2003 Women's Rugby League World Cup

The 2003 Women's Rugby League World Cup was the second staging of the Women's Rugby League World Cup. The tournament was held in Auckland, New Zealand from 28 September, culminating in the final between New Zealand and New Zealand Maori on 12 October. It was held at North Harbour Stadium and the nearby Marist Rugby ground. Nine teams took part Australia, Great Britain, Tokelau, Tonga, Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa, New Zealand Maori and New Zealand. The initial format was three pools of three, with the top six teams moving into two subsequent pools of three. The top four teams then contested elimination semi-finals.[1][2]

2003 (2003) Women's World Cup  ()
Number of teams9
Host country New Zealand
Winner New Zealand (2nd title)
Runner-up Maori

Matches played25
Points scored1146 (45.84 per match)
Tries scored239 (9.56 per match)
Top scorerNew Zealand Trish Hina 82 (T:9 G:23)
Top try scorersNew Zealand Honey Hireme 10
New Zealand Fuarosa Time 10
 < 2000
2008

Teams

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Team Appearance Nickname Coach[2] Captain
  Australia 2nd Jillaroos Dave Leat Karyn Murphy
  Cook Islands 1st Moana Tom Bishop Debbie Dorman
  Great Britain 2nd Lionesses Jackie Sheldon Brenda Dobek
  New Zealand 2nd Kiwi Ferns Lawrence Brydon Luisa Avaiki
  New Zealand Māori 1st Wahine Toa Greg Brown Kellie Kiwi
  Niue 1st Meke Lokeni
  Samoa 1st Fetu Samoa George Apelii Tuimaseve
  Tokelau 1st Tony Lajpold
  Tonga 1st Mate Ma'a Tonga Womens Celestyana (Tiana) Valu

Matches

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Phase one The nine teams were grouped into three pools of three.

28 September 2003
Great Britain   28 - 12   Samoa
Tries: 5
Natalie Parsons 2
Becky Jones 2
Sally Milburn
Goals: 4
Brenda Dobek 4
Scorers[3]
Result[4][5]
Tries: 3
H Tuimavave
T Elisara
L Tuioti
Goals: nil
North Harbour Stadium
Referee: Grant Wharehoka
28 September 2003
New Zealand Māori   24 - 28   Australia
Tries: 6
R Wikeepa 2
A Waikai 2
C Stainton
Rochelle Potaka
Goals: nil
Result[4]
Australian
Scorers[6]
Tries: 5
Leah Williams 2
Erin Elliott
Caryl Jarrett
Roslyn Simpson
Goals: 4
Tracey Thompson 4
North Harbour Stadium
Referee: Adrian Purnell
28 September 2003
New Zealand   68 - 0   Cook Islands
Tries: 15
Tamaku Paul 4
Honey Hireme 3
Marion Heather 2
Tessa Te Kahu 2
Cynthia Ta'ala
Mere Baker
Trish Hina
Nadene Conlon
Goals: 4
Marion Heather 2
Trish Hina
Teasha Leka
Scorers[3]
Result[7]
North Harbour Stadium
Referee: Leon Williamson
30 September 2003
Cook Islands   30 - 16   Tokelau
Tries: 7
C Marsters 2
A Tikinau
A Parai
T Larkins
E Mani
T Vano
Goals: 1
C Marsters
Scorers[3]
Result[8]
Tries: 4[1]
M Wilson
L Baker
J Lenusio
A Pedro
Goals: nil
North Harbour Stadium
Referee: Mike Ropata
30 September 2003
New Zealand Māori   44 - 0   Niue
Tries: 9
P Hohepa 2
R Wikeepa
N Emery
A Turner
J Puitau
Vicki Letele
Rochelle Potaka
H Timu
Goals: 4
I Whakatihi 2
Rochelle Potaka 2
Scorers[3]
Result[8]
North Harbour Stadium
Referee: Tony Portland
30 September 2003
Tonga   4 - 44   Samoa
Tries: 1
S Pasikala
Goals: nil
Scorers[3]
Result[8]
Tries: 11
H Tuimavave 5
Jean Oti 2
A Levi
M Laumatia
L Fa'apito
T Malaitai
Goals: nil
North Harbour Stadium
Referee: Warwick Freeman
2 October 2003
Great Britain   54 - 0   Tonga
Tries: 10[α]
Stacey Greenwood 3
Nicola Simpson 3
Lindsay Anfield
Stacey Doherty
Sally Milburn
Renee Gregorie
Goals: 7
Natalie Parsons 7
HT: 28-0
Report[9]
Scorers[3]
Result[10][5]
North Harbour Stadium
Referee: Adrian Purnell
2 October 2003
New Zealand   84 - 0   Tokelau
Tries: 17
Fuarosa Time 6
Selena Te Amo 3
Marion Heather 2
Kelly Leota 2
Laura Mariu
Mere Baker
Trish Hina
Nadene Conlon
Goals: 8
Sarai Sue 6
Kelly Leota 2
HT: 48-0
Scorers[3]
Result[10]
Marist Rugby Grounds
Referee: Grant Wharehoka
2 October 2003
Australia   58 - 0   Niue
Tries: 11
Rebecca Tavo 4
Caryl Jarrett 1
Tracey Thompson 1
Roslyn Simpson 1
Katrina Fanning 1
Leah Williams 1
Tahnee Norris 1
Lisa Holder 1
Goals: 7
Tracey Thompson 7
HT: 32-0
Scorers[3]
Scorers[11]
Tries: nil
Goals: nil
North Harbour Stadium
Referee: Mike Ropata

