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2005 (2005) Tri-Nations  ()
Number of teams	3
Host country	United Kingdom
Winner	New Zealand (1st title)
Matches played	7
Attendance	155,143 (22,163 per match)
Tries scored	56 (8 per match)
Top scorer	Stacey Jones (42)
Top try scorers	Clinton Toopi (5) Jake Webster (5) Matt Cooper (5)
Tournaments  < 2004 2006 >

The 2005 Rugby League Tri-Nations was played in Great Britain and Australasia. The final was played between Australia and New Zealand at Elland Road on Saturday 26 November. New Zealand won the match 24-0 and were crowned 2005 Tri-Nations champions, breaking Australia's 27-year undefeated international tournament record.

The tournament was officially known as the 2005 Gillette Tri-Nations due to sponsorship from Gillette.

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.

Team	Nickname	Coach	Captain	RLIF Rank
Australia	The Kangaroos	Wayne Bennett	Darren Lockyer	1
Great Britain	The Lions	Brian Noble	Jamie Peacock	2
New Zealand	The Kiwis	Brian McClennan	Ruben Wiki	3

Officials

One referee from each participating nation was appointed to control matches in the Tri-Nations:

• Tim Mander (2 matches)
• Steve Ganson (4 matches)
• Glen Black (1 match)

Venues

The games were played at the following venues in Australia, New Zealand and England.

Sydney	Auckland	London
Telstra Stadium	Ericsson Stadium	Loftus Road
Capacity: 83,500	Capacity: 30,000	Capacity: 18,439
Wigan	Huddersfield	Hull
JJB Stadium	Galpharm Stadium	KC Stadium
Capacity: 25,138	Capacity: 24,500	Capacity: 25,138

Final

The Tri-Nations Final was played in Leeds.

Leeds
Elland Road
Capacity: 37,890

Results

Tournament matches

Australia	28–38	New Zealand
Tries: Brent Tate (2) Mark Gasnier (2) Andrew Johns Matt King Goals: Craig Fitzgibbon (1/4) Andrew Johns (1/2)	Report	Tries: Clinton Toopi (3) Brent Webb Nathan Cayless Nigel Vagana Goals: Stacey Jones (7/7)

Telstra Stadium, Sydney Attendance: 28,255 Referee: Steve Ganson

AUSTRALIA
1. Anthony Minichiello · 2. Matt King · 3. Mark Gasnier · 4. Brent Tate · 5. Timana Tahu · 6. Darren Lockyer (c) · 7. Andrew Johns · 8. Petero Civoniceva · 9. Danny Buderus · 10. Steve Price · 11. Luke O'Donnell · 12. Craig Fitzgibbon · 13. Ben Kennedy
Interchange: 14. Craig Gower · 15. Jason Ryles · 16. Andrew Ryan · 17. Trent Waterhouse
Coach: Wayne Bennett

NEW ZEALAND
1. Brent Webb · 2. Jake Webster · 3. Paul Whatuira · 4. Clinton Toopi · 5. Manu Vatuvei · 6. Nigel Vagana · 7. Stacey Jones · 8. Paul Rauhihi · 9. Lance Hohaia · 10. Ruben Wiki (c) · 11. David Kidwell · 12. Frank Pritchard · 13. Louis Anderson
Interchange: 14. David Faiumu · 15. Roy Asotasi · 16. Nathan Cayless · 17. David Solomona
Coach: Brian McClennan

New Zealand	26–28	Australia
Tries: Jake Webster (2) Nigel Vagana Motu Tony David Faiumu Goals: Stacey Jones (3/6)	Report	Tries: Darren Lockyer (2) Matt Cooper (2) Mark Gasnier Anthony Minichiello Goals: Craig Fitzgibbon (2/5) Johns (0/1)

Ericsson Stadium, Auckland Attendance: 15,400 Referee: Steve Ganson

NEW ZEALAND
1. Brent Webb · 2. Jake Webster · 3. Paul Whatuira · 4. Shontayne Hape · 5. Manu Vatuvei · 6. Nigel Vagana · 7. Stacey Jones · 8. Paul Rauhihi · 9. Motu Tony · 10. Ruben Wiki (c) · 11. David Kidwell · 12. David Solomona · 13. Louis Anderson
Interchange: 14. David Faiumu · 15. Roy Asotasi · 16. Iafeta Palea'aesina · 17. Tony Puletua
Coach: Brian McClennan

AUSTRALIA
1. Anthony Minichiello · 2. Matt King · 3. Mark Gasnier · 4. Matt Cooper · 5. Brent Tate · 6. Darren Lockyer (c) · 7. Andrew Johns · 8. Petero Civoniceva · 9. Danny Buderus · 10. Steve Price · 11. Luke O'Donnell · 12. Craig Fitzgibbon · 13. Ben Kennedy
Interchange: 14. Trent Barrett · 15. Jason Ryles · 16. Mark O'Meley · 17. Trent Waterhouse
Coach: Wayne Bennett

