# 2013 Rugby League World Cup

The 2013 Rugby League World Cup was the fourteenth World Cup for means national rugby league teams. It took place between the 26 October and 30 November and was hosted by England and Wales (although some games were played in France and Ireland). Australia won the tournament, beating New Zealand 34–2 in the final to lift the trophy for the tenth time.
Originally planned to take place in 2012 it was moved back a year to avoid clashing with the London Olympics in 2012.
It was the main event of the year's Festival of World Cups. Fourteen teams contested the tournament: Australia, England, New Zealand, Samoa, Wales, Fiji, France, Papua New Guinea, Ireland, Scotland, Tonga, Cook Islands, Italy and the United States. The latter two were competing in the Rugby League World Cup for the first time.
New Zealand were the defending champions, having defeated Australia in 2008.
In terms of attendance, exposure and revenue, the 2013 tournament is considered the most successful Rugby League World Cup to date.

## Organisation
### Background

The Rugby League International Federation confirmed this competition as a part of its international program. The RLIF announced a five-year plan to build up to the 2013 World Cup with Four Nations tournaments held in 2009, 2010 and 2011. The competition was part of the UK's "Golden Decade of Sport". 2013 was chosen as the year of the World Cup to avoid a clash with the London Olympics in 2012. After 2013, the Cup will be held on a quadrennial cycle.

### Host selection

In addition to the United Kingdom, Australia announced its intention to bid for the hosting rights, despite hosting the previous World Cup in 2008. The Australian Rugby League had been preparing a rival bid due to the success of the 2008 event but the business plan presented by the Rugby Football League for the UK to be the host was accepted by the RLIF at a meeting in July 2009. The event formed part of what was being dubbed a 'Golden Decade' in British Sport.
The UK last hosted the World Cup in 2000, with the event generally being considered unsuccessful.
The then Prince of Wales, HRH Prince Charles welcomed representatives of all 14 nations and tournament organisers with a reception at Clarence House.

## Qualification

There were two qualifying pools for the remaining two World Cup places; a European and an Atlantic pool, with one side from each to qualify.
The European Qualifying group involved Italy, Lebanon, Russia and Serbia while the Atlantic Qualifying group involved Jamaica, South Africa and the USA. In the Atlantic Qualifiers the United States and Jamaica defeated South Africa in the opening rounds leaving the final match between the two to determine who qualified for the 2013 Rugby League World Cup. United States defeated Jamaica to qualify for their first ever Rugby League World Cup.

## Teams

The competition featured fourteen teams, compared to ten in 2008. Originally around twenty teams were to be involved in qualification, but subsequently the total number of teams involved in the tournament was fixed at nineteen. Twelve nations automatically qualified; the ten nations that contested the previous World Cup, Wales as winners of the 2009 European Nations Cup and the Cook Islands as runners up in the 2009 Pacific Cup.
| Team | Nickname | Coach | Captain | RLIF rank |
| Australia (14th appearance) | The Kangaroos | Tim Sheens | Cameron Smith | 1 |
| Cook Islands (2nd appearance) | The Kukis | David Fairleigh | Zeb Taia | 18 |
| England (5th appearance) | The Wall of White | Steve McNamara | Kevin Sinfield | 3 |
| Fiji (4th appearance) | The Bati | Rick Stone | Petero Civoniceva | 7 |
| France (14th appearance) | Les Chanticleers | Richard Agar | Olivier Elima | 4 |
| Ireland (3rd appearance) | The Wolfhounds | Mark Aston | Liam Finn | 9 |
| Italy (1st appearance) | The Azzurri | Carlo Napolitano | Anthony Minichiello | 13 |
| New Zealand (14th appearance) | The Kiwis | Stephen Kearney | Simon Mannering | 2 |
| Papua New Guinea (6th appearance) | The Kumuls | Adrian Lam | Neville Costigan | 6 |
| Samoa (4th appearance) | Toa Samoa | Matt Parish | Harrison Hansen | 8 |
| Scotland (3rd appearance) | The Bravehearts | Steve McCormack | Danny Brough | 11 |
| Tonga (4th appearance) | Mate Ma'a Tonga | Charlie Tonga | Brent Kite | 10 |
| United States (1st appearance) | The Tomahawks | Terry Matterson | Joseph Paulo | 12 |
| Wales (4th appearance) | The Dragons | Iestyn Harris | Craig Kopczak | 5 |

## Match officials

Rules and officiating panel: Daniel Anderson, Stuart Cummings and David Waite.
* Australia: Ben Cummins, Shayne Hayne, Ashley Klein and Grant Atkins.
* England: Phil Bentham, Richard Silverwood, Ben Thaler; James Child, Joe Cobb, Mark Craven, Robert Hicks, Chris Leatherbarrow, Tony Martin, Tim Roby, Clint Sharrad, George Stokes, Matt Thomason and Warren Turley
* France: Thierry Alibert and Jose Pereira
* New Zealand: Henry Perenara and Jamal Thompson.

