The 2016 Rugby League Four Nations tournament (known as the 2016 Ladbrokes Four Nations, for sponsorship purposes) was the fifth and final staging of the Rugby League Four Nations tournament and was played in England in October and November. The series was contested by Australia, England, New Zealand and Scotland, who qualified for their first Four Nations by winning the 2014 European Cup. The final was played on 20 November, with Australia winning its third tournament, defeating New Zealand.
Background The 2016 tournament is the fifth Four Nations series to be planned before the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, with the venues rotating between Europe and the South Pacific.
In addition to automatic inclusions Australia, England and New Zealand, Scotland qualified for the tournament by defeating France in the final of the 2014 European Cup.
England have previously co-hosted tournaments with other European nations and the Rugby Football League (RFL) planned to take a game up into Scotland but backed down and decided to take games to other venues.
The redeveloped 54,074 capacity Anfield Stadium hosted the Four Nations Final. This was the first time in 19 years the venue had held a rugby league match. Three rugby league games have been played at Anfield before. The final was the first ever international rugby league match held at the venue.
Teams
Country Previous appearances in tournamentContinent 4 (2009*, 2010, 2011*, 2014)Oceania4 (2009, 2010, 2011, 2014)Europe4 (2009, 2010*, 2011, 2014*)Oceania0 (Debut)Europe * Denotes winner of tournament event.
Venues The games were played at the following venues in England. The tournament final was played at Anfield.
Liverpool London Coventry Anfield London Stadium Ricoh Arena Capacity: 54,074 Capacity: 66,000 Capacity: 32,609 Huddersfield Hull Workington John Smith's Stadium KC Lightstream Stadium Derwent Park Capacity: 24,500 Capacity: 12,225 Capacity: 10,000
Officiating RefereesTouch judgesVideo Referees Ben Cummins James Child Bernard Sutton Robert Hicks Joe Cobb Ben Thaler Gerard Sutton Mick Craven Ben Thaler Anthony Elliot Chris Kendall
Pre-tournament matches Before the series, Australia and New Zealand organised to play the first ever International rugby league test-match in Perth, Scotland took on a Cumbrian rugby league team and England took on France in Avignon.
Australia vs New Zealand
FB 1 Darius BoydRW 2 Blake FergusonRC 3 Greg InglisLC 4 Josh DuganLW 5 Valentine HolmesFE 6 Johnathan ThurstonHB 7 Cooper CronkPR 8 Matt ScottHK 9 Cameron Smith (c)PR 10 Shannon BoydSR 11 Boyd CordnerSR 12 Matt GillettLK 13 Trent MerrinInterchange:IC 14 David KlemmerIC 15 Michael MorganIC 16 Tyson FrizellIC 17 Sam ThaidayCoach: Mal Meninga FB 1 Jordan KahuRW 2 Jason NightingaleRC 3 Solomone KataLC 4 Shaun Kenny-DowallLW 5 Jordan RapanaFE 6 Thomas LeuluaiHB 7 Shaun JohnsonPR 8 Jesse Bromwich (c)HK 9 Issac LukePR 10 Jared Waerea-HargreavesSR 11 Kevin ProctorSR 12 Tohu HarrisLK 13 Jason TaumaloloInterchange:IC 14 Lewis BrownIC 15 Martin TaupauIC 16 Manu Ma'uIC 17 Adam BlairCoach: David Kidwell
Cumbria Select XIII vs Scotland The Cumbria Select XIII was a Cumbrian-based team selected by retiring Barrow Raiders player Liam Harrison. The Cumbrian side featured Scottish internationals Oliver Wilkes and Shane Toal.
