2009 Rugby League Four Nations

Last updated

2009 (2009) Four Nations  ()
Rugby league four nations 2009 logo.png
Number of teams4
Host countriesFlag of England.svg  England
Flag of France.svg  France
WinnerFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Matches played7
Attendance116,089 (16,584 per match)
Points scored280 (40 per match)
Tries scored50 (7.14 per match)
Top scorer Flag of Australia (converted).svg Johnathan Thurston (38)
Top try scorer Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brett Morris (6)
Tournaments
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The 2009 Rugby League Four Nations tournament (officially known as the Gillette Four Nations due to sponsorship [1] ) was the first Rugby League Four Nations since its expansion from the Tri-Nations tournament. Played in England and France over three weeks from Friday, 23 October until Saturday, 14 November, [2] France and England competed for the first time, with Great Britain's permanent split into the home nations' national teams following the 2007 New Zealand All Golds Tour. The tournament culminated in a final between world number 1 side Australia and hosts England. After 60 minutes of highly competitive football, Australia ran away with the match, scoring a barrage of late tries to win 46–16. [3]

Contents

The 2009 series was the first of three Four Nations series planned before the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, with the venues rotating between Europe and the South Pacific. [4] The RLIF also stated that the next Four Nations would be held in 2010.

Background

The Four Nations is run in partnership between the Australian Rugby League, Rugby Football League and New Zealand Rugby League representing the top three nations in the sport: Australia, England and New Zealand. [5] A fourth partner, Fédération Française de Rugby à XIII, accepted an invitation to enter France in the inaugural 2009 tournament. [5]

Teams

Each team was to play the other three once during the round robin tournament. The top two finishing teams would then contest the final.

TeamNicknameCoachCaptainRLIF Rank
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia The Kangaroos Tim Sheens Darren Lockyer 1
Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand The Kiwis Stephen Kearney Benji Marshall 2
Flag of England.svg England The Lions Tony Smith Jamie Peacock 3
Flag of France.svg France Les Tricolores Bobbie Goulding Olivier Elima 5

Squads

Each nation was to choose a 24-man squad in order to participate for the Four Nations.

Australia

Australian coach Tim Sheens' squad for the tournament was:

No. Name State Club
661 Darren Lockyer (c)QLD Brisbane Broncos
687 Nathan Hindmarsh NSW Parramatta Eels
691 Petero Civoniceva QLD Penrith Panthers
715 Luke Lewis NSW Penrith Panthers
716 Trent Waterhouse NSW Penrith Panthers
731 Johnathan Thurston QLD North Queensland Cowboys
734 Jarryd Hayne NSW Parramatta Eels
735 Justin Hodges QLD Brisbane Broncos
737 Greg Inglis QLD Melbourne Storm
738 Cameron Smith (vc)QLD Melbourne Storm
739 Sam Thaiday QLD Brisbane Broncos
744 Cooper Cronk QLD Melbourne Storm
747 Kurt Gidley NSW Newcastle Knights
748 Ryan Hoffman NSW Melbourne Storm
750 Paul Gallen NSW Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
751 Billy Slater QLD Melbourne Storm
758 Anthony Watmough NSW Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
761 Ben Hannant QLD Bulldogs
762 Brett Morris*NSW St George Illawarra Dragons
763 Brett White NSW Melbourne Storm
764 Robbie Farah NSW Wests Tigers
765 David Shillington QLD Canberra Raiders
766 Michael Jennings NSW Penrith Panthers
767 Josh Morris NSW Bulldogs

*Replaced originally selected Israel Folau who withdrew due to injury. [6]

Of the twenty four players, twenty three were Australian born while one was Fijian born.

New Zealand

Coach: Flag of New Zealand.svg Stephen Kearney

Of the twenty four players, nineteen were New Zealand born while four were Australian born and one was Tongan born.

