Final Highlights Rugby League: Four Nations

This is the Australian the dressing room here at Elland Road and give

they were in an American short they would be about retired this shirt.

It is that of Darren Lockyer and this match sees the end of a 16

year professional career which she has won everything. I think he is

the most talented player in the world of either code. All of a

sudden, Lockyer says, now baby! is alleged and of the game.

inspirational leader. A legend of the game. A gentleman on and off

the field. Brisbane Broncos, the 2006 Premiership champions! This

could be an enormous reception for Darren Lockyer. Lockyer on the

inside, the pass is perfect. Superb play! Darren Lockyer, the master

tactician. Will he get to the line? No, he gives it to Lockyer. A

superb effort. Can Lockyer go to the post? I think he will! And

Darren Lockyer scores for Australia, the try that wins. And outstanding

servant to rugby league. Lockyer is in at the side of the

post and that is why they are the world champions. He is a world

champion, that says it all. What an inspiration! Thanks for the

memories, Darren. It is also a pretty special occasion for Adrian

Morley. It will be his 50th international, making him the most

capped British player in the history of the sport, and there is

no doubting his passion for the What a stage for Adrian Morley, a

full house here at Elland Road for the Four Nations final, England

against Australia. With meat Jonathan Davies and Brian Noble. It

is a tremendous achievement for a to Molly. Amazing, especially the

manner in which he plays. He has always been at the forefront of

everything England have done. adamant that it is 15 not out.

will go on for another 50, if I know him. He is very competitive

and his heart and soul is in the game. I would not bet against him.

Darren Lockyer, what has made him so special over the years? I do not

know where you start. He is a fabulous person. He has the

responsibility of the game at heart but he has back at up with being a

fabulous player. To nature debut in 1997 and be as good as he has been

for so long makes him one of the all-time greats. Well that bring

Australia in motion tonight? think so. He is so well respected

all over the world, but especially in Australia. On the big occasions,

he has pulled something out of the back to win games for club and

country. They will not wanting to leave the playing scene on a loss.

The form of players such as Carvell who have kept his form and Ellis

coming back. They have built up a good team spirit and he will be on

the sideline shouting them on. this England's best chance for many

a yeah? I think so. They're very confident. They need to do the

basics well today, get the kicking game, and do what they do every

weekend for the club sides, no mistakes, or take their

Australia the only team with a 100% record and England finishing second.

So, to the final. Can England when history calls and an

atmosphere to match. England expects, but we have been here

before. Australia remain a formidable foe. It has that feel of

the last night of the Proms. Is it going to be the last night of the

Poms being second best to sensational. This is how they line

up. Gareth Ellis returns from injury, otherwise exactly the same

personnel that had been on duty throughout this tournament. And the

only change for Australia is that Jharal Yow Yeh fills in on the wing.

There is the referee, a slight the controversial, Matt Cecchin from

Australia. -- it slightly controversial. It is a game and

layered with so many emotions. One of the all-time greats, Darren

Lockyer, his final cap. Adrian Morley of England winning a record-

breaking 50th cap. And England hoping to beat Australia in this

series for the first time since 1972. Is this their time? This is

the time, this is the place and now is the occasion to deliver. The

crowd are wound up, but players are wind-up. I am certain this will be

England showed against New Zealand last week and they will need that

Australians, they always referred back to type, chase heart and

defend hard to attained field position. The atmosphere is

sensational. It is magnificent, a packed Elland Road, everybody

rightly so. Pretty obvious, and that is exactly what England do not

want. They must be very tight in every way. It was Kevin Sinfield. A

pretty easy decision for the referee and it gives Australia

but not when you have three or four English defenders to keep him at

already waving play on and will give the try. It is an early blow

for Australia. The English crowd is silenced, Australia have the

opening try. This is what gave the Australians feet position. -- field

position. There is a contest, it comes free and Thaiday is the first

to react. Lovely hands from Lawrence there, to support Thaiday.