FB 1 Ryan FieldhouseRW 2 Eze HarperRC 3 Chris HankinsonLC 4 Chris FlemingLW 5 Shane ToalFE 6 Jamie DallimoreHB 7 Liam FinchPR 10 Oliver WilkesHK 9 Karl AshallPR 8 Joe BullockSR 11 Liam Harrison (c)SR 12 Bradd CrellinLK 13 Daniel ToalInterchange:IC 14 Dan AbramIC 15 Brad MarwoodIC 16 Matty HolmesIC 17 Andrew DawsonIC 18 Brad BrennanIC 19 Matty WhileIC 20 Luke CresswellIC 21 Ethan KellyCoach: Liam Harrison FB 1 Matty RussellRW 2 Lewis TierneyRC 3 Ben HellewellLC 4 Tyler CasselLW 5 David ScottFE 6 Danny AddyHB 7 Ryan BrierleyPR 8 Adam WalkerHK 9 Liam HoodPR 10 Frankie MarianoSR 11 Brett PhillipsSR 12 Dale FergusonLK 13 Ben KavanaghInterchange:IC 14 Callum PhillipsIC 15 Sam BrooksIC 16 Sheldon Powe-HobbsIC 17 Billy McConnachieIC 18 Kieran MoranIC 19 Ryan ManeelyCoach: Steve McCormack
France vs England
FB 1 Tony GigotRW 2 Mathias PalaRC 3 Benjamin GarciaLC 4 Vincent DuportLW 5 Olivier ArnaudSO 6 Stanislas RobinSH 7 William BarthauPR 8 Romain NavarreteHK 9 Alrix Da CostaPR 10 Rémi Casty (c)SR 11 Mickaël SimonSR 12 Benjamin JullienLF 13 Julian BousquetSubstitutions:BE 14 Éloi PélissierBE 15 Mickaël GoudemandBE 16 Gadwin SpringerBE 17 Kevin LarroyerCoach: Aurélien Cologni FB 1 Jonny LomaxRW 2 Jermaine McGillvaryRC 3 Kallum WatkinsLC 4 Mark PercivalLW 5 Ryan HallSO 6 Gareth WiddopSH 7 Luke GalePR 8 James Graham (c)HK 9 Josh HodgsonPR 10 Scott TaylorSR 11 Elliott WhiteheadSR 12 Michael CooperLF 13 Tom BurgessSubstitutions:BE 14 George BurgessBE 15 Kevin BrownBE 16 Stefan RatchfordBE 17 Daryl ClarkCoach: Wayne Bennett
Results
Standings
By holding New Zealand to an 18–18 draw in the third round, Scotland became the first 'fourth nation' to score a championship point in the history of the tournament.
Round 1
FB 1 Matt MoylanRW 2 Josh MansourRC 3 Justin O'NeillLC 4 Josh DuganLW 5 Blake FergusonFE 6 James MaloneyHB 7 Cooper CronkPR 8 Aaron WoodsHK 9 Cameron Smith (c)PR 10 David KlemmerSR 11 Sam ThaidaySR 12 Tyson FrizellLK 13 Jake TrbojevicInterchange:IC 14 Jake FriendIC 15 Shannon BoydIC 16 Trent MerrinIC 17 Michael MorganCoach: Mal Meninga FB 1 Lachlan CooteRW 2 Lewis TierneyRC 3 Euan AitkenLC 4 Kane LinnettLW 5 Matty RussellFE 6 Danny Brough (c)HB 7 Ryan BrierleyPR 8 Adam WalkerHK 9 Liam HoodPR 10 Luke DouglasSR 11 Danny AddySR 12 Dale FergusonLK 13 Ben KavanaghInterchange:IC 14 Ben HellewellIC 15 Sheldon Powe-HobbsIC 16 Sam BrooksIC 17 Billy McConnachieCoach: Steve McCormack
Touch Judges: Jack Smith Mick Craven Video Referee: Bernard Sutton Reserve Referee: Gerard Sutton