## Pre-tournament matches

Before the World Cup it was announced that USA would face France in Toulouse, Scotland would play Papua New Guinea at Featherstone, England would play Italy at Salford, New Zealand would play the Cook Islands in Doncaster and England Knights would play Samoa at Salford.
* 18 October 2013
| France | 18–22 | United States |
* Stade des Minimes, Toulouse
* 19 October 2013
| Rochdale Hornets | 0–78 | Fiji |
* Spotland Stadium, Rochdale
* 19 October 2013
| England | 14–15 | Italy |
* AJ Bell Stadium, Salford
* 19 October 2013
| England Knights | 52–16 | Samoa |
* AJ Bell Stadium, Salford
* 19 October 2013
| Papua New Guinea | 38–20 | Scotland |
* Post Office Road, Featherstone
* 20 October 2013
| New Zealand | 50–0 | Cook Islands |
* Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster

## Venues

The games were played at various venues in England, Wales, Ireland, and France.
The Millennium Stadium in Cardiff was the host stadium for the opening ceremony and a double header featuring hosts England playing Australia and Wales taking on Italy. The decision to play England vs Australia in Cardiff to open the tournament drew criticism from some in the press who believed that the game should have been played in England where a higher attendance could be expected, or at least a full house which would have looked better than the almost half empty Millennium Stadium.
Headingley in Leeds, the Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington, the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham and the DW Stadium in Wigan hosted the quarter-finals. Both semi-finals were hosted at Wembley Stadium, with the final held at Old Trafford.
| London | London | Manchester | Manchester | Cardiff | Cardiff |
| Wembley Stadium | Wembley Stadium | Old Trafford | Old Trafford | Millennium Stadium | Millennium Stadium |
| Capacity: 90,000 | Capacity: 90,000 | Capacity: 76,212 | Capacity: 76,212 | Capacity: 74,500 | Capacity: 74,500 |
| Limerick | Hull | Wigan | Huddersfield | Leeds | St. Helens |
| Thomond Park | KC Stadium | DW Stadium | John Smith's Stadium | Headingley | Langtree Park |
| Capacity: 26,500 | Capacity: 25,586 | Capacity: 25,133 | Capacity: 24,500 | Capacity: 21,062 | Capacity: 18,000 |
| Avignon | CardiffLimerickAvignonPerpignanBristolWrexhamNeathLondonclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues HullHuddersfieldLeedsSt HelensWarringtonHalifaxSalfordLeighRochdaleWorkingtonOld TraffordWiganclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues in Northern England | CardiffLimerickAvignonPerpignanBristolWrexhamNeathLondonclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues HullHuddersfieldLeedsSt HelensWarringtonHalifaxSalfordLeighRochdaleWorkingtonOld TraffordWiganclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues in Northern England | CardiffLimerickAvignonPerpignanBristolWrexhamNeathLondonclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues HullHuddersfieldLeedsSt HelensWarringtonHalifaxSalfordLeighRochdaleWorkingtonOld TraffordWiganclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues in Northern England | CardiffLimerickAvignonPerpignanBristolWrexhamNeathLondonclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues HullHuddersfieldLeedsSt HelensWarringtonHalifaxSalfordLeighRochdaleWorkingtonOld TraffordWiganclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues in Northern England | Warrington |
| Parc des Sports | CardiffLimerickAvignonPerpignanBristolWrexhamNeathLondonclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues HullHuddersfieldLeedsSt HelensWarringtonHalifaxSalfordLeighRochdaleWorkingtonOld TraffordWiganclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues in Northern England | CardiffLimerickAvignonPerpignanBristolWrexhamNeathLondonclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues HullHuddersfieldLeedsSt HelensWarringtonHalifaxSalfordLeighRochdaleWorkingtonOld TraffordWiganclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues in Northern England | CardiffLimerickAvignonPerpignanBristolWrexhamNeathLondonclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues HullHuddersfieldLeedsSt HelensWarringtonHalifaxSalfordLeighRochdaleWorkingtonOld TraffordWiganclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues in Northern England | CardiffLimerickAvignonPerpignanBristolWrexhamNeathLondonclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues HullHuddersfieldLeedsSt HelensWarringtonHalifaxSalfordLeighRochdaleWorkingtonOld TraffordWiganclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues in Northern England | Halliwell Jones Stadium |
| Capacity: 17,518 | CardiffLimerickAvignonPerpignanBristolWrexhamNeathLondonclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues HullHuddersfieldLeedsSt HelensWarringtonHalifaxSalfordLeighRochdaleWorkingtonOld TraffordWiganclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues in Northern England | CardiffLimerickAvignonPerpignanBristolWrexhamNeathLondonclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues HullHuddersfieldLeedsSt HelensWarringtonHalifaxSalfordLeighRochdaleWorkingtonOld TraffordWiganclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues in Northern England | CardiffLimerickAvignonPerpignanBristolWrexhamNeathLondonclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues HullHuddersfieldLeedsSt HelensWarringtonHalifaxSalfordLeighRochdaleWorkingtonOld TraffordWiganclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues in Northern England | CardiffLimerickAvignonPerpignanBristolWrexhamNeathLondonclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues HullHuddersfieldLeedsSt HelensWarringtonHalifaxSalfordLeighRochdaleWorkingtonOld TraffordWiganclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues in Northern England | Capacity: 15,200 |
| Halifax | CardiffLimerickAvignonPerpignanBristolWrexhamNeathLondonclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues HullHuddersfieldLeedsSt HelensWarringtonHalifaxSalfordLeighRochdaleWorkingtonOld TraffordWiganclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues in Northern England | CardiffLimerickAvignonPerpignanBristolWrexhamNeathLondonclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues HullHuddersfieldLeedsSt HelensWarringtonHalifaxSalfordLeighRochdaleWorkingtonOld TraffordWiganclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues in Northern England | CardiffLimerickAvignonPerpignanBristolWrexhamNeathLondonclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues HullHuddersfieldLeedsSt HelensWarringtonHalifaxSalfordLeighRochdaleWorkingtonOld TraffordWiganclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues in Northern England | CardiffLimerickAvignonPerpignanBristolWrexhamNeathLondonclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues HullHuddersfieldLeedsSt HelensWarringtonHalifaxSalfordLeighRochdaleWorkingtonOld TraffordWiganclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues in Northern England | Perpignan |
