2000 Rugby League World Cup

Infobox Rugby League World Cup
year = 2000
country = United Kingdom and France


imagesize = 100px
finalists = 16
winners = rl|Australia
count = 9th
matches = 31
points =
attendance = 251809
top scorer = The twelfth Rugby League World Cup was held in Great Britain, Ireland and France in October and November of the year 2000. 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.

ummary

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. 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. The tournament accumulated a mere £2m, and the RFL went into debt from which it did not recover until 2004.

There were however some positives: 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 first-half 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

Pool One - Mediterranean

rugbybox
date =
home = rl-rt|Lebanon
score = 36–16
away = rl|Italy
stadium =
rugbybox
date =
home = rl-rt|Lebanon
score = 104–0
away = rl|Morocco
stadium =
rugbybox
date =
home = rl-rt|Italy
score = 34–0
away = rl|Morocco
stadium =

Pool Two - Pacific Rim

rugbybox
date =
home = rl-rt|United States
score = 54–0
away = rl|Japan
stadium =
rugbybox
date =
home = rl-rt|United States
score = 68–0
away = rl|Canada
stadium =
rugbybox
date =
home = rl-rt|Japan
score = 14–0
away = rl|Canada
stadium =

Final Standings

Group 3

Results

rugbybox
date = 2000-10-28
home = rl-rt|Papua New Guinea
score = 23 – 20
away = rl|France
homescore = Try: Bai 53' (c)
Krewanty 56' (m)
Buko 70' (c)
Lam 75' (c)
Con: Buko (1/2)
Wiltshere (2/2)
FG: Lam 77'
stadium = Charlety Stadium, Paris
awayscore = Try: Benausse 14' (c)
Dekkiche 27' (c)
Hechiche 46' (m),
Hechiche 80' (m)
Con: Banquet (2/4)
attendance = ?
referee = Steve Ganson flagicon|ENG ----rugbybox
date = 2000-10-28
home = rl-rt|Tonga
score = 66 – 18
away = rl|South Africa
homescore = 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)
stadium = Charlety Stadium, Paris
awayscore = Try: Breytenbach 17' (m)
Barnard ?' (c)
Best ?' (c)
Con: ? (0/1)
Bloem (2/2)
Pen: O'Shea (1/1)
attendance = ?
referee = Darren Hopewell flagicon|NZL ----rugbybox
date = 2000-11-01
home = rl-rt|France
score = 28 – 8
away = rl|Tonga
homescore = Try: Banquet ?' (c)
Sirvent ?' (c)
Dulac 66' (m)
Garcia ?' (c)
Jampy ?' (c)
Con: Banquet (4/5)
Pen: Banquet (0/2)
stadium = Stade d'Albert Domec, Carcassonne
awayscore = Try: D. Fisi'iahi ?' (m)
P. Fisi'iahi 60' (m)
Con: Moala (0/2)
attendance = 10,288
referee = Steve Clark flagicon|AUS ----rugbybox
date = 2000-11-02
home = rl-rt|Papua New Guinea
score = 16 – 0
away = rl|South Africa
homescore = Try: Aila 25' (c)
Wilshere 31' (c)
Paiyo 52' (m)
Con: Wilshere (2/3)
stadium = Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse
awayscore =
attendance = ?
referee = Darren Hopewell flagicon|NZL ----rugbybox
date = 2000-11-05
home = rl-rt|France
score = 56 – 6
away = rl|South Africa
homescore = 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'
stadium = Stadium Municipal d'Albi, Albi
awayscore = Try: de Villiers ?' (m)
Con: ? (0/1)
Pen: Bloem (1/1) ?'
attendance = ?
referee = Steve Clark flagicon|AUS ----rugbybox
date = 2000-11-06
home = rl-rt|Papua New Guinea
score = 30 – 22
away = rl|Tonga
homescore = Try: Mondo 19' (c)
Gene 23' (m)
Buko 35' (c)
Karl ?' (m)
Gene ?' (c)
Con: Wiltshere (3/5)
Pen: Wiltshere (2/2) 5', 42'
stadium = Stadium Municipal d'Albi, Perpignan
awayscore = Try: Moala 10' (c)
Mason 39' (c)
Moala ?' (m)
Vaikona ?' (m)
Con: Moala (2/2)
Pen: Moala (1/1) 7'
attendance = ?
referee = ?

Final standings

In a high-scoring final at Old Trafford, the Kangaroos showed their class, overwhelming the spirited challenge of their Trans-Tasman opponents, who had been tipped 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 needed a big helping hand from the video referee on 22 minutes. Sailor looked to have scored the first try of the game after a speedy burst down the right wing only for the fourth official to rule that Stephen Kearney had somehow prevented the Brisbane Broncos star 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 controversial decision affect his game. Three minutes later, his delicate 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 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. But it was Australia who had the edge, and they landed what looked like the knockout blow within six minutes of the restart. Brad Fittler's defence-splitting pass presented Nathan Hindmarsh with the chance to steam over from close out, and the 21-year-old did just that, bringing the score to 10-0. Rogers, with a bandage wrapped round his head, then made it 12-0 with his trusty left boot. But 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 powerful winger was forced to endure an anxious wait before the try was given. When Henry Paul landed the conversion, the deficit was back down to six points. No sooner had the Kiwis given themselves a lifeline than Australia had reimposed their superiority, though. Halfback Brett Kimmorley made an incisive break down the right before feeding the ball inside to Darren Lockyer, who crossed the line unapposed. Rogers' third successful kick made it 18-6 to the defending champions. The game was turned on its head again moments later as the intensity began to build inside Old Trafford. Tonie Carroll showed immense strength to shrug off several Australian tacklers before diving jubilantly over the line. Henry Paul's conversion made it 18-12.

New Zealand were guilty of some poor handling as they tried to level the final up and Australia made the most of a series of escapes to put the game beyond the reach of their opponents. 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 superb reverse pass from Gidley. Rogers could even afford a smile when he missed the second of two quick conversions, knowing victory was virtually assured. Skipper Fittler breached the New Zealand defence on 73 minutes to score his first try of the final which was converted, as expected, by Rogers. Then Trent Barrett left the Kiwis trailing again with a delightful surge, the substitute diving over underneath the posts to hand Rogers the easiest of kicks.

External links

* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/world_cup_2000/1040576.stm 2000 World Cup Final at bbc.co.uk]
* [http://www.rlhalloffame.org.uk/wc2000.htm 2000 World Cup at rlhalloffame.org.uk]
* [http://origin-www.rlwc2008.twiihosting.net/about/pastwinners.aspx?article=2000 2000 World Cup at rlwc2008.com]
* [http://rugbyleagueproject.com/competitions/World_Cup_2000.html 2000 World Cup at rugbyleagueproject.com]