This article will address the topic of 2000 Rugby League World Cup, which has generated great interest due to its relevance today. 2000 Rugby League World Cup is a topic that has aroused the interest of many people in different areas, whether in the personal, academic, professional or social sphere. Over the years, 2000 Rugby League World Cup has gained greater importance and relevance, generating debates, research and reflections on its impact and consequences in our society. In this sense, it is essential to analyze and understand the different aspects surrounding 2000 Rugby League World Cup, from its origins to its evolution today, in order to offer a broad and complete vision of this very relevant topic.
2000 | Rugby League World Cup|
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Number of teams | 16 |
Host countries | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Winner | ![]() |
Matches played | 31 |
Attendance | 263,921 (8,514 per match) |
Top scorer | ![]() |
Top try scorer | ![]() |
< 1995 2008 > |
The 2000 Rugby League World Cup was the twelfth World Cup for men’s national rugby league teams, held between 28 October and 25 November and hosted between the United Kingdom, Ireland and France. Australia won their ninth title by beating New Zealand 40-12 in the final at Old Trafford.
Following the success of the previous tournament, the World Cup was expanded to 16 teams and for the first time featured qualification rounds before the finals.
Following the success of the 1995 Rugby League World Cup, organisers decided to expand the 2000 tournament to 16 teams, 15 were invited while seven emerging nations were invited into a qualifying tournament to determine the 16th place.
The millennium World Cup attracted a record sponsorship of over £1 million from title Lincoln Financial Group, who had also sponsored Great Britain's Tests against New Zealand the previous year. The tournament also made a £2 million profit, despite attracting small crowds.
Despite its financial success the 2000 World Cup was seen as a failure, with too many blow out score lines and the inclusion of New Zealand Māori team being invited alongside the New Zealand National team. Despite being the only team to have to qualify to play in the World Cup, Lebanon were criticised for consisting entirely of Australians of Lebanese origin, which led to derisory comments in the media. The tournament also attracted criticism of its lack of marketing and poor crowds.
France performed creditably and had healthy attendances in games they hosted, while the much-derided Lebanon team also proved the catalyst for domestic competition in that country.
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 featured 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.
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Twickenham Stadium | Millennium Stadium | Old Trafford (Venue of Final) |
Stadium de Toulouse | Reebok Stadium |
Capacity: 75,000 | Capacity: 74,500 | Capacity: 56,000 | Capacity: 37,000 | Capacity: 28,723 |
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![]() ![]() Hull (2) Locations of the 2000 Rugby League World Cup host venues in the United Kingdom Locations of the 2000 Rugby League World Cup host venues in the Republic of Ireland Locations of the 2000 Rugby League World Cup host venues in France |
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McAlpine Stadium | Madejski Stadium | |||
Capacity: 24,500 | Capacity: 24,161 | |||
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Headingley | Vicarage Road | |||
Capacity: 22,000 | Capacity: 21,577 | |||
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Stade Sébastien Charléty | Tynecastle Stadium | |||
Capacity: 20,000 | Capacity: 17,529 | |||
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Knowsley Road | Windsor Park | |||
Capacity: 17,500 | Capacity: 17,000 | |||
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Kingsholm Stadium | Autoquest Stadium | |||
Capacity: 16,500 | Capacity: 13,350 | |||
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Stadium Municipal d'Albi | Craven Park | |||
Capacity: 13,058 | Capacity: 12,000 | |||
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Gateshead International Stadium | Wheldon Road | |||
Capacity: 11,800 | Capacity: 11,743 | |||
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Stradey Park | Racecourse Ground | |||
Capacity: 10,800 | Capacity: 10,771 | |||
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The Boulevard | Firhill Stadium | Derwent Park | Stade Albert Domec | Tolka Park |
Capacity: 10,500 | Capacity: 10,102 | Capacity: 10,000 | Capacity: 10,000 | Capacity: 9,680 |
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Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Qualification |
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1 | ![]() |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 198 | 14 | +184 | 6 | Advance to knockout stage |
2 | ![]() |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 144 | 36 | +108 | 4 | |
3 | ![]() |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 56 | 144 | −88 | 2 | |
4 | ![]() |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 20 | 224 | −204 | 0 |
England ![]() |
2–22 | ![]() |
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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
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Fiji ![]() |
38–12 | ![]() |
