| The 2004 Tri Nations rugby league series between the New Zealand, Australia and Great Britain started in Auckland in October and continued in the UK through to the final at Leeds. A round robin series, the inaugral Tri-nations was last contested in 1999 when Australia defeated New Zealand 24-22 in the final at Ericsson Stadium Auckland, New Zealand. This site features the Kiwis 2004 Tri Nations campaign with match reports, previews, teams, and pics of all games. 2004 Tri Nations Fixtures Crowd New Zealand 16 v Australia 16 Saturday 16 October Auckland 19,000 New Zealand 12 v Australia 32 Saturday 23 October London 17,000 Great Britain 8 v Australia 12 Saturday 30 October Manchester 38,572 Great Britain 22 v New Zealand 12 Saturday 6 November Huddersfield 20,372 Great Britain 24 v Australia 12 Saturday 13 November Wigan 25,000 Great Britain 26 v New Zealand 22 Saturday 20 November Hull 23,777 Final Australia 44 v Great Britain 4 Saturday 27 November Elland Road Stadium Leeds Crowd 39,120 International Kiwis 24 v France 20 Carcassone 12 November An Anzac combined Australian-New Zealand team beat Cumbria 64-12 on Wednesday, 27 October. |
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| Rueben Wiki |
| Darren Lockyer |
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| coach Daniel Anderson SQUAD: Ruben Wiki (Canberra, captain), Louis Anderson (New Zealand Warriors), Vinnie Anderson (Warriors), Roy Asotasi (Bulldogs), Jason Cayless (Sydney Roosters), Nathan Cayless (Parramatta), Alex Chan (Melbourne), Dene Halatau (Wests Tigers), Shontayne Hape (Bradford), David Kidwell (Melbourne Storm), Wairangi Koopu (Warriors), Ali Lauitiiti (Leeds), Thomas Leuluai (Warriors), Jamaal Lolesi (Bulldogs), Francis Meli (Warriors), Robbie Paul (Bradford), Paul Rauhihi (North Queensland), Logan Swann (Bradford), Clinton Toopi (Warriors), Nigel Vagana (Cronulla), Lesley Vainikolo (Bradford), Brent Webb (Warriors), Paul Whatuira (Penrith), Sonny Bill Williams (Bulldogs). Tony Puletua, Joe Galuvao, Matt Utai (injuries) and Motu Tony (family) withdrew after the Auckland test. Lesley Vainikolo (injury) withdrew after the London test and was replaced by Henry Faafili. |
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| coach Wayne Bennett SQUAD: Darren Lockyer (captain), Shaun Berrigan, Matt Bowen, Danny Buderus, Tonie Carroll, Petero Civoneciva, Matt Cooper, Shaun Timmins, Craig Fitzgibbon, Craig Gower, Scott Hill, Nathan Hindmarsh, Ben Kennedy, Brett Kimmorley, Willie Mason, Anthony Minichiello, Mark O'Meley, Luke Rooney, Andrew Ryan, Jason Ryles, Matt Sing, Brent Tate, Willie Tonga, Shane Webcke and Craig Wing. |
| coach Brian Noble
SQUAD: Andy Farrell(captain),R Bailey, B Carney, M Diskin,, G Ellis, S Fielden, Martin Gleeson, I Harris, M Higham, P Johnson, S Long, D McGuire, A Morley, T Newton, S O'Loughlin, J Peacock, K Radlinski, S Reardon, P Sculthorpe, K Senior, C Walker, D Ward, P Wellens, S Wild. |
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| Andy Farrell |
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| 2004 Tri-nations News |
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1 Australia 5 3 1 1 7 2 Great Britain 5 3 2 0 6 3 New Zealand 4 0 3 1 1 |
| 2004 Tri-nations Table |
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| New Zealand profiles |
| Australia profiles |
| Great Britain profiles |
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| news video.. Kiwis prepare for the British |
| interview.. Great Britain coach Brian Noble |
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| Adrian Morley |
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| Brent Webb |
| Lions captain Andy Farrell was recently awarded the prestigious 2004 Golden Boot as rugby league's best player. |
| Kiwis v Great Britain Preview Saturday 6 November Kiwi coach Daniel Anderson has come up with three changes to the Kiwi squad to meet Great Britain. With 21 tries in the Super League regular season Shontayne Hape debuts for the Kiwis on the wing in place of his injured Bradford teammate Lesley Vainikolo (35 tries). Clinton Toopi replaces Paul Whatuira in the centre alongside Nigel Vagana. The forwards have been reshuffled with fearless tackler David Kidwell earning a start in the second row with Logan Swann. Captain Ruben Wiki joins Jason Cayless in the front row with 19 year old Louis Anderson holding his spot at hooker after some sound performances. Sonny Bill Williams (19) locks up a formidable Kiwi pack that is rounded out with Nathan Cayless, Rauhihi, Robbie Paul and Ali Lauititi on the interchange. With Australia assured a final spot, this is a showdown with high stakes, no clear favourite and