| National Rugby League season 2002 | |
 | |
| Teams | 15 |
| Premiers |  Sydney (12th title) |
| Minor premiers |  New Zealand (1st title) |
| Matches played | 189 |
| Points scored | 9083 (average 48. The Sydney Roosters is a professional Rugby league club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, Australia. The New Zealand Warriors (formerly the Auckland Warriors) are a professional Rugby league team based in Auckland, New Zealand 058 per match) |
| Attendance | 2,656,198 (average 14,054 per match) |
| Top points scorer(s) |  Hazem El Masri (254 points) |
| Top try scorer(s) | Nigel Vagana (23 tries) |
The year 2002 saw the fifth National Rugby League (NRL) season, the 95th season of professional rugby league football in Australia. Hazem El Masri (حازم المصري (born 1 April 1976) is a Lebanese-Australian professional Rugby league football player widely known for Nigel Vagana (born February 7 1975 in Auckland New Zealand) is an international Rugby league player for both New Zealand and See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. History See also History of rugby league The grass roots of rugby league can be traced to early football history, through the playing of ball games The New Zealand Warriors won their first minor premiership and made it to the grand final for the first time, playing against foundation club the Sydney Roosters who won the match and collected their first premiership in 27 years. The New Zealand Warriors (formerly the Auckland Warriors) are a professional Rugby league team based in Auckland, New Zealand The Sydney Roosters is a professional Rugby league club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, Australia.
Contents |
Teams
 Brisbane Broncos |  Canberra Raiders |  Canterbury Bulldogs |  Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
 Melbourne Storm |  Newcastle Knights |  New Zealand Warriors |  Northern Eagles |
 North Queensland Cowboys |  Parramatta Eels |  Penrith Panthers |  South Sydney Rabbitohs |
 Sydney Roosters |  St. George Illawarra Dragons |  Wests Tigers |
Season Summary
Pre-season
In February, 2002, the National Rugby League's Director of Legal and Business Affairs, David Gallop, was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the NRL, succeeding David Moffet. David Gallop (born 1965 in Australia) has been the Chief Executive Officer of the National Rugby League since February A chief executive officer ( CEO) or chief executive is typically the highest-ranking corporate officer ( executive) or administrator
The legendary Broncos and Maroons halfback, Allan Langer, returned from England to play his final season of professional football with the Brisbane club. Allan Jeffery Langer AM (born 30 July 1966 in Ipswich Queensland) often nicknamed "The Little General" and commonly known as "Alf" or "Alfie"
The return of South Sydney
Following the club's departure from the NRL after the 1999 season, there was a continuing push from both fans and the wider rugby league community to reinstate the South Sydney Rabbitohs into the NRL competition. See also South Sydney Rabbitohs Early years South Sydney was the third rugby league football club founded in Australia after Glebe and Newtown. 1999 saw the second season of the National Rugby League premiership the 92nd season of professional Rugby league football in Australia The South Sydney Rabbitohs, also known as Souths, The Bunnies, SSFC or The Rabbits, are an Australian professional Rugby league After two unsuccessful years of lobbying, South Sydney finally received a court ruling in their favour in 2001. On 15 March 2002, the Rabbitohs opened the NRL season with a home match against long-time rivals, the Sydney Roosters. Events 44 BC - Julius Caesar, Dictator of the Roman Republic, is stabbed to death by Marcus Junius Brutus, See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. The Sydney Roosters is a professional Rugby league club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, Australia.
It turned out to be a tough year for the Rabbitohs, winning only 5 matches from 24 played, but they evaded the wooden spoon after the stripping of 37 competition points from premiership frontrunners the Canterbury Bulldogs. The Bulldogs Rugby League Football Club (formerly Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and "The Berries") are an Australian professional Rugby league
The salary cap breach
In mid-2002, the Bulldogs were found guilty of serious and systemic breaches of the salary cap. See also Bulldogs Rugby League Football Club The Bulldogs (formerly Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) are a professional rugby league club in the National In Professional Sports, a salary cap (often called a wage cap in the United Kingdom) is a limit on the amount of money a team can spend on player NRL Chief Executive David Gallop described the violation as "exceptional in both its size and its deliberate and ongoing nature". David Gallop (born 1965 in Australia) has been the Chief Executive Officer of the National Rugby League since February The club received a $500,000 fine, and was stripped of all 37 competition points. The latter action was particularly harmful, as the club were poised to take the Minor Premiership and had won 17 consecutive matches (the second highest in Australian club rugby league history at the time).
