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.
Alongside the men's tournament, it was also the same year when the inaugural Women's Rugby League World Cup was first played.
Summary 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.
Qualifying
Six countries – , the , , , and – competed for one available place in the tournament. Lebanon defeated the United States 62–8 in the final play-off match.
Teams
The 2000 World Cup tournament featured 16 teams:
TeamCaptainCoach Brad Fittler Chris Anderson Kevin Iro Stan Martin Andy Farrell John Kear Lote Tuqiri Don Furner Fabien Devecchi Gilles Dumas Terry O'Connor Steve O'Neill and Andy Kelly Darren Marroon John Elias Richie Barnett Frank Endacott Tawera Nikau Cameron Bell Adrian Lam Bob Bennett Ian Rubin Evgeniy Klebanov Willie Poching Darrell Williams Danny Russell Shaun McRae Jamie Bloem Paul Matete Martin Masella Murray Hurst Iestyn Harris Clive Griffiths
Venues 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.
London Cardiff Trafford Toulouse Bolton 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 Huddersfield Reading McAlpine Stadium Madejski Stadium Capacity: 24,500 Capacity: 24,161 Leeds Watford Headingley Vicarage Road Capacity: 22,000 Capacity: 21,577 Paris Edinburgh Stade Sébastien Charléty Tynecastle Stadium Capacity: 20,000 Capacity: 17,529 St. Helens Belfast Knowsley Road Windsor Park Capacity: 17,500 Capacity: 17,000 Gloucester Widnes Kingsholm Stadium Autoquest Stadium Capacity: 16,500 Capacity: 13,350 Albi Gateshead Stadium Municipal d'Albi Gateshead International Stadium Capacity: 13,058 Capacity: 11,800 Castleford Llanelli Wheldon Road Stradey Park Capacity: 11,743 Capacity: 10,800 Wrexham Hull Racecourse Ground The Boulevard Capacity: 10,771 Capacity: 10,500 Glasgow Workington Carcassonne Dublin Barrow-in-Furness Firhill Stadium Derwent Park Stade Albert Domec Tolka Park Craven Park Capacity: 10,102 Capacity: 10,000 Capacity: 10,000 Capacity: 9,680 Capacity: 4,000
Group stage Group A
Group B
Group C
Group D
Knockout stage
The top 2 teams from each pool advanced to the quarter-finals.
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Final
Try scorers 10 Wendell Sailor
9 Lesley Vainikolo
6 Ryan Girdler Jamie Peacock Richie Barnett Willie Talau
5 Bryan Fletcher Adam MacDougall Robbie Paul
4
Trent Barrett Brad Fittler Matthew Gidley Nathan Hindmarsh Mat Rogers Lote Tuqiri Pascal Jampy Tonie Carroll Brian Leauma Tevita Vaikona Lee Briers Kris Tassell
3
Andrew Johns Ben Kennedy Darren Lockyer Kevin Sinfield Tony Smith Atunasia Vunivialu Claude Sirvent Michael Withers Hazem El Masri Hassan Saleh Nigel Vagana Ruben Wiki Shane Laloata Laloa Milford Fifita Moala
2
Jason Croker Scott Hill Steve Berryman Andy Hay Sean Long Darren Rogers Paul Rowley Chev Walker Paul Wellens Frédéric Banquet Jean-Emmanuel Cassin Rachid Hechiche Brian Carney Ryan Sheridan Brian Jellick Stacey Jones Stephen Kearney Ali Lauiti'iti Tasesa Lavea Quentin Pongia Logan Swann David Vaealiki Boycie Nelson Clinton Toopi David Buko Stanley Gene John Wilshere Henry Fa'afili David Solomona Duane Mann Willie Mason Iestyn Harris Wes Davies
1
Craig Gower Brett Kimmorley Gorden Tallis Shane Webcke Kevin Iro Leroy Joe Meti Noovao Karl Temata Tiri Toa Paul Deacon Andy Farrell Scott Naylor Leon Pryce Kris Radlinski Keith Senior Francis Stephenson Patrice Benausse Yacine Dekkiche Arnaud Dulac Jean-Marc Garcia Jérôme Guisset Julien Rinaldi Gael Tallec Tabua Cakacaka Jone Kuraduadua Eparama Navale Waisale Sovatabua David Barnhill Martin Crompton Michael Eagar Mark Forster Chris Joynt Tommy Martyn Steve Prescott Luke Ricketson Michael Coorey Travis Touma Richie Blackmore Nathan Cayless Henry Paul Tony Puletua Matt Rua Craig Smith David Kidwell Wairangi Koopu Steve Matthews Paul Rauhihi Hare Te Rangi Eddie Aila Marcus Bai Raymond Karl Alex Krewanty Adrian Lam Michael Mondo Elias Paiyo Lucas Solbat Matt Donovan Robert Ilyasov Joel Rullis Monty Betham Willie Swann Danny Arnold Geoff Bell David Maiden Lee Penny Scott Rhodes Adrian Vowles Daniel Foster Paul Fisiiahi David Fisiiahi Lipina Kaufusi Talite Liava'a Nelson Lomi Esau Mann Martin Masella Willie Wolfgramm Leon Barnard Brian Best Coenraad Breytenbach Quinton De Villiers Paul Atcheson Jason Critchley Keiron Cunningham Anthony Farrell Mick Jenkins Paul Sterling Ian Watson
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