# 2005 Rugby League Tri-Nations

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

* 2005-10-15
| 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
* 2005-10-21
| 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
* 2005-10-29
| 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
* 2005-11-05
| 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
* 2005-11-12
| 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.
* 2005-11-19
| 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

* Saturday, 26 November
| 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
| Australia | Position | New Zealand |
| Anthony Minichiello | FB | Brent Webb |
| Matt King | WG | Jake Webster |
| Mark Gasnier | CE | Paul Whatuira |
| Matt Cooper | CE | Clinton Toopi |
| Brent Tate | WG | Manu Vatuvei |
| Trent Barrett | FE | Nigel Vagana |
| Craig Gower | HB | Stacey Jones |
| Petero Civoniceva | PR | Paul Rauhihi |
| Danny Buderus (c) | HK | Motu Tony |
| Jason Ryles | PR | Ruben Wiki (c) |
| Luke O'Donnell | SR | David Kidwell |
| Craig Fitzgibbon | SR | Louis Anderson |
| Ben Kennedy | LK | Shontayne Hape |
| Craig Wing | Int | David Faiumu |
| Willie Mason | Int | Roy Asotasi |
| Mark O'Meley | Int | David Solomona |
| Steve Price | Int | Ali Lauiti'iti |
| Wayne Bennett | Coach | Brian McClennan |
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 |
| 3 | Jake Webster | New Zealand | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| 3 | Matt Cooper | Australia | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
Top try scorers :
| | Player | Team | T |
| 1 | Clinton Toopi | New Zealand | 5 |
| 1 | Jake Webster | New Zealand | 5 |
| 1 | Matt Cooper | Australia | 5 |
| 2 | Brent Webb | New Zealand | 4 |
| 2 | Mark Gasnier | Australia | 4 |

### 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.
* 11 November 2005
| 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)
* 18 November 2005
| 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.
* 7 November 2005
| England A | 22–30 | New Zealand |
* Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington