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Australia crowned as World Champions
The Australian Kangaroos have claimed the Rugby League World Cup for the first time since 2000, they defeated the New Zealand Kiwis 34-2 at Old Trafford.
A crowd of 74,468 watched on as Australia overpowered the New Zealanders to secure victory and managed keep the Kiwis tryless. Australia's defence remained strong as they did not concede a try in over 400 minutes of Rugby League.
Johnathan Thurston was named the official man of the match for his performance in the Green and Gold.
Both sides opted for penalty goals early on in the contest, this an ultimate sign of respect as the teams were locked at 2-all after 16 minutes.
It wasn't until the quarter mark that Australia cracked the white line to post the first four-pointer. Billy Slater gave the Old Trafford crowd an aerial display as he leapt up high off a pin-point chip kick from Thurston to slide over. Australia 8-2 after 20 minutes.
Cooper Cronk crashed over for the second Australian try as Darius Boyd ran down the sideline to then grubber back in-field for Cronk. Australia 14-2.
In the shadows of half time, Johnathan Thurston extended the lead for Australia to 16-2 with a successful penalty goal. Australia were in complete control of the Kiwis after the first 40 minutes.
Both sides opted for penalty goals early on in the contest, this an ultimate sign of respect as the teams were locked at 2-all after 16 minutes.
It wasn't until the 20-minute mark that Australia cracked the white line to post the first four-pointer. Billy Slater gave the Old Trafford crowd an aerial display as he leapt up high off a pin-point chip kick from Thurston to slide over. Australia 8-2 after 20 minutes.
Cooper Cronk crashed over for the second Australian try as Darius Boyd ran down the sideline to then grubber back in-field for Cronk. Australia 14-2.
In the shadows of half time, Johnathan Thurston extended the lead for Australia to 16-2 with a successful penalty goal. Australia were in complete control of the Kiwis after the first 40 minutes.
The second half saw some stunning skill as Australia went on to post a further three tries.
Billy Slater took no time at all as the third Kangaroos try came within 30 seconds of the second half. The try crafted at the hands of Thurston and Boyd, Australia hopped to a 22-2 lead after just 42 minutes.
There was great concern for St. George Illawarra Dragons winger, Brett Morris as he dropped off the field racing in for a try off a kick upfield from Jarryd Hayne. The in-goal areas were shorten to just 4.1 metres as the Old Trafford Football pitch was not suited to Rugby League. Australia powered ahead of the Kiwis, leading 28-2, 10 minutes into the second half.
Sonny Bill Williams' quiet night was typified as he threw an intercept pass which landed in the hands of Jarryd Hayne who streaked down field. Hayne linked with Brett Morris who darted away untouched to score under the posts.
Australia unmatched by New Zealand as they secured the World Cup with a 34-2 win. The Kangaroos claimed their 10th World Cup as the Kiwis under performed against the class of Australia.
Match Details
Australia 34 New Zealand Kiwis 2
Venue: Old Trafford
Crowd: 74468
Halftime Score: Australia 16-2
LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Paul Gallen
2 points - Jarryd Hayne
1 point - Johnathan Thurston
AUSTRALIA (34)
Tries: Billy Slater (2), Cooper Cronk, Brett Morris (2)
Field Goals:
Conversions: Johnathan Thurston (5/5)
Penalty Goals: Johnathan Thurston (2/2)
NEW ZEALAND KIWIS (2)
Tries:
Field Goals:
Conversions:
Penalty Goals: Shaun Johnson (1/1)
LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary
80
FULL TIME at Old Trafford has seen Australia crowned as World Champions with a comfortable 34-2 victory over the New Zealand Kiwis.
Australia 34-2
80
UNFORCED ERROR NEW ZEALAND KIWIS
Sonny Bill Williams makes an unforced error.
