The 1999 Rugby League Tri-Nations series was contested by Australia, Great Britain and New Zealand in 1999. It was the first multi-national rugby league tournament to feature the sport's three world powers since the 1989–1992 Rugby League World Cup (the 1995 World Cup featured England and Wales separately). Co-hosts Australia and New Zealand played in the final, which was narrowly won by the Kangaroos. Great Britain didn't win a game of the tournament.
After the Lions narrowly defeated the Queensland Cup premiers, Burleigh Bears, a poor crowd attended their match against Australia at Suncorp Stadium. Fearing a similar attendance for the series final, the tournament organisers relocated the match to Ericsson Stadium.
With the Rugby League World Cup to be staged the following year, and tours of Great Britain by Australia in 2001 and 2003 and New Zealand in 2002, the Tri-nations was not held again until 2004.
Venues The games were played at the following venues in Australia and New Zealand. The tournament final was played in Auckland.
Auckland Brisbane Mount Smart Stadium Suncorp Stadium Capacity: 30,000 Capacity: 52,500
Results Tournament matches
FB 1 Richie Barnett (c)RW 2 Nigel VaganaRC 3 Ruben WikiLC 4 Willie TalauLW 5 Lesley VainikoloFE 6 Robbie PaulHB 7 Stacey JonesPR 8 Craig SmithHK 9 Henry PaulPR 10 Joe VaganaSR 11 Matt RuaSR 12 Stephen KearneyLK 13 Logan SwannSubstitutions:IC 14 David KidwellIC 15 Jason LowrieIC 16 Nathan CaylessIC 17 Richard SwainCoach: Frank Endacott FB 1 Robbie RossRW 2 Mat RogersRC 3 Matthew GidleyLC 4 Russell RichardsonLW 5 Wendell SailorFE 6 Brad Fittler (c)HB 7 Brett KimmorleyPR 8 Darren BrittHK 9 Craig GowerPR 10 Rodney HoweSR 11 Bryan FletcherSR 12 Nik KosefLK 13 Jason SmithSubstitutions:IC 14 Darren LockyerIC 15 Darren SmithIC 16 Jason StevensIC 17 Michael VellaCoach: Chris Anderson
FB 1 Darren LockyerRW 2 Mat RogersRC 3 Shaun TimminsLC 4 Matthew GidleyLW 5 Wendell SailorFE 6 Matthew JohnsHB 7 Brett KimmorleyPR 8 Darren BrittHK 9 Craig GowerPR 10 Rodney HoweSR 11 Bryan FletcherSR 12 Nik KosefLK 13 Brad Fittler (c)Substitutions:IC 14 Ryan GirdlerIC 15 Darren SmithIC 16 Jason SmithIC 17 Michael VellaCoach: Chris Anderson FB 1 Kris RadlinskiRW 2 Jason RobinsonRC 3 Gary ConnollyLC 4 Keith SeniorLW 5 Anthony SullivanSO 6 Iestyn HarrisSH 7 Ryan SheridanPR 8 Dale LaughtonHK 9 Keiron CunninghamPR 10 Barrie McDermottSR 11 Denis BettsSR 12 Adrian MorleyLF 13 Andy Farrell (c)Substitutions:IC 14 Sean LongIC 15 Paul AndersonIC 16 Paul SculthorpeIC 17 Andy HayCoach: Andy Goodway
