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. [edit] 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 alongside the full New Zealand squad, and a Lebanon side consisting entirely of Australians of Lebanese origin, led to derisory comments in the media. 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;[2] 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. [edit] Qualifying Six countries competed for one available place in the tournament. Lebanon were successful, defeating the United States in the playoff 62-8. [edit] Squads [edit] Group 1 [edit] Results
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) |
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) |
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) | [edit] 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 | [edit] Group 2 [edit] Results
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) |
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) | [edit] Final standings [edit] Group 3 [edit] Results
[edit] Final standings [edit] Group 4 [edit] Results
[edit] Final standings [edit] Quarter-Finals
[edit] Semi-Finals
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[4]. 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. [edit] References [edit] External links |