time running out. After an impressive match against Australia last week the British have had their preparation interrupted due to a flu virus running through the squad. With the lure of huge win bonuses if they capture the Tri-nations final more pressure has been heaped on the British. Skipper Andy Farrell who hasnt trained during the week, centre Paul Johnson and second rower Sean O'Loughlin are also amongst the players currently struggling with the virus. Many punters are also mystified as to why coach Noble hasnt given young Leeds sensation Danny McGuire more game time. Kiwis: Brent Webb, Francis Meli, Clinton Toopi, Nigel Vagana, Shontayne Hape, Vinnie Anderson, Thomas Leuluai, Jason Cayless, Louis Anderson, Ruben Wiki (c), Logan Swann, David Kidwell, Sonny Bill Williams. Interchange: Robbie Paul, Nathan Cayless, Paul Rauhihi, Ali Lauitiiti. Great Britain: Paul Wellens, Stuart Reardon, Paul Johnson, Brian Carney, Martin Gleeson, Keith Senior, Iestyn Harris, Danny McGuire, Sean Long, Mickey Higham, Terry Newton, Stuart Fielden, Adrian Morley, Ryan Bailey, Andrew Farrell (c), Gareth Ellis, Jamie Peacock, Sean O'Loughlin, Paul Sculthorpe. |
| Showdown at Huddersfield Saturday 6 November McAlpine Stadium Huddersfield Crowd 20,372 MATCH REPORT The Kiwis claimed the first try to Ali Lauitiiti after they cut the defence to shreds down the left side. Sonny Bill drew three British defenders then offloaded to Clinton Toopi who passed into Hape onto Ali Lauitiiti who had a straight run under the posts. Brent Webb added the conversion to put the Kiwis up 6-0. Sonny Bill Williams was next to score after receiving a back pass from Louis Anderson he charged to the line. The Kiwis looked awesome as they took control 12-2 at halftime. It looked as if the Kiwis would roll on with it. Great Britain came storming back after the break to post 20 unanswered points in a dominant second-half performance. The turning point came in the 44th minute when hooker Terry Newton threw a dummy near the line and dived over to score the first of three tries in eight minutes. That was followed up with two quick tries from winger Stuart Reardon, the first in the 50th minute when halves Danny McGuire and Sean Long combined with Keith Senior, who shuffled it to Reardon. Three minutes later Reardon put the Lions in front with his second try following a brilliant run from McGuire as their self belief took a hold. Andy Farrell kicked a conversion and two penalties, while rugby union convert Iestyn Harris added another two penalties to shutout the Kiwis 22-12 in front of a capacity crowd at Huddersfield's McAlpine Stadium. Danny McGuire, Sean Long and Reardon had awesome games while fullback Paul Wellens picked up the man of the match award. For the Kiwis Sonny Bill, Hape, Louis Anderson, Rauhihi and Wiki had top games. Coach Daniel Anderson may have to look at some changes to stiffen up the defence which faded in the second half. Some of the Kiwi defenders lacked presence and were found wanting as was a solid kicking game. Next weeks match against France is an opportunity to check out forwards Alex Chan, Koopu or Asotasi. Jamaal Lolesi or Dean Halatau should be bought in to beef up the midfield attack where Vagana and Meli were just plain ordinary. New Zealand now has a draw and two losses, and needs a win against Britain in a fortnight to make the final against Australia. Britain can now secure a place in the final by beating Australia at Wigan next week. Great Britain 22: Tries: Terry Newton, Stuart Reardon (2). Goals: Paul Sculthorpe, Andy Farrell (2), Iestyn Harris (2) New Zealand 12: Tries: Ali Lauiti'iti, Sonny Bill Williams. Goals: Brent Webb (2) |
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| Stuart Reardon |
| Terry Newton |
| Clinton Toopi |
| Danny McGuire |
| Sonny Bill Williams scores for the Kiwis in their 12-22 loss to the Lions |
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| New Zealand profiles |
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| The New Zealand Kiwis squad prior to the Tri-nations test against Australia at North Harbour Stadium Auckland on the 16 October 2004. click to enlarge. |
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| Kiwis v Great Britain Preview Hull 21 November The loss of captain courageous Ruben Wiki has forced some changes on the Kiwi team for their final match against Great Britain. Wiki suffered a fractured jaw in last Friday's 24-20 win over France. Paul Rauhihi will captain the side. After Saturdays match the Kiwis head home on Sunday. Superstar Sonny Bill Williams has also been replaced due to injury while halfback Thomas Leuluai will turn out. Ali Lauitiiti replaces Wiki, with Dene Halatau starting at hooker while one of the Kiwis standout performers of the series 19 year old Louis Anderson moves to lock. Wairangi Koopu comes onto the bench to replace David Kidwell with Alex Chan added to the 18 for the match. Meanwhile it appears the New Zealand Warriors have blocked Thomas Leuluai's chances of playing for the Parramatta Eels next season. For whatever weird reasons the Warriors will not release him to another NRL side, but only to a UK club. His immediate future remains unclear. Kiwis team to play Great Britain: Brett Webb, Francis Meli, Nigel Vagana, Clinton Toopi, Shontayne Hape, Vinnie Anderson, Thomas Leuluai, Jason Cayless, Dene Halatau, Paul Rauhihi (captain), Logan Swann, Ali Lauiti'iti, Louis Anderson. Interchange: Paul, Roy Asotasi, Nathan Cayless, Wairangi Koopu, Alex Chan. |
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| KC Stadium Hull Saturday 21 November Crowd 23,377 Up 12-4 at halftime the Kiwi defence slumped to let the British Lions score 22 second half points and snatch a 26-22 win. In the opening phase Vinnie Anderson (17 minutes) and Nigel Vagana scored for the Kiwis. The Lions try was set up by sensational standoff half Danny McGuire who ran across the defence and fired a great cut-out pass for centre Keith Senior to post their only first half points. In the second half centre Martin Gleeson and Irish winger Brian Carney combined twice to outplay the Kiwis centres down the right side. On both ocassions the Kiwis defence were caught out as Carney landed two tries. Minutes later captain Andy Farrell charged through some mediocre defence to score. Mistackles and errors by the visitors allowed the Lions to climb back on top and grab the lead after trailing at halftime as they had done against the Kiwis two weeks ago. In the 60th minute centre Gleeson and Danny McGuire had a big hand in the Lions next try which came from an attack that swept across the field with Paul Johnson backing up to score and put the home side up 26-12. The Kiwis were down but not out as Alex Chan and Hape grabbed late tries to salvage some pride out of a 26-22 loss. In his test debut Kiwi lock Wairangi Koopu stood out in defence with some punishing tackles while Rauhihi and Vinnie Anderson had top games. Great Britain 26 Tries: Brian Carney (2) Keith Senior, Andy Farrell, Paul Johnson. Goals: Farrell (3). Kiwis 24 Tries: Vinnie Anderson, Nigel Vagana, Alex Chan, Shontayne Hape. Goals: B Webb (4). Halftime: Kiwis 12-4 Kiwis Rap After the thrilling 16 all draw opener against Australia at Albany the Kiwis fell into a hole with 3 losses in their Tri-nations campaign. The key weaknesses were an overall mediocre kicking game, an ineffective halves combination and defence. The Kiwis showed a lot of pride, passion and commitment in an exciting series that has been closely contested. Every match was played in front of packed houses. However the early withdrawal of experienced matchwinners Tony Puletua, Joe Galuvao, Matt Utai, Motu Tony after their first match and Lesley Vainikolo after their second, combined with puzzling selections mentally hindered the teams ability to hit their rythmn. On three ocassions the Kiwis led at halftime. Their failure to defend the lead allowed the opposition to climb back and overcome the Kiwis. Against Australia the Kiwis led 12-8 (16-32), the Lions 12-2 (12-22) and their last game against the Lions 12-4 (22-26) proved that defence wins games and lapses spell misery. In the UK they struggled to lift the way they did at Albany when they trailed 12-16 at halftime but had the extra, and the crowd urging them on, to lock up a draw. Several players stood out , 19 year old Sonny Bill Williams was awesome on defence, offloads, attack and support play. He proved one of the outstandings players of the Tri-nations series. Fellow 19 year old Kiwi Louis Anderson who played in every test also put in sound performances as did Brent Webb. Vinnie Anderson, Asotasi, Jason Cayliss, Rauhihi, Kidwell and Lauitiiti all had excellent series. On his fifth UK tour with the Kiwis, inspiring captain Rueben Wiki (43 test caps since 1994) looks set to follow Stacey Jones and Steve Kearney into retirement from internationals. He had an excellent series and intends to focus on the Warriors and family adding "I have been honoured to have played for New Zealand for so long." Sonny Bill and Louis Anderson rank alongside Australians Willy Tonga, Minchello, Lockyer and Luke Rooney and British players Danny McGuire, Sean Long and Brian Carney as the players of the series. |
