Australia beat New Zealand 32-12 to win Rugby League World Cup final
Summary
- Australia beat New Zealand 32-12 in the Rugby League World Cup final at Lang Park in Brisbane on a steamy November night.
- Liam Martin scored the fastest try in World Cup final history, after 88 seconds and before New Zealand had touched the ball.
- Jamayne Isaako's kickoff went out on the full, and from the 15th to the 35th minute New Zealand completed just one set.
- New Zealand made repeated errors in contact, passing and under the high ball as Australia's pace took control.
- Australia were the bookmakers' favourite throughout the tournament despite criticism of their forward pack early on.
- An aging New Zealand side faces major changes, with several senior players likely playing their last World Cup.
Reactions
- Reece Walsh said in a post-match interview that Australia had proved people wrong, citing early criticism of the forward pack.
- Liam Martin said there were plenty of doubters throughout the World Cup.
- It is forecast that Joseph Tapine, James Fisher-Harris and Jahrome Hughes have likely played their last World Cup.
- It is forecast that New Zealand will undergo major changes before the next World Cup.
Timeline newest first
Australia beat New Zealand 32-12 in the Rugby League World Cup final at Lang Park in Brisbane on a steamy November night.
Sources newest first
Speed kills as New Zealand fall flat in World Cup final fizzer
An abc.net.au analysis says Australia beat New Zealand 32-12 in the Rugby League World Cup final at Lang Park, with Liam Martin's try after 88 seconds the fastest in final history and New Zealand collapsing into errors. Reece Walsh and Liam Martin said Australia had answered their doubters, and the article forecasts major changes for an aging New Zealand side likely losing Joseph Tapine, James Fisher-Harris and Jahrome Hughes after this tournament.
Background newest first
Live: Chapman scores stunning hat-trick with Jillaroos overwhelming Kiwi Ferns
ABC Sport's live blog follows the women's Rugby League World Cup final at Lang Park, where the Jillaroos overwhelm New Zealand 34-6 by half-time behind Jaime Chapman's hat-trick of tries, including two 70-metre solo runs. Blogger Jon Healy calls the opening 35 minutes an utter demolition job and the Golden Boot decisions bizarre, with the men's Kangaroos-Kiwis final to follow.
A friendship forged on the rugby league fields of New Zealand a century ago
An ABC News article by Jordan Bissell traces how the Hetet and McRae families' friendship was forged more than a century ago, when Awhina Hetet's great-great-great grandfather managed and Rita McRae Kingi's great-great grandfather played for the victorious 1909 Māori All Stars campaign in Australia. Awhina Hetet says the 1909 cup remains in her family's care, and both families will be in the stands at the World Cup Final at Lang Park.
The Rugby League World Cup final should have solved the Golden Boot battle
An abc.net.au analysis by Nick Campton argues the Golden Boot, given to Kalyn Ponga after just 150 minutes of international football, should not be awarded until after the World Cup final, and that Reece Walsh should have won it. He casts the Brisbane final as the decider of a year swung between the two fullbacks.
Reece Walsh edges out Tedesco in Australia’s Rugby League World Cup semi-final team
theguardian.com· 12d
A Guardian report says Reece Walsh has kept Australia's full-back spot ahead of James Tedesco for the Rugby League World Cup semi-final against Samoa, with Tedesco and Latrell Mitchell on a six-man bench that also includes Ethan Strange and Cameron Murray. Kalyn Ponga, back from a broken forearm, is named on New Zealand's extended bench to face Tonga, and coach Kevin Walters expects a tough contest in front of a full house at Allianz Stadium.