Club TeamPlayers
Canberra Raiders Bronson Harrison
Canterbury Bulldogs Greg Eastwood 1 and Bryson Goodwin
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Kieran Foran, Steve Matai and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
Melbourne Storm Adam Blair (vc) and Jeff Lima
Newcastle Knights Junior Sa'u
New Zealand Warriors Lance Hohaia, Kevin Locke and Ben Matulino
Parramatta Eels Krisnan Inu and Fuifui Moimoi
Penrith Panthers Frank Pritchard
South Sydney Rabbitohs Issac Luke and Eddy Pettybourne 2 [7]
St George Illawarra Dragons Nathan Fien and Jason Nightingale
Sydney Roosters Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Sam Perrett and Iosia Soliola
Wests Tigers Benji Marshall (c)
Wigan Warriors Thomas Leuluai 3

1 Ruled out of the rest of the series on 5 November after breaking his hand in the Round two victory over France. [8]

2 Registered as a member of the squad before the tournament started but this was not revealed to the media until he was called to Europe from Australia by the Kiwis on 25 October.

3 The only non National Rugby League player in the squad.

England

Coach: Flag of England.svg Tony Smith

All twenty four players were English born.

Club TeamPlayers
Bradford Bulls Sam Burgess and Paul Sykes
Castleford Tigers Michael Shenton
Huddersfield Giants Eorl Crabtree and Scott Moore
Hull F.C. Tom Briscoe 1
Hull Kingston Rovers Shaun Briscoe and Peter Fox
Leeds Rhinos Jamie Peacock (c), Ryan Hall, Danny McGuire, Kevin Sinfield and Lee Smith
Salford City Reds Richard Myler
St. Helens Kyle Eastmond, James Graham, James Roby and Jon Wilkin
Warrington Wolves Chris Bridge, Garreth Carvell, Adrian Morley and Ben Westwood
Wests Tigers Gareth Ellis 2
Wigan Warriors Sam Tomkins

1 Replaced originally selected Sean O'Loughlin who withdrew due to injury.
2 The only non Super League player in the squad.

France

Coach: Flag of England.svg Bobbie Goulding

Of the twenty seven players, eighteen were French born while three were Australian born, three New Zealand born, one Moroccan born and one New Caledonia born.

Club TeamPlayers
AS Carcassonne Romain Gagliazzo, Christophe Moly and Teddy Saddaoui
Catalans Dragons Olivier Elima (c), Nicholas Piquemol, Andrew Bentley, Kane Bentley, Jean-Philippe Baile, Thomas Bosc, Rémi Casty , Vincent Duport, Jamal Fakir, David Ferriol, Cyril Gossard, Dimitri Pelo, Sébastien Martins, Sebastien Raguin, Cyril Stacul, Clint Greenshields, Julien Touxagas, Frédéric Vaccari and Casey McGuire
Pia Donkeys Maxime Grésèque
Toulouse Olympique Mathieu Griffi and Constant Villegas
Lézignan Sangliers James Wynne
Villeneuve Leopards Artie Shead

Venues

There were several venues used during the tournament throughout England and France.

Doncaster London Wigan
Keepmoat Stadium Twickenham Stoop DW Stadium
Capacity: 15,231Capacity: 14,816Capacity: 25,138
Keepmoat1.jpg Aerial view of the Stoop.jpg England v France 2013 RLWC (1).jpg
Toulouse Paris Huddersfield
Stade Ernest-Wallon Stade Sébastien Charléty Galpharm Stadium
Capacity: 19,500Capacity: 20,000Capacity: 24,500
Stade-ernest-wallon-07.jpg Stade Charlety 701.jpg Galpharm Stadium - geograph.org.uk - 312658.jpg

Final

The Four Nations Final was played at the Elland Road stadium in Leeds, England.

Leeds
Elland Road
Capacity: 40,242
East Stand at Elland Road prior to the 2010 World Club Challenge.jpg

Referees

Four referees were nominated for the tournament by the governing bodies of the participating teams. [11] One from each of the participating nations. The nominated referees were:

Pre-tournament matches

Before the series, New Zealand and England played additional Tests against Tonga and Wales respectively.

New Zealand vs Tonga

14 October 2009
New Zealand  Flag of New Zealand.svg40 – 24Flag of Tonga.svg  Tonga
Tries:
Benji Marshall (2)
Bryson Goodwin (2)
Junior Sa'u
Sam Perrett
Nathan Fien
Steve Matai
Goals:
Issac Luke (3)
Benji Marshall (1)		 Report
Tries:
Etuate Uaisele (2)
Feleti Mateo
Sam Huihahau
Viliami Mataka


Goals:
Eddie Paea (2)
Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua, New Zealand
Attendance: 8,000
Referee: Leon Williamson Flag of New Zealand.svg
Player of the Match: Benji Marshall New Zealand Kiwis colours.svg

New Zealand led 24–8 at half-time before Tonga fought back to level the scores at 24-24. New Zealand went on to score 16 unanswered points to win the match 40–24.