FB 1 Jonny LomaxRW 2 Jermaine McGillvaryRC 3 Kallum WatkinsLC 4 Dan SarginsonLW 5 Ryan HallSO 6 Gareth WiddopSH 7 Luke GalePR 8 Chris HillHK 9 Josh HodgsonPR 10 James GrahamSR 11 Elliott WhiteheadSR 12 John BatemanLF 13 Sam Burgess (c)Substitutions:BE 14 Tom BurgessBE 15 George BurgessBE 16 Michael CooperBE 17 Daryl ClarkCoach: Wayne Bennett FB 1 Jordan KahuRW 2 Jason NightingaleRC 3 Solomone KataLC 4 Shaun Kenny-DowallLW 5 Jordan RapanaFE 6 Thomas LeuluaiHB 7 Shaun JohnsonPR 8 Jesse Bromwich (c)HK 9 Issac LukePR 10 Jared Waerea-HargreavesSR 11 Kevin ProctorSR 12 Tohu HarrisLK 13 Jason TaumaloloInterchange:IC 14 Lewis BrownIC 15 Martin TaupauIC 16 Manu Ma'uIC 17 Adam BlairCoach: David Kidwell
Touch Judges: James Child Anthony Elliott Video Referee: Bernard Sutton Reserve Referee: Ben Cummins
Round 2
FB 1 Jonny LomaxRW 2 Jermaine McGillvaryRC 3 Kallum WatkinsLC 4 Mark PercivalLW 5 Ryan HallSO 6 George WilliamsSH 7 Luke GalePR 8 Chris HillHK 9 Josh HodgsonPR 10 Scott TaylorSR 11 Liam FarrellSR 12 Elliott WhiteheadLF 13 Sam Burgess (c)Substitutions:BE 14 Tom BurgessBE 15 George BurgessBE 16 Michael CooperBE 17 Daryl ClarkCoach: Wayne Bennett FB 1 Lachlan CooteRW 2 Lewis TierneyRC 3 Euan AitkenLC 4 Kane LinnettLW 5 Matty RussellFE 6 Danny Brough (c)HB 7 Danny AddyPR 8 Adam WalkerHK 9 Liam HoodPR 10 Luke DouglasSR 11 Ben HellewellSR 12 Dale FergusonLK 13 Ben KavanaghInterchange:IC 14 Tyler CasselIC 15 Frankie MarianoIC 16 Callum PhillipsIC 17 Sam BrooksCoach: Steve McCormack Touch Judges: Mick Craven Chris Kendall Video Referee: Ben Thaler Reserve Referee: Robert Hicks
FB 1 Jordan KahuRW 2 Gerard BealeRC 3 Solomone KataLC 4 Shaun Kenny-DowallLW 5 Jordan RapanaFE 6 Thomas LeuluaiHB 7 Shaun JohnsonPR 8 Jesse Bromwich (c)HK 9 Issac LukePR 17 Greg EastwoodSR 11 Kevin ProctorSR 12 Tohu HarrisLK 13 Jason TaumaloloInterchange:IC 10 Adam BlairIC 14 Lewis BrownIC 15 Martin TaupauIC 16 Manu Ma'uCoach: David Kidwell FB 1 Darius BoydRW 2 Valentine HolmesRC 3 Greg InglisLC 4 Justin O'NeillLW 5 Blake FergusonFE 6 Michael MorganHB 7 Johnathan ThurstonPR 8 Matt ScottHK 9 Cameron Smith (c)PR 10 Aaron WoodsSR 11 Boyd CordnerSR 12 Matt GillettLK 13 Trent MerrinInterchange:IC 14 Shannon BoydIC 15 James MaloneyIC 16 David KlemmerIC 17 Sam ThaidayCoach: Mal Meninga Touch Judges: Anthony Elliott Joe Cobb Video Referee: Bernard Sutton Reserve Referee: Robert Hicks
Round 3
FB 1 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakRW 2 Jason NightingaleRC 3 Solomone KataLC 4 Gerard BealeLW 5 David Fusitu'aFE 6 Thomas LeuluaiHB 7 Shaun JohnsonPR 8 Jesse Bromwich (c)HK 9 Issac LukePR 10 Adam BlairSR 11 Manu Ma'uSR 12 Tohu HarrisLK 13 Greg EastwoodInterchange:IC 14 Te Maire MartinIC 15 Martin TaupauIC 16 James Fisher-HarrisIC 17 Joseph TapineCoach: David Kidwell FB 1 Lachlan CooteRW 2 Lewis TierneyRC 3 Euan AitkenLC 4 Kane LinnettLW 5 Matty RussellFE 7 Danny AddyHB 18 Danny Brough (c)PR 8 Adam WalkerHK 9 Liam HoodPR 10 Luke DouglasSR 11 Ben HellewellSR 12 Dale FergusonLK 13 Ben KavanaghInterchange:IC 14 Ryan BrierleyIC 15 Frankie MarianoIC 16 Callum PhillipsIC 17 Billy McConnachieCoach: Steve McCormack
