2011 Rugby League Four Nations
Encyclopedia
The 2011 Rugby League Four Nations tournament (also known as the 2011 Gillette Rugby League Four Nations due to sponsorship by Gillette) was the third staging of the Rugby League Four Nations
tournament and was played in England
and Wales
during October and November of 2011. The series was contested by regular contestants Australia, England
and New Zealand
, in addition to Wales
, who had qualified for their first Four Nations by winning the 2010 European Cup
. The tournament saw the return of international rugby league to London's Wembley Stadium
for the first time since 1997, with a double-header played on 5 November 2011. Australia won the tournament, defeating England in the final at Elland Road
, Leeds
, on 19 November 2011. The match was the last of the 17-year professional career of Australia's captain Darren Lockyer
.
planned before the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, with the venues rotating between Europe and the South Pacific. There will be no Four Nations in 2012 due to teams preparing for the World Cup.
In addition to automatic inclusions Australia, England and New Zealand, Wales qualified for the tournament by defeating France
in the final of the 2010 European Cup
.
1 Glenn Stewart
was selected in the squad, however withdrew for compasionate reasons. He was replaced by Beau Scott
.
2 Brett Stewart
was selected in the squad, however withdrew due to injury. He was replaced by Willie Tonga
.
3 David Taylor
was selected in the squad, however withdrew due to injury. He was replaced by Josh Morris
.
1 Steve Matai
was originally selected but withdrew due to injury. He was replaced by Krisnan Inu
. Inu later withdrew for family reasons and was replaced by Bill Tupou
.
2 Manu Vatuvei
was originally selected but withdrew due to injury. He was replaced by Kalifa Faifai Loa.
3 Shaun Johnson
was originally selected but withdrew due to injury. He was replaced by Elijah Taylor
.
and New Zealand
opened the tournament in Warrington
, less than two weeks after Australia defeated New Zealand in a warm-up Test in Newcastle, Australia, 42–6. Australia fielded the same line-up. Australia's usual left-side centre, Greg Inglis
, had been named on an extended bench but failed to make the final squad for the match, due to suffering from a knee injury. New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney
brought Ben Matulino
and Sika Manu
into his starting line-up, replacing the suspended Russell Packer
and Alex Glenn
, who returned to the bench.
Australia dominated the first half of the match, taking a 16–0 lead. Prop Matthew Scott
scored the opening try, his first in international rugby league, barging over the try line from close range. Substitute forward Tony Williams
scored Australia's second try, also his first for the Kangaroos, before an exchange of passes between him and Johnathan Thurston
set Thurston up for Australia's third. After half-time, New Zealand pulled their way back into the match with tries to Jason Nightingale
and Kalifa Faifai Loa but Australia secured victory with late tries to Darius Boyd
and Akuila Uate
.
Teams
AUSTRALIA: 1. Billy Slater
2. Akuila Uate
3. Willie Tonga
4. Chris Lawrence
5. Darius Boyd
6. Darren Lockyer
(c) 7. Johnathan Thurston
8. Paul Gallen
9. Cameron Smith
10. Matthew Scott
11. Luke Lewis
12. Sam Thaiday
13. Anthony Watmough
14. Cooper Cronk
15. Keith Galloway
16. David Shillington
17. Tony Williams
NEW ZEALAND: 1. Kevin Locke
2. Kalifa Faifai Loa 3. Lewis Brown
4. Gerard Beale
5. Jason Nightingale
6. Benji Marshall
(c) 7. Kieran Foran
8. Ben Matulino
9. Issac Luke
10. Sam McKendry
11. Sika Manu
12. Simon Mannering
13. Jeremy Smith 14. Thomas Leuluai
15. Fuifui Moimoi
16. Alex Glenn
17. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
and Wales
opened their tournament campaigns in a match in Leigh
, the day after the match between Australia and New Zealand. Wales entered the tournament as underdogs, naming eight semi-professional players in their 17-man squad. As expected, England dominated the match, winning 42–4 and scoring eight tries to one. England fullback Sam Tomkins
scored four tries, including one in the opening minute of the match, although England's coach Steve McNamara
singled out stand-off Kevin Sinfield
for his creative performance.
Teams
ENGLAND: 1. Sam Tomkins
2. Ryan Hall
3. Jack Reed
4. Kirk Yeaman
5. Tom Briscoe
6. Kevin Sinfield
7. Rangi Chase
8. James Graham
9. James Roby
10. Jamie Peacock
(c) 11. Gareth Ellis
12. Ben Westwood
13. Chris Heighington
14. Gareth Widdop
15. Adrian Morley
16. Jamie Jones-Buchanan
17. Jon Wilkin
WALES: 1. Danny Jones
2. Elliot Kear
3. Ian Webster
4. Christiaan Roets
5. Rhys Williams
6. Lee Briers
(c) 7. Matt Seamark
8. Jordan James
9. Neil Budworth
10. Gil Dudson
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Andy Bracek
13. Ben Flower
14. Ian Watson
15. Ross Divorty
16. Aled James
17. Craig Kopczak
, featuring England vs Australia and Wales vs New Zealand. The two matches would be the first internationals played at Wembley since 1997, thus making the matches the first Tests held at the reconstructed stadium.
was removed from the team and replaced as the starting hooker by Thomas Leuluai
. Adam Blair
returned to the starting line-up having served a five-match suspension arising from the National Rugby League
season, while 21-year-old Elijah Taylor
was selected to make his international debut from the substitute's bench.
Reflecting on the comparative experience of the Wales side, The Guardian
commented after the match that "[t]here was never any doubt that New Zealand would win". The Kiwis won 36–0, scoring seven tries. Wales' coach Iestyn Harris
praised his side for their "physical" performance and said that he did not believe the score "reflected the difference between the two sides".
Teams
WALES: 1. Danny Jones
2. Elliot Kear
3. Ian Webster
4. Christiaan Roets
5. Rhys Williams
6. Lee Briers
(c) 7. Lloyd White
8. Jordan James
9. Neil Budworth
10. Gil Dudson
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Chris Beasley
13. Ben Flower
14. Ian Watson
15. Andy Bracek
16. Ross Divorty
17. Craig Kopczak
NEW ZEALAND: 1. Kevin Locke
2. Gerard Beale
3. Lewis Brown
4. Alex Glenn
5. Jason Nightingale
6. Benji Marshall
(c) 7. Kieran Foran
8. Sam McKendry
9. Thomas Leuluai
10. Ben Matulino
11. Sika Manu
12. Adam Blair
13. Jeremy Smith 14. Nathan Fien 15. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
16. Fuifui Moimoi
17. Elijah Taylor
made no changes to the team that defeated Wales in the opening round of the tournament. Centre Willie Tonga
was ruled out of the Australian team with injury; he was replaced by Greg Inglis
, who returned to fitness following surgery to his knee at the end of the National Rugby League
season.
England winger Ryan Hall
scored the match's opening try. For Australia, the try cost more than four points: fullback Billy Slater
broke his collarbone trying to shoulder-charge Hall as he dived over the line, ruling him out of the rest of the tournament just days after he was named the Rugby League International Federation
's player of the year. Australia quickly took the lead with a converted try to makeshift winger Luke Lewis
, and took an eight point lead when substitute forward Tony Williams
barged over the try line. A second try to Hall just before half-time ensured England went into the break only four points behind. However, tries to Greg Inglis
and Paul Gallen
extended Australia's lead early in the second half, and the Kangaroos won the match 36–20 to qualify for the tournament's final regardless of the outcome of their third round match against Wales.
Teams
ENGLAND: 1. Sam Tomkins
2. Ryan Hall
3. Jack Reed
4. Kirk Yeaman
5. Tom Briscoe
6. Kevin Sinfield
7. Rangi Chase
8. James Graham
9. James Roby
10. Jamie Peacock
(c) 11. Gareth Ellis
12. Ben Westwood
13. Chris Heighington
14. Gareth Widdop
15. Adrian Morley
16. Jamie Jones-Buchanan
17. Jon Wilkin
AUSTRALIA: 1. Billy Slater
2. Akuila Uate
3. Chris Lawrence
4. Greg Inglis
5. Darius Boyd
6. Darren Lockyer
(c) 7. Johnathan Thurston
8. Paul Gallen
9. Cameron Smith
10. Matthew Scott
11. Luke Lewis
12. Sam Thaiday
13. Anthony Watmough
14. Cooper Cronk
15. Keith Galloway
16. David Shillington
17. Tony Williams
to determine who would qualify for the tournament's final against Australia. England half-back Rangi Chase
played against the country of his birth for the first time, and alleged after the match that he was subjected to verbal abuse by New Zealand players over his decision to represent England.
England dominated the match, winning 28–6. It took them 28 minutes to score, through winger Tom Briscoe
, and they took an 8–0 lead into half-time after Kevin Sinfield
converted Briscoe's try and kicked a penalty goal. Early in the second half, England's other winger Ryan Hall
scored his third try of the tournament, giving England a 14–0 lead. While New Zealand reduced England's lead through a try to Jason Nightingale
, England secured victory and a place in the tournament's final with another Sinfield penalty goal and a converted try to James Graham
.
Teams
ENGLAND: 1. Sam Tomkins
2. Ryan Hall
3. Jack Reed
4. Kirk Yeaman
5. Tom Briscoe
6. Kevin Sinfield
7. Rangi Chase
8. James Graham
9. James Roby
10. Jamie Peacock
(c) 11. Jon Wilkin 12. Ben Westwood
13. Chris Heighington
14. Gareth Widdop
15. Adrian Morley
16. Jamie Jones-Buchanan
17. Gareth Carvell
NEW ZEALAND: 1. Kevin Locke
2. Gerard Beale
3. Lewis Brown
4. Simon Mannering
5. Jason Nightingale
6. Benji Marshall
(c) 7. Kieran Foran
8. Ben Matulino
9. Thomas Leuluai
17. Russell Packer
11. Sika Manu
10. Adam Blair
13. Jeremy Smith 12. Alex Glenn
14. Issac Luke
16. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
18. Elijah Taylor
made significant changes to the Australian side, bringing backup members of the touring squad into the starting lineup and allowing some first-team players to rest. Cameron Smith
captained the side; Corey Parker, Beau Scott
and Daly Cherry-Evans
were given their Test debuts. For Wales, captain Lee Briers
would make his final Test appearance, having announced before the match that he would retire from international rugby league.
Wales shocked Australia by taking an early 8–0 lead through tries to Rhys Williams
and Elliot Kear
. It took the Kangaroos until just before half-time to recover the deficit with one try to Cameron Smith
and a quick double to stand-in five-eighth Cooper Cronk
. Cronk completed his hat-trick
in the second half as Australia scored seven tries to nil, winning the match 56–14.
Teams
WALES: 1. Danny Jones
2. Elliot Kear
3. Ian Webster
4. Christiaan Roets
5. Rhys Williams
6. Lee Briers
(c) 7. Lloyd White
8. Jordan James
9. Neil Budworth
10. Craig Kopczak
11. Chris Beasley
12. Andy Bracek
13. Ben Flower
14. Mark Lennon
15. Ross Divorty
16. Aled James
17. Gil Dudson
AUSTRALIA: 1. Darius Boyd
2. Josh Morris
3. Greg Inglis
4. Chris Lawrence
5. Jharal Yow Yeh
6. Cooper Cronk
7. Johnathan Thurston
8. Keith Galloway
9. Cameron Smith
(c) 10. David Shillington
15. Anthony Watmough
12. Beau Scott
13. Corey Parker 14. Daly Cherry-Evans
16. Paul Gallen
17. Matthew Scott
18. Sam Thaiday
, Leeds
on 19 November 2011, between Australia and England. Australian Matt Cecchin was appointed to referee the match, which caused England's coach Steve McNamara
to question the method by which referees were selected for such matches.
The match would mark the end of the career of Australia's captain Darren Lockyer
, making his 59th international appearance over 15 years. England was seeking to defeat Australia in a tournament final for the first time since 1972, when Great Britain
won the World Cup
.
A tight first half of the match ended with Australia taking an 8–6 lead. Sam Thaiday
had scored Australia's first try, while Ryan Hall
equalised for England, being awarded a penalty try. Australia's Johnathan Thurston
kicked a penalty goal just before half-time to lead by two points. It was not until the 57th minute that Australia scored the match's next try, through Jharal Yow Yeh
. Then the floodgates opened for Australia: tries to Thurston, Greg Inglis
and, in the final minute of the match, Lockyer, secured a 30–8 win.
Teams
AUSTRALIA: 1. Darius Boyd
2. Akuila Uate
3. Greg Inglis
4. Chris Lawrence
5. Jharal Yow Yeh
6. Darren Lockyer
(c) 7. Johnathan Thurston
10. Matthew Scott
9. Cameron Smith
16. David Shillington
11. Luke Lewis
12. Sam Thaiday
8. Paul Gallen
14. Anthony Watmough
14. Cooper Cronk
15. Keith Galloway
17. Tony Williams
ENGLAND: 1. Sam Tomkins
2. Ryan Hall
3. Jack Reed
4. Kirk Yeaman
5. Tom Briscoe
6. Kevin Sinfield
7. Rangi Chase
8. James Graham
9. James Roby
10. Jamie Peacock
(c) 11. Jon Wilkin 12. Gareth Ellis
13. Ben Westwood
14. Gareth Widdop
15. Adrian Morley
16. Jamie Jones-Buchanan
17. Gareth Carvell
, New Zealand and Australia played a test in Newcastle before heading to Great Britain, and Wales
played Ireland
in Neath.
New Zealand were originally scheduled to play a Test match against the Cook Islands
on 7 October, however this was called off due to the unavailability of 29 frontline players.
2. Akuila Uate
3. Willie Tonga
4. Chris Lawrence
5. Darius Boyd
6. Darren Lockyer
(c) 7. Johnathan Thurston
8. Paul Gallen
9. Cameron Smith
10. Matthew Scott
11. Luke Lewis
12. Sam Thaiday
13. Anthony Watmough
Int: 14. Cooper Cronk
15. Keith Galloway
16. David Shillington
17. Tony Williams
NEW ZEALAND: 1. Kevin Locke
2. Kalifa Faifai Loa 3. Lewis Brown
4. Gerard Beale
5. Jason Nightingale
6. Benji Marshall
(c) 7. Kieran Foran
8. Russell Packer
9. Nathan Fien 10. Sam McKendry
11. Alex Glenn
12. Simon Mannering
13. Jeremy Smith Int: 14. Issac Luke
15. Fuifui Moimoi
16. Sika Manu
17. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
2. Vincent Duport
3. Jean-Philippe Baile 4. Mathias Pala
5. Frédéric Vaccari
6. Dane Chisholm
7. Thomas Bosc
8. David Ferriol
9. Gregory Mounis
10. Remi Casty
11. Olivier Elima
(c) 12. Cyril Gossard
13. Jason Baitieri
Int: 14. Eloi Pelissier
15. Djamel Fakir 16. Michael Simon
17. Sebastien Raguin
ENGLAND: 1. Sam Tomkins
2. Ryan Hall
3. Jack Reed
4. Kirk Yeaman
5. Tom Briscoe
6. Kevin Sinfield
7. Rangi Chase
8. Jamie Peacock
(c) 9. James Roby
10. James Graham
11. Gareth Ellis
12. Ben Westwood
13. Chris Heighington
14. Gareth Widdop
15. Adrian Morley
16. Jamie Jones-Buchanan
17. Jon Wilkin
Rugby League Four Nations
The Rugby League Four Nations is an annual rugby league football tournament run in partnership between the Australian Rugby League, Rugby Football League and New Zealand Rugby League representing the top three nations in the sport: Australia, England and New Zealand. A fourth partner, France,...
tournament and was played in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
during October and November of 2011. The series was contested by regular contestants Australia, England
England national rugby league team
The England national rugby league team represent England in international rugby league football tournaments. The team has now seen a revival, having largely formed from the Great Britain team, who also represented Wales, Scotland and Ireland. The team is run under the auspices of the Rugby Football...
and New Zealand
New Zealand national rugby league team
The New Zealand national rugby league team has represented New Zealand in rugby league football since intercontinental competition began for the sport in 1907. Administered by the New Zealand Rugby League, they are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of that name...
