The 1999 Rugby League Tri-Nations series was contested by Australia, Great Britain and New Zealand in 1999. It was the first multi-national rugby league tournament to feature the sport's three world powers since the 1989–92 World Cup (the 1995 World Cup featured England and Wales separately). Co-hosts Australia and New Zealand played in the final, which was narrowly won by the Kangaroos. Great Britain didn't win a game of the tournament.
| 1999 Tri-Nations | |
|---|---|
| Number of teams | 3 |
| Winner |  Australia (1st title) |
| Matches played | 4 |
| Attendance | 70,295 (17,574 per match) |
| Tries scored | 26 (6.5 per match) |
| Top scorer | Mat Rogers[1] (36) |
| Top try scorer |  Nigel Vagana[1] (4) |
After the Lions narrowly defeated the Queensland Cup premiers, Burleigh Bears, a poor crowd attended their match against Australia at Suncorp Stadium. Fearing a similar attendance for the series final, the tournament organisers relocated the match to Ericsson Stadium.
With the Rugby League World Cup to be staged the following year, and tours of Great Britain by Australia in 2001 and 2003 and New Zealand in 2002, the Tri-nations was not held again until 2004.
Venues
The games were played at the following venues in Australia and New Zealand. The tournament final was played in Auckland.
| Auckland | Brisbane |
|---|---|
| Mount Smart Stadium | Suncorp Stadium |
| Capacity: 30,000 | Capacity: 52,500 |
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Results
Tournament matches
| 15 October |
| New Zealand | 24–22 | Australia |
| Tries: Stephen Kearney Jason Lowrie Willie Talau Nigel Vagana Goals: Henry Paul (4/4) | Tries: Brad Fittler (2) Matt Gidley Russell Richardson Mat Rogers Goals: Mat Rogers (3/4) |
| Ericsson Stadium, Auckland Attendance: 22,540[1] Referee: Russel Smith  |
         New Zealand
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    Australia
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| 22 October |
| Australia | 42–6 |  Great Britain |
| Tries: Darren Lockyer (2) Brad Fittler Matt Gidley Brett Kimmorley Wendell Sailor Jason Smith Goals: Mat Rogers (6/6) Ryan Girdler (1/2) | Tries: Iestyn Harris Goals: Andy Farrell (1/1) |
| Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 12,511[1] Referee: David Pakieto |
Australia
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  Great Britain
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| 29 October |
| New Zealand | 26–4 | Great Britain |
| Tries: Nigel Vagana (2) Matt Rua Joe Vagana Goals: Henry Paul (5/5) | Tries: Sean Long Goals: Andy Farrell (0/1) |
| Ericsson Stadium, Auckland Attendance: 14,040[1] Referee: Tim Mander |
New Zealand
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Great Britain
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Tournament standings
| Team | Played | Won | Drew | Lost | For | Against | Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 26 | +24 | 4 |
| Australia | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 64 | 30 | +34 | 2 |
| Great Britain | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 68 | −58 | 0 |
Final
| New Zealand |
20–22 | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Robbie Paul Nigel Vagana Goals: Henry Paul (6/7) |
Tries: Mat Rogers (2) Matthew Johns Wendell Sailor Goals: Mat Rogers (3/5) |
5 November |
New Zealand
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Australia
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Non-series Test
During the series, New Zealand also played a Test against Tonga. This was the last test match to be held at Auckland's Carlaw Park.
| New Zealand |
74–0 |  Tonga |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Brian Jellick (4) Nigel Vagana (3) David Kidwell Jason Lowrie Henry Paul Tony Puletua Richard Swain Lesley Vainikolo Goals: Henry Paul (11/13) |
Tries: Goals: |
27 October |
New Zealand
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  Tonga
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Non-series Match
As a curtain raiser to the final, New Zealand Māori played Great Britain.[2]
 Māori |
12–22 | Great Britain |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Alex Chan Darren Rameka Goals: Luke Goodwin (1) Willie Rangi (1) |
Tries: Sean Long (2) James Lowes Anthony Sullivan Goals: Andy Farrell (3) |
5 November |
Māori
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Great Britain
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References
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