Great Britain (two wins) led Samoa (one win) and Tonga in their pool. Australia (two wins) led Māori (one win) and Niue. New Zealand (two wins) led the Cook Islands (one win) and Tokelau. Standinsgs after the first phase were New Zealand (1st, 4 points, +140 differential), Great Britain 4 (2nd, 4, +70), Australia (3rd, 4, +62), New Zealand Māori (4th, 2, +40), Samoa (5th, 2, +24), Cook Islands (6th, 2, -50), Tokelau (7th, 0, -90), Tonga (8th, 0, -94) and Niue (9th, 0, -101).[9]

  1. ^ The League Express match report has Nicola Simpson scoring 3 tries and Dannielle Titterington not scoring. The NZRL Almanack has Nicola Simmpson scoring 2 tries and Dannielle Titterington scoring one try.

Phase two The three teams without a win in the first phase were placed in the same pool. Samoa (5th after phase one) joined Australia (3rd) and New Zealand (1st) in a pool. The other pool included Great Britain (2nd), Māori (4th) and Cook Islands (6th).

4 October 2003
New Zealand   44 - 4   Australia
Tries: 10
Luisa Avaiki 2
Cynthia Ta'ala 2
Marion Heather 2
Lovey Tawhai
Tamaku Paul
Tafele Chan Ting
Lorena Papalii
Goals: 2
Marion Heather 2
Report[12]
Scorers[3]
Tries: 1
Tarah Westera
Goals: nil
North Harbour Stadium
Referee: Adrian Purnell
4 October 2003
New Zealand Māori   10 - 8   Great Britain
Tries: 2
R Wikeepa
Vicki Letele
Goals: 1
P Hohepa
HT: 6-4
Report [9]
Scorers[3]
Result[13]
Result[6]
Tries: 2
Natalie Parsons
Stacey Greenwood
Goals: nil
North Harbour Stadium
Referee: Grant Wharehoka
4 October 2003
Tokelau   28 - 4   Tonga
Tries: 6
M Wilson
J Finau
O Pereira
L Baker
P Puka
A Pedro
Goals: 2
N Silau
Scorers[3]
Result[13]
Tries: 1
V Toluta'u
Goals: nil
6 October 2003
New Zealand   84 - 0   Samoa
Tries: 16
Trish Hina 5
Fuarosai Time 3
Honey Hireme 3
Tamakau Paul 2
Leah Witehira 1
Luisa Avaiki 1
Khadine Pohatu 1
Goals: 10
Trish Hina 10
HT: 34-0
Scorers[11]
North Harbour Stadium
Referee: Carey Smith
6 October 2003
Great Britain   20 - 20   Cook Islands
Tries: 4
Stacey Greenwood 2
Sally Milburn
Michelle Wood
Goals: 2
Brenda Dobek
HT: 12-4
Fixture[13]
Scorers[14]
Tries: 4
T Wilson 3
C Marsters
Goals: 2
C Marsters
A Parai
North Harbour Stadium
Referee: Warwick Freeman
6 October 2003
Tokelau   14 - 22   Niue
Tries: 3
N Sootaga 2
A Pedro
Goals: 1
N Silau
HT: 4-14
Fixture[13]
Scorers[14]
Tries: 5
C Fanamanu 2
S Comer
J Piaso
S Ikifitu
Goals: 1
O Bloomfield
North Harbour Stadium
Referee: Adrian Purnell
8 October 2003
New Zealand Māori   46 - 0   Cook Islands
Tries: 10
H Timu 2
M Emery 2
A Waikai 2
K Klay
K Kiwi
A Turner
H Taute
Goals: 3
Rochelle Potaka 2
K Kiwi
Scorers[3]
Result[15]
North Harbour Stadium
Referee: Leon Williamson
8 October 2003
Niue   14 - 14   Tonga
Tries: 3
S Comer
S Aisoli
S Fanokehe
Goals: 1
D Bloomfield
HT:14-0
Scorers[16]
Scorers[17]
Tries: 3
O Moimoi
S Alatini
W Fisilau
Goals: 1
S Alatini
North Harbour Stadium
Referee: Glen Wilson
8 October 2003
Australia   40 - 12   Samoa
Tries: 7
Tarah Westera 2
Teresa Anderson
Karyn Murphy
Karley Banks
Leah Williams
Neena Fraser
Goals: 6
Tracey Thompson 6
HT: 20-12
Scorers[16]
Scorers[17]
Tries: 2
T Lefale
L Tuioti
Goals: 2
J Oti
L Tuioti
North Harbour Stadium
Referee: Tony Portland