Touch Judges: James Child Chris Kendall Video Referee: Ben Thaler Reserve Referee: Gerard Sutton
FB 1 Jonny LomaxRW 2 Jermaine McGillvaryRC 3 Kallum WatkinsLC 4 Mark PercivalLW 5 Ryan HallSO 6 Kevin BrownSH 7 Gareth WiddopPR 8 Chris HillHK 9 Josh HodgsonPR 10 James GrahamSR 11 John BatemanSR 12 Elliott WhiteheadLF 13 Sam Burgess (c)Substitutions:BE 14 Tom BurgessBE 15 George BurgessBE 16 Michael CooperBE 17 George WilliamsCoach: Wayne Bennett FB 1 Darius BoydRW 2 Valentine HolmesRC 3 Greg InglisLC 4 Josh DuganLW 5 Blake FergusonFE 6 Johnathan ThurstonHB 7 Cooper CronkPR 8 Matt ScottHK 9 Cameron Smith (c)PR 10 Aaron WoodsSR 11 Boyd CordnerSR 12 Matt GillettLK 13 Trent MerrinInterchange:IC 14 David KlemmerIC 15 Michael MorganIC 16 Tyson FrizellIC 17 Sam ThaidayCoach: Mal Meninga
The match was originally scheduled to kick-off at 3:30pm BST, however on 22 September the RFL changed the kick-off time to 2:00pm BST.
Touch Judges: Anthony Elliott Mick Craven Video Referee: Bernard Sutton Reserve Referee: Ben Cummins
Final
FB 1 Darius BoydRW 2 Blake FergusonRC 3 Greg InglisLC 4 Josh DuganLW 5 Valentine HolmesFE 6 Johnathan ThurstonHB 7 Cooper CronkPR 8 Matt ScottHK 9 Cameron Smith (c)PR 10 Aaron WoodsSR 11 Boyd CordnerSR 12 Matt GillettLK 13 Trent MerrinInterchange:IC 14 Michael MorganIC 15 David KlemmerIC 16 Tyson FrizellIC 17 Shannon BoydCoach: Mal Meninga FB 1 Jordan KahuRW 2 David Fusitu'aRC 3 Solomone KataLC 4 Shaun Kenny-DowallLW 5 Jordan RapanaFE 6 Tohu HarrisHB 7 Shaun JohnsonPR 8 Jesse Bromwich (c)HK 9 Issac LukePR 10 Adam BlairSR 11 Kevin ProctorSR 12 Manu Ma'uLK 13 Jason TaumaloloInterchange:IC 14 Lewis BrownIC 15 Martin TaupauIC 16 Greg EastwoodIC 17 Joseph TapineCoach: David Kidwell
Player statistics
Top point scorersPlayerTeamTGFGPts1Johnathan Thurston 1 14 0 322James Maloney 1 7 0 18Gareth Widdop 1 7 0 184Josh Dugan 4 0 0 16Blake Ferguson 4 0 0 16
Top try scorersPlayerTeamT1Josh Dugan4Blake Ferguson3Jordan Rapana3Ryan HallJermaine McGillvary
Player of the Tournament Cooper Cronk
Broadcasting Premier Sports was the host broadcaster for every match of the tournament.
CountryBroadcasterMatchesPremier SportsEvery match liveBBCEvery England match, Australia v New Zealand, and the final liveNine NetworkEvery match liveSky SportEvery match livebeIN SportsEvery match live
References