FB 1 Richie Barnett (c)RW 2 Nigel VaganaRC 3 Ruben WikiLC 4 Willie TalauLW 5 Lesley VainikoloFE 6 Henry PaulHB 7 Robbie PaulPR 8 Joe VaganaHK 9 Richard SwainPR 10 Craig SmithSR 11 Matt RuaSR 12 Stephen KearneyLK 13 Logan SwannSubstitutions:IC 14 Gene NgamuIC 15 Jason LowrieIC 16 Nathan CaylessIC 17 David KidwellCoach: Frank Endacott FB 1 Kris RadlinskiRW 2 Jason RobinsonRC 3 Gary ConnollyLC 4 Keith SeniorLW 5 Francis CumminsSO 6 Iestyn HarrisSH 7 Ryan SheridanPR 8 Dale LaughtonHK 9 Keiron CunninghamPR 10 Barrie McDermottSR 11 Adrian MorleySR 12 Chris JoyntLF 13 Andy Farrell (c)Substitutions:IC 14 Sean LongIC 15 Denis BettsIC 16 Mike ForshawIC 17 Andy HayCoach: Andy Goodway
Tournament standings Team Played Won Drew Lost For Against Difference Points 2 2 0 0 50 26 +24 4 2 1 0 1 64 30 +34 2 2 0 0 2 10 68 −58 0
Final
FB 1 Richie Barnett (c)RW 2 Nigel VaganaRC 3 Ruben WikiLC 4 Willie TalauLW 5 Lesley VainikoloFE 6 Henry PaulHB 7 Robbie PaulPR 8 Joe VaganaHK 9 Richard SwainPR 10 Craig SmithSR 11 Matt RuaSR 12 Stephen KearneyLK 13 Logan SwannSubstitutions:IC 14 Gene NgamuIC 15 Jason LowrieIC 16 Nathan CaylessIC 17 David KidwellCoach: Frank Endacott FB 1 Darren LockyerRW 2 Mat RogersRC 3 Matthew GidleyLC 4 Darren SmithLW 5 Wendell SailorFE 6 Matthew JohnsHB 7 Brett KimmorleyPR 18 Jason StevensHK 9 Craig GowerPR 10 Darren BrittSR 11 Bryan FletcherSR 12 Nik KosefLK 13 Brad Fittler (c)Substitutions:IC 14 Jason SmithIC 15 Ryan GirdlerIC 16 Michael VellaIC 17 Shaun TimminsCoach: Chris Anderson
Non-series Test During the series, New Zealand also played a Test against Tonga. This was the last test match to be held at Auckland's Carlaw Park.
FB 1 Richie Barnett (c)LW 2 Brian JellickRC 3 David KidwellLC 4 Ruben WikiRW 5 Lesley VainikoloFE 6 Henry PaulHB 7 Stacey JonesPR 8 Joe VaganaHK 9 Richard SwainPR 10 Terry HermanssonSR 11 Tony PuletuaSR 12 Stephen KearneyLK 13 Logan SwannSubstitutions:IC 14 Willie TalauIC 15 Nathan CaylessIC 16 Jason LowrieIC 17 Nigel VaganaCoach: Frank Endacott FB 1 Paul KoloiLW 2 Tevita Ole'oRC 3 Phil Howlett (c)LC 4 Greg WolfgrammRW 5 Kotoni SeletiFE 6 Tevita VaikonaHB 7 Lani FiliaiPR 8 Nelson LomiHK 9 Esau MannPR 10 Liuaki HansenSR 11 Andrew LomuSR 12 Alfons MasellaLK 13 Sione MarimaSubstitutions:IC 14 Fili LoloheaIC 15 Tu'ihaka Valu AfungiaIC 16 Chief LeeIC 17 Viliami SoniCoach:
Non-series Match As a curtain raiser to the final, New Zealand Māori played Great Britain.Coffey and Wood The Kiwis: 100 Years of International Rugby League
FB 1 Alex ChanLW 2 Steve MatthewsRC 3 Peter LewisLC 4 Steve BerrymanRW 5 Jared MillsFE 6 Luke GoodwinHB 7 Willie RangiPR 8 Paul RauhihiHK 9 Tukere Barlow (c)PR 10 John EdmondsSR 11 Robert HenareSR 12 Darren RamekaLK 13 Andrew WynyardSubstitutions:IC 14 Gavin BaileyIC 15 Martin MoanaIC 16 Frank WateneIC 17 Wairangi KoopuCoach: Cameron Bell FB 1 Kris RadlinskiRW 2 Jason RobinsonRC 3 Keith SeniorLC 4 Anthony SullivanLW 5 Francis CumminsSO 6 Andy Farrell (c)SH 7 Sean LongPR 8 Paul AndersonHK 9 Keiron CunninghamPR 10 Dale LaughtonSR 11 Adrian MorleySR 12 Paul SculthorpeLF 13 Chris JoyntSubstitutions:IC 14 Stuart FieldenIC 15 Barrie McDermottIC 16 Mike ForshawIC 17 Andy HayCoach: Andy Goodway
References