| The Shay | CardiffLimerickAvignonPerpignanBristolWrexhamNeathLondonclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues HullHuddersfieldLeedsSt HelensWarringtonHalifaxSalfordLeighRochdaleWorkingtonOld TraffordWiganclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues in Northern England | CardiffLimerickAvignonPerpignanBristolWrexhamNeathLondonclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues HullHuddersfieldLeedsSt HelensWarringtonHalifaxSalfordLeighRochdaleWorkingtonOld TraffordWiganclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues in Northern England | CardiffLimerickAvignonPerpignanBristolWrexhamNeathLondonclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues HullHuddersfieldLeedsSt HelensWarringtonHalifaxSalfordLeighRochdaleWorkingtonOld TraffordWiganclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues in Northern England | CardiffLimerickAvignonPerpignanBristolWrexhamNeathLondonclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues HullHuddersfieldLeedsSt HelensWarringtonHalifaxSalfordLeighRochdaleWorkingtonOld TraffordWiganclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues in Northern England | Stade Gilbert Brutus |
| Capacity: 14,061 | CardiffLimerickAvignonPerpignanBristolWrexhamNeathLondonclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues HullHuddersfieldLeedsSt HelensWarringtonHalifaxSalfordLeighRochdaleWorkingtonOld TraffordWiganclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues in Northern England | CardiffLimerickAvignonPerpignanBristolWrexhamNeathLondonclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues HullHuddersfieldLeedsSt HelensWarringtonHalifaxSalfordLeighRochdaleWorkingtonOld TraffordWiganclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues in Northern England | CardiffLimerickAvignonPerpignanBristolWrexhamNeathLondonclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues HullHuddersfieldLeedsSt HelensWarringtonHalifaxSalfordLeighRochdaleWorkingtonOld TraffordWiganclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues in Northern England | CardiffLimerickAvignonPerpignanBristolWrexhamNeathLondonclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues HullHuddersfieldLeedsSt HelensWarringtonHalifaxSalfordLeighRochdaleWorkingtonOld TraffordWiganclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues in Northern England | Capacity: 13,000 |
| Bristol | CardiffLimerickAvignonPerpignanBristolWrexhamNeathLondonclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues HullHuddersfieldLeedsSt HelensWarringtonHalifaxSalfordLeighRochdaleWorkingtonOld TraffordWiganclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues in Northern England | CardiffLimerickAvignonPerpignanBristolWrexhamNeathLondonclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues HullHuddersfieldLeedsSt HelensWarringtonHalifaxSalfordLeighRochdaleWorkingtonOld TraffordWiganclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues in Northern England | CardiffLimerickAvignonPerpignanBristolWrexhamNeathLondonclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues HullHuddersfieldLeedsSt HelensWarringtonHalifaxSalfordLeighRochdaleWorkingtonOld TraffordWiganclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues in Northern England | CardiffLimerickAvignonPerpignanBristolWrexhamNeathLondonclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues HullHuddersfieldLeedsSt HelensWarringtonHalifaxSalfordLeighRochdaleWorkingtonOld TraffordWiganclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues in Northern England | Salford |
| Memorial Stadium | CardiffLimerickAvignonPerpignanBristolWrexhamNeathLondonclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues HullHuddersfieldLeedsSt HelensWarringtonHalifaxSalfordLeighRochdaleWorkingtonOld TraffordWiganclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues in Northern England | CardiffLimerickAvignonPerpignanBristolWrexhamNeathLondonclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues HullHuddersfieldLeedsSt HelensWarringtonHalifaxSalfordLeighRochdaleWorkingtonOld TraffordWiganclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues in Northern England | CardiffLimerickAvignonPerpignanBristolWrexhamNeathLondonclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues HullHuddersfieldLeedsSt HelensWarringtonHalifaxSalfordLeighRochdaleWorkingtonOld TraffordWiganclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues in Northern England | CardiffLimerickAvignonPerpignanBristolWrexhamNeathLondonclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues HullHuddersfieldLeedsSt HelensWarringtonHalifaxSalfordLeighRochdaleWorkingtonOld TraffordWiganclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues in Northern England | Salford City Stadium |
| Capacity: 12,100 | CardiffLimerickAvignonPerpignanBristolWrexhamNeathLondonclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues HullHuddersfieldLeedsSt HelensWarringtonHalifaxSalfordLeighRochdaleWorkingtonOld TraffordWiganclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues in Northern England | CardiffLimerickAvignonPerpignanBristolWrexhamNeathLondonclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues HullHuddersfieldLeedsSt HelensWarringtonHalifaxSalfordLeighRochdaleWorkingtonOld TraffordWiganclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues in Northern England | CardiffLimerickAvignonPerpignanBristolWrexhamNeathLondonclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues HullHuddersfieldLeedsSt HelensWarringtonHalifaxSalfordLeighRochdaleWorkingtonOld TraffordWiganclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues in Northern England | CardiffLimerickAvignonPerpignanBristolWrexhamNeathLondonclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues HullHuddersfieldLeedsSt HelensWarringtonHalifaxSalfordLeighRochdaleWorkingtonOld TraffordWiganclass=notpageimage| Locations of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venues in Northern England | Capacity: 12,000 |
| Leigh | Wrexham | Rochdale | Hull | Workington | Neath |
| Leigh Sports Village | Racecourse Ground | Spotland | Craven Park | Derwent Park | The Gnoll |
| Capacity: 11,000 | Capacity: 10,500 | Capacity: 10,249 | Capacity: 10,000 | Capacity: 10,000 | Capacity: 5,000 |