, in addition to Wales
Wales national rugby league team
The Wales national rugby league team represent Wales in international rugby league football matches. Currently the team is seventh in the RLIF World Rankings. The team were run under the auspices of the Rugby Football League, but an independent body, Wales Rugby League, now runs the team from...
, who had qualified for their first Four Nations by winning the 2010 European Cup
2010 European Cup
The 2010 European Cup, known as the Alitalia European Cup for sponsorship purposes, is a rugby league football tournament. Three of the competing teams participated in the 2009 European Cup, with France also being included in the tournament after competing in the 2009 Four Nations...
. The tournament saw the return of international rugby league to London's Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
for the first time since 1997, with a double-header played on 5 November 2011. Australia won the tournament, defeating England in the final at Elland Road
Elland Road
Elland Road is an all-seater football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...
, Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
, on 19 November 2011. The match was the last of the 17-year professional career of Australia's captain Darren Lockyer
Darren Lockyer
Darren Lockyer is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer. He was the captain of the Australian national team, the Queensland State of Origin team and his National Rugby League club, the Brisbane Broncos. His professional career spanned between 1995 and 2011...
.
History
The 2011 tournament was the third of three Four Nations seriesRugby League Four Nations
The Rugby League Four Nations is an annual rugby league football tournament run in partnership between the Australian Rugby League, Rugby Football League and New Zealand Rugby League representing the top three nations in the sport: Australia, England and New Zealand. A fourth partner, France,...
planned before the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, with the venues rotating between Europe and the South Pacific. There will be no Four Nations in 2012 due to teams preparing for the World Cup.
In addition to automatic inclusions Australia, England and New Zealand, Wales qualified for the tournament by defeating France
France national rugby league team
The France national rugby league team represent France in international rugby league tournaments. They are also sometimes referred to as "Les Tricolores" or more commonly "Les Chanticleers"...
in the final of the 2010 European Cup
2010 European Cup
The 2010 European Cup, known as the Alitalia European Cup for sponsorship purposes, is a rugby league football tournament. Three of the competing teams participated in the 2009 European Cup, with France also being included in the tournament after competing in the 2009 Four Nations...
.
Qualifying nations
| Team | Coach | Captain | RLIF Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
 Australia Australia |
Tim Sheens Tim Sheens Tim Sheens is an Australian professional rugby league football coach and former player. He currently coaches the Wests Tigers of the National Rugby League and in 2009 was appointed coach of the Australian national team, the Kangaroos... |
Darren Lockyer Darren Lockyer Darren Lockyer is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer. He was the captain of the Australian national team, the Queensland State of Origin team and his National Rugby League club, the Brisbane Broncos. His professional career spanned between 1995 and 2011... |
1 |
 Kingdom of England EnglandEngland national rugby league team The England national rugby league team represent England in international rugby league football tournaments. The team has now seen a revival, having largely formed from the Great Britain team, who also represented Wales, Scotland and Ireland. The team is run under the auspices of the Rugby Football... |
Steve McNamara Steve McNamara Steve McNamara is an English professional rugby league football coach and former player. He is currently coach of the England national team.-International honours:... |
Jamie Peacock Jamie Peacock James "Jamie" Peacock is an English professional rugby league footballer for the Leeds Rhinos of the European Super League... |
3 |
| New Zealand New Zealand national rugby league team The New Zealand national rugby league team has represented New Zealand in rugby league football since intercontinental competition began for the sport in 1907. Administered by the New Zealand Rugby League, they are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of that name... |
Stephen Kearney Stephen Kearney Stephen Peter Kearney, ONZM is a professional rugby league football coach and former player. He is the current head coach of the Parramatta Eels in the NRL as well as the New Zealand national team... |
Benji Marshall Benji Marshall Benji Marshall is a professional rugby league footballer with the Wests Tigers of the National Rugby League . A goal-kicking five-eighth, he is the current captain of the New Zealand national team, with whom he won the 2008 World Cup and 2010 Four Nations tournaments... |
2 |
 Wales WalesWales national rugby league team The Wales national rugby league team represent Wales in international rugby league football matches. Currently the team is seventh in the RLIF World Rankings. The team were run under the auspices of the Rugby Football League, but an independent body, Wales Rugby League, now runs the team from... |
Iestyn Harris Iestyn Harris Iestyn Rhys Harris is a Welsh former rugby league footballer, who is currently the assistant coach at Wigan Warriors. Harris is a former Man of Steel winner and has also represented Wales on numerous occasions at both codes of rugby... |
Lee Briers Lee Briers Lee Briers is a professional rugby league player who currently plays for Warrington Wolves in the Super League. He previously played for St Helens, and at international level he won 23 caps for Wales, many of those as captain... |
7 |
Australia
The touring squad was announced on 3 October:- Coach: Australia Tim SheensTim SheensTim Sheens is an Australian professional rugby league football coach and former player. He currently coaches the Wests Tigers of the National Rugby League and in 2009 was appointed coach of the Australian national team, the Kangaroos...
Club Team Players Australia Brisbane BroncosBrisbane BroncosThe Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the city of Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. Founded in 1988, the Broncos play in Australasia's elite competition, the National Rugby League premiership. They have won six premierships and two...
Darren Lockyer Darren LockyerDarren Lockyer is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer. He was the captain of the Australian national team, the Queensland State of Origin team and his National Rugby League club, the Brisbane Broncos. His professional career spanned between 1995 and 2011...
, Corey Parker, Sam ThaidaySam ThaidaySamuel H. "Sam" Thaiday is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who captains the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League. An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative forward, he has spent all of his career at the Broncos, with whom he won the 2006...
, Jharal Yow YehJharal Yow YehJharal Yow Yeh is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League... Australia Canberra RaidersCanberra RaidersThe Canberra Raiders are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the national capital city of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. They have competed in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership since 1982...
David Shillington David ShillingtonDavid Shillington is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Canberra Raiders of the National Rugby League... Australia Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Josh Morris Josh MorrisJosh Morris is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the National Rugby League competition. A New South Wales State of Origin representative backline player, Josh is the twin brother of Brett Morris who plays first grade for his previous club...
3 Australia Cronulla SharksCronulla SharksThe Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks are Australian professional Rugby league team based in Cronulla, in the Sutherland Shire, Southern Sydney, New South Wales...
Paul Gallen Paul GallenPaul Gallen is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks of the National Rugby League. Gallen's position of choice is lock and occasionally at Prop. He is an Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative... Australia Manly-Warringah Sea EaglesManly-Warringah Sea EaglesThe Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles are an Australian professional rugby league club based on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. They compete in the National Rugby League's Telstra Premiership, the premier rugby league competition of Australasia...
Daly Cherry-Evans Daly Cherry-EvansDaly Cherry-Evans is a rugby league player for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League . He is a half-back...
, Anthony WatmoughAnthony WatmoughAnthony Watmough is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles club of the National Rugby League...
, Tony WilliamsTony Williams (rugby league)Tony Williams is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles of the National Rugby League... Australia Melbourne StormMelbourne StormThe Melbourne Storm are an Australian professional rugby league club based in the city of Melbourne. They are the first fully professional rugby league team based in the Australian rules football-dominated state of Victoria....
Cooper Cronk Cooper CronkCooper Patrick Cronk is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the Melbourne Storm of the NRL...
, Billy SlaterBilly SlaterBilly Slater is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League . An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative fullback, he has played his whole NRL career to date at Melbourne...
, Cameron SmithCameron SmithCameron Smith is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently captains the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League... Australia Newcastle KnightsNewcastle KnightsThe Newcastle Knights are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Newcastle, New South Wales. They compete in Australasia's premier rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership...
Akuila Uate Akuila UateAkuila Uate ' is a professional rugby league footballer for the Newcastle Knights of the National Rugby League... Australia North Queensland CowboysNorth Queensland CowboysThe North Queensland Cowboys are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Townsville, Queensland. They compete in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership...
Matthew Scott Matthew ScottMatthew Scott is an Australian professional rugby league footballer and current co-captain for the North Queensland Cowboys of the National Rugby League...
, Johnathan ThurstonJohnathan ThurstonJohnathan Dean Thurston is an Indigenous Australian professional rugby league footballer in the NRL with the North Queensland Cowboys whom he co-captains...
, Willie TongaWillie TongaWillie Tonga is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the North Queensland Cowboys of the NRL...
2 Australia Penrith PanthersPenrith PanthersThe Penrith Panthers are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in the western Sydney suburb of Penrith. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership, the top rugby league football competition in Australasia. For the 2012 NRL season they will be coached by Ivan...
Luke Lewis Luke LewisLuke Lewis is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative utility player, he has spent his entire professional career with the Panthers,... Australia South Sydney RabbitohsSouth Sydney RabbitohsThe South Sydney Rabbitohs are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Redfern, a suburb of South-central Sydney, New South Wales. They participate in the National Rugby League premiership and are one of nine existing teams from the state capital...
Greg Inglis Greg InglisGreg Inglis is an Australian professional rugby league player for the South Sydney Rabbitohs. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative outside back, Inglis joined the Rabbitohs in 2011 after much controversy.Inglis is a versatile back, having played in several... Australia St. George Illawarra Dragons Darius Boyd Darius BoydDarius Boyd is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the Newcastle Knights in the NRL. Boyd plays at fullback, however he is also very capable as a three-quarter back, as proven by his selection for Australia and Queensland as a winger...
, Beau ScottBeau ScottBeau Scott is an Australian rugby league player for the St. George Illawarra Dragons in the NRL. His position of choice is at second row, however due to his versatility can also play in the centres....
1 Australia Wests TigersWests TigersThe Wests Tigers are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Sydney's mid-western suburbs. They have competed in the National Rugby League since they were formed at the end of the 1999 season as a joint-venture club between the Balmain Tigers and the Western Suburbs...
Chris Lawrence Chris Lawrence (rugby league)Chris Lawrence is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Wests Tigers of the National Rugby League...
, Robbie FarahRobbie FarahRobert Peter "Robbie" Farah is an Australian professional rugby league player for the Wests Tigers club in the National Rugby League competition. He primarily plays at hooker and can operate as a half-back...
, Keith GallowayKeith GallowayKeith Galloway is an Australian professional rugby league player for the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League competition. He previously played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks...
1 Glenn Stewart
Glenn Stewart
Glenn Stewart is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles of the National Rugby League . An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative second-row forward, Stewart has played all of his club football to date with Manly,...
was selected in the squad, however withdrew for compasionate reasons. He was replaced by Beau Scott
Beau Scott
Beau Scott is an Australian rugby league player for the St. George Illawarra Dragons in the NRL. His position of choice is at second row, however due to his versatility can also play in the centres....
.
2 Brett Stewart
Brett Stewart
Brett Stewart is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League. He is an Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative fullback known for pace and his prolific try-scoring...
was selected in the squad, however withdrew due to injury. He was replaced by Willie Tonga
Willie Tonga
Willie Tonga is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the North Queensland Cowboys of the NRL...
.
3 David Taylor
David Taylor (rugby league)
Dave Taylor is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the South Sydney Rabbitohs of the National Rugby League...
was selected in the squad, however withdrew due to injury. He was replaced by Josh Morris
Josh Morris
Josh Morris is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the National Rugby League competition. A New South Wales State of Origin representative backline player, Josh is the twin brother of Brett Morris who plays first grade for his previous club...
.
England
The England squad for the 2011 Four Nations:- Coach: Kingdom of England Steve McNamaraSteve McNamaraSteve McNamara is an English professional rugby league football coach and former player. He is currently coach of the England national team.-International honours:...
Club Team Players Australia Brisbane BroncosBrisbane BroncosThe Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the city of Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. Founded in 1988, the Broncos play in Australasia's elite competition, the National Rugby League premiership. They have won six premierships and two...
Jack Reed Jack Reed (rugby league)Jack Reed is an English rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos of the NRL. After playing in the Queensland Cup for the Norths Devils, he made his debut in Round 1 of the 2011 NRL season against the North Queensland Cowboys... Kingdom of England CastlefordCastleford TigersCastleford Tigers are a professional rugby league club based in Castleford in West Yorkshire, England. They participate in the professional European competition Super League. They are sometimes known as 'Cas', 'Cas Tigers', 'Classy Cas' or the 'Black & Amber'...
Rangi Chase Rangi ChaseRangi Chase is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays in the Super League competition for the Castleford Tigers. He attended famous Maori school Te Aute College in 1999 before moving to Australia where he attended Keebra Park State High School... Kingdom of England HuddersfieldHuddersfield GiantsHuddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C....
Leroy Cudjoe Leroy CudjoeLeroy Cudjoe is an English professional rugby league footballer with the Huddersfield Giants of Super League.Leroy attended Newsome High School and Sports College. Leroy's previous club is the Newsome Panthers... Kingdom of England Hull F.C. Tom Briscoe Tom BriscoeTom Briscoe is an English professional rugby league footballer for Hull of Super League. An England international representative three-quarter, he has played his whole professional career to date with Hull....
, Kirk YeamanKirk YeamanKirk Yeaman is an English professional rugby league footballer for Hull FC of Super League. An England international representative centre three-quarter back, he also previously played for the Great Britain national rugby league team.... Kingdom of England LeedsLeeds RhinosLeeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League...
Carl Ablett Carl AblettCarl Ablett is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays for the Leeds Rhinos of Europe's Super League competition. Carl made numerous appearances in the second half of the 06/07 season after recovering from injury, he was part of the Grand Final 2007 winning squad selected by Tony...
, Ryan Bailey, Ryan HallRyan Hall (rugby league)Ryan Hall is an English professional Rugby League Winger for the Leeds in Super League. He has played his entire professional career to date with Leeds, winning the 2008, 2009 &2011 Super League Championships with them.-Club career:...
, Ben Jones-BishopBen Jones-BishopBen Jones-Bishop is an English professional rugby league player who currently plays for the Leeds Rhinos in the Super League. His usual position is at Full-Back, but he can also play on the Wing.-Playing career:...
, Danny McGuireDanny McGuireDanny McGuire is an English professional rugby league player who currently plays for the Leeds Rhinos in the Super League. His preferred position is at /. He has played his entire career to date with the Rhinos, having come through the club's Academy....
, Jamie Jones-BuchananJamie Jones-BuchananJamie Jones-Buchanan is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays for Leeds of Super League. An England international representative second-rower, he has played his entire professional career to date with Leeds and has won four Super League championships with the club.His Leeds...
, Jamie PeacockJamie PeacockJames "Jamie" Peacock is an English professional rugby league footballer for the Leeds Rhinos of the European Super League...
(C), Kevin SinfieldKevin SinfieldKevin Sinfield is an English professional rugby league player. He is the captain of the Leeds Rhinos in Super League. His recognised position is /, although he can cover both /, and . He has represented both England and Great Britain at international level.-Career:Sinfield began his career at... Australia Melbourne StormMelbourne StormThe Melbourne Storm are an Australian professional rugby league club based in the city of Melbourne. They are the first fully professional rugby league team based in the Australian rules football-dominated state of Victoria....