Bowl and Plate Semi-Finals
The New Zealand - Australia - Samoa phase two pool finished in that order, New Zealand with two wins, Australia one and Samoa nil. The other qualifying pool finished with Māori on top with two wins, and Great Britain and Cook Islands drawing their match. Great Britain, who had a better points difference, as well as two wins to one from the phase one pools, advanced to the semi-final.
In the consolation pool, Niue (one win, one draw) led Tokelau (one win) and Tonga (one draw).
The Plate and Bowl semi-finals featured Cook Islands, Tokelau, Samoa and Niue. Curiously, the source article in Rugby League Review does not elaborate on why Tonga replaced Niue in the Bowl Final. However, Niue's point were higher so they stay in Plate category while Tonga went to Bowl [15]

10 October 2003
Cook Islands   18 - 12   Tokelau
Tries: 4
M Tuarae 2
S Utanga
A Parai
Goals: 1
A Parai
Scorers[3]
Result[15]
Tries: 3
N Silau
N Alesana
T Ariu
Goals: nil
North Harbour Stadium
Referee: Warwick Freeman
10 October 2003
Samoa   24 - 18   Niue
Tries: 6
D Sipili 3
T Elisara
M Sao-Filipo
M Laumatia
Goals: nil
Scorers[3]
Result[15]
Tries: 4
S Comer
J Piaso
S Fanokehe
E Telfer
Goals: 1
S Fanokehe
North Harbour Stadium
Referee: Sharlene Strawbridge

Bowl Final

12 October 2003
Tokelau   26 - 12   Tonga
Tries: 6
J Lenusio 2
V Toloa 2
L Baker
A Teuia
Goals: 1
N Silau
Scorers[3]
Result[15]
Tries: 3
U Kaufusi 3
Goals: nil
North Harbour Stadium
Referee: Mike Ropata

Plate Final

12 October 2003
Samoa   28-18   Cook Islands
Tries: 6
M Laumatia 2
H Tuimavave
T Lefale
L Tuioti
Jean Oti
Goals: 2
Jean Oti 2
Scorers[3]
Result[15]
Tries: 3
A Parai
D Dorman
A Tikinau
Goals: 3
A Parai 2
S Utanka
North Harbour Stadium
Referee: Grant Wharehoka

Semi-finals

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10 October 2003
New Zealand   38 - 0   Great Britain
Tries: 7
Honey Hireme 2
Fuarosai Time
Tamaku Paul
Trish Hina
Leah Witehira
Lovey Tawhai
Goals: 5
Trish Hina 5
HT: 22-0
Scorers[18]
Tries: nil
Goals: nil
North Harbour Stadium
Referee: Leon Williamson
10 October 2003
New Zealand Māori   12 - 4   Australia
Tries: 2
H Taute 2
Goals: 2
Rochelle Potaka 2
HT: 0-4
Scorers[18]
Tries: 1
Roslyn Simpson
Goals: nil
North Harbour Stadium
Referee: Carey Smith