Wales vs England

17 October 2009
Wales  Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg12 – 48Flag of England.svg  England
Tries:
Craig Kopczak
Ian Watson




Goals:
Lloyd White (2)		 Report
Tries:
Sam Tomkins (3)
Tom Briscoe (2)
Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook
Sam Burgess
Sean O'Loughlin
Adrian Morley
Goals:
Paul Sykes (6)
Brewery Field, Bridgend, Wales
Attendance: 3,249
Referee: Thierry Alibert Flag of France.svg
Player of the Match: Sam Tomkins England colours.svg

England lead Wales 20-12 approaching the hour, before racking up 28 points in the last quarter.

Results

Standings

2009 Four Nations
TeamPldWDLPFPAPDPts
1Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia W32108840485
2Flag of England.svg  England 32017050204
3Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 31119452423
4Flag of France.svg  France 300328138−1100

Round one

England vs France

Friday, 23 October
2000 BST
England  Flag of England.svg34 – 12Flag of France.svg  France
Tries:
Richard Myler (2)
Lee Smith
Kevin Sinfield
Ryan Hall
Tom Briscoe
Goals:
Kevin Sinfield (5)		 Report
Team lists
Tries:
Vincent Duport
Kane Bentley



Goals:
Thomas Bosc (2)
Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster, England
Attendance: 11,529
Referee: Leon Williamson Flag of New Zealand.svg
Player of the Match: Gareth Ellis England colours.svg

After trailing 12–4 at half-time, England scored 30 consecutive points to defeat France 34–12, who were coached by former Great Britain half, Bobbie Goulding.

FB1 HKRcolours.svg Shaun Briscoe
RW2 Hullcolours.svg Tom Briscoe
RC3 Rhinoscolours.svg Lee Smith
LC4 Castleford colours.svg Michael Shenton
LW5 Rhinoscolours.svg Ryan Hall
SO6 Rhinoscolours.svg Danny McGuire
SH7 Redscolours.svg Richard Myler
PR8 Rhinoscolours.svg Jamie Peacock (c)
HK9 Giantscolours.svg Scott Moore
PR10 Wolvescolours.svg Adrian Morley
SR11 Wests Tigers colours.svg Gareth Ellis
SR12 Bullscolours.svg Sam Burgess
LF13 Rhinoscolours.svg Kevin Sinfield
Substitutions:
BE14 Saintscolours.svg James Graham
BE15 Saintscolours.svg James Roby
BE16 Wolvescolours.svg Ben Westwood
BE17 Saintscolours.svg Kyle Eastmond
Coach:
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Tony Smith
FB1 Catalanscolours.svg Clint Greenshields
RW2 Catalanscolours.svg Vincent Duport
RC3 Catalanscolours.svg Jean-Philippe Baile
LC4 Catalanscolours.svg Sebastien Raguin
LW5 Catalanscolours.svg Dimitri Pelo
SO6 Catalanscolours.svg Thomas Bosc
SH7 LezignanRLcolours.PNG James Wynne
PR8 Catalanscolours.svg David Ferriol
HK9 Catalanscolours.svg Kane Bentley
PR10 Catalanscolours.svg Rémi Casty
SR11 Catalanscolours.svg Olivier Elima (c)
SR12 Catalanscolours.svg Julien Touxagas
LF13 Catalanscolours.svg Jamal Fakir
Substitutions:
BE14 ToulouseRLcolours.png Constant Villegas
BE15 CarcassonneRLcolours.PNG Romain Gagliazzo
BE16 Catalanscolours.svg Sébastien Martins
BE17 CarcassonneRLcolours.PNG Teddy Saddaoui
Coach:
Flag of England.svg Bobbie Goulding

New Zealand vs Australia

For Australia Ben Hannant, Brett Morris and Brett White were selected to make their debuts. Petero Civoniceva was selected despite not having played any football since he injured his leg in game 2 of the 2009 State of Origin series in June. [12]

When Australian captain Darren Lockyer took the field for this match, he surpassed Mal Meninga's record for most international caps for the Kangaroos. After 6–6 at half-time, Australia quickly went to a 14–6 lead before New Zealand scored fourteen points in a row to make it 14–20. Australia's Cameron Smith scored a try and Johnathan Thurston made the conversion to level the scores with less than five minutes left to play. The score finished at 20-20. The crowd of 12,360 at Twickenham Stoop stadium set a new attendance ground record for a rugby league match.