## Match schedule

The match schedule was announced on 22 March 2012. The Rugby League International Federation announced the kickoff times of the matches, with the opening kickoff to be held on 26 October in Cardiff, at 14:30 local time. The group stage matches will be played at 14:00, 14:30, 16:00, 16:30, 18:00, and 20:00 local time, with knockout stage matches at 13:00, 15:00, and 20:00 local time. The semi-finals will be played at 13:00 and 15:30 local time and the final, on 30 November 2013 at the Old Trafford stadium, at 14:30 local time.

## Opening ceremony

The opening ceremony took place at the Millennium Stadium on 26 October. The ceremony saw 550 dancers perform, 500 amateur and 50 professional, including former players Martin Offiah and Gareth Thomas, both of whom are former Strictly Come Dancing contestants. The ceremony also featured live music and a light show. The ceremony preceded the opening matches of England versus Australia, and Wales versus Italy.

## Group stage

The draw, undertaken at the launch of the event in Manchester on 30 November 2010, involved four groups The first two groups were made up of four teams whilst the other two groups feature three teams each. The quarter-final round was made up of the first three teams in the first two groups and the winners of each of the smaller groups. Group play involved a round robin in the larger groups, and a round robin in the smaller groups with an additional inter-group game for each team so all teams played three group games.
* Key to colours in group tables
* Advances to knockout stage

### Group A

| Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | TF | PF | PA | +/− | Pts |
| Australia | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 112 | 22 | +90 | 6 |
| England | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 18 | 96 | 40 | +56 | 4 |
| Fiji | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 46 | 82 | –36 | 2 |
| Ireland | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 124 | –110 | 0 |
* 26 October 2013 14:30
| Australia | 28–20 | England |
| Try: Thurston 27' c Bird 37' c Slater 40' c B. Morris 44' m Boyd 71' m Goal: Thurston (4/6) 27', 37', 40', 64' | Report | Try: Hall 8' m Cudjoe 20' c G. Burgess 51' c Charnley 76' m Goal: Sinfield (2/4) 20', 51' |
* Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Attendance: 45,052 Referee: Henry Perenara (New Zealand) Player of the Match: Johnathan Thurston (Australia)
* 28 October 2013 20:00
| Fiji | 32–14 | Ireland |
| Try: Uate (3) 9' m, 64 m, 71 m K. Naiqama 12' c T. Sims 52' c K. Sims 65' m Goal: W. Naiqama (4/7) 12', 38', 52', 65' | Report | Try: McCarthy 23' m Blanch 76' m Hasson 79' c Goal: Richards (1/3) 80' |
* Spotland Stadium, Rochdale Attendance: 8,872 Referee: Phil Bentham (England) Player of the Match: Kevin Naiqama (Fiji)
* 2 November 2013 14:30
| England | 42–0 | Ireland |
| Try: Hall (3) 2' m, 13' c, 22' m Briscoe (2) 17' m, 19' c Ferres 24' c Watkins 57' c Chase 69' c Goal: Sinfield (4/7) 14', 20', 24', 57' Widdop (1/1) 69' | Report | |
* John Smith's Stadium, Huddersfield Attendance: 24,375* Referee: Thierry Alibert (France) Player of the Match: Ryan Hall (England)
* 2 November 2013 20:00
| Australia | 34–2 | Fiji |
| Try: Papalii 15'c Boyd 21' m Jennings 31' c Morris 42' c Cherry-Evans 52' c Lewis 66' c Goal: Thurston (5/6) 15', 31', 42', 52', 67' | Report | Goal: Noilea (1/1) 7' |
* Langtree Park, St. Helens Attendance: 14,137 Referee: Richard Silverwood (England) Player of the Match: Johnathan Thurston (Australia)
* 9 November 2013 14:30
| England | 34–12 | Fiji |
| Try: Westwood 38' c S. Burgess 41' c Ferres 44' c Hall (2) 49' c, 56' m Burrow 53' c Goal: Sinfield (5/6) 38', 43', 45', 49', 53' | Report | Try: Vunakece 33' c Radradra 72' c Goal: Naiqama (2/2) 34', 73' |
* KC Stadium, Hull Attendance: 25,114 Referee: Ben Cummins (Australia) Player of the Match: Sam Burgess (England)
* 9 November 2013 20:00
| Australia | 50–0 | Ireland |
| Try: Hayne (2) 2' m, 76' c Cronk (2) 11' c, 57' c Bird 29' c Morris 32' c Slater 40' m Cherry-Evans 60' c Fifita 65' c Goal: Smith (3/5) 11', 30', 33' Parker (4/4) 57', 60', 66', 76' | Report | |
* Thomond Park, Limerick Attendance: 5,021 Referee: Phil Bentham (England) Player of the Match: Daly Cherry-Evans

