AUSTRALIA 32 NEW ZEALAND 12
STEPHEN IBBETSON, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Sunday

NEW ZEALAND failed to show up for their biggest game in a generation, making dominant Australia’s 13th World Cup title an anti-climax.

A classic was promised after the Kangaroos edged an epic tournament opener between the sides exactly one month earlier, and with both since improving well to reach the showpiece.

But while Australia produced their best performance, the Kiwis saved their worst for last.

New Zealand coughed up error after error – many forced by the champions, some not – which coupled with poor last plays meant they could never get a foothold in the contest.

In turn, Australia were ruthless in both attack and defence, making the most of their attacking spells and giving their rivals almost nothing.

Harry Grant was a star performer, devastating the Kiwis when playing off quick rucks – to which Liam Martin benefitted to the tune of two tries – but it was an excellent team performance that delivered such a dominant win.

And so the Kangaroos’ rule goes on, winning a fourth straight World Cup and a tenth in the last eleven.

Only New Zealand, in 2008, have broken that run, and they will look back on this for some time as a missed opportunity for a second title.

New Zealand’s start couldn’t have been much worse, with Jamayne Isaako putting the kick-off out on the full and Martin punishing the error by reaching out to score the fastest ever final try at 84 seconds after Grant made a short-side play on the last tackle.

After Cameron Munster landed the conversion, the Kiwis’ best spell of the first half followed, with their kicking game earning repeat sets which eventually brought reward through prolific young centre Casey McLean.

An offload from Isaiah Papali’i allowed Kodi Nikorima to set up McLean, and Isaako converted to level.

Australia hit back just five minutes later, however. A successful captain’s challenge for a ball steal put them in attack and while Kalyn Ponga knocked down a Tom Trbojevic pass to cease a break down the right, the Kangaroos then found the left corner as quick work by Reece Walsh and Best created for Jack Bostock.

Munster this time couldn’t convert, but extended his side’s lead to six when Ronaldo Mulitalo, back from suspension, was penalised for an escort.

Next Australia’s defence came to the fore, forcing a couple of Kiwi errors with big plays, then shutting down a Jahrome Hughes intercept break with a big tackle by Best – who was rewarded moments later with a gap in front of him to score off Tom Dearden’s bullet pass.

Munster converted that try and did so again on the stroke of half-time, for a 24-6 advantage, after Martin crashed over for a second time in the match off fast Grant ball and a Munster assist but also another forced New Zealand error, when Jacob Preston stripped Naufahu Whyte of possession.

The Kiwis, who lost McLean to a head injury at the break, needed a perfect second half to come back from so far behind.

Instead they committed two further errors in the first three minutes, then were left clutching at straws as the footwork of Walsh beat three defenders before the fullback handed Tom Trbojevic a try.

A glimmer of hope came New Zealand’s way when Mulitalo beat Trbojevic in the air to a Hughes kick from deep – only for it to be cruelly taken away when the video referee ruled the ball had briefly been lost into the defender before being touched down.

When they finally were awarded points back, through a Papali’i try off a short kick plus a second Isaako goal – there were just 14 minutes left to overcome a three-score deficit.

Australia remained composed, saw off any further threat, and had the final word three minutes from time when brilliant Best took on the defence and offloaded for Bostock to dot down for the ninth time in the tournament, leaving him, McLean and Trbojevic as top try-scorers with nine apiece.

GAMESTAR: Harry Grant was superb, as was Bradman Best and Liam Martin.

GAMEBREAKER: Bradman Best’s try, moments after a crucial tackle, summed up how clinical Australia were on both sides of the ball.

HIGHLIGHT REEL: Reece Walsh displayed his dazzling footwork to create a try for Tom Trbojevic.

MATCHFACTS

AUSTRALIA
1 Reece Walsh
2 Jack Bostock
3 Kotoni Staggs
4 Bradman Best
5 Tom Trbojevic
6 Cameron Munster
7 Tom Dearden
10 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
9 Harry Grant
15 Keaon Koloamatangi
11 Jacob Preston
12 Liam Martin
13 Isaah Yeo
Subs
8 Patrick Carrigan
14 Ethan Strange (not used)
16 Cameron Murray
17 Reuben Cotter
19 Sam Walker (not used)
22 James Tedesco

Tries: Martin (2, 38), Bostock (19, 77), Best (31), Trbojevic (43)
Goals: Munster 4/7

NEW ZEALAND
1 Kalyn Ponga
2 Jamayne Isaako
3 Dane Gagai
4 Casey McLean
5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
6 Kodi Nikorima
7 Jahrome Hughes
8 James Fisher-Harris
9 Jeremy Marshall-King
10 Moses Leota
11 Isaiah Papali’i
12 Briton Nikora
13 Joseph Tapine
Subs
14 Te Maire Martin (not used)
15 Naufahu Whyte
16 Erin Clark
17 Xavier Willison
19 Phoenix Crossland
20 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (not used)

Tries: McLean (13), Papali’i (66)
Goals: Isaako 2/2

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 6-6, 10-6, 12-6, 18-6, 24-6; 28-6, 28-12, 32-12

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Australia: Harry Grant; New Zealand: Isaiah Papali’i

Penalty count: 4-4
Half-time: 24-6
Referee: Grant Atkins
Attendance: 52,461