The stripping of the Bulldogs' points also enabled the Canberra Raiders to make the finals with a points differential of -170, the poorest such record of any finalist in the competition's history. The Canberra Raiders are an Australian professional Rugby league football team based in the city of Canberra Australian Capital Territory. It also enabled the New Zealand Warriors to secure their very first minor premiership in the club's history.
Advertising
In 2002, as in 2001, the NRL's advertising was handled by Saatchi & Saatchi Sydney. Saatchi & Saatchi is a global Advertising agency founded by brothers Maurice (now Lord Saatchi and art collector
As in the previous season, there was no big budget season launch advertising campaign. The NRL focussed on stretching its marketing spending throughout the season with newspaper ads promoting individual rounds and clubs, and with simple TV ads to promote key games.
Records set in 2002
- Canterbury Bulldogs won 17 games in a row and had unbeaten run of 18 games, the most in the club's history. The Bulldogs Rugby League Football Club (formerly Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and "The Berries") are an Australian professional Rugby league
- Canterbury Bulldogs were stripped of 37 competition points for a systematic salary cap breach, the most points stripped in premiership history. The Bulldogs Rugby League Football Club (formerly Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and "The Berries") are an Australian professional Rugby league
- New Zealand Warriors won the club's first Minor Premiership in its 8-year history, also making it to their first Grand Final. The New Zealand Warriors (formerly the Auckland Warriors) are a professional Rugby league team based in Auckland, New Zealand
Ladder
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | B | PF | PA | PD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Zealand | 24 | 17 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 688 | 454 | +234 | 38 |
| 2 |  Newcastle | 24 | 17 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 724 | 498 | +226 | 38 |
| 3 |  Brisbane | 24 | 16 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 672 | 425 | +247 | 37 |
| 4 | Sydney | 24 | 15 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 621 | 405 | +216 | 35 |
| 5 |  Cronulla | 24 | 15 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 653 | 597 | +56 | 34 |
| 6 |  Parramatta | 24 | 10 | 2 | 12 | 2 | 531 | 440 | +91 | 26 |
| 7 |  St George Illawarra | 24 | 9 | 3 | 12 | 2 | 632 | 546 | +86 | 25 |
| 8 |  Canberra | 24 | 10 | 1 | 13 | 2 | 471 | 641 | -170 | 25 |
| 9 |  Northern Eagles | 24 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 2 | 503 | 740 | -237 | 24 |
| 10 |  Melbourne | 24 | 9 | 1 | 14 | 2 | 556 | 586 | -30 | 23 |
| 11 |  North Queensland | 24 | 8 | 0 | 16 | 2 | 496 | 803 | -307 | 20 |
| 12 |  Penrith | 24 | 7 | 0 | 17 | 2 | 546 | 654 | -108 | 18 |
| 13 |  Wests Tigers | 24 | 7 | 0 | 17 | 2 | 498 | 642 | -144 | 18 |
| 14 |  South Sydney | 24 | 5 | 0 | 19 | 2 | 385 | 817 | -432 | 14 |
| 15 | Canterbury | 24 | 20 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 707 | 435 | +272 | 8 |
- Canterbury Bulldogs were stripped of 37 competition points due to the salary cap breach. The New Zealand Warriors (formerly the Auckland Warriors) are a professional Rugby league team based in Auckland, New Zealand The Newcastle Knights are an Australian professional Rugby league football team based in Newcastle New South Wales. The Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional Rugby league club based in the city of Brisbane Queensland. The Sydney Roosters is a professional Rugby league club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, Australia. The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks are an Australian professional Rugby league team based in Cronulla New South Wales in the Sutherland Shire, south of Sydney The Parramatta Eels are an Australian professional Rugby league football club based in the Sydney suburb of Parramatta. The St George Illawarra Dragons are an Australian professional Rugby league football team The Canberra Raiders are an Australian professional Rugby league football team based in the city of Canberra Australian Capital Territory. The Northern Eagles were a short-lived Rugby league team that competed in the National Rugby League (NRL The Melbourne Storm is a professional Rugby league football club based in the city of Melbourne, Australia The North Queensland Cowboys are an Australian professional Rugby league football team based in Townsville Queensland. The Penrith Panthers is an Australian professional Rugby league football team The Wests Tigers are a professional Rugby league football club in the National Rugby League (NRL the premier Rugby league competition in Australasia The South Sydney Rabbitohs, also known as Souths, The Bunnies, SSFC or The Rabbits, are an Australian professional Rugby league The Bulldogs Rugby League Football Club (formerly Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and "The Berries") are an Australian professional Rugby league
