The second Rugby League Tri-Nations tournament (known as the Gillette Tri-Nations for sponsorship reasons) was contested between 16 October and 27 November of 2004. The format of the competition differed from the previous event in that the teams played each other twice, rather than once, prior to the final.
The tournament final of the tournament was predicted by some to be a close affair, with the British team heralded as slight favourites after finishing at the top of the league table. Instead, it was a one-sided match as Australia produced their best performance of the tournament. The game was effectively over by half-time when Australia led by 38–0.
Participating teams Each team was to play the other three twice during the round robin tournament. The top two finishing teams would then contest the final. TeamNicknameCoachCaptainRLIF Rank AustraliaThe KangaroosWayne BennettDarren Lockyer 1 New ZealandThe KiwisDaniel AndersonRuben Wiki 2 Great BritainThe LionsBrian NobleAndy Farrell 3
Officials One referee from each participating nation was appointed to control matches in the Tri-Nations: Tim Mander (2 matches) Russell Smith (3 matches) Glen Black (2 matches)
Venues The games were played at the following venues in New Zealand and England.
Auckland London Manchester North Harbour Stadium Loftus Road City of Manchester Stadium Capacity: 25,000 Capacity: 18,439 Capacity: 47,726 Huddersfield Wigan Hull Galpharm Stadium JJB Stadium KC Stadium Capacity: 24,500 Capacity: 25,138 Capacity: 25,400
Final The tournament final was played in Leeds.
Leeds Elland Road Capacity: 37,890
Results
Tournament matches
New ZealandPositionAustraliaBrent WebbFBAnthony MinichielloFrancis MeliWGLuke RooneyNigel VaganaCEShaun BerriganPaul WhatuiraCEWillie TongaMatt UtaiWGMatt SingVinnie AndersonFEDarren Lockyer (c)Thomas LeuluaiHBCraig GowerJason CaylessPRShane WebckeLouis AndersonHKDanny BuderusRuben Wiki (c)PRJason RylesTony PuletuaSRWillie MasonJoe GaluvaoSRNathan HindmarshSonny Bill WilliamsLKTonie CarrollMotu TonyInt.Craig WingRoy AsotasiInt.Petero CivonicevaNathan CaylessInt.Ben KennedyDavid KidwellInt.Andrew RyanDaniel AndersonCoachWayne Bennett
AustraliaPositionNew ZealandAnthony MinichielloFBBrent WebbLuke RooneyWGFrancis MeliShaun BerriganCENigel VaganaWillie TongaCEPaul WhatuiraMatt SingWGLesley VainikoloDarren Lockyer (c)FEVinnie AndersonCraig GowerHBThomas LeuluaiShane WebckePRJason CaylessDanny BuderusHKLouis AndersonJason RylesPRNathan CaylessCraig FitzgibbonSRTony PuletuaNathan HindmarshSRRuben Wiki (c)Tonie CarrollLKSonny Bill WilliamsCraig WingInt.Robbie PaulPetero CivonicevaInt.Roy AsotasiWillie MasonInt.Paul RauhihiShaun TimminsInt.David KidwellWayne BennettCoachDaniel Anderson
Great BritainPositionAustraliaPaul WellensFBAnthony MinichielloBrian CarneyWGLuke RooneyMartin GleesonCEShaun BerriganKeith SeniorCEWillie TongaStuart ReardonWGMatt SingPaul SculthorpeSO/FECraig GowerSean LongSH/HBBrett KimmorleyStuart FieldenPRShane WebckeTerry NewtonHKDanny Buderus (c)Adrian MorleyPRJason RylesJamie PeacockSRAndrew RyanAndy Farrell (c)SRNathan HindmarshGareth EllisLK/LFTonie CarrollChev WalkerInt.Craig WingStephen WildInt.Petero CivonicevaRyan BaileyInt.Willie MasonDanny McGuireInt.Shaun TimminsBrian NobleCoachWayne Bennett