Gareth Widdop Gareth WiddopGareth Widdop is an English professional rugby league footballer currently playing for Australian club Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League... Kingdom of England St Helens James Graham James Graham (rugby league)James Graham is a rugby league player for St. Helens of Super League. A Great Britain and England international representative front row forward, he has played his entire professional career to date at St...
, James RobyJames RobyJames Roby is an English professional rugby league footballer for St. Helens of Super League. A Great Britain and England international representative hooker, he has played his entire professional career to date at St Helens, winning the 2006 Super League XI Championship with them.-Career:Roby...
, Jon Wilkin Kingdom of England WarringtonWarrington WolvesWarrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
Gareth Carvell, Adrian Morley Adrian MorleyAdrian Morley is an English professional rugby league footballer for the Warrington Wolves of Europe's Super League...
, Ben WestwoodBen WestwoodBen Westwood is an English professional rugby league footballer for the Warrington Wolves of Europe's Super League. An England international representative forward, he previously played for the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats before moving to Warrington in 2002 and winning the 2009 Challenge Cup with... Australia Wests TigersWests TigersThe Wests Tigers are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Sydney's mid-western suburbs. They have competed in the National Rugby League since they were formed at the end of the 1999 season as a joint-venture club between the Balmain Tigers and the Western Suburbs...
Gareth Ellis Gareth EllisGareth Ellis is an English professional rugby league footballer for the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League . He has represented at international level for Great Britain and England and primarily plays in the back row...
, Chris HeighingtonChris HeighingtonChris Heighington is an Australian born England international rugby league footballer for the Wests Tigers of the National Rugby League . A Country NSW representative lock forward, he has also been selected to represent England at international level... Kingdom of England WiganWigan WarriorsWigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
Michael McIlorum Michael McilorumMichael David J. McIlorum is an English rugby league player who currently plays for English club Wigan Warriors in the Super League competition...
, Sam TomkinsSam TomkinsA pre-season unofficial friendly match provided Tomkins his first experience against top-flight opposition as he came off the bench during Lee Briers' testimonial match in a 30–22 loss to Warrington Wolves. Noble followed this up by providing Tomkins, aged 19, with his first team debut on 12 May...
New Zealand
The Kiwis announced their 23-man touring squad on 4 October.- Coach:
New Zealand Stephen KearneyStephen KearneyStephen Peter Kearney, ONZM is a professional rugby league football coach and former player. He is the current head coach of the Parramatta Eels in the NRL as well as the New Zealand national team...
Club Team Players Australia Brisbane BroncosBrisbane BroncosThe Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the city of Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. Founded in 1988, the Broncos play in Australasia's elite competition, the National Rugby League premiership. They have won six premierships and two...
Gerard Beale Gerard BealeGerard Beale is a professional rugby league footballer currently playing for Brisbane Broncos in the Telstra Premiership. He is a utility back by preference; in that he can play at full-back, wing or centre.-Playing career:...
, Alex GlennAlex GlennAlex Glenn is a professional rugby league footballer who plays for Brisbane Broncos in the NRL.-Playing career:... Australia Cronulla SharksCronulla SharksThe Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks are Australian professional Rugby league team based in Cronulla, in the Sutherland Shire, Southern Sydney, New South Wales...
Jeremy Smith Australia Manly-Warringah Sea EaglesManly-Warringah Sea EaglesThe Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles are an Australian professional rugby league club based on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. They compete in the National Rugby League's Telstra Premiership, the premier rugby league competition of Australasia...
Kieran Foran Kieran ForanKieran Foran is a New Zealand rugby league player who has represented his country. He currently plays for the Manly Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League. He plays as a five-eighth or half-back though he can also play centre... Australia Melbourne StormMelbourne StormThe Melbourne Storm are an Australian professional rugby league club based in the city of Melbourne. They are the first fully professional rugby league team based in the Australian rules football-dominated state of Victoria....
Adam Blair Adam BlairAdam Blair is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer currently contracted to the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League until 1 November 2011, when he will join the Wests Tigers. A New Zealand international representative forward, Blair spent six seasons with the Storm, winning...
, Sika ManuSika ManuSika Manu is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Melbourne Storm in the NRL. He was a member of the World Cup winning New Zealand team who beat Australia in the 2008 World Cup Final...
, Kevin ProctorKevin ProctorKevin Proctor is a rugby league player who currently plays for the Melbourne Storm in the NRL. He plays as a second-row.-Playing career:Born in Te Kuiti, Proctor's iwi is Ngā Puhi.... New Zealand New Zealand WarriorsNew Zealand WarriorsThe New Zealand Warriors are a professional rugby league football club based in Auckland, New Zealand. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership and are the League's only team from outside Australia...
Lewis Brown Lewis Brown (rugby league)Lewis Brown is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays in the National Rugby League for the New Zealand Warriors. His position of preference is in the second row, where he plays for the Warriors whilst occasionally playing in the centres...
, Kevin LockeKevin Locke (rugby league)Kevin Samuel Locke is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer for the New Zealand Warriors of the National Rugby League. His usual position is at fullback.-Playing career:...
, Simon ManneringSimon ManneringSimon Alexander Mannering is a New Zealand professional rugby league player who currently plays for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League competition...
, Ben MatulinoBen MatulinoBenedict Andrew Matulino is a rugby league player who has represented his country. He currently plays for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League...
, Russell PackerRussell PackerRussell Packer is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer for the New Zealand Warriors of the National Rugby League competition...
, Bill TupouBill TupouBill Tupou is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays in the National Rugby League for the New Zealand Warriors.-Early years:...
1, Elijah TaylorElijah TaylorElijah Taylor is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays in the National Rugby League for the New Zealand Warriors.-Early years:...
3 Australia North Queensland CowboysNorth Queensland CowboysThe North Queensland Cowboys are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Townsville, Queensland. They compete in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership...
Kalifa Faifai Loa2 Australia Parramatta EelsParramatta EelsThe Parramatta Eels are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Sydney suburb of Parramatta. The Parramatta District Rugby League Football Club was formed in 1947, with their First Grade side playing their first season in the New South Wales Rugby Football League...
Fuifui Moimoi Fuifui MoimoiFuifui Moana Moimoi is a New Zealand-Tongan professional rugby league footballer for the Parramatta Eels in the National Rugby League competition.-Playing career:... Australia Penrith PanthersPenrith PanthersThe Penrith Panthers are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in the western Sydney suburb of Penrith. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership, the top rugby league football competition in Australasia. For the 2012 NRL season they will be coached by Ivan...
Sam McKendry Sam McKendrySam McKendry is a professional rugby league player who currently plays for the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League. He plays as a prop and is a New Zealand international.-Early years:... Australia St George Illawarra DragonsSt George Illawarra DragonsThe St George Illawarra Dragons is an Australian professional rugby league football club, representing the St. George and Illawarra regions. They have competed in the National Rugby League since 1999 as a joint venture between Sydney's historic St. George Dragons club and 1982 expansion club, the...
Jason Nightingale Jason NightingaleJason Nightingale is a professional rugby league footballer for the St. George Illawarra Dragons of the Australian National Rugby League...
, Nathan Fien Australia South Sydney RabbitohsSouth Sydney RabbitohsThe South Sydney Rabbitohs are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Redfern, a suburb of South-central Sydney, New South Wales. They participate in the National Rugby League premiership and are one of nine existing teams from the state capital...
Issac Luke Issac LukeIssac Luke is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer for the South Sydney Rabbitohs of the National Rugby League. His position of choice is either hooker or in the halves. His first-grade debut was for the South Sydney Rabbitohs against the Melbourne Storm at Olympic Park in round 12... Australia Sydney RoostersSydney RoostersThe Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League...
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves Jared Waerea-HargreavesJared Waerea-Hargreaves is a rugby league player currently with the Sydney Roosters in the NRL. He plays in the second-row.-Early years:Waerea-Hargreaves first made a name for himself playing schoolboy rugby union at Iona College in Queensland, through some impressive performances in the AIC... Australia Wests TigersWests TigersThe Wests Tigers are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Sydney's mid-western suburbs. They have competed in the National Rugby League since they were formed at the end of the 1999 season as a joint-venture club between the Balmain Tigers and the Western Suburbs...
Benji Marshall Benji MarshallBenji Marshall is a professional rugby league footballer with the Wests Tigers of the National Rugby League . A goal-kicking five-eighth, he is the current captain of the New Zealand national team, with whom he won the 2008 World Cup and 2010 Four Nations tournaments... Kingdom of England WiganWigan WarriorsWigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
Thomas Leuluai Thomas LeuluaiThomas Leuluai is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Wigan Warriors in the Super League. His position is at half-back...
1 Steve Matai
Steve Matai
Stephen "Steve" Matai is a professional rugby league footballer for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles of the National Rugby League. He plays as a centre. He is a New Zealand international of Samoan Heritage...
was originally selected but withdrew due to injury. He was replaced by Krisnan Inu
Krisnan Inu
Krisnan Nevada Inu is a New Zealand professional rugby league player who currently plays for the New Zealand Warriors in the Australasian National Rugby League competition...
. Inu later withdrew for family reasons and was replaced by Bill Tupou
Bill Tupou
Bill Tupou is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays in the National Rugby League for the New Zealand Warriors.-Early years:...
.
2 Manu Vatuvei
Manu Vatuvei
Manu Vatuvei is a New Zealand rugby league player for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League competition. His position of choice is on the wing. He is the cousin of Japanese Rugby Union player Ruatangi Vatuvei. Vatuvei was a member of the New Zealand Kiwis squad that won the 2008...
was originally selected but withdrew due to injury. He was replaced by Kalifa Faifai Loa.
3 Shaun Johnson
Shaun Johnson
Shaun Johnson is a New Zealand rugby league player who currently plays for the New Zealand Warriors.NRL commentator Phil Gould has described him as the "New Benji Marshall".-Early years:...
was originally selected but withdrew due to injury. He was replaced by Elijah Taylor
Elijah Taylor
Elijah Taylor is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays in the National Rugby League for the New Zealand Warriors.-Early years:...
.
Wales
The Welsh training squad was named on 14 September.- Coach: Wales Iestyn HarrisIestyn HarrisIestyn Rhys Harris is a Welsh former rugby league footballer, who is currently the assistant coach at Wigan Warriors. Harris is a former Man of Steel winner and has also represented Wales on numerous occasions at both codes of rugby...
Club Team Players Kingdom of England BradfordBradford BullsBradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. They play in the European Super League and are currently joint 10th in the league....
Craig Kopczak Craig KopczakCraig Kopczak is a rugby league player who currently plays for Bradford Bulls and the Wales national rugby league team.Craig made has made steady progress at the Grattan Stadium... Australia Burleigh BearsBurleigh BearsThe Burleigh Heads Rugby League Football Club are one of the oldest rugby league football clubs on the Gold Coast, Australia. Originally formed in 1934 playing out of Rudd Park, the club relocated to Pizzey Park in 1971, their current home ground....
Mark Lennon Mark LennonMark Lennon , is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Burleigh Bears of the Queensland Cup... Australia Central CometsCentral CometsCentral Queensland Capras are an semi-professional rugby league football club based in Rockhampton, Queensland. They currently play in the Queensland Cup, the premier rugby league competition in Queensland....
Chris Beasley Chris Beasley (rugby league)Chris Beasley is a Wales international rugby league player for Central Comets in the QLD Cup. and previously the Crusaders in the Super League. He has also previously played for RC Saint-Gaudens in France and the Sydney Roosters and Balmain Tigers in Australia. His normal position is second row...
, Ian WebsterIan WebsterIan Webster is a Wales international rugby league player for the Central Comets in Australia's Queensland Cup competition.Ian Webster's position of choice is as a hooker or scrum-half.... Australia Cronulla SharksCronulla SharksThe Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks are Australian professional Rugby league team based in Cronulla, in the Sutherland Shire, Southern Sydney, New South Wales...
Tyson Frizell Tyson FrizellTyson Frizell is an Australian rugby league player for the Cronulla Sharks in the National Rugby League. He has Welsh and Tongan background, and was called up to the Wales team for the 2011 Four Nations.-External links:*[Tyson Frizell- Cronulla Sharks]... Wales Crusaders RL Andy Bracek Andy BracekAndy Bracek born 21 March 1987 in Leigh, Greater Manchester, England is a Welsh rugby league footballer for Crusaders who at representative level has played for Wales, and at club level for St. Helens, and Warrington Wolves in Super League, and Barrow Raiders in the Championship, playing at .Bracek...
, Gil DudsonGil DudsonGil Dudson is a Wales international rugby league player for the Wigan Warriors in the Super League having signed for Wigan for the 2012 season. He plays in the second-row.-International honours:...
, Ben FlowerBen FlowerBen Flower is a Wales international rugby league player for Wigan Warriors and the Wales national rugby league team. He previously played for Crusaders. He plays in the second-row....
, Jordan JamesJordan JamesJordan James is a Welsh rugby league player for the Salford City Reds of Super League, he has previously played for Crusaders Rugby League, South Wales Scorpions, Swinton Lions, Widnes Vikings, Castleford Tigers Sheffield Eagles and Wigan Warriors, he has spent time with the marines in Iraq and...
, Elliot KearElliot KearElliot Kear is a Wales international rugby league footballer with the Bradford Bulls . His usual position is full back but can also play on the wing...
, Peter LuptonPeter LuptonPeter Lupton in Whitehaven, Cumbria, England is a rugby league player for the Crusaders in the Super League competition.Whilst his position of choice is as at /, he can also play in a number of other positions...
, Lloyd WhiteLloyd White (rugby league)Lloyd White is a Welsh international rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Widnes Vikings in Super League. He has previously played for Crusaders RL and spent time playing for South Wales Scorpions...
, Lee WilliamsLee Williams (rugby league)Lee Williams is a Wales international rugby league player currently playing for the South Wales Scorpions in the Championship One. He previously played for the Crusaders in the European Super League... Kingdom of England Featherstone RoversFeatherstone RoversFeatherstone Rovers are a semi-professional rugby league club, based in Featherstone, West Yorkshire, England. They currently play in the Championship. The Rovers are one of the last vestiges of "small town teams" that were once common in rugby league during the early twentieth century...
Ross Divorty Ross DivortyRoss Divorty is an international rugby league footballer, who is a Welsh international, and plays domestically at semi-professional level for Featherstone Rovers in the Co-operative Championship. His position of preference is in the second-row. He earned his most recent Wales caps playing in the... Kingdom of England HalifaxHalifax RLFCHalifax RLFC is one of the most historic rugby league clubs in the game, formed over a century ago, in 1873 in the Yorkshire town of Halifax. Known as 'Fax', the official club colours are blue and white hoops, blue shorts and blue socks . They share The Shay stadium with football club FC Halifax Town...
Danny Jones Danny Jones (rugby league)Danny Jones is a professional rugby league footballer who at representative level has played for Wales, and at club level for Halifax, and Keighley Cougars, playing at /, or /.-International honours:... Australia Mackay CuttersMackay CuttersThe Mackay Cutters RLFC are a semi-professional rugby league football club founded in 2007 based in Mackay, Queensland. They, along with the Northern Pride, will be one of two expansion teams for the 2008 season of the Queensland Cup. Their home ground will be at the Mackay & District Junior Rugby...
Neil Budworth Neil BudworthNeil Budworth is a Wales international rugby league footballer who currently plays for Mackay Cutters. He previously played for London Broncos/Harlequins RL in the Super League competition and was one of their longest serving players, and Crusaders in National League One and Super League, as a... Wales South Wales ScorpionsSouth Wales ScorpionsSouth Wales Scorpions Rugby League Football Club is a professional rugby league club formed in 2009, based in Neath, Wales. They are owned by a consortium of South Wales businessmen, led by Phil Davies...