Final

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12 October 2003
New Zealand   58 - 0   New Zealand Maori
Tries: 11
Honey Hireme 2
Selena Te Amo 2
Leah Witehira
Luisa Avaiki
Tamakau Paul
Mere Baker
Trish Hina
Tessa Te Kahu
Laura Mariu
Goals: 7
Trish Hina 7
HT: 28-0
Report[19]
Tries: nil
Goals: nil
North Harbour Stadium
Referee: Adrian Purnell

Team of the Tournament

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At the conclusion of the tournament, the Lion Foundation World Cup Team 2003 was announced.[3]

# Position Player T G Pts
1 Fullback   Cynthia Ta'ala 3 0 12
2 Wing   Selena Edmonds (Te Amo) 5 0 20
3 Centre   Rebecca Tavo 4 0 16
4 Centre   Honey Hireme 10 0 40
5 Wing   Tamaku Paul 9 0 36
6 Five-eighth   Trish Hina 9 23 82
7 Halfback   Leah Witehira 3 0 12
8 Prop   Vicki Letele 2 0 8
9 Hooker   Tafale Chan Ting 1 0 4
10 Prop   Luisa Avaiki 4 0 16
11 Second-row   Nadene Conlon 2 0 8
12 Second-row   Sam Brooke 0 0 0
13 Lock   Lorina Buckley (Papali'i) 1 0 4
14 interchange   Sally Milburn 3 0 12
15 interchange   Rochelle Potaka 2 6 20
16 interchange   Tahnee Norris 2 0 8
17 interchange   Lovey Tawhi 2 0 8

The following staff were also named in the tournament team: Coach: Lawrence Brydon (NZ), Manager: Juanita Woodhouse (NZ), Trainer: Bob Vercoe (NZ)

Luisa Avaiki was named Player of the Tournament.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b Gillan, Gordon (2 October 2003). "Kiwi Ferns face onslaught". New Zealand Herald. p. 15..
  2. ^ a b Lion Foundation Woman's Rugby League World Cup 2003. North Harbour, New Zealand: New Zealand Women's Rugby League. 2003.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Francis, Payne (2003). New Zealand Rugby League Almanack 2003. New Zealand Rugby Football League Inc.
  4. ^ a b "Scoreboard". Rugby League Week (1/10/2003). Sydney: Bauer Media Group.
  5. ^ a b "Parsons is predicting big things from GB". West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire Counties Publications. 7 October 2003.
  6. ^ a b "Women's Rugby League". Rugby League Review. 1 October 2003. p. 8.
  7. ^ "Kiwi Ferns - Past Results". NZRL. 30 September 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  8. ^ a b c "SPORT details". Daily Telegraph. 1 October 2003. p. 82.
  9. ^ a b c "British Ladies Suffer Stetback". League Express. 6 October 2003.
  10. ^ a b "SPORT details". Daily Telegraph. 3 October 2003. p. 114.
  11. ^ a b "Scoreboard". Rugby League Week (8/10/2003). Sydney: Bauer Media Group.
  12. ^ Coffey, John (6 October 2003). "Kiwi Ferns shock coaching staff with huge win". The Press (Christchurch). p. 6.
  13. ^ a b c d Birchall, Steven (4 October 2003) [2003]. "Womens World Cup : Round Three Results". Womens RLeague. Australian Womens Rugby League. Archived from the original on 29 November 2004. Retrieved 30 October 2020 – via Wayback Machine Internet Archive.
  14. ^ a b "Sport results". The Press (Christchurch). 7 October 2003. p. 4.
  15. ^ a b c d e f "Women's Rugby League". Rugby League Review. 1 November 2003. p. 8.
  16. ^ a b "SPORT details". Daily Telegraph. 9 October 2003. p. 57.
  17. ^ a b "Results". The Press (Christchurch). 10 October 2003. p. 11.
  18. ^ a b "Results". The Press (Christchurch). 13 October 2003. p. 4.
  19. ^ Coffey, John (13 October 2003). "Kiwi Ferns rule on league cup stage". The Press (Christchurch). p. 29.
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