Round two

England vs Australia

Changes made to the Australian side included the removal of Sam Thaiday, Ryan Hoffman, Trent Waterhouse and Kurt Gidley. Taking their places were débutants Luke Lewis and David Shillington as well as Robbie Farah and also Nathan Hindmarsh, making his test football comeback. Australian captain Darren Lockyer equalled Ken Irvine's record of 33 test tries for Australia by scoring in this match. On a warm and sunny day, the Kangaroos went into half-time 26-0 up and after Australia defeated England 52–4 in their previous meeting in last year's Rugby League World Cup, the English looked set for another thrashing. However, England made an ambitious fight-back in the second half but, keeping Australia scoreless to lose by a more respectable margin of 26–16. Towards the end of the match, Johnathan Thurston was sent to the sin bin.

New Zealand vs France

New Zealand were leading 16–6 at half-time. France got to within 4 points of New Zealand at 16-12 before New Zealand scored 46 points in a row to comfortably win 62–12. New Zealand's Bryson Goodwin scored 22 individual points and Sam Perrett scored a hat-trick of tries. This loss ended the French hopes of making the finals.

Round three

Australia vs France

The Kangaroos had not played in Paris since 1994. They went into the match having won their last 14 matches against France. Due to French laws prohibiting the use of alcohol advertising in sport, the Australian jerseys' usual Victoria Bitter logo was replaced by one for Movember. Debuting for Australia were Brett Morris' twin brother Josh Morris and New South Wales State of Origin centre Michael Jennings. [15] By playing in this match, Darren Lockyer surpassed Clive Churchill's record for most games as Australian captain. [16] For the first 20 minutes the contest was quite even, [17] being played at both ends of the field with both sides getting and conceding penalties. It was the Australians who scored first when debutant Michael Jennings dummied his way through the defence from 20 metres out to score out wide. [18] Johnathan Thurston's conversion attempt missed, so France were down 4 nil with 18 minutes of the first half remaining. Jennings also scored the second try of the match in the 27th minute when Lockyer threw a cutout pass to him in front of France's line. Thurston again failed to add the extras, so the score remained at 8 nil. The score did not change from then till half time, with both sides' defence holding each other's attacking opportunities out.

The Morris twins celebrate their team's win with father Steve. Josh brett and steve morris france vs australia 2009.JPG
The Morris twins celebrate their team's win with father Steve.

After receiving France's kick-off and making their way up-field with the help of a penalty, the Australians scored in only the 2nd minute of the half when Luke Lewis powered his way through the defence from about 12 metres out. With Cooper Cronk on the field instead of Johnathan Thurston, Kurt Gidley was given kicking duties and converted the try, pushing Australia's lead out to 14 nil. In the 45th minute the Kangaroos scored again after a Cooper Cronk 40/20 kick put them in an attacking position and they moved the ball out to Brett Morris' wing where he dived over untouched in the corner. Gidley's sideline conversion attempt missed so the score was 18 nil. Morris got his second try just a few minutes later when Darren Lockyer kicked ahead for him from 35 metres out. Gidley kicked the extras so Australia's lead was 24 nil. the Kangaroos continued to dominate possession and in the 56th minute Jennings got his hat-trick with a long-range try when he regathered a French dropped ball 30 metres out from Australia's line. Jennings thus became the 4th Kangaroo since Lionel Morgan in 1960, Brad Mackay in 1990 and David Williams in 2008 to score a hat-trick on debut for Australia. Thurston, back on the field kicked his first successful goal of the match to push the score out to 30 nil with over 25 minutes of play to go. In the 61st minute France made the most of an attacking opportunity when Tomas Bosc kicked over the Australian defence where Olivier Elima leapt for it, coming down with the ball over the line. [19] Bosc's conversion attempt missed so the score was 30–4 with 18 minutes remaining. Josh Morris then got a try at the 69-minute mark when he received the ball from his twin brother Brett after the Australians had kept the ball alive. Thurston kicked the extras so the score was 36–4. Josh Morris then got his second try a little over 2 minutes later when the Australians moved the ball out to his wing from a scrum win 30 metres out. Thurston's successful conversion made the score 42-4 and this is what it would be at the final whistle.