Finals series
Coincidentally, the finalists for 2002 were almost the same as the previous season, with the exception of Bulldogs being replaced by Canberra. The year 2001 saw the fourth season of the National Rugby League premiership the 94th season of professional Rugby league football in Australia The Bulldogs Rugby League Football Club (formerly Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and "The Berries") are an Australian professional Rugby league The Canberra Raiders are an Australian professional Rugby league football team based in the city of Canberra Australian Capital Territory. Had the Bulldogs not been stripped of 37 competition points, they would have become the minor premiers and completed the replication, with Canberra moving down to 9th.
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Crowd | |||||
| Qualifying Finals | ||||||||
 Sydney Roosters | 32–20 |  Cronulla Sharks | 13 September 2002 | Aussie Stadium | Paul Simpkins | 25,366 | ||
 Brisbane Broncos | 24–14 |  Parramatta Eels | 14 September 2002 | ANZ Stadium | Sean Hampstead | 19,115 | ||
 Newcastle Knights | 22–26 |  St George Illawarra Dragons | 14 September 2002 | EnergyAustralia Stadium | Bill Harrigan | 21,051 | ||
 New Zealand Warriors | 36–20 |  Canberra Raiders | 15 September 2002 | Ericsson Stadium | Tim Mander | 25,800 | ||
| Semi Finals | ||||||||
| St George Illawarra Dragons | 24–40 | Cronulla Sharks | 21 September 2002 | Aussie Stadium | Bill Harrigan | 31,783 | ||
| Sydney Roosters | 38–12 | Newcastle Knights | 22 September 2002 | Aussie Stadium | Sean Hampstead | 23,816 | ||
| Preliminary Finals | ||||||||
| Brisbane Broncos | 12–16 | Sydney Roosters | 28 September 2002 | Aussie Stadium | Bill Harrigan | 28,251 | ||
| New Zealand Warriors | 16–10 | Cronulla Sharks | 29 September 2002 | Stadium Australia | Tim Mander | 45,782 | ||
| Grand Final | ||||||||
| New Zealand Warriors | 8–30 | Sydney Roosters | 6 October 2002 | Stadium Australia | Bill Harrigan | 80,130 | ||
Grand Final
For the 2002 Grand Final, Billy Idol was set to perform on-field at Stadium Australia before the match but was prevented from doing so due to an embarrassing power failure. The Sydney Roosters is a professional Rugby league club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, Australia. The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks are an Australian professional Rugby league team based in Cronulla New South Wales in the Sutherland Shire, south of Sydney The Sydney Football Stadium (colloquially known as SFS, and formerly known as Aussie Stadium between 2002 and mid-2007 is located in Moore Park, in Paul Simpkins is a retired Australian professional Rugby league Referee, officiating in the Australian first-grade competition National Rugby The Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional Rugby league club based in the city of Brisbane Queensland. The Parramatta Eels are an Australian professional Rugby league football club based in the Sydney suburb of Parramatta. The QSAC was formerly known as ANZ Stadium ANZ now holds the naming rights for Sydney's Stadium Australia. The Newcastle Knights are an Australian professional Rugby league football team based in Newcastle New South Wales. The St George Illawarra Dragons are an Australian professional Rugby league football team EnergyAustralia Stadium is a Football Stadium located in Newcastle New South Wales, Australia. The New Zealand Warriors (formerly the Auckland Warriors) are a professional Rugby league team based in Auckland, New Zealand The Canberra Raiders are an Australian professional Rugby league football team based in the city of Canberra Australian Capital Territory. Mt Smart Stadium, formerly Ericsson Stadium, is a Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. Tim Mander (born 1961) is a former leading Australian Rugby league Referee. The St George Illawarra Dragons are an Australian professional Rugby league football team The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks are an Australian professional Rugby league team based in Cronulla New South Wales in the Sutherland Shire, south of Sydney The Sydney Football