### Group B

| Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | TF | PF | PA | +/− | Pts |
| New Zealand | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 146 | 34 | +112 | 6 |
| Samoa | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 84 | 52 | +32 | 4 |
| France | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 15 | 78 | –63 | 2 |
| Papua New Guinea | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 22 | 103 | –81 | 0 |
* 27 October 2013 16:00
| Papua New Guinea | 8–9 | France |
| Try: MacDonald 17' m Abavu 42' m Goal: Mead (0/3) | Report | Try: Bosc 6' c Goal: Bosc (2/2) 7', 60' Drop Goal: Barthau (1/1) 64' |
* MS3 Craven Park, Hull Attendance: 7,481 Referee: Ben Cummins (Australia) Player of the Match: William Barthau (France)
* 27 October 2013 18:00
| New Zealand | 42–24 | Samoa |
| Try: Hoffman 11' c Mannering (2) 15' c, 22' c Tuivasa-Sheck 17' m Vatuvei (3) 43' m, 49' m, 73' c Luke 45' c Goal: Johnson (5/8) 10', 15', 23', 46', 73' | Report | Try: Roberts 39' m Leilua 52' m Manumalealii 57' m Matagi 60' c A. Winterstein 65' c Goal: Milford (2/5) 61', 65' |
* Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington Attendance: 14,965 Referee: Richard Silverwood (England) Player of the Match: Dean Whare (New Zealand)
* 1 November 2013 20:00
| New Zealand | 48–0 | France |
| Try: Inu 6' c Goodwin 24' c Nu'uausala (2) 39' c, 75' c Johnson (2) 51' c, 55' c Eastwood 65' c Tuivasa-Sheck 80' c Goal: Johnson (8/8) 7', 26', 39', 51', 56', 66', 76', 80' | Report | |
* Parc des Sports, Avignon Attendance: 17,518 Referee: Phil Bentham (England) Player of the Match: Shaun Johnson (New Zealand)
* 4 November 2013 20:00
| Papua New Guinea | 4–38 | Samoa |
| Try: Nandye 45' m Goal: Eliab (0/1) | Report | Try: Matagi 2' c A. Winterstein (3) 9' m, 25' c, 79' m Godinet 15' c Roberts 37' c Sue 61' c Goal: Milford (5/7) 2', 15', 25', 38', 61' |
* MS3 Craven Park, Hull Attendance: 6,871 Referee: Shayne Hayne (Australia) Player of the Match: Anthony Milford (Samoa)
* 8 November 2013 20:00
| New Zealand | 56–10 | Papua New Guinea |
| Try: Goodwin 4' c Tuivasa-Sheck (2) 7' c, 11' c Williams (3) 15' c, 27' c, 40' c Nu'uausala 30' m Whare (2) 50' c, 56' c Taylor 67' m Goal: Johnson (8/10) 4', 8', 12', 16', 28', 40', 51', 58' | Report | Try: Aiye 41' c Albert 78' m Goal: Paniu (1/2) 43' |
* Headingley Carnegie Stadium, Leeds Attendance: 18,180 Referee: Ashley Klein (Australia) Player of the Match: Sonny Bill Williams (New Zealand)
* 11 November 2013 20:00
| France | 6–22 | Samoa |
| Try: Escaré 32' c Goal: Bosc 33' | Report | Try: Vidot 4' c Milford 46' c Godinet 61' m Moors 74' c Goal: Milford (3/4) 4', 47', 75' |
* Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan Attendance: 11,576 Referee: Henry Perenara (New Zealand) Player of the Match: Anthony Milford (Samoa)

### Group C

| Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | TF | PF | PA | +/− | Pts |
| Scotland | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 78 | 62 | +16 | 5 |
| Tonga | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 62 | 42 | +20 | 4 |
| Italy | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 62 | 62 | 0 | 3 |
* 29 October 2013 20:00
| Tonga | 24–26 | Scotland |
| Try: Fisiiahi 9' m S. Manu (2) 41' c, 56 m Seluini 49' m W. Manu 61' c Goal: Langi (2/5) 43', 62' | Report | Try: Russell (2) 13' c, 72 c Fisher 32' c Carter 38' c Goal: Brough (5/6) 14', 20', 32', 39', 72' |
* Derwent Park, Workington Attendance: 7,630 Referee: Shayne Hayne (Australia) Player of the Match: Sika Manu (Tonga)
* 3 November 2013 16:00
| Scotland | 30–30 | Italy |
| Try: Russell 20' c Linnett 25' c Addy 41' c Hellewell (2) 49' c, 69' m Goal: Brough (5/6) 14', 21', 25', 41', 49' | Report | Try: Ciraldo 31' c Nasso (2) 37' c, 45' c Centrone 52' c A. Minichiello 58' c Goal: Mantellato (5/5) 31', 37', 45', 53', 58' |
* Derwent Park, Workington Attendance: 7,280 Referee: Henry Perenara (New Zealand) Player of the Match: Ray Nasso (Italy)
* 10 November 2013 16:00
| Tonga | 16–0 | Italy |
| Try: Manu 47' c Foster 64' m Terepo 79' m Goal: Langi (2/3) 40', 48' | Report | |
* The Shay, Halifax Attendance: 10,266 Referee: Ben Thaler (England) Player of the Match: Fuifui Moimoi (Tonga)

