# 2004 Rugby League Tri-Nations

The second Rugby League Tri-Nations tournament (known as the Gillette Tri-Nations due to sponsorship) was contested between 16 October and 27 November of 2004. The format of the competition differed from the previous event in that the teams played each other twice, rather than once, prior to the final.
The tournament final of the tournament was predicted by some to be a close affair, with the British team heralded as slight favourites after finishing at the top of the league table. Instead, it was a one-sided match as Australia produced their best performance of the tournament. The game was effectively over by half-time when Australia led by 38–0.

## 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 |
| New Zealand | The Kiwis | Daniel Anderson | Ruben Wiki | 2 |
| Great Britain | The Lions | Brian Noble | Andy Farrell | 3 |

## Officials

One referee from each participating nation was appointed to control matches in the Tri-Nations:
* Tim Mander (2 matches)
* Russell Smith (3 matches)
* Glen Black (2 matches)

## Venues

The games were played at the following venues in New Zealand and England.
| Auckland | London | Manchester |
| North Harbour Stadium | Loftus Road | City of Manchester Stadium |
| Capacity: 25,000 | Capacity: 18,439 | Capacity: 47,726 |
| Huddersfield | Wigan | Hull |
| Galpharm Stadium | JJB Stadium | KC Stadium |
| Capacity: 24,500 | Capacity: 25,138 | Capacity: 25,400 |

### Final

The tournament final was played in Leeds.
* Leeds
* Elland Road
* Capacity: 37,890