Great Britain	26–42	New Zealand
Tries: Paul Johnson (3) Keith Senior Goals: Paul Deacon (1/1) Kevin Sinfield (4/4)	Report	Tries: Brent Webb (2) Clinton Toopi (2) Manu Vatuvei Jake Webster Paul Rauhihi Goals: Stacey Jones (7/7)

Loftus Road, London Attendance: 15,568 Referee: Glen Black

GREAT BRITAIN
1. Paul Wellens · 2. Brian Carney · 3. Martin Gleeson · 4. Keith Senior · 5. Leon Pryce · 6. Kevin Sinfield · 7. Paul Deacon · 8. Stuart Fielden · 9. Keiron Cunningham · 10. Jamie Peacock (c) · 11. Lee Gilmour · 12. Paul Johnson · 13. Gareth Ellis
Interchange: 14. Rob Burrow · 15. Adrian Morley · 16. Chev Walker · 17. Nick Fozzard
Coach: Brian Noble

NEW ZEALAND
1. Brent Webb · 2. Jake Webster · 3. Paul Whatuira · 4. Clinton Toopi · 5. Manu Vatuvei · 6. Nigel Vagana · 7. Stacey Jones · 8. Paul Rauhihi · 9. Motu Tony · 10. Ruben Wiki (c) · 11. David Kidwell · 12. David Solomona · 13. Awen Guttenbeil
Interchange: 14. Louis Anderson · 15. Roy Asotasi · 16. Frank Pritchard · 17. Ali Lauiti'iti
Coach: Brian McClennan

Great Britain	6–20	Australia
Tries: Adrian Morley Goals: Kevin Sinfield (1/1)	Report	Tries: Matt Cooper (2) Anthony Minichiello Goals: Craig Fitzgibbon (4/5)

JJB Stadium, Wigan Attendance: 25,004 Referee: Tim Mander

GREAT BRITAIN
1. Paul Wellens · 2. Brian Carney · 3. Martin Gleeson · 4. Keith Senior · 5. Leon Pryce · 6. Iestyn Harris · 7. Paul Deacon · 8. Stuart Fielden · 9. Keiron Cunningham · 10. Adrian Morley · 11. Jamie Peacock (c) · 12. Paul Johnson · 13. Kevin Sinfield
Interchange: 14. Lee Gilmour · 15. Chev Walker · 16. Jamie Thackray · 17. Mickey Higham
Coach: Brian Noble

AUSTRALIA
1. Anthony Minichiello · 2. Matt King · 3. Mark Gasnier · 4. Matt Cooper · 5. Brent Tate · 6. Darren Lockyer (c) · 7. Scott Prince · 8. Petero Civoniceva · 9. Danny Buderus · 10. Steve Price · 11. Luke O'Donnell · 12. Craig Fitzgibbon · 13. Ben Kennedy
Interchange: 14. Trent Barrett · 15. Jason Ryles · 16. Mark O'Meley · 17. Willie Mason
Coach: Wayne Bennett

Great Britain	38–12	New Zealand
Tries: Brian Carney (2) Stuart Fielden Paul Deacon Chev Walker Keith Senior Goals: Paul Deacon (2/2) Iestyn Harris (5/5)	Report	Tries: Jake Webster (2) Ali Lauiti'iti Goals: Stacey Jones (0/3)

Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield Attendance: 19,232 Referee: Tim Mander

GREAT BRITAIN
1. Paul Wellens · 2. Brian Carney · 3. Martin Gleeson · 4. Keith Senior · 5. Leon Pryce · 6. Iestyn Harris · 7. Paul Deacon · 8. Stuart Fielden · 9. Keiron Cunningham · 10. Adrian Morley · 11. Jamie Peacock (c) · 12. Paul Johnson · 13. Gareth Ellis
Interchange: 14. Mickey Higham · 15. Chev Walker · 16. Jamie Thackray · 17. Richard Horne
Coach: Brian Noble

NEW ZEALAND
1. Brent Webb · 2. Jake Webster · 3. Shontayne Hape · 4. Clinton Toopi · 5. Manu Vatuvei · 6. Nigel Vagana · 7. Stacey Jones · 8. Paul Rauhihi · 9. Motu Tony · 10. Ruben Wiki (c) · 11. David Kidwell · 12. David Solomona · 13. Awen Guttenbeil
Interchange: 14. David Faiumu · 15. Roy Asotasi · 16. Louis Anderson · 17. Ali Lauiti'iti
Coach: Brian McClennan

• Australia were without their captain Darren Lockyer for this match and the remainder of the tournament after he injured his foot at training.