The victory for Australia meant they would face the winner of the match between New Zealand and England to be played in Huddersfield later that evening.

New Zealand vs England

The last time these two sides met was in the 2008 World Cup when they played each other for the chance to face Australia in the final. On that occasion New Zealand won, sending England back home. This time they were playing for the chance to face Australia in the Four Nations final. New Zealand could draw and still make the final, while England needed to win to advance. In all of England's prior games, they had lost the first half but had won and not conceded a point in the second half. For this match England coach Tony Smith dropped Danny McGuire, Lee Smith and Tom Briscoe in favour of Peter Fox, Chris Bridge and Jon Wilkin. For New Zealand, Greg Eastwood and Steve Matai were out with injury so Jeff Lima was recalled and 19-year-old Kieran Foran was brought in to make his international debut ahead of Krisnan Inu.

England got the first points of the match when they attacked up the middle, Sam Burgess spinning out of a tackle to send Kyle Eastmond over under the black dot just on 9 minutes. Sinfield's conversion from right in front was successful so England were out to a 6 nil lead. New Zealand responded 5 minutes later, moving the ball out wide to Bryson Goodwin's wing where he dived over in the corner. He couldn't convert his own try though, so the score was left at 6–4. In the 29th minute New Zealand were awarded a penalty right in front of the goal-posts and took the two points, leveling the score at 6 all. Six minutes later England were up at the Kiwis' end of the field again, attacking the line, when Sam Tomkins kicked across-field to Peter Fox's corner where the winger dived on the ball. Sinfield kicked the extras from the sideline so England were again a converted try in front with just over 4 minutes remaining. England continued dominating field position and scored again in the 39th minute from a scrum win near England's line, the ball going through the hands out to Peter Fox to score his second. Sinfield again added the extras, pushing England's lead out to 18–6.

New Zealand opened the scoring after just a minute and a half into the second hand when at the halfway line Isaac Luke made a break from dummy-half, his offload finding support players who got the ball out to Ben Matulino who scored. Bryson Goodwin's kick added the extras, bringing the Kiwis back within a converted try, trailing 18–12. The play for the next half-hour went from end to end, with both teams getting good attacking opportunities but both teams' defences holding them out. Then when England were close to New Zealand's line they were awarded a penalty for ruck interference and with less than 10 minutes remaining, decided to take the kick for an 8-point lead. Sinfield's kick was successful so the score was 20–12 in favour of the home team. England were able to hold New Zealand out for the remaining minutes of the match and so earned a place in the final. Kevin Sinfield, in the unfamiliar position of hooker was named man-of-the-match.

Final

The Australian team for the final had the Queensland team's halves pairing, front row, centre pairing and fullback, while both wingers, the whole back row, three-quarters of the bench and the coach were New South Walshmen.

Saturday, 14 November
1930 GMT
England  Flag of England.svg16 – 46Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Tries:
Sam Burgess (2)
Peter Fox



Goals:
Kevin Sinfield (2/3)		Tries:
Billy Slater (3)
Brett Morris (2)
Greg Inglis
Jarryd Hayne
Cameron Smith
Goals:
Johnathan Thurston (7/9)
Elland Road, Leeds, England
Attendance: 31,042 [22]
Referee: Leon Williamson Flag of New Zealand.svg [23]
Player of the Match: Johnathan Thurston Australian colours.svg [24]
EnglandPositionAustralia
Shaun Briscoe FB Billy Slater
Peter Fox WG Brett Morris
Chris Bridge CE Greg Inglis
Michael Shenton CE Justin Hodges
Ryan Hall WG Jarryd Hayne
Sam Tomkins FE Darren Lockyer (c)
Kyle Eastmond HB Johnathan Thurston
Adrian Morley PR Ben Hannant
Kevin Sinfield HK Cameron Smith
James Graham PR Petero Civoniceva
Jamie Peacock (c)SR Luke Lewis
Gareth Ellis SR Paul Gallen
Sam Burgess LK Nathan Hindmarsh
Eorl Crabtree Int Kurt Gidley
Jon Wilkin Int Brett White
Ben Westwood Int Anthony Watmough
James Roby Int Sam Thaiday
Tony Smith Coach Tim Sheens

