Rugby League Tri-Nations
Sport	Rugby League
Founded	1999
No. of teams	3
Country	Australia  New Zealand  United Kingdom
Current champions	New Zealand
Official website	Tri-Nations

The Rugby League Tri-Nations (also known as the Gillette Tri-Nations for sponsorship reasons) is a rugby league tournament involving the top three nations in the sport: Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain. First contested in 1999 (as the Tri-Series), it is a logical continuation of the format originally used for the Rugby League World Cup in which the best teams in the world play in a round robin tournament leading to a final. The World Cup itself is now contested by a much larger number of nations. Image File history File links Rugby_League_Tri-Nations_Logo. ... Rugby league is a team sport played by two teams of 17 players, with 13 on the field at any one time and 4 on the bench (reserves). ... See also: 1998 in sports, other events of 1999, 2000 in sports and the list of years in sports. // Athletics Hicham El Guerrouj sets the new World Record in the mile at the World Championships in Rome. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Australia. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_New_Zealand. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... Rugby league is a team sport played by two teams of 17 players, with 13 on the field at any one time and 4 on the bench (reserves). ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Old Farts by the Sometimes-United Nations. ... The original World Cup, first lifted in 1954 by Great Britain The Rugby League World Cup, is a tournament in which a number of the strongest rugby league nations participate in, to determine which nation is supreme in the sport. ...

The competition

The Rugby League Tri-nations Trophy

The tournament has been organised in two different formats. In 1999 each team played the others once, before the top two teams played each other in a final. From 2004 each team has played the others twice before the tournament final. The top two teams are calculated using a league table. Teams receive: Image File history File links Trinations_trophy. ... Image File history File links Trinations_trophy. ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Old Farts by the Sometimes-United Nations. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

• 2 points for a win
• 1 point for a draw
• 0 points for a loss

The tournament begins in the middle of October, after the National Rugby League grand final. Australia and New Zealand play each other at this time, and Great Britain enters the tournament after the Super League grand final. The National Rugby League (NRL) is the premier rugby league competition in Australia and New Zealand. ... The engage Super League logo Super League (Europe) is the only full-time professional rugby league competition operating in the northern hemisphere. ...

During the tournament, some teams have also played additional Test matches. In the southern hemisphere New Zealand has played Tonga, and in the northern hemisphere Australia and New Zealand have played France.

History

The first Tri-Nations tournament was held in 1999 in Australia and New Zealand. When the Great Britain only narrowly defeated the Queensland Cup premiers, the Burleigh Bears, it became apparent that they would not pose a serious threat to the other two teams. Accordingly, a very small crowd attended the Test between the Kangaroos and the Lions at Suncorp Stadium. Fearing a similar crowd for the tournament final, organisers moved that match from Sydney to Auckland. With the Rugby League World Cup being held in 2000, the Tri-nations tournament was put on hold indefinitely. The first Rugby League Tri-Nations competition was held in Australia and New Zealand in 1999. ... The Queensland Cup is a rugby league competition in Queensland, Australia. ... Burleigh Bears are one of the oldest Rugby League Clubs on the Gold Coast. ... Suncorp Stadium, formerly known as Lang Park, is a rectangular sporting stadium located in the Brisbane suburb of Milton, Queensland, Australia. ... This article is about the metropolitan area in Australia. ... The Auckland Metropolitan Area, or Greater Auckland, in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest urban area in New Zealand. ... The original World Cup, first lifted in 1954 by Great Britain The Rugby League World Cup, is a tournament in which a number of the strongest rugby league nations participate in, to determine which nation is supreme in the sport. ... This article is about the year 2000. ...

Australia was to dominate international rugby league over the next three years, winning the World Cup, defeating Great Britain 2-1 and 3-0 in Kangaroo Tours in 2001 and 2003, and defeating Great Britain and New Zealand by large margins in the mid-year Tests of 2002 and 2003. There was much criticism of the state of international rugby league in the media at this time. In response, Brisbane Broncos coach, Wayne Bennett, proposed that the Tri-nations tournament be resurrected (albeit without a final). Accordingly, a revamped Tri-nations tournament was played in 2004. 2001: A Space Odyssey. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Brisbane Broncos Rugby League Football Club Limited is a National Rugby League football team in Brisbane, Australia. ... Wayne Bennett (born January 1, 1950) is a rugby league coach. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

With the exception of the first match between Australia and New Zealand, the 2004 Tri-Nations was held in the United Kingdom. Each of the qualifying games was highly competitive, especially Australia's loss to Great Britain, who finished at the top of the Tri-Nations table. Although Australia soundly defeated Great Britain in the final, the tournament was widely considered to be a success, making a profit of £750,000. The second Rugby League Tri-Nations tournament was contested between 16 October and 27 November of 2004. ...