Andrew Gay Andrew GayAndrew Gay is a rugby league player for Wales, an South Wales Scorpions in the Championship One. His position is at .- External links :**...
, Aled JamesAled JamesAled James is rugby league player-coach for the South Wales Scorpions in the Championship 1. He previously played for the Crusaders in the European Super League...
, Christiaan RoetsChristiaan RoetsChristiaan Roets is a Welsh international rugby league player currently playing for the South Wales Scorpions in the Championship One. He previously played for the Bridgend Blue Bulls in the Welsh rugby league competition... Kingdom of England SwintonSwinton LionsSwinton Lions is an English professional rugby league club from Swinton, Greater Manchester. The club has won the Championship six times and three Challenge Cups. They currently play in the Championship.-Early years:...
Ian Watson Ian Watson (rugby league)Ian Watson is a Welsh former rugby league footballer who played at /, or . He is currently assistant coach for Swinton in the Championship... Kingdom of England WarringtonWarrington WolvesWarrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
Lee Briers Lee BriersLee Briers is a professional rugby league player who currently plays for Warrington Wolves in the Super League. He previously played for St Helens, and at international level he won 23 caps for Wales, many of those as captain...
, Rhys WilliamsRhys Williams (rugby league)Rhys Williams is a Welsh international rugby league player who currently plays for Warrington Wolves in the Super League. He previously played rugby union for Mold RFC, and Llanelli Scarlets... Australia Wynnum Manly Seagulls Matt Seamark Matt SeamarkMatt Seamark is a rugby league player who represented Wales in the 2011 Four Nations.-Playing career:Seamark was born in Townsville, Australia and plays for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the Queensland Cup. The Seagulls won the Cup in 2011....
- Gareth ThomasGareth Thomas (rugby player)Gareth Thomas , known as Alfie, is a retired Welsh professional rugby footballer who played rugby league for the Crusaders RL in the Super League. He also previously played rugby union for the Cardiff Blues and as a fullback, wing or centre.On 26 May 2007, Thomas surpassed Gareth Llewellyn as the...
was originally selected in the squad, but retired with immediate effect in the week leading up to the tournament.
Australia vs New Zealand
AustraliaAustralian national rugby league team
The Australian national rugby league team have represented Australia in senior men's rugby league football competition since the establishment of the game in Australia in 1908. Administered by the Australian Rugby League, the Kangaroos' are ranked number one in the RLIF World Rankings...
and New Zealand
New Zealand national rugby league team
The New Zealand national rugby league team has represented New Zealand in rugby league football since intercontinental competition began for the sport in 1907. Administered by the New Zealand Rugby League, they are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of that name...
opened the tournament in Warrington
Warrington
Warrington is a town, borough and unitary authority area of Cheshire, England. It stands on the banks of the River Mersey, which is tidal to the west of the weir at Howley. It lies 16 miles east of Liverpool, 19 miles west of Manchester and 8 miles south of St Helens...
, less than two weeks after Australia defeated New Zealand in a warm-up Test in Newcastle, Australia, 42–6. Australia fielded the same line-up. Australia's usual left-side centre, Greg Inglis
Greg Inglis
Greg Inglis is an Australian professional rugby league player for the South Sydney Rabbitohs. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative outside back, Inglis joined the Rabbitohs in 2011 after much controversy.Inglis is a versatile back, having played in several...
, had been named on an extended bench but failed to make the final squad for the match, due to suffering from a knee injury. New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney
Stephen Kearney
Stephen Peter Kearney, ONZM is a professional rugby league football coach and former player. He is the current head coach of the Parramatta Eels in the NRL as well as the New Zealand national team...
brought Ben Matulino
Ben Matulino
Benedict Andrew Matulino is a rugby league player who has represented his country. He currently plays for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League...
and Sika Manu
Sika Manu
Sika Manu is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Melbourne Storm in the NRL. He was a member of the World Cup winning New Zealand team who beat Australia in the 2008 World Cup Final...
into his starting line-up, replacing the suspended Russell Packer
Russell Packer
Russell Packer is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer for the New Zealand Warriors of the National Rugby League competition...
and Alex Glenn
Alex Glenn
Alex Glenn is a professional rugby league footballer who plays for Brisbane Broncos in the NRL.-Playing career:...
, who returned to the bench.
Australia dominated the first half of the match, taking a 16–0 lead. Prop Matthew Scott
Matthew Scott
Matthew Scott is an Australian professional rugby league footballer and current co-captain for the North Queensland Cowboys of the National Rugby League...
scored the opening try, his first in international rugby league, barging over the try line from close range. Substitute forward Tony Williams
Tony Williams (rugby league)
Tony Williams is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles of the National Rugby League...
scored Australia's second try, also his first for the Kangaroos, before an exchange of passes between him and Johnathan Thurston
Johnathan Thurston
Johnathan Dean Thurston is an Indigenous Australian professional rugby league footballer in the NRL with the North Queensland Cowboys whom he co-captains...
set Thurston up for Australia's third. After half-time, New Zealand pulled their way back into the match with tries to Jason Nightingale
Jason Nightingale
Jason Nightingale is a professional rugby league footballer for the St. George Illawarra Dragons of the Australian National Rugby League...
and Kalifa Faifai Loa but Australia secured victory with late tries to Darius Boyd
Darius Boyd
Darius Boyd is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the Newcastle Knights in the NRL. Boyd plays at fullback, however he is also very capable as a three-quarter back, as proven by his selection for Australia and Queensland as a winger...
and Akuila Uate
Akuila Uate
Akuila Uate ' is a professional rugby league footballer for the Newcastle Knights of the National Rugby League...
.
Teams
AUSTRALIA: 1. Billy Slater
Billy Slater
Billy Slater is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League . An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative fullback, he has played his whole NRL career to date at Melbourne...
2. Akuila Uate
Akuila Uate
Akuila Uate ' is a professional rugby league footballer for the Newcastle Knights of the National Rugby League...
3. Willie Tonga
Willie Tonga
Willie Tonga is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the North Queensland Cowboys of the NRL...
4. Chris Lawrence
Chris Lawrence (rugby league)
Chris Lawrence is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Wests Tigers of the National Rugby League...
5. Darius Boyd
Darius Boyd
Darius Boyd is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the Newcastle Knights in the NRL. Boyd plays at fullback, however he is also very capable as a three-quarter back, as proven by his selection for Australia and Queensland as a winger...
6. Darren Lockyer
Darren Lockyer
Darren Lockyer is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer. He was the captain of the Australian national team, the Queensland State of Origin team and his National Rugby League club, the Brisbane Broncos. His professional career spanned between 1995 and 2011...
(c) 7. Johnathan Thurston
Johnathan Thurston
Johnathan Dean Thurston is an Indigenous Australian professional rugby league footballer in the NRL with the North Queensland Cowboys whom he co-captains...
8. Paul Gallen
Paul Gallen
Paul Gallen is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks of the National Rugby League. Gallen's position of choice is lock and occasionally at Prop. He is an Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative...
9. Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently captains the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League...
10. Matthew Scott
Matthew Scott
Matthew Scott is an Australian professional rugby league footballer and current co-captain for the North Queensland Cowboys of the National Rugby League...
11. Luke Lewis
Luke Lewis
Luke Lewis is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative utility player, he has spent his entire professional career with the Panthers,...
12. Sam Thaiday
Sam Thaiday
Samuel H. "Sam" Thaiday is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who captains the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League. An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative forward, he has spent all of his career at the Broncos, with whom he won the 2006...
13. Anthony Watmough
Anthony Watmough
Anthony Watmough is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles club of the National Rugby League...
14. Cooper Cronk
Cooper Cronk
Cooper Patrick Cronk is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the Melbourne Storm of the NRL...
15. Keith Galloway
Keith Galloway
Keith Galloway is an Australian professional rugby league player for the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League competition. He previously played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks...
16. David Shillington
David Shillington
David Shillington is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Canberra Raiders of the National Rugby League...
17. Tony Williams
Tony Williams (rugby league)
Tony Williams is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles of the National Rugby League...
NEW ZEALAND: 1. Kevin Locke
Kevin Locke (rugby league)
Kevin Samuel Locke is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer for the New Zealand Warriors of the National Rugby League. His usual position is at fullback.-Playing career:...
2. Kalifa Faifai Loa 3. Lewis Brown
Lewis Brown (rugby league)
Lewis Brown is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays in the National Rugby League for the New Zealand Warriors. His position of preference is in the second row, where he plays for the Warriors whilst occasionally playing in the centres...
4. Gerard Beale
Gerard Beale
Gerard Beale is a professional rugby league footballer currently playing for Brisbane Broncos in the Telstra Premiership. He is a utility back by preference; in that he can play at full-back, wing or centre.-Playing career:...
5. Jason Nightingale
Jason Nightingale
Jason Nightingale is a professional rugby league footballer for the St. George Illawarra Dragons of the Australian National Rugby League...
6. Benji Marshall
Benji Marshall
Benji Marshall is a professional rugby league footballer with the Wests Tigers of the National Rugby League . A goal-kicking five-eighth, he is the current captain of the New Zealand national team, with whom he won the 2008 World Cup and 2010 Four Nations tournaments...
(c) 7. Kieran Foran
Kieran Foran
Kieran Foran is a New Zealand rugby league player who has represented his country. He currently plays for the Manly Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League. He plays as a five-eighth or half-back though he can also play centre...
8. Ben Matulino
Ben Matulino
Benedict Andrew Matulino is a rugby league player who has represented his country. He currently plays for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League...
9. Issac Luke
Issac Luke
Issac Luke is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer for the South Sydney Rabbitohs of the National Rugby League. His position of choice is either hooker or in the halves. His first-grade debut was for the South Sydney Rabbitohs against the Melbourne Storm at Olympic Park in round 12...
10. Sam McKendry
Sam McKendry
Sam McKendry is a professional rugby league player who currently plays for the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League. He plays as a prop and is a New Zealand international.-Early years:...
11. Sika Manu
Sika Manu
Sika Manu is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Melbourne Storm in the NRL. He was a member of the World Cup winning New Zealand team who beat Australia in the 2008 World Cup Final...
12. Simon Mannering
Simon Mannering
Simon Alexander Mannering is a New Zealand professional rugby league player who currently plays for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League competition...
13. Jeremy Smith 14. Thomas Leuluai
Thomas Leuluai
Thomas Leuluai is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Wigan Warriors in the Super League. His position is at half-back...
15. Fuifui Moimoi
Fuifui Moimoi
Fuifui Moana Moimoi is a New Zealand-Tongan professional rugby league footballer for the Parramatta Eels in the National Rugby League competition.-Playing career:...
16. Alex Glenn
Alex Glenn
Alex Glenn is a professional rugby league footballer who plays for Brisbane Broncos in the NRL.-Playing career:...
17. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is a rugby league player currently with the Sydney Roosters in the NRL. He plays in the second-row.-Early years:Waerea-Hargreaves first made a name for himself playing schoolboy rugby union at Iona College in Queensland, through some impressive performances in the AIC...
England vs Wales
EnglandEngland national rugby league team
The England national rugby league team represent England in international rugby league football tournaments. The team has now seen a revival, having largely formed from the Great Britain team, who also represented Wales, Scotland and Ireland. The team is run under the auspices of the Rugby Football...
and Wales
Wales national rugby league team
The Wales national rugby league team represent Wales in international rugby league football matches. Currently the team is seventh in the RLIF World Rankings. The team were run under the auspices of the Rugby Football League, but an independent body, Wales Rugby League, now runs the team from...
opened their tournament campaigns in a match in Leigh
Leigh, Greater Manchester
Leigh is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, in Greater Manchester, England. It is southeast of Wigan, and west of Manchester. Leigh is situated on low lying land to the north west of Chat Moss....
, the day after the match between Australia and New Zealand. Wales entered the tournament as underdogs, naming eight semi-professional players in their 17-man squad. As expected, England dominated the match, winning 42–4 and scoring eight tries to one. England fullback Sam Tomkins
Sam Tomkins
A pre-season unofficial friendly match provided Tomkins his first experience against top-flight opposition as he came off the bench during Lee Briers' testimonial match in a 30–22 loss to Warrington Wolves. Noble followed this up by providing Tomkins, aged 19, with his first team debut on 12 May...
scored four tries, including one in the opening minute of the match, although England's coach Steve McNamara
Steve McNamara
Steve McNamara is an English professional rugby league football coach and former player. He is currently coach of the England national team.-International honours:...
singled out stand-off Kevin Sinfield
Kevin Sinfield
Kevin Sinfield is an English professional rugby league player. He is the captain of the Leeds Rhinos in Super League. His recognised position is /, although he can cover both /, and . He has represented both England and Great Britain at international level.-Career:Sinfield began his career at...
for his creative performance.
Teams
ENGLAND: 1. Sam Tomkins
Sam Tomkins
A pre-season unofficial friendly match provided Tomkins his first experience against top-flight opposition as he came off the bench during Lee Briers' testimonial match in a 30–22 loss to Warrington Wolves. Noble followed this up by providing Tomkins, aged 19, with his first team debut on 12 May...
2. Ryan Hall
Ryan Hall (rugby league)
Ryan Hall is an English professional Rugby League Winger for the Leeds in Super League. He has played his entire professional career to date with Leeds, winning the 2008, 2009 &2011 Super League Championships with them.-Club career:...
3. Jack Reed
Jack Reed (rugby league)
Jack Reed is an English rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos of the NRL. After playing in the Queensland Cup for the Norths Devils, he made his debut in Round 1 of the 2011 NRL season against the North Queensland Cowboys...
4. Kirk Yeaman
Kirk Yeaman
Kirk Yeaman is an English professional rugby league footballer for Hull FC of Super League. An England international representative centre three-quarter back, he also previously played for the Great Britain national rugby league team....
5. Tom Briscoe
Tom Briscoe
Tom Briscoe is an English professional rugby league footballer for Hull of Super League. An England international representative three-quarter, he has played his whole professional career to date with Hull....
6. Kevin Sinfield
Kevin Sinfield
Kevin Sinfield is an English professional rugby league player. He is the captain of the Leeds Rhinos in Super League. His recognised position is /, although he can cover both /, and . He has represented both England and Great Britain at international level.-Career:Sinfield began his career at...
7. Rangi Chase
Rangi Chase
Rangi Chase is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays in the Super League competition for the Castleford Tigers. He attended famous Maori school Te Aute College in 1999 before moving to Australia where he attended Keebra Park State High School...
8. James Graham
James Graham (rugby league)
James Graham is a rugby league player for St. Helens of Super League. A Great Britain and England international representative front row forward, he has played his entire professional career to date at St...
9. James Roby
James Roby
James Roby is an English professional rugby league footballer for St. Helens of Super League. A Great Britain and England international representative hooker, he has played his entire professional career to date at St Helens, winning the 2006 Super League XI Championship with them.-Career:Roby...
10. Jamie Peacock
Jamie Peacock
James "Jamie" Peacock is an English professional rugby league footballer for the Leeds Rhinos of the European Super League...
(c) 11. Gareth Ellis
Gareth Ellis
Gareth Ellis is an English professional rugby league footballer for the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League . He has represented at international level for Great Britain and England and primarily plays in the back row...
12. Ben Westwood
Ben Westwood
Ben Westwood is an English professional rugby league footballer for the Warrington Wolves of Europe's Super League. An England international representative forward, he previously played for the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats before moving to Warrington in 2002 and winning the 2009 Challenge Cup with...