A simple mistake for SBW. Kangaroos won't even pack the scrum here
Australia 34-2
79
Brett Morris jumps up and forces the kick over the sideline. Scrum for the Kiwis 10 metres out, they will have the final say of the match
Australia 34-2
78
Paul Gallen fumbled the ball as he was tackled by three Kiwis. Scrum for NZ 10 metres short of halfway
Australia 34-2
73
TRY AUSTRALIA
Scored by Brett Morris. Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
Jarryd Hayne jumped off the line and took an intercept from the SBW pass. He bolted away downfield, cut back infield to Brett Morris who raced under the posts untouched. Australia commanding a 34-2 lead with the successful conversion from Thurston
Australia 34-2
69
UNFORCED ERROR AUSTRALIA
Johnathan Thurston makes an unforced error.
Thurston comes up with a fumble as Jarryd Hayne skipped away from the Kiwis defence. It was almost a run away try for the Kangaroos. Magic was brewing!
Australia 28-2
67
Elijah Taylor was collected off the ball by Andrew Fifita, penalty awarded to the Kiwis
Australia 28-2
66
Zero tackle ruled as the pass was knocked down by the Kiwis, Kangaroos with a chance to crack 30 points with a try here.
Australia 28-2
65
UNFORCED ERROR NEW ZEALAND KIWIS
Sonny Bill Williams makes an unforced error.
Sonny Bill Williams offloads to no one and Sam Thaiday dives on the loose ball. Australia back in possession 30 metres off their own goal line.
Australia 28-2
65
Penalty to the Kiwis for another high tackle from Daly Cherry-Evans. Kiwis attack 30 metres out from the Australian goal line
Australia 28-2
63
Billy Slater cleans up the Shaun Johnson kick as the Kiwis fail to crack the Kangaroos defence. Australia with possession deep in their own half
Australia 28-2
62
UNFORCED ERROR AUSTRALIA
Billy Slater makes an unforced error.
The fullbacks have come together in the contest for the kick, Billy Slater came up with the first error with his hands getting to the ball first. Kiwis with a scrum 10 metres out
Australia 28-2
59
UNFORCED ERROR NEW ZEALAND KIWIS
Alex Glenn makes an unforced error.
Dean Whare pushed the Australian defence with an offload to Alex Glenn but the pass is dropped. Australia with possession 10 metres short off halfway
Australia 28-2
59
Johnathan Thurston once again slipped through the defence, he looked for a short grubber kick but Kevin Locke stood his ground and the ball comes free. Kiwis with possession deep in their own half
Australia 28-2
56
Who says Kiwis don't fly! Manu Vatuvei went diving over the short in goal area in the attempt to take the kick from Johnson. Becoming a danger here as players look for points in the shorten goal area.
Australia 28-2
55
Penalty to the Kiwis as Greg Bird is penalised for a high tackle on Shaun Johnson. Kiwis march up to 10 metres short of halfway
Australia 28-2
52
TRY AUSTRALIA
Scored by Brett Morris. Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
Brett Morris has claimed one of the most incredible Rugby League tries as he raced in to bounce over the the line in a short in goal. Jarryd Hayne crafted the play as he bolted down the right sideline and managed to kick twice to slip through the Kiwi defence. Thurston yet to miss tonight as he slots another conversion.
Australia 28-2
52
VIDEO REFEREE for the Kangaroos. We have a TRY for Australia but Brett Morris is in serious trouble as the short in goal sees Morris bounce into the signs.
Australia 22-2
50
Sonny Bill Williams draws a penalty as he attempted offload and Sam Thaiday helped the ball out of his hands. Penalty comes and the Kiwis attack 20 metres out from the Kangaroos goal line.
Australia 22-2
47
Billy Slater looked to slip through the Kiwis defence on the last tackle, but Foran wrapped him up around the legs. Change over is called and the Kiwis start their set 15 metres off their line
Australia 22-2
46
Brett Morris watches the kick from Shaun Johnson roll over the sideline. Scrum packs for the Kangaroos 15 metres off their own line goal.