By playing in this match, Darren Lockyer became the first Australian in history to play in fifty international matches for his country. In addition, teammate and fellow Queenslander, Petero Civoniceva became the most-capped forward, breaking Johnny Raper's record by earning his 40th cap. [25]

It took Australia till the ninth minute to cross England's line. Quick passing out to Brett Morris on the right wing saw him dive over in the corner, but the video referee ruled that he'd lost control of the ball in the grounding of it so no try was allowed. [26] In England's very next set of six, they had reached Australia's half when NRL-bound loose forward Sam Burgess charged through the Kangaroos' defence, running forty-five metres and dummying past the fullback to score under the posts. [27] Sinfield's conversion put England ahead 6 nil after eleven minutes of play. In the fourteenth minute Australia responded: a cut-out pass from Johnathan Thurston on England's try-line was flicked on by Justin Hodges' fingertips to Morris, who this time got his try. Thurston kicked the conversion from near the sideline so the scores were level at 6 all. A few minutes later England were back attacking Australia's line, when on the final tackle Eastmond put a kick up to his right winger Peter Fox, who beat Jarryd Hayne in the leap for the ball to come down with the try, putting the home team back in front. [28] Sinfield missed the conversion attempt so the score was 10–6 with twenty minutes of the first half remaining. Five minutes later Hayne made a good break from half way, kicking ahead for Greg Inglis to chase through and ground the ball. The video referee checked Inglis' grounding and gave him the benefit of the doubt. [29] Thurston kicked the extras so Australia had the lead again 12–10 with fourteen minutes of the first half left. At the thirty-minute mark England were penalised right in front of their goal posts and Australia opted to take the kick, Thurston's boot pushing Australia's lead out to four. No further points were scored in the first half so they went into the break at England 10, Australia 14. [30]

After ten minutes of sustained pressure on Australia's defence England were through, Burgess again charging over under the posts from close range. [31] Sinfield's kick added the Extras so once again England had the lead at 16–14. A little over three minutes later it was Australia attacking England's line when their fullback Billy Slater dove over from dummy-half, the lead changing again to be back with the Kangaroos. [32] Thurston couldn't get the conversion so Australia's lead stayed at only two points, 18–16. In the fifty-eighth minute the Kangaroos were on the attack again when Thurston chipped ahead from twenty metres out for Brett Morris to chase through and score in the corner behind the England defence. The conversion attempt by Thurston was missed so Australia lead 22–16 with twenty-one minutes of the match remaining. Shortly after the kick-off following the try England's Michael Shenton suffered a head clash when trying to tackle front-row forward Ben Hannant and the game was halted as he was stretchered unconscious from the field.[ citation needed ] Moments after the restart of play Hannant himself was concussed when tackled by James Graham but played on. Australia scored a remarkable try after sixty-six minutes when Darren Lockyer chipped over the top into England's in goal and Slater, chasing through leapt over the dead ball line to slap the ball back in with his hand for Cameron Smith to dive on and claim the four points. [33] Thurston's kick from right in front did not miss so Australia lead 28–16. As the Kangaroos returned the ball after a short kick-off from England they reached the opposition's end of the field and Slater scored again after backing up a good break from Smith. The conversion from Thurston was an easy one so the score was 34–16 in favour of the visitors with under ten minutes of the match remaining. In the seventy-third minute Jarryd Hayne got a try after running through to chase a Lockyer grubber. Thurston added the extras, Australia's lead now 40–16 with a little over five minutes left to play. The Australians got one more try though when Kurt Gidley made a break around the halfway line and kicked ahead, Billy Slater winning the race to the ball to claim his hat-trick in the seventy-seventh minute. Man-of-the-match Thurston added the extras so the score was 46-16 when the final hooter sounded. [34] It was England's heaviest loss to Australia on home soil. [35]

Awards

Broadcast details

The competition was televised in Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain and France.