A legitimate try, no problem with that. The disappointment was the

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field position gift from the the middle. Benny's to be a good

end to the said. But only a miracle would have turned that into

something special. If you thought Australia were weakened by the exit

of Slater, they are, but it is a stages that, if England are going

to win tonight, they are going to have to be very good. They can't

afford that, Ryan Hall looking for Briscoe. It was not the best of

passes but you can see what he was doing. It was not a lack of

concentration. You felt it was almost on, but the execution was

not good enough. If you give Australia a starting set 12 metres

from your line, you have got some pretty hard work to do in the next

England pack, and they have got a Smith from dummy half. Held up

very good finish. The referee wants a second look, but that was

terrific handling right across the line. Akuila Uate thinks he has got

it here. The real body players, from Darius Boyd to Greg Inglis,

and a really strong finish from Akuila Uate. It is out. What a

great tackle. You can almost hear the sigh of relief from the England

supporters. A sigh of relief from sharp, but so was the Australian

defence. Ellis going for the kick. I'm not sure if he was trying to

force a handling error. That is an element of composure. Unfortunately

has come on for David Shillington. Darius Boyd takes it but the whole

centre wing partnership did well on that occasion. It certainly did.

has lost that. Anthony Watmough has lost that clean, I think. The

referee is taking his time, and he gives it to England. That's right.

He was loose with the control of the ball as he was regaining his

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too close to gamble on the past. Rangi Chase, who we have not seen

too much of so far. That was not a good kick, that went backwards.

Play on, but it was the 6th tackle tenderly played at it so it didn't

affect the tackle count. -- everything at the moment, not

letting the referee loses concentration for a moment. A very

important first attempt. He has done really well, Jack Reed has

made two crucial tackles. Darren Lockyer's pass. The grimmest tells

its own story, and England survive another scare. It was not the best

lost it. Picked up by Lawrence. The referee will have another look to

see if there was an illegal infringement on some Tomkins, but I

rather fancy the Australians have a and a good tactic employed, putting

the ball high. They are not going for the grounding, which suggests

this will be no try. There will be a few scratching their heads over

that decision. I believe they have given offside because some of the

players who went within 10 metres were in front of the kicker. It is

hand side. It's terrifying, looking at all those Australian shirts. It

is Williams, he drops it. Another escape for England. That was the

reason they stacked the right hand side, Darren Lockyer trying to put

the big man through. The defence was Australia's knock-on because I

believe Darius Boyd palmed the ball backwards into the arms of Galloway.

This is a feature of the Australian game, kicking two Tomkins. As soon

as he receives the ball, he receives a chasing Australian

player. The Australians found it too tempting, and a penalty goes

England's way. Again, it is Tony Williams. No doubt about it, a

remaining. England, at times, have been on the rack but they remain

Lawrence was the man who slipped by. He has lost it. A penalty for

England. He can't believe it but England have got the shout again

here. He loses the ball as he hits the floor. He looks at the referee

before he regained control. That is a good decision for England but I'm

sure the Australians won't be happy about it. The best chance for

England so far in this game. It will be a scrum down now because

there was another knock on. Another set of six. Yes, off the line.

Urgent defence. Paul Gallen prevented Graham getting the ball.

Graham is appealing for offside, it doesn't matter, it is another set

Greg Inglis came out. Ellis attempted to offload out the back

door with his right arm. Greg Inglis played at the ball, so

another full set for England. They are camped on the Australian line.

Every decision has gone England's way. What a chance that this is.

Here comes Jon Wilkin, dragged down. Sinfield over the top, Ryan Hall to

finish off. He has lost it. Or has he? The referee wants to look again.

Ryan Hall has pulled off some miraculous finishes. Has he done it

again? We will soon see. It is a desperate tackle. It is no dry.