Great BritainPositionNew ZealandPaul WellensFBBrent WebbBrian CarneyWGFrancis MeliMartin GleesonCENigel VaganaKeith SeniorCEClinton ToopiStuart ReardonWGShontayne HapeDanny McGuireSO/FEVinnie AndersonSean LongSH/HBThomas LeuluaiStuart FieldenPRJason CaylessTerry NewtonHKLouis AndersonAdrian MorleyPRRuben Wiki (c)Jamie PeacockSRLogan SwannAndy Farrell (c)SRDavid KidwellPaul SculthorpeLK/LFSonny Bill WilliamsGareth EllisInt.Robbie PaulRyan BaileyInt.Nathan CaylessPaul JohnsonInt.Paul RauhihiIestyn HarrisInt.Ali Lauiti'itiBrian NobleCoachDaniel Anderson
Great BritainPositionAustraliaPaul WellensFBAnthony MinichielloBrian CarneyWGMatt SingMartin GleesonCEShaun BerriganKeith SeniorCEWillie TongaStuart ReardonWGLuke RooneyDanny McGuireSO/FEScott HillSean LongSH/HBBrett KimmorleyStuart FieldenPRShane WebckeTerry NewtonHKDanny Buderus (c)Adrian MorleyPRPetero CivonicevaJamie PeacockSRCraig FitzgibbonAndy Farrell (c)SRNathan HindmarshPaul SculthorpeLK/LFTonie CarrollGareth EllisInt.Craig WingRyan BaileyInt.Andrew RyanPaul JohnsonInt.Willie MasonIestyn HarrisInt.Mark O'MeleyBrian NobleCoachWayne Bennett
Great BritainPositionNew ZealandPaul WellensFBBrent WebbBrian CarneyWGFrancis MeliMartin GleesonCENigel VaganaKeith SeniorCEClinton ToopiStuart ReardonWGShontayne HapeIestyn HarrisSO/FEVinnie AndersonDanny McGuireSH/HBThomas LeuluaiStuart FieldenPRJason CaylessMatt DiskinHKLouis AndersonAdrian MorleyPRPaul Rauhihi (c)Gareth EllisSRLogan SwannAndy Farrell (c)SRAli Lauiti'itiSean O'LoughlinLK/LFWairangi KoopuMickey HighamInt.Dene HalatauChev WalkerInt.Roy AsotasiPaul JohnsonInt.Nathan CaylessDanny WardInt.Alex ChanBrian NobleCoachDaniel Anderson
Tournament standings TeamPlayedWonDrewLostForAgainstDifferencePoints 43018060+206 42117260+125 40136495−321
Final
Great BritainPositionAustraliaPaul Wellens FBAnthony MinichielloBrian CarneyWGLuke RooneyMartin GleesonCEShaun BerriganKeith SeniorCEWillie TongaStuart ReardonWGMatt SingIestyn HarrisSO/FEDarren Lockyer (c)Sean Long SH/HBBrett KimmorleyStuart FieldenPRShane WebckeTerry NewtonHKDanny BuderusAdrian MorleyPRPetero CivonicevaJamie PeacockSRAndrew RyanAndy Farrell (c)SRNathan HindmarshPaul SculthorpeLF/LKTonie CarrollDanny McGuireInt.Craig WingPaul JohnsonInt.Mark O'MeleyRyan BaileyInt.Craig FitzgibbonSean O'LoughlinInt.Willie MasonBrian NobleCoachWayne Bennett
Player statistics
Top point scorersPlayerTeamTGFGPts1Darren Lockyer2100282Luke Rooney600243Andy Farrell190224Brent Webb180205Stuart Reardon40016
Top try scorersPlayerTeamT1Luke Rooney62Stuart Reardon43Anthony Minichiello3Willie TongaBrian CarneyVinnie Anderson
Non-series Tests During the series, Australia and New Zealand both played an additional test match against France.
Additional Matches A one-off match was also played between an ANZAC side made up of touring Australian and New Zealand players and a Cumbria side.Three-Try Heroes Whitehaven News, 29 October 2004. Accessed 2009-08-14. Archived 2009-08-16.Fans to meet Anzacs players Allerdale Borough Council, 6 October 2004. Accessed 2009-08-14. Archived 2009-08-16.
On their way back to Australia just four days after the Tri-Nations Final, the Kangaroos played a match, known as the Liberty Bell Cup against the USA at the Franklin Field in Philadelphia. Played in quarters instead of halves, and on a synthetic field that was the size of a Grid iron field, the American's shocked the Australians by racing to an 18–0 lead nearing half time and actually went into the long break with a 24–6 lead. They managed to keep their lead until late in the game when the fitness of the Australians, who had bombed numerous try scoring opportunities through the game, told and the Kangaroos overhauled the home team to win 36–24.USA vs Australia 1st half
References
External links 2004 Tri-Nations, Information