13. Chris Heighington
Chris Heighington
Chris Heighington is an Australian born England international rugby league footballer for the Wests Tigers of the National Rugby League . A Country NSW representative lock forward, he has also been selected to represent England at international level...
14. Gareth Widdop
Gareth Widdop
Gareth Widdop is an English professional rugby league footballer currently playing for Australian club Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League...
15. Adrian Morley
Adrian Morley
Adrian Morley is an English professional rugby league footballer for the Warrington Wolves of Europe's Super League...
16. Jamie Jones-Buchanan
Jamie Jones-Buchanan
Jamie Jones-Buchanan is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays for Leeds of Super League. An England international representative second-rower, he has played his entire professional career to date with Leeds and has won four Super League championships with the club.His Leeds...
17. Jon Wilkin
WALES: 1. Danny Jones
Danny Jones (rugby league)
Danny Jones is a professional rugby league footballer who at representative level has played for Wales, and at club level for Halifax, and Keighley Cougars, playing at /, or /.-International honours:...
2. Elliot Kear
Elliot Kear
Elliot Kear is a Wales international rugby league footballer with the Bradford Bulls . His usual position is full back but can also play on the wing...
3. Ian Webster
Ian Webster
Ian Webster is a Wales international rugby league player for the Central Comets in Australia's Queensland Cup competition.Ian Webster's position of choice is as a hooker or scrum-half....
4. Christiaan Roets
Christiaan Roets
Christiaan Roets is a Welsh international rugby league player currently playing for the South Wales Scorpions in the Championship One. He previously played for the Bridgend Blue Bulls in the Welsh rugby league competition...
5. Rhys Williams
Rhys Williams (rugby league)
Rhys Williams is a Welsh international rugby league player who currently plays for Warrington Wolves in the Super League. He previously played rugby union for Mold RFC, and Llanelli Scarlets...
6. Lee Briers
Lee Briers
Lee Briers is a professional rugby league player who currently plays for Warrington Wolves in the Super League. He previously played for St Helens, and at international level he won 23 caps for Wales, many of those as captain...
(c) 7. Matt Seamark
Matt Seamark
Matt Seamark is a rugby league player who represented Wales in the 2011 Four Nations.-Playing career:Seamark was born in Townsville, Australia and plays for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the Queensland Cup. The Seagulls won the Cup in 2011....
8. Jordan James
Jordan James
Jordan James is a Welsh rugby league player for the Salford City Reds of Super League, he has previously played for Crusaders Rugby League, South Wales Scorpions, Swinton Lions, Widnes Vikings, Castleford Tigers Sheffield Eagles and Wigan Warriors, he has spent time with the marines in Iraq and...
9. Neil Budworth
Neil Budworth
Neil Budworth is a Wales international rugby league footballer who currently plays for Mackay Cutters. He previously played for London Broncos/Harlequins RL in the Super League competition and was one of their longest serving players, and Crusaders in National League One and Super League, as a...
10. Gil Dudson
Gil Dudson
Gil Dudson is a Wales international rugby league player for the Wigan Warriors in the Super League having signed for Wigan for the 2012 season. He plays in the second-row.-International honours:...
11. Tyson Frizell
Tyson Frizell
Tyson Frizell is an Australian rugby league player for the Cronulla Sharks in the National Rugby League. He has Welsh and Tongan background, and was called up to the Wales team for the 2011 Four Nations.-External links:*[Tyson Frizell- Cronulla Sharks]...
12. Andy Bracek
Andy Bracek
Andy Bracek born 21 March 1987 in Leigh, Greater Manchester, England is a Welsh rugby league footballer for Crusaders who at representative level has played for Wales, and at club level for St. Helens, and Warrington Wolves in Super League, and Barrow Raiders in the Championship, playing at .Bracek...
13. Ben Flower
Ben Flower
Ben Flower is a Wales international rugby league player for Wigan Warriors and the Wales national rugby league team. He previously played for Crusaders. He plays in the second-row....
14. Ian Watson
Ian Watson (rugby league)
Ian Watson is a Welsh former rugby league footballer who played at /, or . He is currently assistant coach for Swinton in the Championship...
15. Ross Divorty
Ross Divorty
Ross Divorty is an international rugby league footballer, who is a Welsh international, and plays domestically at semi-professional level for Featherstone Rovers in the Co-operative Championship. His position of preference is in the second-row. He earned his most recent Wales caps playing in the...
16. Aled James
Aled James
Aled James is rugby league player-coach for the South Wales Scorpions in the Championship 1. He previously played for the Crusaders in the European Super League...
17. Craig Kopczak
Craig Kopczak
Craig Kopczak is a rugby league player who currently plays for Bradford Bulls and the Wales national rugby league team.Craig made has made steady progress at the Grattan Stadium...
Round two
This round consisted of a double header at Wembley StadiumWembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
, featuring England vs Australia and Wales vs New Zealand. The two matches would be the first internationals played at Wembley since 1997, thus making the matches the first Tests held at the reconstructed stadium.
Wales vs New Zealand
New Zealand made a series of changes to their side following their defeat by Australia in the tournament's opening match. After receiving criticism in the media for a "cannonball tackle" (where the tackler deliberately throws his body into the legs of a standing ball-player) in that match, Issac LukeIssac Luke
Issac Luke is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer for the South Sydney Rabbitohs of the National Rugby League. His position of choice is either hooker or in the halves. His first-grade debut was for the South Sydney Rabbitohs against the Melbourne Storm at Olympic Park in round 12...
was removed from the team and replaced as the starting hooker by Thomas Leuluai
Thomas Leuluai
Thomas Leuluai is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Wigan Warriors in the Super League. His position is at half-back...
. Adam Blair
Adam Blair
Adam Blair is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer currently contracted to the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League until 1 November 2011, when he will join the Wests Tigers. A New Zealand international representative forward, Blair spent six seasons with the Storm, winning...
returned to the starting line-up having served a five-match suspension arising from the National Rugby League
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
season, while 21-year-old Elijah Taylor
Elijah Taylor
Elijah Taylor is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays in the National Rugby League for the New Zealand Warriors.-Early years:...
was selected to make his international debut from the substitute's bench.
Reflecting on the comparative experience of the Wales side, The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
commented after the match that "[t]here was never any doubt that New Zealand would win". The Kiwis won 36–0, scoring seven tries. Wales' coach Iestyn Harris
Iestyn Harris
Iestyn Rhys Harris is a Welsh former rugby league footballer, who is currently the assistant coach at Wigan Warriors. Harris is a former Man of Steel winner and has also represented Wales on numerous occasions at both codes of rugby...
praised his side for their "physical" performance and said that he did not believe the score "reflected the difference between the two sides".
Teams
WALES: 1. Danny Jones
Danny Jones (rugby league)
Danny Jones is a professional rugby league footballer who at representative level has played for Wales, and at club level for Halifax, and Keighley Cougars, playing at /, or /.-International honours:...
2. Elliot Kear
Elliot Kear
Elliot Kear is a Wales international rugby league footballer with the Bradford Bulls . His usual position is full back but can also play on the wing...
3. Ian Webster
Ian Webster
Ian Webster is a Wales international rugby league player for the Central Comets in Australia's Queensland Cup competition.Ian Webster's position of choice is as a hooker or scrum-half....
4. Christiaan Roets
Christiaan Roets
Christiaan Roets is a Welsh international rugby league player currently playing for the South Wales Scorpions in the Championship One. He previously played for the Bridgend Blue Bulls in the Welsh rugby league competition...
5. Rhys Williams
Rhys Williams (rugby league)
Rhys Williams is a Welsh international rugby league player who currently plays for Warrington Wolves in the Super League. He previously played rugby union for Mold RFC, and Llanelli Scarlets...
6. Lee Briers
Lee Briers
Lee Briers is a professional rugby league player who currently plays for Warrington Wolves in the Super League. He previously played for St Helens, and at international level he won 23 caps for Wales, many of those as captain...
(c) 7. Lloyd White
Lloyd White
For the rugby league player see Lloyd White Lloyd White , full name George David Lloyd White, was a New Zealand diplomat and public servant who retired in 1978 as deputy head of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.He joined the department in 1945 with a MA degree, and went onto...
8. Jordan James
Jordan James
Jordan James is a Welsh rugby league player for the Salford City Reds of Super League, he has previously played for Crusaders Rugby League, South Wales Scorpions, Swinton Lions, Widnes Vikings, Castleford Tigers Sheffield Eagles and Wigan Warriors, he has spent time with the marines in Iraq and...
9. Neil Budworth
Neil Budworth
Neil Budworth is a Wales international rugby league footballer who currently plays for Mackay Cutters. He previously played for London Broncos/Harlequins RL in the Super League competition and was one of their longest serving players, and Crusaders in National League One and Super League, as a...
10. Gil Dudson
Gil Dudson
Gil Dudson is a Wales international rugby league player for the Wigan Warriors in the Super League having signed for Wigan for the 2012 season. He plays in the second-row.-International honours:...
11. Tyson Frizell
Tyson Frizell
Tyson Frizell is an Australian rugby league player for the Cronulla Sharks in the National Rugby League. He has Welsh and Tongan background, and was called up to the Wales team for the 2011 Four Nations.-External links:*[Tyson Frizell- Cronulla Sharks]...
12. Chris Beasley
Chris Beasley (rugby league)
Chris Beasley is a Wales international rugby league player for Central Comets in the QLD Cup. and previously the Crusaders in the Super League. He has also previously played for RC Saint-Gaudens in France and the Sydney Roosters and Balmain Tigers in Australia. His normal position is second row...
13. Ben Flower
Ben Flower
Ben Flower is a Wales international rugby league player for Wigan Warriors and the Wales national rugby league team. He previously played for Crusaders. He plays in the second-row....
14. Ian Watson
Ian Watson (rugby league)
Ian Watson is a Welsh former rugby league footballer who played at /, or . He is currently assistant coach for Swinton in the Championship...
15. Andy Bracek
Andy Bracek
Andy Bracek born 21 March 1987 in Leigh, Greater Manchester, England is a Welsh rugby league footballer for Crusaders who at representative level has played for Wales, and at club level for St. Helens, and Warrington Wolves in Super League, and Barrow Raiders in the Championship, playing at .Bracek...
16. Ross Divorty
Ross Divorty
Ross Divorty is an international rugby league footballer, who is a Welsh international, and plays domestically at semi-professional level for Featherstone Rovers in the Co-operative Championship. His position of preference is in the second-row. He earned his most recent Wales caps playing in the...
17. Craig Kopczak
Craig Kopczak
Craig Kopczak is a rugby league player who currently plays for Bradford Bulls and the Wales national rugby league team.Craig made has made steady progress at the Grattan Stadium...
NEW ZEALAND: 1. Kevin Locke
Kevin Locke (rugby league)
Kevin Samuel Locke is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer for the New Zealand Warriors of the National Rugby League. His usual position is at fullback.-Playing career:...
2. Gerard Beale
Gerard Beale
Gerard Beale is a professional rugby league footballer currently playing for Brisbane Broncos in the Telstra Premiership. He is a utility back by preference; in that he can play at full-back, wing or centre.-Playing career:...
3. Lewis Brown
Lewis Brown (rugby league)
Lewis Brown is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays in the National Rugby League for the New Zealand Warriors. His position of preference is in the second row, where he plays for the Warriors whilst occasionally playing in the centres...
4. Alex Glenn
Alex Glenn
Alex Glenn is a professional rugby league footballer who plays for Brisbane Broncos in the NRL.-Playing career:...
5. Jason Nightingale
Jason Nightingale
Jason Nightingale is a professional rugby league footballer for the St. George Illawarra Dragons of the Australian National Rugby League...
6. Benji Marshall
Benji Marshall
Benji Marshall is a professional rugby league footballer with the Wests Tigers of the National Rugby League . A goal-kicking five-eighth, he is the current captain of the New Zealand national team, with whom he won the 2008 World Cup and 2010 Four Nations tournaments...
(c) 7. Kieran Foran
Kieran Foran
Kieran Foran is a New Zealand rugby league player who has represented his country. He currently plays for the Manly Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League. He plays as a five-eighth or half-back though he can also play centre...
8. Sam McKendry
Sam McKendry
Sam McKendry is a professional rugby league player who currently plays for the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League. He plays as a prop and is a New Zealand international.-Early years:...
9. Thomas Leuluai
Thomas Leuluai
Thomas Leuluai is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Wigan Warriors in the Super League. His position is at half-back...
10. Ben Matulino
Ben Matulino
Benedict Andrew Matulino is a rugby league player who has represented his country. He currently plays for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League...
11. Sika Manu
Sika Manu
Sika Manu is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Melbourne Storm in the NRL. He was a member of the World Cup winning New Zealand team who beat Australia in the 2008 World Cup Final...
12. Adam Blair
Adam Blair
Adam Blair is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer currently contracted to the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League until 1 November 2011, when he will join the Wests Tigers. A New Zealand international representative forward, Blair spent six seasons with the Storm, winning...
13. Jeremy Smith 14. Nathan Fien 15. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is a rugby league player currently with the Sydney Roosters in the NRL. He plays in the second-row.-Early years:Waerea-Hargreaves first made a name for himself playing schoolboy rugby union at Iona College in Queensland, through some impressive performances in the AIC...
16. Fuifui Moimoi
Fuifui Moimoi
Fuifui Moana Moimoi is a New Zealand-Tongan professional rugby league footballer for the Parramatta Eels in the National Rugby League competition.-Playing career:...
17. Elijah Taylor
Elijah Taylor
Elijah Taylor is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays in the National Rugby League for the New Zealand Warriors.-Early years:...
England vs Australia
England's coach Steve McNamaraSteve McNamara
Steve McNamara is an English professional rugby league football coach and former player. He is currently coach of the England national team.-International honours:...
made no changes to the team that defeated Wales in the opening round of the tournament. Centre Willie Tonga
Willie Tonga
Willie Tonga is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the North Queensland Cowboys of the NRL...
was ruled out of the Australian team with injury; he was replaced by Greg Inglis
Greg Inglis
Greg Inglis is an Australian professional rugby league player for the South Sydney Rabbitohs. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative outside back, Inglis joined the Rabbitohs in 2011 after much controversy.Inglis is a versatile back, having played in several...
, who returned to fitness following surgery to his knee at the end of the National Rugby League
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
season.
England winger Ryan Hall
Ryan Hall (rugby league)
Ryan Hall is an English professional Rugby League Winger for the Leeds in Super League. He has played his entire professional career to date with Leeds, winning the 2008, 2009 &2011 Super League Championships with them.-Club career:...
scored the match's opening try. For Australia, the try cost more than four points: fullback Billy Slater
Billy Slater
Billy Slater is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League . An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative fullback, he has played his whole NRL career to date at Melbourne...
broke his collarbone trying to shoulder-charge Hall as he dived over the line, ruling him out of the rest of the tournament just days after he was named the Rugby League International Federation
Rugby League International Federation
The Rugby League International Federation is the world governing body of rugby league football. It was formed in 1998 in Sydney, Australia. Its purpose is to, "foster, develop, extend, govern and administer the game of Rugby League throughout the world". Its headquarters are in Sydney, Australia,...
's player of the year. Australia quickly took the lead with a converted try to makeshift winger Luke Lewis
Luke Lewis
Luke Lewis is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative utility player, he has spent his entire professional career with the Panthers,...