What about a penalty try? He has lost the ball. Is there a

separation? I believe there is. This is a massive moment in this

game. Here we go. Ian Smith to push the button. Penalty try! You have

to be certain, and Ian Smith will tell you he was certain. Ryan Hall,

by hook or by crook, has done it again. He was fouled in the act of

scoring, and that is what the video referee has ruled. They got the

numbers wide out, a good cross from Sinfield. He was fouled, an illegal

challenge, and that is the rolling, and we will take it. As it is a

penalty try, the kick is from right underneath the sticks. It is 6-6.

My word! We have had a few talking points in this game already, but

offside. With 40 seconds of the half remaining, do they go for

goal? Yes, they will. The referee has got it right. They were two

Cawthray he could have chosen from. The hooter is sounding. Steve

McNamara it looks on, knowing his side will be trailing at half-time.

What a first half! Incredibly, at the score line is 6-8 after all of

second half gets under way. What will happen in the next 40 minutes?

If it is anything like that first 40 intends of incident and

entertainment I am sure you will be Australian camp would have been

about one or two decisions that did concentration to win this game from

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then smothered him in the tackle They are taking the risks and

putting the Australian defence under immense pressure. The Aussies

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at the moment it looked like they from Williams. I think we are

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Australia. He is an important here to really have a go at what

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you sense might be a tiring kicking but it came off for an

Australian and it is a penalty for England. I would take the two and

there are certainly going to be more and I think England should

has given it as pulling him away from that tackle. Obstruction.

There are the instructions from the England coach, letters get two,

letters get parity and build from one stage, now find themselves

and that might be just the way that the English side have left

Australia off the hook. Potentially really making that English Defence

referee has gone for the video replay. That was magnificent

defence. It really was. Desperation personified there. I think he might

have been short and anyway, his legs were over the line. Remember,

the corner flags are in play. is the international rules but that

is irrelevant here, it is the side line, as to whether there is any

part. It is whether it touches the whitewash. It looks short. You can

see green. Yes, that is short. That is of fantastic effort by Yow Yeh

to even get close. Here comes the decision from Ian Smith. No try, a

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scrum defence. Another correct made a very good impression

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resolve here. Australia have stack very much at the heart of that. The

gap created and Australia back in the lead. Darren Lockyer has not

got caught up in the emotion, it being his last game, he has been

very efficient. A beautiful pass. Creating the space for Yow Yeh.

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Quality play, as appreciated by with a wonderful offload bite Lewis.

Thurston with the finished that might just be carrying this game

away from England. A marvellous piece of play here from Lewis. I

like the decision by Gallen, he is trying to go direct, play upstream,

and look at the support there from Thurston. There were two England

players on the ground, they were bound to be short somewhere. That

is why it Gallen went direct, went forward and offloaded to Thurston

of this game. Jonathan Thurston has added two, and it is getting at all

order with every passing minute. -- a taller order. Another Australian

dry and it is just about all over. Cameron Smith has been exceptional

as well. A number of Australian players have been exceptional, but

to be involved in the game for 80 minutes, and to be involved so

positively, he is an exceptional reassuring round of applause from

the England support us. Tomkins' big plus point is running through a

Knocked on. It was almost to try but they still haven't had the

opportunity. He used the advantage. As soon as he passed the ball, he

downfield. England were taking a gamble, and it was not bad play in

the end. I applaud that. There is 30 minutes or so left, and you have

got to do something out of the ordinary. That was out of the

as that for Greg Inglis. We haven't seen too much of him in this

tournament, but a little glimpse of his class and quality, and that

might just select for Australia. This is lovely play. He looks to

the outside, Anthony Watmough gets through, and shows and goes. He

keeps the defence honest, that is why it opens up on the outside for

Anthony Watmough. A little dummy, and slide over. Jonathan Thurston

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the game, critical moments. Greg Inglis down this left unsullied,

Thurston in support. -- down this left-hand side. Look at them

sliding it in. Lockyer! What a way to finish your career. Created and

finished by rugby league royalty. His reign is over but it has

finished in style. Darren Lockyer, we salute you. What a rugby league

legend, and what a fitting conclusion to one phenomenal career.