Stadium (colloquially known as SFS, and formerly known as Aussie Stadium between 2002 and mid-2007 is located in Moore Park, in The Sydney Roosters is a professional Rugby league club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, Australia. The Newcastle Knights are an Australian professional Rugby league football team based in Newcastle New South Wales. The Sydney Football Stadium (colloquially known as SFS, and formerly known as Aussie Stadium between 2002 and mid-2007 is located in Moore Park, in The Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional Rugby league club based in the city of Brisbane Queensland. The Sydney Roosters is a professional Rugby league club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, Australia. The Sydney Football Stadium (colloquially known as SFS, and formerly known as Aussie Stadium between 2002 and mid-2007 is located in Moore Park, in The New Zealand Warriors (formerly the Auckland Warriors) are a professional Rugby league team based in Auckland, New Zealand The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks are an Australian professional Rugby league team based in Cronulla New South Wales in the Sutherland Shire, south of Sydney Stadium Australia, presently known as ANZ Stadium, is a multi-purpose Stadium located in the Sydney Olympic Park precinct of Homebush, Sydney Tim Mander (born 1961) is a former leading Australian Rugby league Referee. The New Zealand Warriors (formerly the Auckland Warriors) are a professional Rugby league team based in Auckland, New Zealand The Sydney Roosters is a professional Rugby league club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, Australia. Stadium Australia, presently known as ANZ Stadium, is a multi-purpose Stadium located in the Sydney Olympic Park precinct of Homebush, Sydney A typical Rugby league team consists of thirteen players on the field plus four substitutes on the bench Ivan Cleary is a New Zealand former Rugby league footballer and current National Rugby League coach Brett Mullins (born 21 January 1972) is an Australian former professional Rugby league player who played for the Canberra Raiders between A typical Rugby league team consists of thirteen players on the field plus four substitutes on the bench Justin Murphy is a Rugby league player who currently plays for Catalans Dragons in the European Super League competition Shannon Hegarty (born 14 June 1979 in Brisbane Queensland) is an Australian Rugby league player for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the National Rugby A typical Rugby league team consists of thirteen players on the field plus four substitutes on the bench Justin Hodges (born 25 May 1982 in Cairns Queensland) is an Australian professional Rugby league player for the Brisbane A typical Rugby league team consists of thirteen players on the field plus four substitutes on the bench Clinton Toopi (born February 29 1980 in Stratford New Zealand) is a New Zealand Rugby league player who is currently not signed Anthony Minichiello (born 24 May 1980 is an Australian professional Rugby league player for the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League A typical Rugby league team consists of thirteen players on the field plus four substitutes on the bench Francis Meli (born April 27, 1979 in Apia Samoa) is a New Zealand Rugby league player currently playing for St Helens Bradley Scott Fittler AM, (born 5 February 1972, in Auburn, New South Wales) is an Australian former Rugby league A typical Rugby league team consists of thirteen players on the field plus four substitutes on the bench Motu Tony (born May 25 1983 in Apia, Samoa) is a Samoan, New Zealand Rugby league player for Hull Craig Wing (born 26 December 1979 in Sydney New South Wales) is an Australian professional Rugby league player A typical Rugby league team consists of thirteen players on the field plus four substitutes on the bench Stacey Jones ONZM (born May 7 1976 in Auckland New Zealand) is a former Rugby league footballer and has been named amongst Jason Cayless (born January 15 1980 in Sydney Australia to New Zealand parents is a New Zealand Rugby league player for St A typical Rugby league team consists of thirteen players on the field plus four substitutes on the bench Jerry Seu Seu (born April 19 1974) is a former New Zealand and Samoan Rugby league player who played for English club Wigan Craig Fitzgibbon (born 16 June 1977 in Wollongong, New South Wales) is an Australian Rugby league player who plays for the A typical Rugby league team consists of thirteen players on the field plus four substitutes on the bench Peter-John "PJ" Marsh (born 19 February, 1980 in Calliope Queensland) is an Australian professional Rugby league player Adrian Morley (born 10 May 1977 in Salford, Greater Manchester, UK is a Great Britain Rugby league footballer A typical Rugby league team consists of thirteen players on the field plus four substitutes on the bench Mark Tookey (born 9 March, 1977 in Paddington New South Wales, Australia) is an Australian former professional Rugby league player Peter Cusack (born 27 January, 1977 in Young New South Wales) is an Australian professional Rugby league player for Hull FC A typical Rugby league team consists of thirteen players on the field plus four substitutes on the bench Ali Lauitiiti is a Rugby league player Ali played for the Mangere East club in 1996 and shone as a junior in their U19 side in 1997 scoring 17 tries in 19 games A typical Rugby league team consists of thirteen players on the field plus four substitutes on the bench Awen Guttenbeil is a New Zealand Rugby league player He was one of the longest serving Warriors playing eleven seasons with the club and the second Luke Ricketson is a former Australian Rugby league player who played for the Sydney Roosters. A typical Rugby league team consists of thirteen players on the field plus four substitutes on the bench Kevin Campion (born 18 September 1971 in Sarina Queensland) is an Australian former Rugby league footballer Michael Crocker (born 21 June 1980 in Auburn, Australia is a Rugby league player for the Melbourne Storm and the Queensland State of Origin Team Lance Hohaia (born 1 April 1983 is a New Zealand Rugby league player he currently plays as a utility for the New Zealand Warriors Chris Flannery (born 5 June, 1980 in Cowra New South Wales is a professional Rugby league player who plays for St Helens in Richard Villasanti (born 20 May, 1980 in Canberra) is an Australian former professional Rugby league player For Bryan Fletcher the NFL tight end see Bryan J Fletcher. Bryan Fletcher (born April 12, 1974 in Sydney Wairangi Koopu is a New Zealand Rugby league player Playing second row for the Warriors he is often labelled "Mr Consistency" clocking Andrew Lomu (born 28 February 1979 in Sydney New South Wales) is an Australian professional Rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos Logan Swann (born February 10 1975 is a New Zealand Rugby league player Ricky Stuart (born 7 January 1967 in Queanbeyan New South Wales) is an Australian former representative Rugby league and Rugby union Daniel Anderson (born 3 May, 1967) is a Rugby league coach He is particularly noted for his work with the development of younger players Billy Idol (born William Michael Albert Broad, 30 November 1955, Stanmore, Middlesex) is an English rock
The match, controlled by Bill Harrigan, was close for the first quarter. The deadlock was broken in the 23rd minute, when the Roosters completed a successful phase of play which had begun in New Zealand's half. An overlap allowed Brett Mullins to sprint down the left side of the field uncontested before offloading to Shannon Hegarty who ran the remaining 30 metres to score the opening try. Brett Mullins (born 21 January 1972) is an Australian former professional Rugby league player who played for the Canberra Raiders between Shannon Hegarty (born 14 June 1979 in Brisbane Queensland) is an Australian Rugby league player for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the National Rugby Craig Fitzgibbon's conversion gave the Roosters a 6–0 lead until New Zealand brought the scoreline back to 6–2 with a penalty kick. Craig Fitzgibbon (born 16 June 1977 in Wollongong, New South Wales) is an Australian Rugby league player who plays for the
Less than two minutes from half-time, Warriors halfback and captain Stacey Jones kicked the ball downfield from just inside his own half early in the tackle count. A typical Rugby league team consists of thirteen players on the field plus four substitutes on the bench Stacey Jones ONZM (born May 7 1976 in Auckland New Zealand) is a former Rugby league footballer and has been named amongst Roosters fullback Luke Phillips was the only player behind the defensive line and had to sprint across field to prevent New Zealand winger Francis Meli getting to the ball first. A typical Rugby league team consists of thirteen players on the field plus four substitutes on the bench Francis Meli (born April 27, 1979 in Apia Samoa) is a New Zealand Rugby league player currently playing for St Helens Only a bad last bounce for Meli prevented him getting to the ball with Phillips knocking the ball dead right on his own line. The score-line remained 6-2 at half-time.
