| Year: | 2000 |
| Rugby League World Cup | |
| Finalists: | 16 |
| Country: | England |
| Country2: | France |
| Country3: | Ireland |
| Country4: | Scotland |
| Country5: | Wales |
| Winners: | Australia |
| Count: | 9 |
| Matches: | 31 |
| Attendance: | 263921 |
| Topscorer-Flag: | AUS |
| Topscorer: | Mat Rogers (70) |
| Top Try Scorer-Flag: | AUS |
| Top Try Scorer: | Wendell Sailor (10) |
| Tournaments: | Rugby League World Cup |
| Last: | 1995 |
| Next: | 2008 |
The 2000 Rugby League World Cup was the twelfth World Cup for men’s national rugby league teams, held between 28 October and 25 November and hosted between the United Kingdom, Ireland and France. Australia won their ninth title by beating New Zealand 40-12 in the final at Old Trafford.
Following the success of the previous tournament, the World Cup was expanded to 16 teams and for the first time featured qualification rounds before the finals.
Following the success of the 1995 Rugby League World Cup, organisers decided to expand the 2000 tournament to 16 teams, 15 were invited while seven emerging nations were invited into a qualifying tournament to determine the 16th place.
The millennium World Cup attracted a record sponsorship of over £1 million from title Lincoln Financial Group, who had also sponsored Great Britain's Tests against New Zealand the previous year.[1] The tournament also made a £2 million profit, despite attracting small crowds.[2]
Despite its financial success the 2000 World Cup was seen as a failure, with too many blow out score lines and the inclusion of New Zealand Māori team being invited alongside the New Zealand National team. Despite being the only team to have to qualify to play in the World Cup, Lebanon were criticised for consisting entirely of Australians of Lebanese origin, which led to derisory comments in the media.[3] The tournament also attracted criticism of its lack of marketing and poor crowds.
France performed creditably and had healthy attendances in games they hosted, while the much-derided Lebanon team also proved the catalyst for domestic competition in that country.
See also: 2000 Rugby League World Cup qualifying.
Six countries –, the,,, and – competed for one available place in the tournament. Lebanon defeated the United States 62–8 in the final play-off match.
The 2000 World Cup tournament featured 16 teams:
The games were played at various venues in England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France.
The Twickenham Stadium in London, the home of the English rugby union was the host stadium for the opening ceremony and match featuring hosts England and defending champions Australia.[4]
See main article: 2000 Rugby League World Cup Group A. --------
See main article: 2000 Rugby League World Cup Group B. --------
See main article: 2000 Rugby League World Cup Group C. --------
See main article: 2000 Rugby League World Cup Group D. --------
See main article: 2000 Rugby League World Cup knockout stage. The top 2 teams from each pool advanced to the quarter-finals.
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See main article: 2000 Rugby League World Cup final.
Trent Barrett Brad Fittler Matthew Gidley Nathan Hindmarsh Mat Rogers
Pascal Jampy
Tonie Carroll
Tevita Vaikona Andrew Johns Ben Kennedy Darren Lockyer Claude Sirvent
Hazem El Masri Hassan Saleh Nigel Vagana Ruben Wiki Fifita Moala Jason Croker Scott Hill Frédéric Banquet Jean-Emmanuel Cassin Rachid Hechiche Brian Jellick Stacey Jones Stephen Kearney Ali Lauiti'iti Tasesa Lavea Quentin Pongia Logan Swann David Vaealiki
David Buko Stanley Gene John Wilshere Duane Mann Willie Mason Craig Gower Brett Kimmorley Gordon Tallis Shane Webcke Patrice Benausse Yacine Dekkiche Arnaud Dulac Jean-Marc Garcia Jérôme Guisset Julien Rinaldi Gael Tallec Michael Coorey Travis Touma Richie Blackmore Nathan Cayless Henry Paul Tony Puletua Matt Rua Craig Smith Eddie Aila Marcus Bai Raymond Karl Alex Krewanty Adrian Lam Michael Mondo Elias Paiyo Lucas Solbat
Matt Donovan Robert Ilyasov Joel Rullis Daniel Foster Paul Fisiiahi David Fisiiahi Lipina Kaufusi Talite Liava'a Nelson Lomi Esau Mann Martin Masella Willie Wolfgramm