string side without players such as Laurie Daley, Allan Langer, Andrew Ettingshausen, Brett Mullins, Glenn Lazarus, Bradley Clyde, Ian Roberts, Ricky Stuart and Steve Walters, Bob Fulton's Kangaroos won their 8th World Cup (and 5th in a row) when they defeated England 16–8 in the World Cup Final in front of 66,540 fans at Wembley. The star of the day for Australia was halfback/hooker Andrew Johns. In 1997 also, due to the Super League war, Australian rugby league was split down the middle by two competitions: the ARL's Optus Cup and Super League's Telstra Cup. As a result, that season there were also two Australian sides: Australian Rugby League Australia v Rest of the World 11 July 1997 Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Fullback: Tim Brasher Wingers: Mark Coyne, Robbie O'Davis Centres: Paul McGregor, Terry Hill Five-eighth: Brad Fittler (c) Halfback: Geoff Toovey Props: Paul Harragon, Mark Carroll Hooker: Andrew Johns Second-rowers: Steve Menzies, Gary Larson Lock: Billy Moore Reserves: Matt Sing, John Simon, Nik Kosef, Dean Pay Coach: Bob Fulton Super League Australia v Great Britain (1st SL Test) 1 November 1997 Wembley Stadium, London Fullback: Darren Lockyer Wingers: Brett Mullins, Wendell Sailor Centres: Andrew Ettingshausen, Ryan Girdler Five-eighth: Laurie Daley (c) Halfback: Craig Gower Props: Jason Stevens, Brad Thorn Hooker: Steve Walters Second-rowers: Matt Adamson, Gorden Tallis Lock: Darren Smith Reserves: Robbie Kearns, Craig Greenhill, Ken Nagas, Brett Kimmorley Coach: John Lang Great Britain played a home three-Test series against the Australian Super League Test team in 1997 and lost 2–1. The three matches played have been given test status by the UK's Rugby Football League. The Australian Rugby League has decided not to recognise the matches of its rival as tests since the Super League war ended and does not consider the series to be a genuine Ashes contest. Super League's Anzac Test concept, which is an early season one-off test match against New Zealand was retained and has been played annual ever since. The 1998 Kangaroo Tour was cancelled because of the Super League war. With the Super League war finally over in 1998, Great Britain travelled to the Southern Hemisphere for the first Rugby League Tri-Nations tournament with Australia and New Zealand in 1999. Chris Anderson took over from Wayne Bennett as coach of the team in March 1999. 2000s The new millennium started with the 2000 World Cup which Australia won. In 2001 the Australians arrived