The 2005 Tri-Nations opened with games in both Australia and New Zealand, before moving to the United Kingdom for the remainder of the tournament. Although some of the matches were not as close as the previous tournament, all three teams were in contention for the final by the last group match. New Zealand won the final, defeating Australia 24-0 at Elland Road in Leeds. This was Australia's first defeat in an international test series in 27 years. The majority of the 2005 Rugby League Tri-Nations is set to be played in Great Britain, though the first two matches (both of which pit Australia against New Zealand) will be played in Australasia, with one game each for Australia and New Zealand. ... Elland Road is the home stadium of the football team Leeds United. ... Statistics Population: 443,247 Ordnance Survey OS grid reference: SE297338 Administration Metropolitan borough: City of Leeds Metropolitan county: West Yorkshire Region: Yorkshire and the Humber Constituent country: England Sovereign state: United Kingdom Other Ceremonial county: West Yorkshire Historic county: Yorkshire (West Riding) Services Police force: West Yorkshire Police Ambulance service...

The alternate logo for the Tri-Nations

The 2006 Tri-nations tournament is currently being held in Australia and New Zealand. Controversy erupted as Nathan Fien was determined to be ineligible to play for New Zealand. This resulted in a loss of two competition points that New Zealand gained from their win against Great Britain in Christchurch. Great Britain then went on to beat Australia in Sydney 23-12, their first win in Australia since 1992, leaving the series wide open. ImageMetadata File history File links Tri_nations_rl_logo. ... ImageMetadata File history File links Tri_nations_rl_logo. ... The 2006 Rugby League Tri-Nations is to be hosted for the second time by Australia and New Zealand. ... Nathan Fien is a New Zealand rugby league player. ...

The United Kingdom will host the next tournament in 2009. Great Britain will not compete in the tournament after 2006, with England set to replace them. The Rugby League International Federation announced on November 10, 2006 that it was intended that France would participate in the 2009 tournament.[1] 2009 (MMIX) will be a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... England lines up against New Zealand in Warrington, 2005. ... The Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) is the world governing body for the sport of rugby league. ... November 10 is the 314th day of the year (315th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 51 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Statistics (as of 11 November 2006)

Series results

Year	Winner
1999	Australia
2004	Australia
2005	New Zealand

The first Rugby League Tri-Nations competition was held in Australia and New Zealand in 1999. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Australia. ... The second Rugby League Tri-Nations tournament was contested between 16 October and 27 November of 2004. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Australia. ... The majority of the 2005 Rugby League Tri-Nations is set to be played in Great Britain, though the first two matches (both of which pit Australia against New Zealand) will be played in Australasia, with one game each for Australia and New Zealand. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_New_Zealand. ...

Aggregate table

Team	Played	Won	Drew	Lost	For	Against	Difference	Points
Australia	12	8	1	3	288	207	81	17
New Zealand	14	6	1	7	317	309	8	13
Great Britain	13	5	0	8	215	292	-77	10

Image File history File links Flag_of_Australia. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_New_Zealand. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ...