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The 2012 State of Origin series was the 31st time the annual best-of-three series between the Queensland and New South Wales rugby league teams was played entirely under 'state of origin' rules. For the fourth successive year a Queensland victory set a new record for consecutive State of Origin titles, reaching seven. Game I was played at Melbourne's sold out Etihad Stadium and won by Queensland; its television broadcast watched by more than 2.5 million viewers, rating it as the most-watched State of Origin broadcast since the introduction of OzTAM ratings in 1999. New South Wales' series-equalling win in Game II, played at Sydney's sold out ANZ Stadium, set a new TV ratings record for most-watched second game of any series in State of Origin history. The decider, Game III was played at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium and was won by Queensland. This game set a new record for the highest television audience in Australia for a rugby league match since the introduction of the OzTam ratings system in 2001.

Group A of the 2008 Rugby League World Cup was one of the three groups of teams that competed in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. Group A was the largest of the tournament, consisting of four teams: Australia, New Zealand, England and Papua New Guinea. After all teams had played each other once, only Papua New Guinea did not advance to the knockout stage.

The 2008 Rugby League World Cup knockout stage took place after the group stage of the 2008 Rugby League World Cup and culminated in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup final.

The 2013 Rugby League World Cup final was the conclusive game of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup tournament and was played between New Zealand and Australia on 30 November 2013 at Old Trafford, Manchester, England. Australia won the final by 34 points to 2 in front of a sell-out crowd, finishing the tournament undefeated. They reclaimed the cup from New Zealand, who had defeated them in the 2008 final. The Kangaroos won the Rugby League World Cup for the tenth time, and the first time since 2000. Their five-eighth, Johnathan Thurston was named man-of-the-match.

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.

The 1995 Rugby League World Cup final was the conclusive game of the 1995 Centenary World Cup tournament and was played between England and Australia on 28 October 1995 at the Wembley Stadium in London, England. Australia won the final by 16 points to 8 in front of 66,540 fans. Australia, the defending champions, won the Rugby League World Cup for the 8th time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Zealand at the 2008 Rugby League World Cup</span>

The 2008 New Zealand rugby league tour of Australia was a tour by the New Zealand national rugby league team to compete at the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. New Zealand came second in Group A of the tournament before winning their semi-finals against England and defeating Australia 34–20 in the final to win the World Cup for the first time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Men's Rugby League World Cup final</span>

The 2021 Rugby League World Cup final was the rugby league match to determine the winner of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup, played between Australia and Samoa on 19 November 2022 at Old Trafford in Manchester, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Rugby World Cup final</span> Womens rugby union event in New Zealand

The 2021 Rugby World Cup final was the final match of the 2021 Rugby World Cup, the ninth edition of the women's Rugby World Cup and the seventh organised by World Rugby for women's national rugby union teams. The match was contested between two-time champions England, and hosts and five-time and defending champions New Zealand on 12 November 2022 at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, postponed from the previous year. This was the fifth time that these two nations met in a Rugby World Cup final, following the 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2017 editions. New Zealand won the Rugby World Cup for a record sixth time, beating England 34–31. New Zealand captain Ruahei Demant was named the player of the match.

