The 2000 Rugby League World Cup was the twelfth staging of the Rugby League World Cup since its inauguration in 1954, and the first since the 1995 tournament. The tournament was held in the United Kingdom, Ireland and France from 28 October, culminating in the final between Australia and New Zealand on 25 November.
Like Australia, New Zealand were also undefeated going into the Final
SummaryEdit
In a high-scoring final at Old Trafford, the Kangaroos overwhelmed their Trans-Tasman opponents. Wendell Sailor scored two 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.
Match detailsEdit
New Zealand second rower Stephen Kearney became the most capped forward in New Zealand test match history playing in his 36th test.
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 video referee Gerry Kershaw 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.
Second halfEdit
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.[2] 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 crucial 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.
ReferencesEdit
^"Australia vs. New Zealand - Rugby League Project". Rugby League Project. from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
^Burke, David (26 November 2000). "Hello Sailor; Australia 40 New Zealand 12". Sunday Mirror, The. MGN Ltd.
October 28, 2023
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The 2000 Rugby League World Cup final was the conclusive game of the 2000 Rugby League World Cup tournament and was played between Australia and New Zealand on November 25 2000 at Old Trafford Trafford Greater Manchester England 2000 2000 Rugby League World Cup final Australia New Zealand ARL NZRL 40 1212 TotalAUS 634 40NZL 012 12Date25 November 2000StadiumOld TraffordLocationManchester EnglandRefereeStuart Cummings England Attendance44 329Broadcast partnersBroadcastersSky Sports United Kingdom Nine Network Australia CommentatorsEddie Hemmings Sky Mike Stephenson Sky Andrew Voss Nine Phil Gould Nine Peter Sterling Nine Rugby League World Cup final 19952008 Contents 1 Background 1 1 Australia 1 2 New Zealand 2 Summary 3 Match details 3 1 First half 3 2 Second half 4 ReferencesBackground EditMain article 2000 Rugby League World Cup The 2000 Rugby League World Cup was the twelfth staging of the Rugby League World Cup since its inauguration in 1954 and the first since the 1995 tournament The tournament was held in the United Kingdom Ireland and France from 28 October culminating in the final between Australia and New Zealand on 25 November nbsp Old Trafford in Manchester hosted the World Cup final Australia Edit Scores and results list Australia s points tally first Opposing Team For Against Date Venue Attendance Stage nbsp England 22 2 28 October Twickenham Stadium London 33 758 Group Stage nbsp Fiji 66 8 1 November Gateshead International Stadium Gateshead 4 197 Group Stage nbsp Russia 110 4 4 November The Boulevard Hull 3 044 Group Stage nbsp Samoa 66 10 11 November Vicarage Road Watford 5 404 Quarter final nbsp Wales 46 22 19 November McAlpine Stadium Huddersfield 8 114 Semi finalAustralia were undefeated going into the final Their 110 4 win over Russia set a new world record test match score New Zealand Edit Scores and results list New Zealand s points tally first Opposing Team For Against Date Venue Attendance Stage nbsp Lebanon 64 0 29 October Kingsholm Stadium Gloucester 2 496 Group Stage nbsp Cook Islands 84 10 2 November Madejski Stadium Reading 3 982 Group Stage nbsp Wales 58 18 5 November Millennium Stadium Cardiff 17 612 Group Stage nbsp France 56 4 12 November The Jungle Castleford 5 158 Quarter final nbsp England 49 6 18 November Reebok Stadium Bolton 16 032 Semi finalLike Australia New Zealand were also undefeated going into the FinalSummary EditIn a high scoring final at Old Trafford the Kangaroos overwhelmed their Trans Tasman opponents Wendell Sailor scored two 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 Match details EditNew Zealand second rower Stephen Kearney became the most capped forward in New Zealand test match history playing in his 36th test 25 November 2000Australia nbsp 40 12 nbsp New ZealandTries 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 1 Attendance 44 329Referee Stuart Cummings England Player of the Match Wendell Sailor Australia Australia Posit New ZealandDarren Lockyer FB Richie Barnett c Mat Rogers WG Nigel VaganaAdam MacDougall CE Tonie CarrollMatt Gidley CE Willie TalauWendell Sailor WG Lesley VainikoloBrad Fittler c SO Henry PaulBrett Kimmorley SH Stacey JonesShane Webcke PR Craig SmithAndrew Johns HK Richard SwainRobbie Kearns PR Quentin PongiaGorden Tallis SR Matt RuaBryan Fletcher SR Stephen KearneyScott Hill LF Ruben WikiTrent Barrett Res Robbie PaulNathan Hindmarsh Res Joe VaganaDarren Britt Res Nathan CaylessJason Stevens Res Logan SwannChris Anderson Coach Frank EndacottFirst half Edit 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 video referee Gerry Kershaw 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 Second half Edit 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 2 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 crucial 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 Edit Australia vs New Zealand Rugby League Project Rugby League Project Archived from the original on 4 March 2016 Retrieved 7 May 2018 Burke David 26 November 2000 Hello Sailor Australia 40 New Zealand 12 Sunday Mirror The MGN Ltd Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 2000 Rugby League World Cup final amp oldid 1152307629, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