, and took an eight point lead when substitute forward Tony Williams
Tony Williams (rugby league)
Tony Williams is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles of the National Rugby League...
barged over the try line. A second try to Hall just before half-time ensured England went into the break only four points behind. However, tries to Greg Inglis
Greg Inglis
Greg Inglis is an Australian professional rugby league player for the South Sydney Rabbitohs. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative outside back, Inglis joined the Rabbitohs in 2011 after much controversy.Inglis is a versatile back, having played in several...
and Paul Gallen
Paul Gallen
Paul Gallen is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks of the National Rugby League. Gallen's position of choice is lock and occasionally at Prop. He is an Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative...
extended Australia's lead early in the second half, and the Kangaroos won the match 36–20 to qualify for the tournament's final regardless of the outcome of their third round match against Wales.
Teams
ENGLAND: 1. Sam Tomkins
Sam Tomkins
A pre-season unofficial friendly match provided Tomkins his first experience against top-flight opposition as he came off the bench during Lee Briers' testimonial match in a 30–22 loss to Warrington Wolves. Noble followed this up by providing Tomkins, aged 19, with his first team debut on 12 May...
2. Ryan Hall
Ryan Hall (rugby league)
Ryan Hall is an English professional Rugby League Winger for the Leeds in Super League. He has played his entire professional career to date with Leeds, winning the 2008, 2009 &2011 Super League Championships with them.-Club career:...
3. Jack Reed
Jack Reed (rugby league)
Jack Reed is an English rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos of the NRL. After playing in the Queensland Cup for the Norths Devils, he made his debut in Round 1 of the 2011 NRL season against the North Queensland Cowboys...
4. Kirk Yeaman
Kirk Yeaman
Kirk Yeaman is an English professional rugby league footballer for Hull FC of Super League. An England international representative centre three-quarter back, he also previously played for the Great Britain national rugby league team....
5. Tom Briscoe
Tom Briscoe
Tom Briscoe is an English professional rugby league footballer for Hull of Super League. An England international representative three-quarter, he has played his whole professional career to date with Hull....
6. Kevin Sinfield
Kevin Sinfield
Kevin Sinfield is an English professional rugby league player. He is the captain of the Leeds Rhinos in Super League. His recognised position is /, although he can cover both /, and . He has represented both England and Great Britain at international level.-Career:Sinfield began his career at...
7. Rangi Chase
Rangi Chase
Rangi Chase is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays in the Super League competition for the Castleford Tigers. He attended famous Maori school Te Aute College in 1999 before moving to Australia where he attended Keebra Park State High School...
8. James Graham
James Graham (rugby league)
James Graham is a rugby league player for St. Helens of Super League. A Great Britain and England international representative front row forward, he has played his entire professional career to date at St...
9. James Roby
James Roby
James Roby is an English professional rugby league footballer for St. Helens of Super League. A Great Britain and England international representative hooker, he has played his entire professional career to date at St Helens, winning the 2006 Super League XI Championship with them.-Career:Roby...
10. Jamie Peacock
Jamie Peacock
James "Jamie" Peacock is an English professional rugby league footballer for the Leeds Rhinos of the European Super League...
(c) 11. Gareth Ellis
Gareth Ellis
Gareth Ellis is an English professional rugby league footballer for the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League . He has represented at international level for Great Britain and England and primarily plays in the back row...
12. Ben Westwood
Ben Westwood
Ben Westwood is an English professional rugby league footballer for the Warrington Wolves of Europe's Super League. An England international representative forward, he previously played for the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats before moving to Warrington in 2002 and winning the 2009 Challenge Cup with...
13. Chris Heighington
Chris Heighington
Chris Heighington is an Australian born England international rugby league footballer for the Wests Tigers of the National Rugby League . A Country NSW representative lock forward, he has also been selected to represent England at international level...
14. Gareth Widdop
Gareth Widdop
Gareth Widdop is an English professional rugby league footballer currently playing for Australian club Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League...
15. Adrian Morley
Adrian Morley
Adrian Morley is an English professional rugby league footballer for the Warrington Wolves of Europe's Super League...
16. Jamie Jones-Buchanan
Jamie Jones-Buchanan
Jamie Jones-Buchanan is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays for Leeds of Super League. An England international representative second-rower, he has played his entire professional career to date with Leeds and has won four Super League championships with the club.His Leeds...
17. Jon Wilkin
AUSTRALIA: 1. Billy Slater
Billy Slater
Billy Slater is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League . An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative fullback, he has played his whole NRL career to date at Melbourne...
2. Akuila Uate
Akuila Uate
Akuila Uate ' is a professional rugby league footballer for the Newcastle Knights of the National Rugby League...
3. Chris Lawrence
Chris Lawrence (rugby league)
Chris Lawrence is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Wests Tigers of the National Rugby League...
4. Greg Inglis
Greg Inglis
Greg Inglis is an Australian professional rugby league player for the South Sydney Rabbitohs. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative outside back, Inglis joined the Rabbitohs in 2011 after much controversy.Inglis is a versatile back, having played in several...
5. Darius Boyd
Darius Boyd
Darius Boyd is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the Newcastle Knights in the NRL. Boyd plays at fullback, however he is also very capable as a three-quarter back, as proven by his selection for Australia and Queensland as a winger...
6. Darren Lockyer
Darren Lockyer
Darren Lockyer is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer. He was the captain of the Australian national team, the Queensland State of Origin team and his National Rugby League club, the Brisbane Broncos. His professional career spanned between 1995 and 2011...
(c) 7. Johnathan Thurston
Johnathan Thurston
Johnathan Dean Thurston is an Indigenous Australian professional rugby league footballer in the NRL with the North Queensland Cowboys whom he co-captains...
8. Paul Gallen
Paul Gallen
Paul Gallen is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks of the National Rugby League. Gallen's position of choice is lock and occasionally at Prop. He is an Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative...
9. Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently captains the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League...
10. Matthew Scott
Matthew Scott
Matthew Scott is an Australian professional rugby league footballer and current co-captain for the North Queensland Cowboys of the National Rugby League...
11. Luke Lewis
Luke Lewis
Luke Lewis is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative utility player, he has spent his entire professional career with the Panthers,...
12. Sam Thaiday
Sam Thaiday
Samuel H. "Sam" Thaiday is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who captains the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League. An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative forward, he has spent all of his career at the Broncos, with whom he won the 2006...
13. Anthony Watmough
Anthony Watmough
Anthony Watmough is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles club of the National Rugby League...
14. Cooper Cronk
Cooper Cronk
Cooper Patrick Cronk is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the Melbourne Storm of the NRL...
15. Keith Galloway
Keith Galloway
Keith Galloway is an Australian professional rugby league player for the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League competition. He previously played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks...
16. David Shillington
David Shillington
David Shillington is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Canberra Raiders of the National Rugby League...
17. Tony Williams
Tony Williams (rugby league)
Tony Williams is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles of the National Rugby League...
England vs New Zealand
England and New Zealand clashed on 12 November in HullKingston upon Hull
Kingston upon Hull , usually referred to as Hull, is a city and unitary authority area in the ceremonial county of the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It stands on the River Hull at its junction with the Humber estuary, 25 miles inland from the North Sea. Hull has a resident population of...
to determine who would qualify for the tournament's final against Australia. England half-back Rangi Chase
Rangi Chase
Rangi Chase is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays in the Super League competition for the Castleford Tigers. He attended famous Maori school Te Aute College in 1999 before moving to Australia where he attended Keebra Park State High School...
played against the country of his birth for the first time, and alleged after the match that he was subjected to verbal abuse by New Zealand players over his decision to represent England.
England dominated the match, winning 28–6. It took them 28 minutes to score, through winger Tom Briscoe
Tom Briscoe
Tom Briscoe is an English professional rugby league footballer for Hull of Super League. An England international representative three-quarter, he has played his whole professional career to date with Hull....
, and they took an 8–0 lead into half-time after Kevin Sinfield
Kevin Sinfield
Kevin Sinfield is an English professional rugby league player. He is the captain of the Leeds Rhinos in Super League. His recognised position is /, although he can cover both /, and . He has represented both England and Great Britain at international level.-Career:Sinfield began his career at...
converted Briscoe's try and kicked a penalty goal. Early in the second half, England's other winger Ryan Hall
Ryan Hall (rugby league)
Ryan Hall is an English professional Rugby League Winger for the Leeds in Super League. He has played his entire professional career to date with Leeds, winning the 2008, 2009 &2011 Super League Championships with them.-Club career:...
scored his third try of the tournament, giving England a 14–0 lead. While New Zealand reduced England's lead through a try to Jason Nightingale
Jason Nightingale
Jason Nightingale is a professional rugby league footballer for the St. George Illawarra Dragons of the Australian National Rugby League...
, England secured victory and a place in the tournament's final with another Sinfield penalty goal and a converted try to James Graham
James Graham (rugby league)
James Graham is a rugby league player for St. Helens of Super League. A Great Britain and England international representative front row forward, he has played his entire professional career to date at St...
.
Teams
ENGLAND: 1. Sam Tomkins
Sam Tomkins
A pre-season unofficial friendly match provided Tomkins his first experience against top-flight opposition as he came off the bench during Lee Briers' testimonial match in a 30–22 loss to Warrington Wolves. Noble followed this up by providing Tomkins, aged 19, with his first team debut on 12 May...
2. Ryan Hall
Ryan Hall (rugby league)
Ryan Hall is an English professional Rugby League Winger for the Leeds in Super League. He has played his entire professional career to date with Leeds, winning the 2008, 2009 &2011 Super League Championships with them.-Club career:...
3. Jack Reed
Jack Reed (rugby league)
Jack Reed is an English rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos of the NRL. After playing in the Queensland Cup for the Norths Devils, he made his debut in Round 1 of the 2011 NRL season against the North Queensland Cowboys...
4. Kirk Yeaman
Kirk Yeaman
Kirk Yeaman is an English professional rugby league footballer for Hull FC of Super League. An England international representative centre three-quarter back, he also previously played for the Great Britain national rugby league team....
5. Tom Briscoe
Tom Briscoe
Tom Briscoe is an English professional rugby league footballer for Hull of Super League. An England international representative three-quarter, he has played his whole professional career to date with Hull....
6. Kevin Sinfield
Kevin Sinfield
Kevin Sinfield is an English professional rugby league player. He is the captain of the Leeds Rhinos in Super League. His recognised position is /, although he can cover both /, and . He has represented both England and Great Britain at international level.-Career:Sinfield began his career at...
7. Rangi Chase
Rangi Chase
Rangi Chase is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays in the Super League competition for the Castleford Tigers. He attended famous Maori school Te Aute College in 1999 before moving to Australia where he attended Keebra Park State High School...
8. James Graham
James Graham (rugby league)
James Graham is a rugby league player for St. Helens of Super League. A Great Britain and England international representative front row forward, he has played his entire professional career to date at St...
9. James Roby
James Roby
James Roby is an English professional rugby league footballer for St. Helens of Super League. A Great Britain and England international representative hooker, he has played his entire professional career to date at St Helens, winning the 2006 Super League XI Championship with them.-Career:Roby...
10. Jamie Peacock
Jamie Peacock
James "Jamie" Peacock is an English professional rugby league footballer for the Leeds Rhinos of the European Super League...
(c) 11. Jon Wilkin 12. Ben Westwood
Ben Westwood
Ben Westwood is an English professional rugby league footballer for the Warrington Wolves of Europe's Super League. An England international representative forward, he previously played for the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats before moving to Warrington in 2002 and winning the 2009 Challenge Cup with...
13. Chris Heighington
Chris Heighington
Chris Heighington is an Australian born England international rugby league footballer for the Wests Tigers of the National Rugby League . A Country NSW representative lock forward, he has also been selected to represent England at international level...
14. Gareth Widdop
Gareth Widdop
Gareth Widdop is an English professional rugby league footballer currently playing for Australian club Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League...
15. Adrian Morley
Adrian Morley
Adrian Morley is an English professional rugby league footballer for the Warrington Wolves of Europe's Super League...
16. Jamie Jones-Buchanan
Jamie Jones-Buchanan
Jamie Jones-Buchanan is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays for Leeds of Super League. An England international representative second-rower, he has played his entire professional career to date with Leeds and has won four Super League championships with the club.His Leeds...
17. Gareth Carvell
NEW ZEALAND: 1. Kevin Locke
Kevin Locke (rugby league)
Kevin Samuel Locke is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer for the New Zealand Warriors of the National Rugby League. His usual position is at fullback.-Playing career:...
2. Gerard Beale
Gerard Beale
Gerard Beale is a professional rugby league footballer currently playing for Brisbane Broncos in the Telstra Premiership. He is a utility back by preference; in that he can play at full-back, wing or centre.-Playing career:...
3. Lewis Brown
Lewis Brown (rugby league)
Lewis Brown is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays in the National Rugby League for the New Zealand Warriors. His position of preference is in the second row, where he plays for the Warriors whilst occasionally playing in the centres...
4. Simon Mannering
Simon Mannering
Simon Alexander Mannering is a New Zealand professional rugby league player who currently plays for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League competition...
5. Jason Nightingale
Jason Nightingale
Jason Nightingale is a professional rugby league footballer for the St. George Illawarra Dragons of the Australian National Rugby League...
6. Benji Marshall
Benji Marshall
Benji Marshall is a professional rugby league footballer with the Wests Tigers of the National Rugby League . A goal-kicking five-eighth, he is the current captain of the New Zealand national team, with whom he won the 2008 World Cup and 2010 Four Nations tournaments...
(c) 7. Kieran Foran
Kieran Foran
Kieran Foran is a New Zealand rugby league player who has represented his country. He currently plays for the Manly Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League. He plays as a five-eighth or half-back though he can also play centre...
8. Ben Matulino
Ben Matulino
Benedict Andrew Matulino is a rugby league player who has represented his country. He currently plays for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League...
9. Thomas Leuluai
Thomas Leuluai
Thomas Leuluai is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Wigan Warriors in the Super League. His position is at half-back...
17. Russell Packer
Russell Packer
Russell Packer is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer for the New Zealand Warriors of the National Rugby League competition...
11. Sika Manu
Sika Manu
Sika Manu is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Melbourne Storm in the NRL. He was a member of the World Cup winning New Zealand team who beat Australia in the 2008 World Cup Final...
10. Adam Blair
Adam Blair
Adam Blair is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer currently contracted to the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League until 1 November 2011, when he will join the Wests Tigers. A New Zealand international representative forward, Blair spent six seasons with the Storm, winning...
13. Jeremy Smith 12. Alex Glenn
Alex Glenn
Alex Glenn is a professional rugby league footballer who plays for Brisbane Broncos in the NRL.-Playing career:...
14. Issac Luke
Issac Luke
Issac Luke is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer for the South Sydney Rabbitohs of the National Rugby League. His position of choice is either hooker or in the halves. His first-grade debut was for the South Sydney Rabbitohs against the Melbourne Storm at Olympic Park in round 12...
16. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is a rugby league player currently with the Sydney Roosters in the NRL. He plays in the second-row.-Early years:Waerea-Hargreaves first made a name for himself playing schoolboy rugby union at Iona College in Queensland, through some impressive performances in the AIC...
18. Elijah Taylor
Elijah Taylor
Elijah Taylor is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays in the National Rugby League for the New Zealand Warriors.-Early years:...