Australia 22-2
43
SBW dives on a loose ball as Thurston attempted to bomb a kick away on the last tackle. Kiwis with possession on halfway
Australia 22-2
42
TRY AUSTRALIA
Scored by Billy Slater. Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
Australia open the scoring quickly in the second half as the Kangaroos bolted down the short left side. Thurston linked with Darius Boyd who raced downfield to cut back infield to Billy Slater to cross for the Kangaroos. Thurston with the conversion swings the Steeden between the sticks again.
Australia 22-2
40
The second half is UNDERWAY at Old Trafford with the Kangaroos leading the Kiwis 16-2.
Australia 16-2
40
HALF TIME at Old Trafford sees the Australian Kangaroos in complete control as they lead the New Zealand Kiwis 16-2 after 40 minutes.
Australia 16-2
39
Manu Vatuvei has been shown the sideline by five Kangaroos defenders on the right side as he charged for the corner. Scrum for the Kangaroos 10 metres out from their own line.
Australia 16-2
38
Penalty to the Kiwis for a slow release in the ruck. They attack from a quick tap 20 metres out from the Kangaroos goal line
Australia 16-2
37
UNFORCED ERROR AUSTRALIA
Billy Slater makes an unforced error.
Billy Slater comes up with a loose carry as he bolted into the Kiwis defence as SBW wrapped him up around the legs. Scrum for the Kiwis 5 metres short of halfway
Australia 16-2
36
SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL AUSTRALIA
Penalty goal attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
Johnathan Thurston is successful with the conversion attempt as Ben Matulino took out Billy Slater off the ball. Penalty goal extends the lead for the Kangaroos
Australia 16-2
34
Penalty to the Kangaroos for Billy Slater being taken off the ball.
Australia 14-2
30
TRY AUSTRALIA
Scored by Cooper Cronk. Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
Cooper Cronk has crashed over for the second try for the Australians as Darius Boyd ran down the sideline and grubbered in field for Cronk. Australia created the opportunity on the left side as the Kiwis defence failed to slide and cover. Thurston from the sideline nails the goal with a beautiful strike.
Australia 14-2
30
VIDEO REFEREE for the @Kanagroos! Cooper Cronk claiming a try after a bolting run down the sideline from Darius Boyd
Australia 8-2
29
Penalty to the Kangaroos as the Kiwis worked over the ruck. Cooper Cronk kicks for line and the Kangaroos attack on halfway
Australia 8-2
28
Manu Vatuvei jumped high from the kick off Johnson but fell short of the goal line as Brett Morris held him out.
Australia 8-2
25
It's NO TRY for the Kangaroos and a penalty given to the Kiwis as Andrew Fifita came in and pushed Issac Luke as the try was being scored. It was shaping up as a magic try as Cooper Cronk attempted to take the cross field kick from Hayne and score, but Luke saved the day
Australia 8-2
26
This looks like it will be a try for Australia, a bit of magic from the Kangaroos if it's given
Australia 8-2
26
VIDEO REFEREE for the Kangaroos! This will be magical if it's a try, Hayne took an offload and kicked back in field before going on. Slater took the catch but appeared to be held up in goal
Australia 8-2
22
Shaun Johnson puts the ball over the sideline on the last tackle with his kick. Scrum packs for Australia 25 metres off their own line
Australia 8-2
21
Brilliant kick from Cooper Cronk sees the ball sit up on a blade of grass in goal and it forces Kevin Locke to return to the Kangaroos defence
Australia 8-2
21
TRY AUSTRALIA
Scored by Billy Slater. Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
Billy Slater has given the Old Trafford crowd an aerial display as he leapt up high off a pin-point chip kick from Thurston to slide over. Thurston with a simple conversion attempt nails the goal
Australia 8-2
18
Great work from Johnathan Thurston and Brett Morris to trap Kevin Locke in goal from the long kick. Line drop out for the Kangaroos
2 all
15
SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL NEW ZEALAND KIWIS
Penalty goal attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
Shaun Johnson is successful with the penalty goal attempt from next to the uprights to lock the game up at 2-all
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14
Penalty for a high tackle from Cam Smith on Elijah Taylor and the Kiwis will return serve with a penalty goal attempt
Australia 2-0
13
Sam Thaiday is caught with possession on the last tackle as a poor kick from the Kangaroos gives Kiwis a start on their own 20 metre line.