Try scorers

Venues

Mt Smart Stadium, formerly Ericsson Stadium, is a stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. ... The Auckland Metropolitan Area, or Greater Auckland, in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest urban area in New Zealand. ... Elland Road is the home stadium of the football team Leeds United. ... Statistics Population: 443,247 Ordnance Survey OS grid reference: SE297338 Administration Metropolitan borough: City of Leeds Metropolitan county: West Yorkshire Region: Yorkshire and the Humber Constituent country: England Sovereign state: United Kingdom Other Ceremonial county: West Yorkshire Historic county: Yorkshire (West Riding) Services Police force: West Yorkshire Police Ambulance service... The Galpharm Stadium is a multi-use sports stadium in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England. ... Statistics Population: 146,234 Ordnance Survey OS grid reference: SE145165 Administration District: Kirklees Metropolitan county: West Yorkshire Region: Yorkshire and the Humber Constituent country: England Sovereign state: United Kingdom Other Ceremonial county: West Yorkshire Historic county: Yorkshire (West Riding) Services Police force: West Yorkshire Police Ambulance service: Yorkshire Post office... The JJB Stadium is a sports stadium located within the Robin Park Complex in Newtown, Wigan, Greater Manchester. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Kingston Communications Stadium or KC Stadium is a new facility for the city of Hull hosting football, rugby league and a series of pop concerts. ... Kingston upon Hull, more usually referred to simply as Hull, is a city and unitary authority in the East Riding of Yorkshire, northern England, UK. It is situated on the north bank of the Humber estuary and on both sides of the River Hull, which flows into the Humber. ... Loftus Road is a side-street in Shepherds Bush London W12. ... London (pronounced ) is the capital city of England and the United Kingdom. ... Aussie Stadium (Formerly known as the Sydney Football Stadium, or SFS) ( ) was built in 1988 to be the premium rectangular field in Sydney, Australia. ... This article is about the metropolitan area in Australia. ... The City of Manchester Stadium During the Commonwealth games. ... Manchester is a major city in North West England, historically notable for being the worlds first industrialised city, and its subsequent central role in the Industrial Revolution. ... Jade Stadium, formerly known as Lancaster Park is a sports stadium situated in Christchurch. ... Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand and the third largest city in the country. ... North Harbour Stadium North Harbour Stadium is a stadium situated on Aucklands North Shore. ... The Auckland Metropolitan Area, or Greater Auckland, in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest urban area in New Zealand. ... Suncorp Stadium, formerly known as Lang Park, is a rectangular sporting stadium located in the Brisbane suburb of Milton, Queensland, Australia. ... Brisbane (pronounced ) is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Queensland, and is the third largest city in Australia, with a population of just under 2. ... Telstra Dome is a stadium in the developing Docklands precinct of Melbourne, Australia, that caters for both sporting and entertainment events. ... Melbournes Yarra River is popular area for walking, jogging, cycling and relaxing on the banks with a picnic Melbourne (pronounced ) is the second most populous city in Australia, with a metropolitan area population of approximately 3. ... This page is for Telstra Stadium, Sydney. ... This article is about the metropolitan area in Australia. ... External shot of the main entrance to Westpac Stadium, emphasising the Cake Tin aspect. ... Wellington (Te Whanganui-a-Tara or Poneke in Māori) is the capital of New Zealand, the countrys second largest urban area and the most populous national capital in Oceania. ...

Trivia

• New Zealand's win in the 2005 Rugby League Tri-Nations was the first time that Australia had not won an international test series for 27 years.

• The tournament will not be held in 2007, as New Zealand will be doing a celebratory tour of Europe, commemorating 100 years of international rugby league. Australia will play Tests against New Zealand in April and October.

• The winning team has never finished top of the table: New Zealand were placed first in 1999, followed by Great Britain in 2004 and Australia in 2005. Similarly, a team has never gone through a tournament unbeaten.

• The 2009 series will be contested by four nations: Australia, England, France and New Zealand

The majority of the 2005 Rugby League Tri-Nations is set to be played in Great Britain, though the first two matches (both of which pit Australia against New Zealand) will be played in Australasia, with one game each for Australia and New Zealand. ... The 2007 All Golds Tour is a celebration of a century of rugby league in New Zealand. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

See also

• Australia national rugby league team
• Great Britain national rugby league team
• New Zealand national rugby league team

Australia team jersey The Australian national rugby league side represents Australia at rugby league. ... Great Britain team shirt Great Britain is one of the major national teams playing rugby league. ... New Zealand team shirt The Logo of the New Zealand Rugby League The New Zealand national rugby league side represent New Zealand at rugby league, and are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of that name. ...

External links

• Official site
• Unofficial site

Rugby League Tri-Nations
Tournaments 1999 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2009 international tournament Image File history File links Flag_of_Australia. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_New_Zealand. ... The first Rugby League Tri-Nations competition was held in Australia and New Zealand in 1999. ... The second Rugby League Tri-Nations tournament was contested between 16 October and 27 November of 2004. ... The majority of the 2005 Rugby League Tri-Nations is set to be played in Great Britain, though the first two matches (both of which pit Australia against New Zealand) will be played in Australasia, with one game each for Australia and New Zealand. ... The 2006 Rugby League Tri-Nations is to be hosted for the second time by Australia and New Zealand. ... An international rugby league tournament is planned for 2009. ...
Participants Australia | Great Britain | New Zealand