 – 20	France	Charlety Stadium, Paris Attendance: 7,498 Referee: Steve Ganson
	Try: Bai 53' (c) Krewanty 56' (m) Buko 70' (c) Lam 75' (c) Con: Buko (1/2) Wilshere (2/2) FG: Lam 77'		Try: Benausse 14' (c) Dekkiche 27' (c) Hechiche 46' (m), Hechiche 80' (m) Con: Banquet (2/4)

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2000-10-28	Tonga	66 – 18	South Africa	Charlety Stadium, Paris Attendance: 7,498 Referee: Darren Hopewell
	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)

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2000-11-01	France	28 – 8	Tonga	Stade d'Albert Domec, Carcassonne Attendance: 10,288 Referee: Steve Clark
	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)

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2000-11-02	Papua New Guinea	16 – 0	South Africa	Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse Attendance: 4,313 Referee: Darren Hopewell
	Try: Aila 25' (c) Wilshere 31' (c) Paiyo 52' (m) Con: Wilshere (2/3)

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2000-11-05	France	56 – 6	South Africa	Stadium Municipal d'Albi, Albi Attendance: 7,969 Referee: Steve Clark
	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) ?'

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2000-11-06	Papua New Guinea	30 – 22	Tonga	Stadium Municipal d'Albi, Perpignan Attendance: 3,666 Referee: ?
	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'

Final standings

Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against	Diff	Points
Papua New Guinea	3	3	0	0	69	42	27	6
France	3	2	0	1	104	37	67	4
Tonga	3	1	0	2	96	76	20	2
South Africa	3	0	0	3	24	138	-114	0

Group 4

Results

2000-10-28	Ireland	30–16	Samoa	Windsor Park, Belfast[4] Attendance: 3,207 Referee: Tim Mander

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2000-10-29	Scotland	16–17	Aotearoa Māori	Firhill Stadium, Glasgow Attendance: 2,008 Referee: Stuart Cummings

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2000-11-01	Ireland	18–6	Scotland	Tolka Park, Dublin Attendance: 1,782 Referee: Russell Smith

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2000-11-01	Samoa	21–16	Aotearoa Māori	Derwent Park, Workington Attendance: 4,107 Referee: Bill Harrigan

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2000-11-04	Ireland	30–16	Aotearoa Māori	Tolka Park, Dublin Attendance: 3,164 Referee: Bill Harrigan

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2000-11-05	Scotland	12–20	Samoa	Tynecastle Stadium, Edinburgh Attendance: 1,579 Referee: David Pakieto

Final standings

Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against	Diff	Points
Ireland	3	3	0	0	78	38	40	6
Samoa	3	2	0	1	57	58	-1	4
Aotearoa Māori	3	1	0	2	49	67	-18	2
Scotland	3	0	0	3	34	55	-21	0

Quarter-Finals

2000-11-11	Australia	66–10	Samoa	Vicarage Road, Watford Attendance: 5,404 Referee: Stuart Cummings

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2000-11-11	England	26–16	Ireland	Headingley, Leeds Attendance: 15,405 Referee: Tim Mander

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2000-11-12	New Zealand	54–6	France	The Jungle, Castleford Attendance: 5,158 Referee: Bill Harrigan

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2000-11-12	Wales	22–8	Papua New Guinea	Auto Quest Stadium, Widnes Attendance: 5,211 Referee: David Pakieto

Semi-Finals

2000-11-18	New Zealand	49–6	England	Reebok Stadium, Bolton Attendance: 16,032 Referee: Tim Mander

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2000-11-19	Australia	46–22	Wales	McAlpine Stadium, Huddersfield Attendance: 8,114 Referee: Russell Smith

Final

2000-11-25	Australia	40–12	New Zealand	Old Trafford, Manchester Attendance: 44,329 Referee: Stuart Cummings

Australia	Position	New Zealand
Darren Lockyer	1. FB	Richie Barnett
Mat Rogers	2. WG	Nigel Vagana
Adam MacDougall	3. CE	Tonie Carroll
Matt Gidley	4. CE	Willie Talau
Wendell Sailor	5. WG	Lesley Vainikolo
Brad Fittler (c)	6. FE	Henry Paul
Brett Kimmorley	7. HB	Stacey Jones
Shane Webcke	8. PR	Craig Smith
Andrew Johns	9. HK	Richard Swain
Robbie Kearns	10. PR	Quentin Pongia
Gorden Tallis	11. SR	Matt Rua
Bryan Fletcher	12. SR	Stephen Kearney (c)
Scott Hill	13. LF	Ruben Wiki
Trent Barrett	14. Bench	Robbie Paul
Nathan Hindmarsh	15. Bench	Joe Vagana
Darren Britt	16. Bench	Nathan Cayless
Jason Stevens	17. Bench	Logan Swann
Chris Anderson	Coach	Frank Endacott

In a high-scoring final at Old Trafford, the Kangaroos overwhelmed the spirited challenge of their Trans-Tasman opponents, who had been tipped by some to cause an upset. Wendell Sailor put in a strong performance with two great tries and Mat Rogers had a near-perfect afternoon with the boot as the Australians ran out 40-12 winners and were crowned world champions for a sixth successive time.

Australia stepped on the gas from the kick-off, tearing into New Zealand at every opportunity. But the Kiwi defence stood firm, although they almost conceded after 22 minutes. Sailor looked to have scored the first try of the game after a burst down the right wing only for the video official to rule that Stephen Kearney had prevented the Brisbane Broncos player from grounding the ball. The look of disbelief on Sailor's face was there for everyone to see, but he clearly did not let the decision affect his game. Three minutes later, his grubber kick was pounced on by Matt Gidley, who beat Kearney to the touch down. Rogers, assuming the kicking duties in place of the injured Ryan Girdler, landed the conversion to open up a 6-0 lead. New Zealand had few opportunities to go on the offensive, although they finished the first half strongly. But it was the favourites Australia who looked in control and deservedly went into the break in front.

The start of the second half was held up by the appearance of a male streaker. When play finally got under way, the tackles were just as ferocious as ever, neither side giving an inch. However Australia gained the edge when Brad Fittler split the defence with a pass to Nathan Hindmarsh, who scored from close range, bringing the score to 10-0. Rogers converted to make it 12-0. New Zealand were not about to throw in the towel and hit back almost immediately. Lesley Vainikolo pounced on a loose ball to dive over on 49 minutes, although the decision was again made by the video referee. When Henry Paul landed the conversion, the deficit was back down to six points. Soon after, Australian Halfback, Brett Kimmorley, made a break down the right before feeding the ball inside to fullback Darren Lockyer, who crossed for another try^[5]. Rogers' third successful kick made it 18-6 to the defending champions. However, the Kiwis quickly struck back when Tonie Carroll beat several Australian defenders to score. Henry Paul's conversion made it 18-12.

New Zealand then made several cruical errors and Australia were able to capitalise. Sailor grabbed two tries in the space of five minutes to take his tally for the tournament to 10. The first of them came on 63 minutes courtesy of a reverse pass from Gidley. Rogers missed the second of the two quick conversions. Skipper Fittler then breached the New Zealand defence on 73 minutes to score his first try of the final which was converted by Rogers. Substitute Trent Barrett then finished the scoring, with a try that was converted by Rogers.

References

External links

• 2000 World Cup Final at bbc.co.uk
• 2000 World Cup at rlhalloffame.org.uk
• 2000 World Cup at rlwc2008.com
• 2000 World Cup at rugbyleagueproject.org
• 2000 World Cup at 188-rugby-league.co.uk

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