Wales vs Australia
The final match of the group stage was a dead rubber, with Australia already having qualified for the tournament's final and Wales having no chance of joining them. That being the case, Kangaroos coach Tim SheensTim Sheens
Tim Sheens is an Australian professional rugby league football coach and former player. He currently coaches the Wests Tigers of the National Rugby League and in 2009 was appointed coach of the Australian national team, the Kangaroos...
made significant changes to the Australian side, bringing backup members of the touring squad into the starting lineup and allowing some first-team players to rest. Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently captains the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League...
captained the side; Corey Parker, Beau Scott
Beau Scott
Beau Scott is an Australian rugby league player for the St. George Illawarra Dragons in the NRL. His position of choice is at second row, however due to his versatility can also play in the centres....
and Daly Cherry-Evans
Daly Cherry-Evans
Daly Cherry-Evans is a rugby league player for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League . He is a half-back...
were given their Test debuts. For Wales, captain Lee Briers
Lee Briers
Lee Briers is a professional rugby league player who currently plays for Warrington Wolves in the Super League. He previously played for St Helens, and at international level he won 23 caps for Wales, many of those as captain...
would make his final Test appearance, having announced before the match that he would retire from international rugby league.
Wales shocked Australia by taking an early 8–0 lead through tries to Rhys Williams
Rhys Williams (rugby league)
Rhys Williams is a Welsh international rugby league player who currently plays for Warrington Wolves in the Super League. He previously played rugby union for Mold RFC, and Llanelli Scarlets...
and Elliot Kear
Elliot Kear
Elliot Kear is a Wales international rugby league footballer with the Bradford Bulls . His usual position is full back but can also play on the wing...
. It took the Kangaroos until just before half-time to recover the deficit with one try to Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently captains the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League...
and a quick double to stand-in five-eighth Cooper Cronk
Cooper Cronk
Cooper Patrick Cronk is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the Melbourne Storm of the NRL...
. Cronk completed his hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
in the second half as Australia scored seven tries to nil, winning the match 56–14.
Teams
WALES: 1. Danny Jones
Danny Jones (rugby league)
Danny Jones is a professional rugby league footballer who at representative level has played for Wales, and at club level for Halifax, and Keighley Cougars, playing at /, or /.-International honours:...
2. Elliot Kear
Elliot Kear
Elliot Kear is a Wales international rugby league footballer with the Bradford Bulls . His usual position is full back but can also play on the wing...
3. Ian Webster
Ian Webster
Ian Webster is a Wales international rugby league player for the Central Comets in Australia's Queensland Cup competition.Ian Webster's position of choice is as a hooker or scrum-half....
4. Christiaan Roets
Christiaan Roets
Christiaan Roets is a Welsh international rugby league player currently playing for the South Wales Scorpions in the Championship One. He previously played for the Bridgend Blue Bulls in the Welsh rugby league competition...
5. Rhys Williams
Rhys Williams (rugby league)
Rhys Williams is a Welsh international rugby league player who currently plays for Warrington Wolves in the Super League. He previously played rugby union for Mold RFC, and Llanelli Scarlets...
6. Lee Briers
Lee Briers
Lee Briers is a professional rugby league player who currently plays for Warrington Wolves in the Super League. He previously played for St Helens, and at international level he won 23 caps for Wales, many of those as captain...
(c) 7. Lloyd White
Lloyd White
For the rugby league player see Lloyd White Lloyd White , full name George David Lloyd White, was a New Zealand diplomat and public servant who retired in 1978 as deputy head of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.He joined the department in 1945 with a MA degree, and went onto...
8. Jordan James
Jordan James
Jordan James is a Welsh rugby league player for the Salford City Reds of Super League, he has previously played for Crusaders Rugby League, South Wales Scorpions, Swinton Lions, Widnes Vikings, Castleford Tigers Sheffield Eagles and Wigan Warriors, he has spent time with the marines in Iraq and...
9. Neil Budworth
Neil Budworth
Neil Budworth is a Wales international rugby league footballer who currently plays for Mackay Cutters. He previously played for London Broncos/Harlequins RL in the Super League competition and was one of their longest serving players, and Crusaders in National League One and Super League, as a...
10. Craig Kopczak
Craig Kopczak
Craig Kopczak is a rugby league player who currently plays for Bradford Bulls and the Wales national rugby league team.Craig made has made steady progress at the Grattan Stadium...
11. Chris Beasley
Chris Beasley (rugby league)
Chris Beasley is a Wales international rugby league player for Central Comets in the QLD Cup. and previously the Crusaders in the Super League. He has also previously played for RC Saint-Gaudens in France and the Sydney Roosters and Balmain Tigers in Australia. His normal position is second row...
12. Andy Bracek
Andy Bracek
Andy Bracek born 21 March 1987 in Leigh, Greater Manchester, England is a Welsh rugby league footballer for Crusaders who at representative level has played for Wales, and at club level for St. Helens, and Warrington Wolves in Super League, and Barrow Raiders in the Championship, playing at .Bracek...
13. Ben Flower
Ben Flower
Ben Flower is a Wales international rugby league player for Wigan Warriors and the Wales national rugby league team. He previously played for Crusaders. He plays in the second-row....
14. Mark Lennon
Mark Lennon
Mark Lennon , is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Burleigh Bears of the Queensland Cup...
15. Ross Divorty
Ross Divorty
Ross Divorty is an international rugby league footballer, who is a Welsh international, and plays domestically at semi-professional level for Featherstone Rovers in the Co-operative Championship. His position of preference is in the second-row. He earned his most recent Wales caps playing in the...
16. Aled James
Aled James
Aled James is rugby league player-coach for the South Wales Scorpions in the Championship 1. He previously played for the Crusaders in the European Super League...
17. Gil Dudson
Gil Dudson
Gil Dudson is a Wales international rugby league player for the Wigan Warriors in the Super League having signed for Wigan for the 2012 season. He plays in the second-row.-International honours:...
AUSTRALIA: 1. Darius Boyd
Darius Boyd
Darius Boyd is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the Newcastle Knights in the NRL. Boyd plays at fullback, however he is also very capable as a three-quarter back, as proven by his selection for Australia and Queensland as a winger...
2. Josh Morris
Josh Morris
Josh Morris is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the National Rugby League competition. A New South Wales State of Origin representative backline player, Josh is the twin brother of Brett Morris who plays first grade for his previous club...
3. Greg Inglis
Greg Inglis
Greg Inglis is an Australian professional rugby league player for the South Sydney Rabbitohs. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative outside back, Inglis joined the Rabbitohs in 2011 after much controversy.Inglis is a versatile back, having played in several...
4. Chris Lawrence
Chris Lawrence (rugby league)
Chris Lawrence is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Wests Tigers of the National Rugby League...
5. Jharal Yow Yeh
Jharal Yow Yeh
Jharal Yow Yeh is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League...
6. Cooper Cronk
Cooper Cronk
Cooper Patrick Cronk is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the Melbourne Storm of the NRL...
7. Johnathan Thurston
Johnathan Thurston
Johnathan Dean Thurston is an Indigenous Australian professional rugby league footballer in the NRL with the North Queensland Cowboys whom he co-captains...
8. Keith Galloway
Keith Galloway
Keith Galloway is an Australian professional rugby league player for the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League competition. He previously played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks...
9. Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently captains the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League...
(c) 10. David Shillington
David Shillington
David Shillington is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Canberra Raiders of the National Rugby League...
15. Anthony Watmough
Anthony Watmough
Anthony Watmough is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles club of the National Rugby League...
12. Beau Scott
Beau Scott
Beau Scott is an Australian rugby league player for the St. George Illawarra Dragons in the NRL. His position of choice is at second row, however due to his versatility can also play in the centres....
13. Corey Parker 14. Daly Cherry-Evans
Daly Cherry-Evans
Daly Cherry-Evans is a rugby league player for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League . He is a half-back...
16. Paul Gallen
Paul Gallen
Paul Gallen is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks of the National Rugby League. Gallen's position of choice is lock and occasionally at Prop. He is an Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative...
17. Matthew Scott
Matthew Scott
Matthew Scott is an Australian professional rugby league footballer and current co-captain for the North Queensland Cowboys of the National Rugby League...
18. Sam Thaiday
Sam Thaiday
Samuel H. "Sam" Thaiday is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who captains the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League. An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative forward, he has spent all of his career at the Broncos, with whom he won the 2006...
Final
The tournament's final was held at Elland RoadElland Road
Elland Road is an all-seater football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...
, Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
on 19 November 2011, between Australia and England. Australian Matt Cecchin was appointed to referee the match, which caused England's coach Steve McNamara
Steve McNamara
Steve McNamara is an English professional rugby league football coach and former player. He is currently coach of the England national team.-International honours:...
to question the method by which referees were selected for such matches.
The match would mark the end of the career of Australia's captain Darren Lockyer
Darren Lockyer
Darren Lockyer is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer. He was the captain of the Australian national team, the Queensland State of Origin team and his National Rugby League club, the Brisbane Broncos. His professional career spanned between 1995 and 2011...
, making his 59th international appearance over 15 years. England was seeking to defeat Australia in a tournament final for the first time since 1972, when Great Britain
Great Britain national rugby league team
The Great Britain national rugby league team represents the United Kingdom in rugby league football. Administered by the Rugby Football League , the team is nicknamed "The Lions" or "Great Britain Lions"....
won the World Cup
1972 Rugby League World Cup
The sixth Rugby League World Cup was held in France in October and November of 1972. Australia started as the favourites to retain the trophy they had won just two years previously. New Zealand had beaten all three of the other nations in 1971 and France were expected to be tough opponents on their...
.
A tight first half of the match ended with Australia taking an 8–6 lead. Sam Thaiday
Sam Thaiday
Samuel H. "Sam" Thaiday is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who captains the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League. An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative forward, he has spent all of his career at the Broncos, with whom he won the 2006...
had scored Australia's first try, while Ryan Hall
Ryan Hall (rugby league)
Ryan Hall is an English professional Rugby League Winger for the Leeds in Super League. He has played his entire professional career to date with Leeds, winning the 2008, 2009 &2011 Super League Championships with them.-Club career:...
equalised for England, being awarded a penalty try. Australia's Johnathan Thurston
Johnathan Thurston
Johnathan Dean Thurston is an Indigenous Australian professional rugby league footballer in the NRL with the North Queensland Cowboys whom he co-captains...
kicked a penalty goal just before half-time to lead by two points. It was not until the 57th minute that Australia scored the match's next try, through Jharal Yow Yeh
Jharal Yow Yeh
Jharal Yow Yeh is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League...
. Then the floodgates opened for Australia: tries to Thurston, Greg Inglis
Greg Inglis
Greg Inglis is an Australian professional rugby league player for the South Sydney Rabbitohs. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative outside back, Inglis joined the Rabbitohs in 2011 after much controversy.Inglis is a versatile back, having played in several...
and, in the final minute of the match, Lockyer, secured a 30–8 win.
Teams
AUSTRALIA: 1. Darius Boyd
Darius Boyd
Darius Boyd is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the Newcastle Knights in the NRL. Boyd plays at fullback, however he is also very capable as a three-quarter back, as proven by his selection for Australia and Queensland as a winger...
2. Akuila Uate
Akuila Uate
Akuila Uate ' is a professional rugby league footballer for the Newcastle Knights of the National Rugby League...
3. Greg Inglis
Greg Inglis
Greg Inglis is an Australian professional rugby league player for the South Sydney Rabbitohs. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative outside back, Inglis joined the Rabbitohs in 2011 after much controversy.Inglis is a versatile back, having played in several...
4. Chris Lawrence
Chris Lawrence (rugby league)
Chris Lawrence is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Wests Tigers of the National Rugby League...
5. Jharal Yow Yeh
Jharal Yow Yeh
Jharal Yow Yeh is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League...
6. Darren Lockyer
Darren Lockyer
Darren Lockyer is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer. He was the captain of the Australian national team, the Queensland State of Origin team and his National Rugby League club, the Brisbane Broncos. His professional career spanned between 1995 and 2011...
(c) 7. Johnathan Thurston
Johnathan Thurston
Johnathan Dean Thurston is an Indigenous Australian professional rugby league footballer in the NRL with the North Queensland Cowboys whom he co-captains...
10. Matthew Scott
Matthew Scott
Matthew Scott is an Australian professional rugby league footballer and current co-captain for the North Queensland Cowboys of the National Rugby League...
9. Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently captains the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League...
16. David Shillington
David Shillington
David Shillington is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Canberra Raiders of the National Rugby League...
11. Luke Lewis
Luke Lewis
Luke Lewis is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative utility player, he has spent his entire professional career with the Panthers,...
12. Sam Thaiday
Sam Thaiday
Samuel H. "Sam" Thaiday is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who captains the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League. An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative forward, he has spent all of his career at the Broncos, with whom he won the 2006...
8. Paul Gallen
Paul Gallen
Paul Gallen is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks of the National Rugby League. Gallen's position of choice is lock and occasionally at Prop. He is an Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative...
14. Anthony Watmough
Anthony Watmough
Anthony Watmough is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles club of the National Rugby League...
14. Cooper Cronk
Cooper Cronk
Cooper Patrick Cronk is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the Melbourne Storm of the NRL...
15. Keith Galloway
Keith Galloway
Keith Galloway is an Australian professional rugby league player for the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League competition. He previously played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks...
17. Tony Williams
Tony Williams (rugby league)
Tony Williams is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles of the National Rugby League...
ENGLAND: 1. Sam Tomkins
Sam Tomkins
A pre-season unofficial friendly match provided Tomkins his first experience against top-flight opposition as he came off the bench during Lee Briers' testimonial match in a 30–22 loss to Warrington Wolves. Noble followed this up by providing Tomkins, aged 19, with his first team debut on 12 May...
2. Ryan Hall
Ryan Hall (rugby league)
Ryan Hall is an English professional Rugby League Winger for the Leeds in Super League. He has played his entire professional career to date with Leeds, winning the 2008, 2009 &2011 Super League Championships with them.-Club career:...
3. Jack Reed
Jack Reed (rugby league)
Jack Reed is an English rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos of the NRL. After playing in the Queensland Cup for the Norths Devils, he made his debut in Round 1 of the 2011 NRL season against the North Queensland Cowboys...
4. Kirk Yeaman
Kirk Yeaman
Kirk Yeaman is an English professional rugby league footballer for Hull FC of Super League. An England international representative centre three-quarter back, he also previously played for the Great Britain national rugby league team....
5. Tom Briscoe
Tom Briscoe
Tom Briscoe is an English professional rugby league footballer for Hull of Super League. An England international representative three-quarter, he has played his whole professional career to date with Hull....
6. Kevin Sinfield
Kevin Sinfield
Kevin Sinfield is an English professional rugby league player. He is the captain of the Leeds Rhinos in Super League. His recognised position is /, although he can cover both /, and . He has represented both England and Great Britain at international level.-Career:Sinfield began his career at...
7. Rangi Chase
Rangi Chase
Rangi Chase is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays in the Super League competition for the Castleford Tigers. He attended famous Maori school Te Aute College in 1999 before moving to Australia where he attended Keebra Park State High School...
8. James Graham
James Graham (rugby league)
James Graham is a rugby league player for St. Helens of Super League. A Great Britain and England international representative front row forward, he has played his entire professional career to date at St...
9. James Roby
James Roby
James Roby is an English professional rugby league footballer for St. Helens of Super League. A Great Britain and England international representative hooker, he has played his entire professional career to date at St Helens, winning the 2006 Super League XI Championship with them.-Career:Roby...
10. Jamie Peacock
Jamie Peacock
James "Jamie" Peacock is an English professional rugby league footballer for the Leeds Rhinos of the European Super League...
(c) 11. Jon Wilkin 12. Gareth Ellis
Gareth Ellis
Gareth Ellis is an English professional rugby league footballer for the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League . He has represented at international level for Great Britain and England and primarily plays in the back row...