Australia 2-0
12
A mistake from the Kiwis on the first tackle from the penalty sees the ball back in the hands of the Kangaroos.
Australia 2-0
11
Penalty to the Kiwis against Greg Bird for working over Issac Luke after the held call. Kiwis kick for touch and attack inside the Kangaroos half
Australia 2-0
9
Greg Inglis came flying through off a bomb from Cooper Cronk, but knocked on. Kevin Locke scooped up the ball to start the Kiwis set 20 metres off their own line.
Australia 2-0
8
Jarryd Hayne remains on the field for the Kangaroos, however Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has limped off the Kiwis with Alex Glenn replacing him
Australia 2-0
8
UNFORCED ERROR NEW ZEALAND KIWIS
Kevin Locke makes an unforced error.
Kevin Locke comes up with a mistake as he fumbled the offload from Sonny Bill Williams. Meanwhile Jarryd Hayne is down after going low on Simon Mannering in a tackle.
Australia 2-0
6
Kangaroos penalised for being inside the 10 metres as the Kiwis jumped with a quick play of the ball.
Australia 2-0
5
SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL AUSTRALIA
Penalty goal attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
Johnathan Thurston opens the scoring for the Australian Kangaroos as he slots the penalty goal
Australia 2-0
4
Billy Slater was taken out by Foran and disallowed an attempt at kick catch. Australia taking the two points
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2
On-field referee originally called a line drop out as Jarryd Hayne jumped on the last tackle to take the cross field kick. However, it's a change over as the Kiwi defence holds out the Kangaroos
0 all
1
UNFORCED ERROR NEW ZEALAND KIWIS
Jesse Bromwich makes an unforced error.
Jesse Bromwich fumbles the short pass from Issac Luke as he charged into the Kangaroos defence. Scrum first up for Australia, just 20 metres out from the goal line
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1
We are UNDERWAY at Old Trafford as both nations hunt for the 2013 World Cup title! Australia kick off to give NZ the first use of the ball.
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It's time for the Haka! This for the final time in the 2013 World Cup campaign. Kick off just minutes away
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Both sides walking out onto Old Trafford, Kangaroos and Kiwis onto the field now ahead of kick off. National Anthems first up for both competing nations.
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Good morning and welcome to LeagueUnlimited's LIVE coverage from Old Trafford. The New Zealand Kiwis are out to retain their World Cup Title as they face the Australian Kangaroos.
TEAMS:
Australia: 1. Billy Slater 2. Brett Morris 3. Greg Inglis 4. Jarryd Hayne 5. Darius Boyd 6. Johnathan Thurston 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Matthew Scott 9. Cameron Smith 10. James Tamou 11. Greg Bird 12. Sam Thaiday 13. Paul Gallen
Interchange: 14. Daly Cherry-Evans 15. Josh Papalii 16. Andrew Fifita 17. Corey Parker
New Zealand: 1. Kevin Locke 2. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 3. Dean Whare 4. Bryson Goodwin 5. Manu Vatuvei 6. Kieran Foran 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Jared Waeara-Hargreaves 9. Issac Luke 10. Jesse Bromwich 11. Simon Mannering 12. Sonny Bill Williams 13. Elijah Taylor
Interchange: 14. Frank Paul Nuuausala 15. Sam Kasiano 16. Ben Matulino 17. Alex Glenn
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