## Results
### Tournament matches

* 16 October
| New Zealand | 16–16 | Australia |
| Tries: Vinnie Anderson Louis Anderson Francis Meli Goals: Brent Webb 2/3 | Report | Tries: Luke Rooney (2) Anthony Minichiello Goals: Darren Lockyer 2/3 |
* North Harbour Stadium, Auckland Attendance: 19,118 Referee: Russel Smith
| New Zealand | Position | Australia |
| Brent Webb | FB | Anthony Minichiello |
| Francis Meli | WG | Luke Rooney |
| Nigel Vagana | CE | Shaun Berrigan |
| Paul Whatuira | CE | Willie Tonga |
| Matt Utai | WG | Matt Sing |
| Vinnie Anderson | FE | Darren Lockyer (c) |
| Thomas Leuluai | HB | Craig Gower |
| Jason Cayless | PR | Shane Webcke |
| Louis Anderson | HK | Danny Buderus |
| Ruben Wiki (c) | PR | Jason Ryles |
| Tony Puletua | SR | Willie Mason |
| Joe Galuvao | SR | Nathan Hindmarsh |
| Sonny Bill Williams | LK | Tonie Carroll |
| Motu Tony | Int. | Craig Wing |
| Roy Asotasi | Int. | Petero Civoniceva |
| Nathan Cayless | Int. | Ben Kennedy |
| David Kidwell | Int. | Andrew Ryan |
| Daniel Anderson | Coach | Wayne Bennett |
* 23 October
| Australia | 32–12 | New Zealand |
| Tries: Luke Rooney Darren Lockyer Willie Tonga Shaun Berrigan Petero Civoniceva Goals: Craig Fitzgibbon (3/4) Darren Lockyer (2/2) Shaun Berrigan (1/1) | Report | Tries: Brent Webb Lesley Vainikolo Vinnie Anderson Goals: Brent Webb (0/3) |
* Loftus Road, London Attendance: 16,725 Referee: Russel Smith
| Australia | Position | New Zealand |
| Anthony Minichiello | FB | Brent Webb |
| Luke Rooney | WG | Francis Meli |
| Shaun Berrigan | CE | Nigel Vagana |
| Willie Tonga | CE | Paul Whatuira |
| Matt Sing | WG | Lesley Vainikolo |
| Darren Lockyer (c) | FE | Vinnie Anderson |
| Craig Gower | HB | Thomas Leuluai |
| Shane Webcke | PR | Jason Cayless |
| Danny Buderus | HK | Louis Anderson |
| Jason Ryles | PR | Nathan Cayless |
| Craig Fitzgibbon | SR | Tony Puletua |
| Nathan Hindmarsh | SR | Ruben Wiki (c) |
| Tonie Carroll | LK | Sonny Bill Williams |
| Craig Wing | Int. | Robbie Paul |
| Petero Civoniceva | Int. | Roy Asotasi |
| Willie Mason | Int. | Paul Rauhihi |
| Shaun Timmins | Int. | David Kidwell |
| Wayne Bennett | Coach | Daniel Anderson |
* 30 October
| Great Britain | 8–12 | Australia |
| Tries: Martin Gleeson Brian Carney Goals: Andy Farrell (0/2) | Report | Tries: Willie Mason Luke Rooney (2) Goals: Brett Kimmorley (0/3) |
* City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester Attendance: 38,572 Referee: Glen Black
| Great Britain | Position | Australia |
| Paul Wellens | FB | Anthony Minichiello |
| Brian Carney | WG | Luke Rooney |
| Martin Gleeson | CE | Shaun Berrigan |
| Keith Senior | CE | Willie Tonga |
| Stuart Reardon | WG | Matt Sing |
| Paul Sculthorpe | SO/FE | Craig Gower |
| Sean Long | SH/HB | Brett Kimmorley |
| Stuart Fielden | PR | Shane Webcke |
| Terry Newton | HK | Danny Buderus (c) |
| Adrian Morley | PR | Jason Ryles |
| Jamie Peacock | SR | Andrew Ryan |
| Andy Farrell (c) | SR | Nathan Hindmarsh |
| Gareth Ellis | LK/LF | Tonie Carroll |
| Chev Walker | Int. | Craig Wing |
| Stephen Wild | Int. | Petero Civoniceva |
| Ryan Bailey | Int. | Willie Mason |
| Danny McGuire | Int. | Shaun Timmins |
| Brian Noble | Coach | Wayne Bennett |
* 6 November
| Great Britain | 22–12 | New Zealand |
| Tries: Terry Newton Stuart Reardon (2) Goals: Andy Farrell (2/2) Iestyn Harris (2/2) Paul Sculthorpe (1/3) | Report | Tries: Ali Lauiti'iti Sonny Bill Williams Goals: Brent Webb (2/2) |
* Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield Attendance: 20,372 Referee: Tim Mander
| Great Britain | Position | New Zealand |
| Paul Wellens | FB | Brent Webb |
| Brian Carney | WG | Francis Meli |
| Martin Gleeson | CE | Nigel Vagana |
| Keith Senior | CE | Clinton Toopi |
| Stuart Reardon | WG | Shontayne Hape |
| Danny McGuire | SO/FE | Vinnie Anderson |
| Sean Long | SH/HB | Thomas Leuluai |
| Stuart Fielden | PR | Jason Cayless |
| Terry Newton | HK | Louis Anderson |
| Adrian Morley | PR | Ruben Wiki (c) |
| Jamie Peacock | SR | Logan Swann |
| Andy Farrell (c) | SR | David Kidwell |
| Paul Sculthorpe | LK/LF | Sonny Bill Williams |
| Gareth Ellis | Int. | Robbie Paul |
| Ryan Bailey | Int. | Nathan Cayless |
| Paul Johnson | Int. | Paul Rauhihi |
| Iestyn Harris | Int. | Ali Lauiti'iti |
| Brian Noble | Coach | Daniel Anderson |
* 13 November
| Great Britain | 24–12 | Australia |
| Tries: Terry Newton Stuart Reardon Stuart Fielden Keith Senior Goals: Andy Farrell (4/4) | Report | Tries: Luke Rooney Mark O'Meley Goals: Craig Fitzgibbon (1/1) Brett Kimmorley (1/1) |
* JJB Stadium, Wigan Attendance: 25,004 Referee: Glen Black
| Great Britain | Position | Australia |
| Paul Wellens | FB | Anthony Minichiello |
| Brian Carney | WG | Matt Sing |
| Martin Gleeson | CE | Shaun Berrigan |
| Keith Senior | CE | Willie Tonga |
| Stuart Reardon | WG | Luke Rooney |
| Danny McGuire | SO/FE | Scott Hill |
| Sean Long | SH/HB | Brett Kimmorley |
| Stuart Fielden | PR | Shane Webcke |
| Terry Newton | HK | Danny Buderus (c) |
| Adrian Morley | PR | Petero Civoniceva |
| Jamie Peacock | SR | Craig Fitzgibbon |
| Andy Farrell (c) | SR | Nathan Hindmarsh |
| Paul Sculthorpe | LK/LF | Tonie Carroll |
| Gareth Ellis | Int. | Craig Wing |
| Ryan Bailey | Int. | Andrew Ryan |
| Paul Johnson | Int. | Willie Mason |
| Iestyn Harris | Int. | Mark O'Meley |
| Brian Noble | Coach | Wayne Bennett |
* 20 November
| Great Britain | 26–24 | New Zealand |
| Tries: Keith Senior Brian Carney (2) Andy Farrell Paul Johnson Goals: Andy Farrell (3/5) | Report | Tries: Vinnie Anderson Nigel Vagana Alex Chan Shontayne Hape Goals: Brent Webb (4/5) |
* KC Stadium, Hull Attendance: 23,377 Referee: Tim Mander
| Great Britain | Position | New Zealand |
| Paul Wellens | FB | Brent Webb |
| Brian Carney | WG | Francis Meli |
| Martin Gleeson | CE | Nigel Vagana |
| Keith Senior | CE | Clinton Toopi |
| Stuart Reardon | WG | Shontayne Hape |
| Iestyn Harris | SO/FE | Vinnie Anderson |
| Danny McGuire | SH/HB | Thomas Leuluai |
| Stuart Fielden | PR | Jason Cayless |
| Matt Diskin | HK | Louis Anderson |
| Adrian Morley | PR | Paul Rauhihi (c) |
| Gareth Ellis | SR | Logan Swann |
| Andy Farrell (c) | SR | Ali Lauiti'iti |
| Sean O'Loughlin | LK/LF | Wairangi Koopu |
| Mickey Higham | Int. | Dene Halatau |
| Chev Walker | Int. | Roy Asotasi |
| Paul Johnson | Int. | Nathan Cayless |
| Danny Ward | Int. | Alex Chan |
| Brian Noble | Coach | Daniel Anderson |