13. Ben Westwood
Ben Westwood
Ben Westwood is an English professional rugby league footballer for the Warrington Wolves of Europe's Super League. An England international representative forward, he previously played for the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats before moving to Warrington in 2002 and winning the 2009 Challenge Cup with...
14. Gareth Widdop
Gareth Widdop
Gareth Widdop is an English professional rugby league footballer currently playing for Australian club Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League...
15. Adrian Morley
Adrian Morley
Adrian Morley is an English professional rugby league footballer for the Warrington Wolves of Europe's Super League...
16. Jamie Jones-Buchanan
Jamie Jones-Buchanan
Jamie Jones-Buchanan is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays for Leeds of Super League. An England international representative second-rower, he has played his entire professional career to date with Leeds and has won four Super League championships with the club.His Leeds...
17. Gareth Carvell
Top pointscorers
| 2011 Four Nations top pointscorers | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Team | T | G | FG | Pts | ||||
| 1 | Johnathan Thurston Johnathan Thurston Johnathan Dean Thurston is an Indigenous Australian professional rugby league footballer in the NRL with the North Queensland Cowboys whom he co-captains... |
3 | 22 | 0 | 56 | ||||
| 2 | Kevin Sinfield Kevin Sinfield Kevin Sinfield is an English professional rugby league player. He is the captain of the Leeds Rhinos in Super League. His recognised position is /, although he can cover both /, and . He has represented both England and Great Britain at international level.-Career:Sinfield began his career at... |
0 | 15 | 0 | 30 | ||||
| 3 | Sam Tomkins Sam Tomkins A pre-season unofficial friendly match provided Tomkins his first experience against top-flight opposition as he came off the bench during Lee Briers' testimonial match in a 30–22 loss to Warrington Wolves. Noble followed this up by providing Tomkins, aged 19, with his first team debut on 12 May... |
5 | 0 | 0 | 20 | ||||
| 4 | Ryan Hall Ryan Hall (rugby league) Ryan Hall is an English professional Rugby League Winger for the Leeds in Super League. He has played his entire professional career to date with Leeds, winning the 2008, 2009 &2011 Super League Championships with them.-Club career:... |
4 | 0 | 0 | 16 | ||||
| 5 | Benji Marshall Benji Marshall Benji Marshall is a professional rugby league footballer with the Wests Tigers of the National Rugby League . A goal-kicking five-eighth, he is the current captain of the New Zealand national team, with whom he won the 2008 World Cup and 2010 Four Nations tournaments... |
0 | 7 | 0 | 14 | ||||
Pre-tournament matches
Before the series, England played a Test match against FranceFrance national rugby league team
The France national rugby league team represent France in international rugby league tournaments. They are also sometimes referred to as "Les Tricolores" or more commonly "Les Chanticleers"...
, New Zealand and Australia played a test in Newcastle before heading to Great Britain, and Wales
Wales national rugby league team
The Wales national rugby league team represent Wales in international rugby league football matches. Currently the team is seventh in the RLIF World Rankings. The team were run under the auspices of the Rugby Football League, but an independent body, Wales Rugby League, now runs the team from...
played Ireland
Ireland national rugby league team
The Ireland national rugby league team, known as the Wolfhounds, represent the island of Ireland in rugby league football. The team is organized by Rugby League Ireland and are accredited as an affiliate member of the Rugby League International Federation...
in Neath.
New Zealand were originally scheduled to play a Test match against the Cook Islands
Cook Islands national rugby league team
-2008 World Cup Qualifying:See 2008 Rugby League World Cup qualifyingThe Cook Islands played Fiji, Tonga and Samoa in the Pacific pool of Qualifying for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. Fiji and Tonga qualified, and Samoa earned a second chance in the repecharge round...
on 7 October, however this was called off due to the unavailability of 29 frontline players.
Australia vs New Zealand
AUSTRALIA: 1. Billy SlaterBilly Slater
Billy Slater is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League . An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative fullback, he has played his whole NRL career to date at Melbourne...
2. Akuila Uate
Akuila Uate
Akuila Uate ' is a professional rugby league footballer for the Newcastle Knights of the National Rugby League...
3. Willie Tonga
Willie Tonga
Willie Tonga is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the North Queensland Cowboys of the NRL...
4. Chris Lawrence
Chris Lawrence (rugby league)
Chris Lawrence is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Wests Tigers of the National Rugby League...
5. Darius Boyd
Darius Boyd
Darius Boyd is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the Newcastle Knights in the NRL. Boyd plays at fullback, however he is also very capable as a three-quarter back, as proven by his selection for Australia and Queensland as a winger...
6. Darren Lockyer
Darren Lockyer
Darren Lockyer is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer. He was the captain of the Australian national team, the Queensland State of Origin team and his National Rugby League club, the Brisbane Broncos. His professional career spanned between 1995 and 2011...
(c) 7. Johnathan Thurston
Johnathan Thurston
Johnathan Dean Thurston is an Indigenous Australian professional rugby league footballer in the NRL with the North Queensland Cowboys whom he co-captains...
8. Paul Gallen
Paul Gallen
Paul Gallen is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks of the National Rugby League. Gallen's position of choice is lock and occasionally at Prop. He is an Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative...
9. Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently captains the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League...
10. Matthew Scott
Matthew Scott
Matthew Scott is an Australian professional rugby league footballer and current co-captain for the North Queensland Cowboys of the National Rugby League...
11. Luke Lewis
Luke Lewis
Luke Lewis is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative utility player, he has spent his entire professional career with the Panthers,...
12. Sam Thaiday
Sam Thaiday
Samuel H. "Sam" Thaiday is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who captains the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League. An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative forward, he has spent all of his career at the Broncos, with whom he won the 2006...
13. Anthony Watmough
Anthony Watmough
Anthony Watmough is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles club of the National Rugby League...
Int: 14. Cooper Cronk
Cooper Cronk
Cooper Patrick Cronk is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the Melbourne Storm of the NRL...
15. Keith Galloway
Keith Galloway
Keith Galloway is an Australian professional rugby league player for the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League competition. He previously played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks...
16. David Shillington
David Shillington
David Shillington is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Canberra Raiders of the National Rugby League...
17. Tony Williams
Tony Williams (rugby league)
Tony Williams is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles of the National Rugby League...
NEW ZEALAND: 1. Kevin Locke
Kevin Locke (rugby league)
Kevin Samuel Locke is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer for the New Zealand Warriors of the National Rugby League. His usual position is at fullback.-Playing career:...
2. Kalifa Faifai Loa 3. Lewis Brown
Lewis Brown (rugby league)
Lewis Brown is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays in the National Rugby League for the New Zealand Warriors. His position of preference is in the second row, where he plays for the Warriors whilst occasionally playing in the centres...
4. Gerard Beale
Gerard Beale
Gerard Beale is a professional rugby league footballer currently playing for Brisbane Broncos in the Telstra Premiership. He is a utility back by preference; in that he can play at full-back, wing or centre.-Playing career:...
5. Jason Nightingale
Jason Nightingale
Jason Nightingale is a professional rugby league footballer for the St. George Illawarra Dragons of the Australian National Rugby League...
6. Benji Marshall
Benji Marshall
Benji Marshall is a professional rugby league footballer with the Wests Tigers of the National Rugby League . A goal-kicking five-eighth, he is the current captain of the New Zealand national team, with whom he won the 2008 World Cup and 2010 Four Nations tournaments...
(c) 7. Kieran Foran
Kieran Foran
Kieran Foran is a New Zealand rugby league player who has represented his country. He currently plays for the Manly Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League. He plays as a five-eighth or half-back though he can also play centre...
8. Russell Packer
Russell Packer
Russell Packer is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer for the New Zealand Warriors of the National Rugby League competition...
9. Nathan Fien 10. Sam McKendry
Sam McKendry
Sam McKendry is a professional rugby league player who currently plays for the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League. He plays as a prop and is a New Zealand international.-Early years:...
11. Alex Glenn
Alex Glenn
Alex Glenn is a professional rugby league footballer who plays for Brisbane Broncos in the NRL.-Playing career:...
12. Simon Mannering
Simon Mannering
Simon Alexander Mannering is a New Zealand professional rugby league player who currently plays for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League competition...
13. Jeremy Smith Int: 14. Issac Luke
Issac Luke
Issac Luke is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer for the South Sydney Rabbitohs of the National Rugby League. His position of choice is either hooker or in the halves. His first-grade debut was for the South Sydney Rabbitohs against the Melbourne Storm at Olympic Park in round 12...
15. Fuifui Moimoi
Fuifui Moimoi
Fuifui Moana Moimoi is a New Zealand-Tongan professional rugby league footballer for the Parramatta Eels in the National Rugby League competition.-Playing career:...
16. Sika Manu
Sika Manu
Sika Manu is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Melbourne Storm in the NRL. He was a member of the World Cup winning New Zealand team who beat Australia in the 2008 World Cup Final...
17. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is a rugby league player currently with the Sydney Roosters in the NRL. He plays in the second-row.-Early years:Waerea-Hargreaves first made a name for himself playing schoolboy rugby union at Iona College in Queensland, through some impressive performances in the AIC...
France vs England
FRANCE: 1. Cyril StaculCyril Stacul
Cyril Stacul is a French professional rugby league footballer for Catalans Dragons of Super League. A France international representative three-quarter, he has spent his entire top-level career to date with Catalans....
2. Vincent Duport
Vincent Duport
Vincent Duport is a French professional rugby league footballer for Catalans Dragons in Super League. He was previously playing for Toulouse Olympique in the Co-operative Championship...
3. Jean-Philippe Baile 4. Mathias Pala
Mathias Pala
Mathias Pala is a French rugby league player for the Catalan Dragons in Super League. His position is centre. He has previously played in Australia with Balmain Tigers.He represented France in 2011 against England....
5. Frédéric Vaccari
Frédéric Vaccari
Frédéric Vaccari is a French professional rugby league footballer for the Catalans Dragons in Europe's Super League. A France international representative winger he previously played for Toulouse Olympique and Villeneuve Leopards in the French Elite One Championship.He has been named in the France...
6. Dane Chisholm
Dane Chisholm
Dane Chisholm is an Australian professional rugby league player for the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League competition. After playing for junior club Mullumbimby Giants, Chisholm signed with the Melbourne Storm and was called into their under-20 side...
7. Thomas Bosc
Thomas Bosc
Thomas Bosc is a French professional rugby league footballer for the Catalan Dragons of Super League...
8. David Ferriol
David Ferriol
David Ferriol is a French professional rugby league player. He currently plays for the Catalans Dragons club in the European Super League competition.-Career:...
9. Gregory Mounis
Gregory Mounis
Grégory Mounis is a professional rugby league player for Catalans Dragons in the European Super League competition...
10. Remi Casty
Rémi Casty
Rémi Casty is a French professional rugby league footballer for the Catalans Dragons club of Super League. A France international representative forward, he has played his entire top-level career to date with Catalans Dragons....
11. Olivier Elima
Olivier Elima
Olivier Elima is a French professional rugby league footballer for English Super League club Bradford Bulls. A France international representative forward, he played previously for English clubs Castleford and Wakefield Trinity.Olivier Elima has previously played in the back-line during the...
(c) 12. Cyril Gossard
Cyril Gossard
Cyril Gossard is a rugby league player for the Catalans Dragons club in the European Super League competition....
13. Jason Baitieri
Jason Baitieri
Jason Baitieri is a French-Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Catalans Dragons of Super League...
Int: 14. Eloi Pelissier
Eloi Pelissier
Eloi Pelissier is a professional rugby league player, currently playing for the Catalans Dragons of Super League. He is by preference a hooker and made his first grade début for the Dragons in a 22-16 defeat to St Helens in 2011, coming off the bench to play at hooker. He then played the week...
15. Djamel Fakir 16. Michael Simon
Michael Simon (rugby league)
Michael Simon is a French rugby league player for the Catalans Dragons in the European Super League. He plays as a prop.-External links:*...
17. Sebastien Raguin
Sébastien Raguin
Sébastien Raguin is a rugby league player for the Catalans Dragons club in the European Super League competition. His usual position is ....
ENGLAND: 1. Sam Tomkins
Sam Tomkins
A pre-season unofficial friendly match provided Tomkins his first experience against top-flight opposition as he came off the bench during Lee Briers' testimonial match in a 30–22 loss to Warrington Wolves. Noble followed this up by providing Tomkins, aged 19, with his first team debut on 12 May...
2. Ryan Hall
Ryan Hall (rugby league)
Ryan Hall is an English professional Rugby League Winger for the Leeds in Super League. He has played his entire professional career to date with Leeds, winning the 2008, 2009 &2011 Super League Championships with them.-Club career:...
3. Jack Reed
Jack Reed (rugby league)
Jack Reed is an English rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos of the NRL. After playing in the Queensland Cup for the Norths Devils, he made his debut in Round 1 of the 2011 NRL season against the North Queensland Cowboys...
4. Kirk Yeaman
Kirk Yeaman
Kirk Yeaman is an English professional rugby league footballer for Hull FC of Super League. An England international representative centre three-quarter back, he also previously played for the Great Britain national rugby league team....
5. Tom Briscoe
Tom Briscoe
Tom Briscoe is an English professional rugby league footballer for Hull of Super League. An England international representative three-quarter, he has played his whole professional career to date with Hull....
6. Kevin Sinfield
Kevin Sinfield
Kevin Sinfield is an English professional rugby league player. He is the captain of the Leeds Rhinos in Super League. His recognised position is /, although he can cover both /, and . He has represented both England and Great Britain at international level.-Career:Sinfield began his career at...
7. Rangi Chase
Rangi Chase
Rangi Chase is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays in the Super League competition for the Castleford Tigers. He attended famous Maori school Te Aute College in 1999 before moving to Australia where he attended Keebra Park State High School...
8. Jamie Peacock
Jamie Peacock
James "Jamie" Peacock is an English professional rugby league footballer for the Leeds Rhinos of the European Super League...
(c) 9. James Roby
James Roby
James Roby is an English professional rugby league footballer for St. Helens of Super League. A Great Britain and England international representative hooker, he has played his entire professional career to date at St Helens, winning the 2006 Super League XI Championship with them.-Career:Roby...
10. James Graham
James Graham (rugby league)
James Graham is a rugby league player for St. Helens of Super League. A Great Britain and England international representative front row forward, he has played his entire professional career to date at St...
11. Gareth Ellis
Gareth Ellis
Gareth Ellis is an English professional rugby league footballer for the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League . He has represented at international level for Great Britain and England and primarily plays in the back row...
12. Ben Westwood
Ben Westwood
Ben Westwood is an English professional rugby league footballer for the Warrington Wolves of Europe's Super League. An England international representative forward, he previously played for the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats before moving to Warrington in 2002 and winning the 2009 Challenge Cup with...
13. Chris Heighington
Chris Heighington
Chris Heighington is an Australian born England international rugby league footballer for the Wests Tigers of the National Rugby League . A Country NSW representative lock forward, he has also been selected to represent England at international level...
14. Gareth Widdop
Gareth Widdop
Gareth Widdop is an English professional rugby league footballer currently playing for Australian club Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League...
15. Adrian Morley
Adrian Morley
Adrian Morley is an English professional rugby league footballer for the Warrington Wolves of Europe's Super League...
16. Jamie Jones-Buchanan
Jamie Jones-Buchanan
Jamie Jones-Buchanan is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays for Leeds of Super League. An England international representative second-rower, he has played his entire professional career to date with Leeds and has won four Super League championships with the club.His Leeds...
17. Jon Wilkin