### Group D

| Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | TF | PF | PA | +/− | Pts |
| United States | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 64 | 58 | +6 | 4 |
| Cook Islands | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 64 | 78 | –14 | 2 |
| Wales | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 56 | 84 | –28 | 0 |
* 30 October 2013 20:00
| United States | 32–20 | Cook Islands |
| Try: Faraimo 13' m Petersen 16' m Joseph Paulo 42' m Samoa 59' c Offerdahl 71' c Priestley 73' c Goal: Joseph Paulo (4/8) 25', 59', 74', 77' | Report | Try: Takairangi 3' c Low 36' m Lulia 47' m Peyroux 62' c Goal: Rapana (2/4) 4', 63' |
* Memorial Stadium, Bristol Attendance: 7,247 Referee: Ben Thaler (England) Player of the Match: Joseph Paulo (United States)
* 3 November 2013 14:00
| Wales | 16–24 | United States |
| Try: Roets 16' m, 75' c Walker 77' c Goal: White (2/3) 76', 78' | Report | Try: Newton (2) 20' m, 63' c Petersen 33' m Paulo 54' m Samoa 60' c Goal: Paulo (2/5) 60', 64' |
* The Racecourse Ground, Wrexham Attendance: 8,019 Referee: Ben Cummins (Australia) Player of the Match: Joseph Paulo (United States)
* 10 November 2013 14:00
| Wales | 24–28 | Cook Islands |
| Try: Massam 14' m White 51' c Lloyd 67' c Roets (2) 60' m, 76' m Goal: White (1/3) 52' Jones (1/2) 68' | Report | Try: Fepuleai 8' c K. Lulia 31' m John 39' c Peyroux 46' c Ford 72' c Goal: Taripo (4/5) 9', 40', 47', 73' |
* The Gnoll, Neath Attendance: 3,270 Referee: Richard Silverwood (England) Player of the Match: Elliot Kear (Wales)

### Inter-group matches

* 26 October 2013 16:30
| Wales | 16–32 | Italy |
| Try: B. Evans 15' c Lloyd 38' c Kear 43' m Goal: White (2/3) 15', 38' | Report | Try: Guerra (2) 9' c, 21' c Mantellato 47' m Tedesco 69' m Centrone 71' m M. Minichiello 80' c Goal: Mantellato (4/7) 9', 22', 28', 80' |
* Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Attendance: 45,052 Referee: Ashley Klein (Australia) Player of the Match: Josh Mantellato (Italy)
* 5 November 2013 20:00
| Tonga | 22–16 | Cook Islands |
| Try: Fisiiahi 7' c Taumalolo 31' c Hurrell 39' m Taufua 62' m Goal: Langi (3/5) 7, 31', 37' | Report | Try: Taripo (3) 12' c, 19' m, 43' c Goal: Taripo (2/2) 12', 43' Rapana (0/1) |
* Leigh Sports Village, Leigh Attendance: 10,554 Referee: Ashley Klein (Australia) Player of the Match: Chris Taripo (Cook Islands)
* 7 November 2013 20:00
| Scotland | 22–8 | United States |
| Try: Phillips 51' m Russell 55' c Douglas 63' c Hurst 80' c Goal: Brough (3/4) 55', 63', 80' | Report | Try: Freed 8' m Welch 23' m Goal: Paulo (0/2) |
* Salford City Stadium, Salford Attendance: 6,041 Referee: Thierry Alibert (France) Player of the Match: Matty Russell (Scotland)

## Knockout stage

The quarter-finals followed the group stage, with three teams from each of Groups A and B and one team from each of Groups C and D qualifying.
All times listed below are in Greenwich Mean Time (UTC+0) for English and Welsh venues.
| Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Finals | Finals | Finals |
| A1 | Australia | 62 | | | | | | |
| D1 | United States | 0 | | | | | | |
| D1 | United States | 0 | A1 | Australia | 64 | | | |
| | | | A3 | Fiji | 0 | | | |
| B2 | Samoa | 4 | A3 | Fiji | 0 | | | |
| A3 | Fiji | 22 | | | | | | |
| A3 | Fiji | 22 | | | | A1 | Australia | 34 |
| | | | | | | B1 | New Zealand | 2 |
| A2 | England | 34 | | | | | | | B1 | New Zealand | 2 |
| B3 | France | 6 | | | | | | |
| B3 | France | 6 | A2 | England | 18 | | | |
| | | | B1 | New Zealand | 20 | | | |
| B1 | New Zealand | 40 | B1 | New Zealand | 20 | | | |
| C1 | Scotland | 4 | | | | | | |