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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
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Australia ![]() |
66–8 | ![]() |
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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 | ![]() |
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 | ![]() |
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 | ![]() |
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 |
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1 | ![]() |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 206 | 28 | +178 | 6 | Advance to knockout stage |
2 | ![]() |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 80 | 86 | −6 | 4 | |
3 | ![]() |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 44 | 110 | −66 | 1 | |
4 | ![]() |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 38 | 144 | −106 | 1 |
29 October 2000
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New Zealand ![]() |
64–0 | ![]() |
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Try: Jones (2), Carroll (2), Vainikolo (2), Talau (2), Barnett (2), Swain, Jellick Con: Jones (6), Paul (2) |
29 October 2000
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Wales ![]() |
38–6 | ![]() |
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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 | ![]() |
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 | ![]() |
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 | ![]() |
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 | ![]() |
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 |
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1 | ![]() |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 69 | 42 | +27 | 6 | Advance to knockout stage |
2 | ![]() |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 104 | 37 | +67 | 4 | |
3 | ![]() |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 96 | 76 | +20 | 2 | |
4 | ![]() |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 24 | 138 | −114 | 0 |
28 October 2000
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Papua New Guinea ![]() |
23–20 | ![]() |
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Tries: Bai, Krewanty, Buko, Lam. Goals: Buko, Wilshere 2. Drop Goals: Lam. |
Tries: Benausse, Dekkiche, Hechiche 2. Goals: Banquet 2. |
28 October 2000
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Tonga ![]() |
66–18 | ![]() |
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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
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France ![]() |
28–8 | ![]() |
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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 | ![]() |
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 | ![]() |
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 | ![]() |
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 |
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1 | ![]() |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 78 | 38 | +40 | 6 | Advance to knockout stage |
2 | ![]() |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 57 | 58 | −1 | 4 | |
3 | ![]() |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 49 | 67 | −18 | 2 | |
4 | ![]() |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 34 | 55 | −21 | 0 |
28 October 2000
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Ireland ![]() |
30–16 | ![]() |
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Tries: Joynt, Ricketson, Eagar, Carney, Prescott. Goals: Prescott 5 |
Tries: Leauma, Milford, Betham. Goals: Geros 2. |
29 October 2000
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Scotland ![]() |
16–17 | ![]() |
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Tries: Penny, Maiden, Bell Goals: Mackay, Crowther |
Tries: Toopi 2, Kidwell Goals: Ngamu 2 Drop Goals: Ngamu |
1 November 2000
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Ireland ![]() |
18–6 | ![]() |
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Tries: Sheridan, Withers. Goals: Prescott 5. |
Tries: Arnold. Goals: Crowther. |
1 November 2000
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Samoa ![]() |
21–16 | ![]() |
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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 | ||||||||||
![]() | 16 | |||||||||
18 November – Bolton | ||||||||||
![]() | 26 | |||||||||
![]() | 6 | |||||||||
12 November – Castleford | ||||||||||
![]() | 49 | |||||||||
![]() | 54 | |||||||||
25 November – Manchester | ||||||||||
![]() | 6 | |||||||||
![]() | 12 | |||||||||
11 November – Watford | ||||||||||
![]() | 40 | |||||||||
![]() | 66 | |||||||||
19 November – Huddersfield | ||||||||||
![]() | 10 | |||||||||
![]() | 46 | |||||||||
12 November – Widnes | ||||||||||
![]() | 22 | |||||||||
![]() | 8 | |||||||||
![]() | 22 | |||||||||
18 November 2000
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New Zealand ![]() |
49–6 | ![]() |
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Summary |
Reebok Stadium, Bolton
Attendance: 16,032 Referee: Tim Mander (Australia) Player of the Match: Stephen Kearney (New Zealand) |
25 November 2000
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Australia ![]() |
40–12 | ![]() |
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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
Attendance: 44,329 Referee: Stuart Cummings (England) Player of the Match: Wendell Sailor (Australia) |