### Tournament standings

| Team | Played | Won | Drew | Lost | For | Against | Difference | Points |
| Great Britain | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 80 | 60 | +20 | 6 |
| Australia | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 72 | 60 | +12 | 5 |
| New Zealand | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 64 | 95 | −32 | 1 |

### Final

* 27 November
| Great Britain | 4–44 | Australia |
| Tries: Stuart Reardon Goals: Andy Farrell (0/1) | Report | Tries: Anthony Minichiello (2) Willie Tonga (2) Matt Sing Darren Lockyer Willie Mason Goals: Darren Lockyer (6/6) Craig Fitzgibbon (2/2) |
* Elland Road, Leeds Attendance: 39,120 Referee: Russell Smith Player of the Match: Darren Lockyer
| Great Britain | Position | Australia |
| Paul Wellens | FB | Anthony Minichiello |
| Brian Carney | WG | Luke Rooney |
| Martin Gleeson | CE | Shaun Berrigan |
| Keith Senior | CE | Willie Tonga |
| Stuart Reardon | WG | Matt Sing |
| Iestyn Harris | SO/FE | Darren Lockyer (c) |
| Sean Long | SH/HB | Brett Kimmorley |
| Stuart Fielden | PR | Shane Webcke |
| Terry Newton | HK | Danny Buderus |
| Adrian Morley | PR | Petero Civoniceva |
| Jamie Peacock | SR | Andrew Ryan |
| Andy Farrell (c) | SR | Nathan Hindmarsh |
| Paul Sculthorpe | LF/LK | Tonie Carroll |
| Danny McGuire | Int. | Craig Wing |
| Paul Johnson | Int. | Mark O'Meley |
| Ryan Bailey | Int. | Craig Fitzgibbon |
| Sean O'Loughlin | Int. | Willie Mason |
| Brian Noble | Coach | Wayne Bennett |

## Player statistics

Top point scorers :
| | Player | Team | T | G | FG | Pts |
| 1 | Darren Lockyer | Australia | 2 | 10 | 0 | 28 |
| 2 | Luke Rooney | Australia | 6 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| 3 | Andy Farrell | Great Britain | 1 | 9 | 0 | 22 |
| 4 | Brent Webb | New Zealand | 1 | 8 | 0 | 20 |
| 5 | Stuart Reardon | Great Britain | 4 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
Top try scorers :
| | Player | Team | T |
| 1 | Luke Rooney | Australia | 6 |
| 2 | Stuart Reardon | Great Britain | 4 |
| 3 | Anthony Minichiello | Australia | 3 |
| 3 | Willie Tonga | Australia | 3 |
| 3 | Brian Carney | Great Britain | 3 |
| 3 | Vinnie Anderson | New Zealand | 3 |

### Non-series Tests

During the series, Australia and New Zealand both played an additional test match against France.
* 2004-11-12
| France | 20–24 | New Zealand |
* Stade d'Albert Domec, Carcassonne Attendance: 8000
* 2004-11-21
| France | 30–52 | Australia |
* Stade Ernest Wellon, Toulouse Attendance: 10,000

### Additional Matches

A one-off match was also played between an ANZAC side made up of touring Australian and New Zealand players and a Cumbria side.
* 2004-10-27
| Cumbria | 12–64 | ANZAC Combination |
* Derwent Park, Workington Attendance: 4,203
On their way back to Australia just four days after the Tri-Nations Final, the Kangaroos played a match, known as the Liberty Bell Cup against the USA at the Franklin Field in Philadelphia. Played in quarters instead of halves, and on a synthetic field that was the size of a Grid iron field, the American's shocked the Australians by racing to an 18–0 lead nearing half time and actually went into the long break with a 24–6 lead. They managed to keep their lead until late in the game when the fitness of the Australians, who had bombed numerous try scoring opportunities through the game, told and the Kangaroos overhauled the home team to win 36–24.
* 2004-12-1
| United States | 24–36 | Australia |
* Franklin Field, Philadelphia Attendance: 4,500