References

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  2. ↑ PA (12 July 2009). "Gillette to sponsor Four Nations". Sporting Life. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 13 July 2009.
  3. ↑ AAP (16 November 2009). "Slater rights World Cup wrongs". tvnz.co.nz. New Zealand: Television New Zealand Limited. Retrieved 25 November 2009.
  4. ↑ RLIF unveils expanded Test schedule Archived 14 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine NRL.com
  5. 1 2 Dean Ritchie (24 February 2009). "UK stuff-up in league of its own". news.com.au. Archived from the original on 30 March 2009. Retrieved 17 April 2009.
  6. ↑ Sheens 'cut-throat' with injured players Archived 11 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine NRL Official website, 8 October 2009
  7. ↑ Kiwis call up 'giant' Pettybourne Archived 15 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine rugbyleague.com, 25 October 2009
  8. ↑ Eastwood ruled out of Four Nations Archived 27 September 2012 at the Wayback Machine NRL.com, 5 November 2009
  9. ↑ McGuire pulls out of Four Nations Archived 27 September 2012 at the Wayback Machine NRL.com, 19 October 2009
  10. ↑ 'Depleted' France face tough NZ Test Archived 25 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine NRL.com, 24 October
  11. ↑ "Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens slams referee appointment politics". Fox Sports. 9 November 2009. Retrieved 14 November 2009.
  12. ↑ Steve Jancetic (27 October 2009). "Civoniceva happy the rowing is over". News.brisbanetimes.com.au. Archived from the original on 28 October 2009. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  13. ↑ "Australia prevail despite England riposte". englandrl.co.uk. 31 October 2009. Archived from the original on 23 August 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
  14. ↑ "Kearney calls on Kiwis to lift". Television New Zealand . 1 November 2009. Archived from the original on 6 October 2012. Retrieved 14 September 2011.
  15. ↑ Telegraph staff and agencies (7 November 2009). "France 4 Australia 42: match report". Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 23 November 2009.
  16. ↑ Jancetic, Steve (8 November 2009). "Morris not minor in his Test debut". watoday.com.au. Australia: Fairfax Digital. Archived from the original on 25 March 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2009.
  17. ↑ Griffiths, Rachel (7 November 2009). "Australia ease into final". Sky Sports. BSkyB. Archived from the original on 10 November 2009. Retrieved 23 November 2009.
  18. ↑ news.bbc.co.uk (7 November 2009). "France 4-42 Australia". BBC Sport. BBC. Archived from the original on 12 November 2009. Retrieved 23 November 2009.
  19. ↑ Williams, Tony (8 November 2009). "France 4-42 Australia". LastTackle.com. Retrieved 23 November 2009.
  20. ↑ "France 4-42 Australia". BBC News. 7 November 2009. Retrieved 23 April 2010.
  21. ↑ Agence France-Presse (8 November 2009). "Penrith Panthers centre Michael Jennings ready to tackle final". foxsports.com.au. Premier Media Group Pty Ltd. Retrieved 22 November 2009.
  22. ↑ "England 16 Australia 46 | Sporting Life - Rugby League News | Super League, Ian Millward tips". Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 14 November 2009.
  23. ↑ "Home | Live Scores & Latest News". Fox Sports. 30 September 2003. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  24. ↑ Smith, Peter (16 November 2009). "Too big, too quick and too strong". Yorkshire Evening Post . UK: Johnston Press Digital Publishing. Retrieved 25 November 2009.
  25. ↑ Jancetic, Steve; AAP (16 November 2009). "Kangaroos discover Four Nations identity". The Age . Melbourne: Fairfax Digital. Archived from the original on 19 November 2009. Retrieved 23 November 2009.
  26. ↑ Clowes, Nick (14 November 2009). "Rampant Australia crush England to win Four Nations final". Google. AFP. Archived from the original on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2009.
  27. ↑ Craven, Dave (14 November 2009). "Gillette Four Nations Final: England 16 Australia 46". Yorkshire Post . UK: Johnston Press Digital Publishing. Retrieved 25 November 2009.
  28. ↑ The Associated Press (15 November 2009). "Wallabies wallop England at Four Nations". The Globe and Mail. Canada: CTVglobemedia Publishing Inc. Archived from the original on 18 November 2009. Retrieved 25 November 2009.
  29. ↑ Hadfield, Dave (16 November 2009). "Lockyer's final flourish leaves England reeling". The Independent . London. Archived from the original on 19 November 2009. Retrieved 25 November 2009.
  30. ↑ Burke, David (15 November 2009). "Aussie rules". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 21 November 2009. Retrieved 25 November 2009.
  31. ↑ Lawrenson, David (14 November 2009). "Billy Slater helps himself as Australia outclass brave England". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 17 November 2009. Retrieved 25 November 2009.
  32. ↑ Kilgalon, Steve (16 November 2009). "England rue lost chance in final". stuff.co.nz. New Zealand: Fairfax New Zealand Limited. Retrieved 25 November 2009.
  33. ↑ Jancetic, Steve; AAP (15 November 2009). "Australia defeat England 46-16 in Four Nations final at Elland Road". foxsports.com.au. Premier Media Group Pty Ltd. Retrieved 25 November 2009.
  34. ↑ Morgan, Robert (14 November 2009). "England 16 Australia 46: match report". The daily telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 18 November 2009. Retrieved 25 November 2009.
  35. ↑ Irvine, Christopher (16 November 2009). "Australia clinch title with devastating finish". The Times . London. Retrieved 25 November 2009.
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