Great Britain	14–26	Australia
Tries: Brian Carney Richard Horne Goals: Iestyn Harris (3/4)	Report	Tries: Matt Cooper Mark O'Meley Brent Tate Mark Gasnier Goals: Craig Fitzgibbon (5/5) Craig Gower (0/1)

KC Stadium, Hull Attendance: 25,150 Referee: Steve Ganson

GREAT BRITAIN
1. Leon Pryce · 2. Brian Carney · 3. Martin Gleeson · 4. Keith Senior · 5. Gareth Raynor · 6. Iestyn Harris · 7. Richard Horne · 8. Stuart Fielden · 9. Keiron Cunningham · 10. Adrian Morley · 11. Jamie Peacock (c) · 12. Paul Johnson · 13. Gareth Ellis
Interchange: 14. Mickey Higham · 15. Chev Walker · 16. Jamie Thackray · 17. Kevin Sinfield
Coach: Brian Noble

AUSTRALIA
1. Anthony Minichiello · 2. Matt King · 3. Mark Gasnier · 4. Matt Cooper · 5. Brent Tate · 6. Trent Barrett · 7. Craig Gower · 8. Petero Civoniceva · 9. Danny Buderus (c) · 10. Jason Ryles · 11. Luke O'Donnell · 12. Craig Fitzgibbon · 13. Ben Kennedy
Interchange: 14. Craig Wing · 15. Willie Mason · 16. Mark O'Meley · 17. Trent Waterhouse
Coach: Wayne Bennett

Tournament standings

Team	Played	Won	Drew	Lost	For	Against	Difference	Points
Australia	4	3	0	1	102	84	+18	6
New Zealand	4	2	0	2	118	120	−2	4
Great Britain	4	1	0	3	84	100	−16	2

Final

New Zealand	24–0	Australia
Tries: Paul Whatuira Manu Vatuvei (2) Brent Webb Goals: Stacey Jones (4/7)

Elland Road, Leeds Attendance: 26,534 Referee: Steve Ganson Player of the Match: Ruben Wiki

The historic win by the Kiwis over an Australian 17 containing only 3 Queensland players and one player from the previous month's 2005 NRL grand final put an end to the Kangaroos' dominance in international rugby league. It was the first time Australia, hot favourites for the match, had failed to win a series or tournament since France defeated them in both Tests of the 1978 Kangaroo tour.

The win by New Zealand was the first time the Kiwis had beaten Australia in a test series or tournament (not including one-off test wins in 1971, 1987 and 1998) since 1952. Australian coach Wayne Bennett resigned from the national coaching post just over a week after the final.

Player statistics

Top point scorers Player Team T G FG Pts 1 Stacey Jones  New Zealand 0 21 0 42 2 Craig Fitzgibbon  Australia 0 12 0 24 3 Clinton Toopi  New Zealand 5 0 0 20 Jake Webster  New Zealand 5 0 0 20 Matt Cooper  Australia 5 0 0 20

Top try scorers Player Team T 1 Clinton Toopi  New Zealand 5 Jake Webster  New Zealand Matt Cooper  Australia 2 Brent Webb  New Zealand 4 Mark Gasnier  Australia

Non-series tests

During the series, Australia and New Zealand played additional Tests against France. This was the first time the two teams had met in a test match since Australia's 74–0 win in Béziers in the last game of the 1994 Kangaroo tour.

France	12–44	Australia

Stade Aimé Giral, Perpignan Attendance: 7,913 Referee: Ashley Klein

For this match, Craig Gower was given the honour of captaining Australia for the first time.

Australia 44 (A Minichiello 2, T Waterhouse 2, M Cooper, S Prince, C Gower, W Mason tries; S Prince 6 goals) defeated France 12 (L Frayssinous, M Gresqueu tries; L Frayssinous 2 goals)

France	22–38	New Zealand

Stadium Municipal, Toulouse Attendance: 12,500 Referee: Karl Kirkpatrick

Other game

New Zealand played a midweek match against England "A" which did not count as a test match. Halftime was 12-all.

England A	22–30	New Zealand

See also

• 2005 NRL season
• Super League X

References

1. ^ "Tri-Nations 2005". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 5 December 2008.
2. Hadfield, Dave (8 November 2005). "Australia's optimism dented by Lockyer fall". The Independent. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
3. "Final: Kiwis v Australia". 2005 Gillette Tri Nations. nzrl.co.nz. Archived from the original on 14 September 2012. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
4. Richards, Huw (27 November 2005). "New Zealand dismantles Australia's dynasty, 24-0". The New York Times. USA. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
5. "Kiwis crush Kangaroos in Tri-Nations final". Australia: ABC News. Agence France-Presse. 27 November 2005. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
6. Williams, Daniel (12 December 2005). "Keep It Simple, Sport". Time. Time Inc. Archived from the original on 14 October 2010. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
7. Annual Report 2005 Archived 5 July 2009 at the Wayback Machine – Australian Rugby League

Further reading

• Peter C. Leitch, Richard Becht (2006). The Year the Kiwis Flew: From Wooden Spooners to Winners. New Zealand: HarperCollins. ISBN 978-1-86950-622-3.

External links

• Kiwis overcome critics to down Kangaroos in Tri-Nations opener – kangaroos.leagueunlimited.com
• 2005 Tri-nations final at trinations.rlfans.com
• 2005 Tri-nations at rlhalloffame.org.uk
• New Zealand Test teams 2005 at nzrl.co.nz

• Rugby League Tri-Nations
• 2005 in Australian rugby league
• 2005 in New Zealand rugby league
• 2005 in English rugby league
• 2005 sports events in London
• International rugby league competitions hosted by the United Kingdom