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| Australia v Great Britain 2004 Tri-nations Final Saturday 28 November Elland Road Stadium, Leeds Crowd 39,120 Home ground advantage and momentum from a 3 game winning streak counted for little as Great Britain bowed 44-4 to Australia in the Tri-nations final at Leeds. Leading 38-0 at halftime thanks to the inspiring presence of captain Darren Lockyer the Kangaroos produced a technical display of football that smashed the Pommies. Australian bookies had installed the Kangaroos as decisive favourites to maintain their 31-year domination of the Lions and they werent disappointed. Earlier in the week Great Britain's captain Andy Farrell was awarded the prestigious 2004 Golden Boot award at the International Rugby League Awards in Leeds. Lions coach Brian Noble in his debut season was awarded the international coach of the year while Kiwi Sonny Bill Williams was rewarded for an awesome breakthrough season by being named as the International newcomer of the Year . Coach Coach Wayne Bennett was also impressed by his side's showing, in particular Lockyer and veteran forward Shane Webcke adding " when Darren plays well, he is a valuable asset to us. Shane has been troubled by a piece of bone in his knee. It's been playing up but he's been able to train so he wasn't restricted too much in his movement. Overall I'm pretty satisfied. As good as our attack was in the first half, our defence was good in the second half." Bennett also revealed the Australians were in favour of continuing the Tri-Nations competition despite their easy victory. Australia prop Shane Webcke felt his side were untouchable. "I guess we found another gear. It is one of those moments on a footy field when things just clicked," he said. "It is not a slight against GB, they just met a focused Australia side." Australia 44 Tries: Sing, Minichiello 2, Tonga 2, Lockyer, Mason Goals: Lockyer 6, Fitzgibbon 2 Great Britain 4 Tries: Reardon Great Britain (from): A Farrell captain, P Wellens, B Carney, P Johnson, S Reardon, K Senior, M Gleeson, I Harris, D McGuire, S Long, M Higham, T Newton, R Bailey, A Morley, S Fielden, G Ellis, J Peacock, S O'Loughlin, P Sculthorpe. Australia: D Lockyer captain, A Minichiello; L Rooney, S Berrigan, W Tonga, M Sing; B Kimmorley; S Webcke, D Buderus, P Civoniceva, N Hindmarsh, A Ryan, T Carroll, Replacements: M O'Meley, C Fitzgibbon, W Mason, C Wing. |
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| Keith Senior scores in the Lions 26-22 win over the Kiwis |
| Vinnie Anderson grabs the Kiwis first try |
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| Paul Rauhihi looks to offload |
| Vinnie Anderson bundles up Senior |
| Lions storm back to snatch it |
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| winger Brian Carney |
| Craig Wing |
| Darren Lockyer |
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| Kangaroo captain Darren Lockyer (right) and Willy Tonga hold the Tri-nations cup after defeating Great Britain 44-4 in the final. |
| Kangaroo captain Darren Lockyer holds the Tri-nations cup after defeating Great Britain 44-4 in the final. |
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| Kangaroo coach Wayne Bennett holds the Tri-nations cup after his team swamped the Pommies 44-4 |
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| Sonny Bill Williams was recently awarded the International Newcomer for 2004 and also named the New Zealand Rugby League player of the year. |
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| Willy Mason on the rampage |
| Louis Anderson |
| Tri-nations winners Australia have dominated the World XIII team which was selected by journalists from both hemispheres.
New Zealand's sole representative is 19 year old forward Sonny Bill Williams
, who was recently named the 2004 New Zealand Rugby League player of the Year after an explosive debut season with the NRL grand final premiers the Canterbury Bulldogs and the Kiwis. Williams had been previously awarded the International Newcomer of the Year award. Louis Anderson was named New Zealand rookie of the year, while Stephen Kearney received an award for his contribution to the game over 12 seasons at the top level. Brian McLennan won the award for Bartercard Cup coach of the year. |
| WORLD XIII 2004
1 Anthony Minichiello 2 Brian Carney 3 Keith Senior 4 Willie Tonga 5 Luke Rooney 6 Darren Lockyer 7 Brett Kimmorley 8 Shane Webcke 9 Danny Buderus 10 Stuart Fielden 11 Andy Farrell 12 Nathan Hindmarsh 13 Sonny Bill Williams . |
| World X111 2004 & NZRL Awards |
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| Louis Anderson NZRL Rookie of the Year |
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| Steve Kearney |
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