2016 Rugby League Four Nations
The 2016 Rugby League Four Nations tournament was the fifth staging of the Rugby League Four Nations tournament and was played in England in October and November. The series was contested by Australia, England, New Zealand and Scotland, who qualified for their first Four Nations by winning the 2014 European Cup. The final was played on 20 November, with Australia winning its third tournament, defeating New Zealand.
History
The 2016 tournament is the fifth Four Nations series to be planned before the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, with the venues rotating between Europe and the South Pacific.In addition to automatic inclusions Australia, England and New Zealand, Scotland qualified for the tournament by defeating France in the final of the 2014 European Cup.
England have previously co-hosted tournaments with other European nations and the Rugby Football League planned to take a game up into Scotland but backed down and decided to take games to other venues.
The redeveloped 54,074 capacity Anfield Stadium hosted the Four Nations Final. This was the first time in 19 years the venue had held a rugby league match. Three rugby league games have been played at Anfield before. The final was the first ever international rugby league match held at the venue.
Venues
The games were played at the following venues in England. The tournament final was played at Anfield.Match officials
Teams
| Country | Previous appearances in tournament | Continent |
| 4 | Oceania | |
| 4 | Europe | |
| 4 | Oceania | |
| 0 | Europe |
Standings
- By holding New Zealand to an 18–18 draw in the third round, Scotland became the first 'fourth nation' to score a championship point in the history of the tournament.
Results
Round 1
Touch Judges:Jack Smith
Mick Craven
Video Referee:
Bernard Sutton
Reserve Referee:
Gerard Sutton
Touch Judges:
James Child
Anthony Elliott
Video Referee:
Bernard Sutton
Reserve Referee:
Ben Cummins
Round 2
Touch Judges:Mick Craven
Chris Kendall
Video Referee:
Ben Thaler
Reserve Referee:
Robert Hicks
Touch Judges:
Anthony Elliott
Joe Cobb
Video Referee:
Bernard Sutton
Reserve Referee:
Robert Hicks
Round 3
Touch Judges:James Child
Chris Kendall
Video Referee:
Ben Thaler
Reserve Referee:
Gerard Sutton
The match was originally scheduled to kick-off at 3:30pm BST, however on 22 September the RFL changed the kick-off time to 2:00pm BST.
Touch Judges:
Anthony Elliott
Mick Craven
Video Referee:
Bernard Sutton
Reserve Referee:
Ben Cummins
Final
Player statistics
Player of the Tournament
- Cooper Cronk
Pre-tournament matches
Australia vs New Zealand
Cumbria Select XIII vs Scotland
The Cumbria Select XIII was a Cumbrian-based team selected by retiring Barrow Raiders player Liam Harrison. The Cumbrian side featured Scottish internationals Oliver Wilkes and Shane Toal.France vs England
Broadcasting
was the host broadcaster for every match of the tournament.| Country | Broadcaster | Matches |
| Premier Sports | Every match live | |
| BBC | Every England match, Australia v New Zealand, and the final live | - |
| Nine Network | Every match live | |
| Sky Sport | Every match live | |
| beIN Sports | Every match live |