What a great way to finish your career. Darren Lockyer, trying to

create a try 4 someone else, ricochets off the ground, he scores.

What a great way to finish your career as a champion in a champion

team. Darren Lockyer is a legend. It is going to be the last kick of

the night, it is sadly the last kick of his career, and he has

Lockyer. England were hoping it would be their night tonight.

England were hoping they would finally reach the summit of rugby

league, but perhaps, perhaps fittingly, the final word is with

We weren't comfortable until 15 to go, which is exactly the same in

2009. England gave us a great run. To the credit of our group, we with

studied and bounced back into the game. I thought we valiantly

defended our goal in the first half. We kept them out under intense

pressure. We just couldn't quite find a rhythm offensively, and we

were 12 points down, who knows, but on the day Australia were the

deserve it winners today. I think the way we played in the first 60

told in the last 20. It was gutsy in the first 60 but we didn't

execute what we went out to do. Because of that we were tired in

the last 20 because we had to expend a lot of energy.

important was it to you to bow out with a try? It is a long flight

home. It is nice to go home with a win under your belt. My time for

reflection will come now and I have many good memories. How much did

you want to do this for Darren Lockyer? I as a squat, everybody

wanted to play their best game. 17 players really stood up today and

that is what we needed, that is what got us the result. The still

haven't got you, have they? And no, but they started the season seeded

third and make the final again. In 2009 they did the same thing. I

know people would like to see them beat us mark, I know people will be

happy with the fact they have got there. It must give you hope going

forward to the World Cup. A without a doubt. Experience gained for a

few young members of our squad. The programme suggests this is another

step forward for us, and in a few years' time we will attack the

World Cup on home soil, and hopefully go one step further.

Jamie Peacock, limping on to the stage. For England, it is all about

the journey to the World Cup in 20 the two -- in 2013. But from what

we have seen tonight, still not good enough. With a tear in his eye,

it is one last time for Darren Lockyer. But, for Australia, it is

glory again. England pipped at the final hurdle. The pain continues

for them, but Australia go on and on. They are the 2011 winners.

So the waiting goes on. Australia win again. Brian, the Right Team

won, didn't they? Yes, it was close at half-time. 10 minutes into the

second half, we were still in with a chance, but the intensity they

play week-in, week-out, it told. The quality of the final ball - you

weren't happy? Yes, in the final tackle the play was not good enough

at this level. When you look at Thurston and Darren Lockyer, the

kick was precise and they closed Sam Tomkins down. Not only in

defence, in attack the distribution was top class and that was the

difference. They had opportunities and they finished us. We could not

getting around their defence. Wonderful that Darren Lockyer

scored at the end. We will let him go with the conversion. A fitting

end to an unbelievable career. We talked about it at the start of the

game. Jonathan said you know who will score the last Traille in this

game. He has done all the hard work through his career. You get the

rewards, as he did today. He has been a good tournament, hasn't it?

Yes, high quality from Wales, trying their best, but not good

enough, and then the world champions. Doing the right thing at

the right time was crucial but New Zealand were slightly disappointing.

England have taken an extra step and they have to compete beyond

that 65 minute mark. Ryan Hall stood out, but when it comes down

to the two half-backs from Australia, they have been the

difference. We don't know what will happen next year. It is important

England play a high quality, keep moving forward. Yes, we might get a

trip to New Zealand to play the Kiwis, which would be brilliant,

before the World Cup. We need some more football for this team, we

need to improve more and find a level of intensity that we can go

for 80 minutes. The only way they can do that is by playing against

the best. It is a learning curve, especially at the international

level, but you have to keep playing against Australia and New Zealand.

It has been a good year overall. Yes, fabulous super League with a

lot of excitement towards the back end with the play-offs and we have

seen some really good rugby league on television. That is it for 2011,

the year in which Wigan got their hands on the Challenge Cup. Leeds