### Quarter-finals

* 15 November 2013 20:00
| New Zealand | 40–4 | Scotland |
| Try: Goodwin (2) 8' m, 71' m Bromwich 15' c Tuivasa-Sheck (2) 20' m, 50' c Pritchard 27' c Johnson 30' c Vatuvei 58' m Goal: Johnson (4/8) 17, 28', 31', 51' | Report | Try: Hurst 67' m Goal: Brough (0/1) |
* Headingley Carnegie Stadium, Leeds Attendance: 16,207 Referee: Ben Cummins (Australia) Player of the Match: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (New Zealand)
* 16 November 2013 13:00
| Australia | 62–0 | United States |
| Try: Hayne (4) 3' m, 57' c, 70' c, 79' c Inglis (2) 11' c, 50' c Morris (4) 21' m, 26' m, 35' m, 39' m Smith 23' c Cronk 28' c Goal: Thurston (7/12) 12', 23', 28', 50', 57', 70', 79' | Report | |
* The Racecourse Ground, Wrexham Attendance: 5,762 Referee: Henry Perenara (New Zealand) Player of the Match: Brett Morris
* 16 November 2013 20:00
| England | 34–6 | France |
| Try: Charnley (2) 11' c, 25' m Hall (2) 18' c, 28' c O'Loughlin 47' c Ferres 77' c Goal: Sinfield (5/6) 11', 18', 28', 47', 77' | Report | Duport 5' c Goal: Bosc (1/1) 5' |
* DW Stadium, Wigan Attendance: 22,276 Referee: Ashley Klein (Australia) Player of the Match: Sam Tomkins
* 17 November 2013 15:00
| Samoa | 4–22 | Fiji |
| Try: Winterstein 58' m | Report | Try: Groom 5' c W. Naiqama 32' c Roqica 78' c Goal: W. Naiqama (5/5) 5', 8', 32', 71', 78' |
* Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington Attendance: 12,766 Referee: Richard Silverwood (England) Player of the Match: Aaron Groom

### Semi-finals

* 23 November 2013 13:00
| New Zealand | 20–18 | England |
| Try: Tuivasa-Sheck (2) 31' c, 44' m Johnson 80' c Goal: Johnson (4/5) 33', 38', 53' 80' | Report | Try: O'Loughlin 16' c Watkins 58' m S. Burgess 67' c Goal: Sinfield (3/4) 17', 25', 68' |
* Wembley Stadium, London Attendance: 67,545 Referee: Ben Cummins (Australia) Player of the Match: Sam Burgess
* 23 November 2013 15:30
| Australia | 64–0 | Fiji |
| Try: Thurston 9' c Darius Boyd (2) 15' m, 59' c Cronk 19' c Hayne (3) 22' c, 37' c, 68' c Papalii 35'c Tamou 53' c Morris 72' c Fifita 79' c Goal: Thurston (10/11) 10', 20', 23', 36', 39', 55', 60', 69', 73', 80' | Report | |
* Wembley Stadium, London Attendance: 67,545 Referee: Richard Silverwood (England) Player of the Match: Johnathan Thurston

### Final

* 30 November 2013 14:30
| New Zealand | 2–34 | Australia |
| Tries: Goals: Shaun Johnson (1/1) 16' | Report | Tries: Billy Slater (2) 19' c, 41' c Cooper Cronk 30' c Brett Morris (2) 52' c, 72' c Goals: Johnathan Thurston (7/7) 4', 19', 30', 35', 41', 52', 72' |
* Old Trafford, Manchester Attendance: 74,468 Referee: Richard Silverwood (England) Player of the Match: Johnathan Thurston (Australia)

## Try scorers
### 9 tries

* Brett Morris
* Jarryd Hayne

### 8 tries

* Ryan Hall
* Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

### 5 tries

* Cooper Cronk
* Antonio Winterstein

### 4 tries

* Darius Boyd
* Billy Slater
* Bryson Goodwin
* Shaun Johnson
* Manu Vatuvei
* Matty Russell
* Christiaan Roets

### 3 tries

* Chris Taripo
* Josh Charnley
* Brett Ferres
* Akuila Uate
* Sonny Bill Williams

### 2 tries

* Greg Bird
* Daly Cherry-Evans
* Andrew Fifita
* Greg Inglis
* Josh Papalii
* Jonathan Thurston
* Dominique Peyroux
* Tom Briscoe
* Sam Burgess
* Sean O'Loughlin
* Kallum Watkins
* Chris Centrone
* Aidan Guerra
* Ray Nasso
* Simon Mannering
* Frank-Paul Nu'uausala
* Dean Whare
* Suaia Matagi
* Ben Roberts
* Pita Godinet
* Alex Hurst
* Ben Hellewell
* Glen Fisiiahi
* Sika Manu
* Willie Manu
* Clint Newton
* Joseph Paulo
* Matt Petersen
* Tui Samoa
* Rhodri Lloyd

### 1 try

* Michael Jennings
* Luke Lewis
* Josh Morris
* Cameron Smith
* Daniel Fepuleai
* Jonathan Ford
* Isaac John
* Drury Low
* Keith Lulia
* Lulia Lulia
* Brad Takairangi
* George Burgess
* Rob Burrow
* Rangi Chase
* Leroy Cudjoe
* Ben Westwood
* Thomas Bosc
* Vincent Duport
* Morgan Escare
* Aaron Groom
* Kevin Naiqama
* Wes Naiqama
* Semi Radradra
* Vitale Junior Roqica
* Korbin Sims
* Tariq Sims
* Eloni Vunakece
* Damien Blanch
* James Hasson
* Tyrone McCarthy
* Cameron Ciraldo
* Josh Mantellato
* Anthony Minichiello
* Mark Minichiello
* James Tedesco
* Jesse Bromwich
* Greg Eastwood
* Josh Hoffman
* Krisnan Inu
* Isaac Luke
* Frank Pritchard
* Elijah Taylor
* Josiah Abavu
* Dion Aiye
* Wellington Albert
* Nene MacDonald
* Jessie Joe Parker
* Joseph Leilua
* Penani Manumeasili
* Anthony Milford
* Junior Moors
* Sauaso Sue
* Daniel Vidot
* Danny Addy
* Brett Carter
* Luke Douglas
* Ben Fisher
* Kane Linnett
* Brett Phillips
* Daniel Foster
* Konrad Hurrell
* Nafe Seluini
* Jorge Taufua
* Jason Taumalolo
* Peni Terepo
* Bureta Faraimo
* Kristian Freed
* Mark Offerdahl
* Craig Priestley
* Taylor Welch
* Ben Evans
* Elliot Kear
* Lloyd White
* Rob Massam
* Anthony Walker

## Attendances

Seven grounds achieved sell-out crowds, with four setting stadium records. Games held in both Wales and Ireland were watched by the biggest crowds ever for rugby league internationals in those countries. The final was played in front of the largest crowd ever to attend an international rugby league fixture.
| Date | Teams | Teams | Venue | Location | Attendance |
| 26 October 2013 | Australia | England | Millennium Stadium | Cardiff | 45,052 |
| 26 October 2013 | Wales | Italy | Millennium Stadium | Cardiff | 45,052 |
| 27 October 2013 | Papua New Guinea | France | Craven Park | Hull | 7,481 |
| 27 October 2013 | New Zealand | Samoa | Halliwell Jones Stadium | Warrington | 14,965 |
| 28 October 2013 | Fiji | Ireland | Spotland | Rochdale | 8,872 |
| 29 October 2013 | Tonga | Scotland | Derwent Park | Workington | 7,630 |
| 30 October 2013 | United States | Cook Islands | Memorial Stadium | Bristol | 7,247 |
| 1 November 2013 | New Zealand | France | Parc des Sports | Avignon | 17,158 |
| 2 November 2013 | England | Ireland | John Smith's Stadium | Huddersfield | 24,375 |
| 2 November 2013 | Australia | Fiji | Langtree Park | St. Helens | 14,137 |
| 3 November 2013 | Wales | United States | Racecourse Ground | Wrexham | 8,019 |
| 3 November 2013 | Scotland | Italy | Derwent Park | Workington | 7,280 |
| 4 November 2013 | Papua New Guinea | Samoa | Craven Park | Hull | 6,871 |
| 5 November 2013 | Tonga | Cook Islands | Leigh Sports Village | Leigh | 10,554 |
| 7 November 2013 | Scotland | United States | AJ Bell Stadium | Eccles | 6,041 |
| 8 November 2013 | New Zealand | Papua New Guinea | Headingley | Leeds | 18,180 |
| 9 November 2013 | England | Fiji | KC Stadium | Hull | 25,114 |
| 9 November 2013 | Australia | Ireland | Thomond Park | Limerick | 5,021 |
| 10 November 2013 | Wales | Cook Islands | The Gnoll | Neath | 3,720 |
| 10 November 2013 | Tonga | Italy | The Shay | Halifax | 10,226 |
| 11 November 2013 | France | Samoa | Stade Gilbert Brutus | Perpignan | 11,576 |
| 15 November 2013 | New Zealand | Scotland | Headingley | Leeds | 16,207 |
| 16 November 2013 | Australia | United States | Racecourse Ground | Wrexham | 5,762 |
| 16 November 2013 | England | France | DW Stadium | Wigan | 22,276 |
| 17 November 2013 | Samoa | Fiji | Halliwell Jones Stadium | Warrington | 12,776 |
| 23 November 2013 | New Zealand | England | Wembley | London | 67,545 |
| 23 November 2013 | Australia | Fiji | Wembley | London | 67,545 |
| 30 November 2013 | Australia | New Zealand | Old Trafford | Trafford | 74,468 |

## Broadcasting

| Country | Channel televising all matches |
| Australia | 7mate |
| France | beIN Sport |
| Ireland | Setanta Sports 1 |
| North Africa and the Middle East | OSN |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport |
| Papua New Guinea | EM TV |
| United Kingdom | Premier Sports* |
* The BBC and Premier Sports jointly televised seven live matches with the remaining 21 live matches exclusive to Premier Sports. The jointly live matches were England's Group A matches (BBC One), an inter-group match between Wales and Italy and a quarter-final (both on BBC Two), a semi-final and the final (both on BBC One). The jointly televised quarter-final and semi-final involved England.