New Zealand took the lead for the first time in the match six minutes after the break when Stacey Jones scored after stepping past five Sydney Roosters defenders and accelerated to cross the line in a spectacular solo try. The subsequent conversion gave New Zealand an 8–6 lead.
Approaching the 60th minute, commentator Paul Vautin stated that the Roosters would require "something special" from captain Brad Fittler to come back into the match. Paul "Fatty" Vautin (born 21 July 1959) is an Australian former Rugby league player coach and more recently a media personality Bradley Scott Fittler AM, (born 5 February 1972, in Auburn, New South Wales) is an Australian former Rugby league That very set of six, Fittler drove a kick downfield to capture a 40/20, allowing the Roosters possession well within New Zealand's half. Rugby league players all need to be particularly physically fit and tough because of the game's fast pace and the expansive size of the playing-field as well as the inherently Rugby league players all need to be particularly physically fit and tough because of the game's fast pace and the expansive size of the playing-field as well as the inherently A minute later, Fittler linked up with halfback Craig Wing to score and get the Roosters back in the lead 12-8. Craig Wing (born 26 December 1979 in Sydney New South Wales) is an Australian professional Rugby league player
After the subsequent kick-off and a few phases of play, Fittler put in a clearing kick downfield but was then struck down by a Warriors defender attempting to charge down the ball. As Fittler fell on the ground, Richard Villasanti pulled off what appeared to be a deliberate head clash, forcing Fittler to lose the ball. Richard Villasanti (born 20 May, 1980 in Canberra) is an Australian former professional Rugby league player However, referee Bill Harrigan thought otherwise and rewarded a scrum feed to New Zealand. Some reporters later wrote that the incident had fired up the Roosters and ultimately turned the game around.
During the next set, Villasanti and his teammates were hit hard by Roosters forwards Michael Crocker and Adrian Morley. Michael Crocker (born 21 June 1980 in Auburn, Australia is a Rugby league player for the Melbourne Storm and the Queensland State of Origin Team Adrian Morley (born 10 May 1977 in Salford, Greater Manchester, UK is a Great Britain Rugby league footballer Craig Fitzgibbon, Chris Flannery and Bryan Fletcher then all scored in the last 15 minutes to make the final scoreline 30–8. Chris Flannery (born 5 June, 1980 in Cowra New South Wales is a professional Rugby league player who plays for St Helens in For Bryan Fletcher the NFL tight end see Bryan J Fletcher. Bryan Fletcher (born April 12, 1974 in Sydney The win secured the Sydney Roosters their twelfth premiership, their first since the 1975 season. 1975 's New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership was the sixty-eighth season of professional Rugby league football in Australia Fitzgibbon was awarded the Clive Churchill Medal with one try and a perfect conversion rate of 5/5. The Clive Churchill Medal has been presented to the man-of-the-match of the Australian first grade Rugby league Grand Final ever since 1986.
For the second year in a row the premiership was won by a newly appointed coach. Ricky Stuart was appointed Roosters coach at the beginning of the season and eventually dismissed in 2006. The year 2006 saw the ninth National Rugby League premiership, the 99th season of professional Rugby league football in Australia The Roosters were also able to carry their premiership-winning form into the 2003 World Club Challenge, claiming victory over England's premiers. 2003's World Club Challenge was contested on Sunday February 16 by National Rugby League season 2002 premiers the Sydney Roosters and Super League VII
Sydney Roosters 30 (Tries: Hegarty, Wing, Fitzgibbon, Flannery, Fletcher; Goals: Fitzgibbon 5/5)
New Zealand Warriors 8 (Tries: Jones ; Goals: Cleary 2/2)
External links
- NRL official website
- RLeague.com 2002 NRL Draw and Results
- Blood, guts and Rooster glory - Sydney Morning Herald match report
- 2002 NRL Grand Final at sportsphotography.net
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