Final - New Zealand v Australia Rugby League World Cup

Everybody is saying go, go, go, and he goes. It is a try!

Hello and welcome to Old Trafford for the 20 Rugby league World Cup

final. This is the trophy, the Aussies want it back. In 2008 we had

the World Cup taken from us. It is not just about skill, you have to

hold your nerves. A penalty try awarded to New Zealand. That is a

try! A shocking mistake. We want the World Cup back. I am Cameron Smith,

welcome to the World Cup final. Thank you very much to Cameron Smith

for introducing the final on the BBC. The former England captain

Jamie Peacock is part of our team. The other two, quite frankly,

deserve a camera shot all of their own. Robbie Hunter-Paul from the

Kiwi's prospective, and Brian Noble. You have got a handkerchief. You

have got fishing tackle on your jacket. I have never seen anybody

able to carry out sports and checks. Well done for giving it a try. It is

all going on out there, like my mind. How excited are you? Your

country in the final again. I got up very early, I am well prepared, I

could not sleep last night. There is a lot of needle in this game because

of what happened in the final and 2008. You have been talking to

Stephen Kearney, the coach, and they are pumped for this. Yes, the Kiwi

boys are confident against the Aussies. It is their trophy as well

and they are holding it at the moment. My big worry for the Kiwis

is they are over cut. They had a really big game last week. The

question of Australia is have they had enough games of sufficient

toughness to get them ready for this final? The Aussies came into this

tournament pretty relaxed. They have made 13 consecutive finals, said

that is understandable. They have an inbred confidence they all

understand. You put on that green and gold jumper and you expect to

win and it has been like that for the last few years. But they have

got to come out and play against New Zealand. Just explain what happens

when New Zealand play Australia in a match that matters. The Aussies have

won nine out of 11 between them. But the one that really mattered, the

2010 four Nations final, the Kiwis won that. Do they raise the game for

the ones that matter? For the people at home to understand the passion

New Zealand have, you have to think about the Ashes. The reality is it

is about winning not all the games, but about winning the big ones and

the important ones and there are none more important than this. I was

talking to Cameron Smith and they seem to be more concerned about New

Zealand and England. Yes, I have heard that from inside the camp as

well. The Kiwis have got the game to beat them, but more importantly the

Kiwis believe they can beat them. Brian thinks the Australians are a

bit undercut coming into this game and we will see exactly how they got

here. They started off by beating England. New Zealand beat England

this time last week. Burgess, what a try!

He has done it, he has nailed it. Still incredibly painful to watch

for those of us who were not involved on the field. Sam burgess

has joined us, which we are delighted about. It must be harder

for you to watch. Like I said today, walking through the streets to get

here, there is a great atmosphere. Thank you for reminding me about

last week, but it is going to be a good spectacle for rugby league. How

hard has it been to try and think what if? There were so many. There

always is. Today I was probably think a lot more than I did during

the week. Last week was a great game. Unfortunately, we were on the

wrong side of the scoreline, but I am very proud of the team and the

staff and all their efforts. We have no idea how much we wish you were

not here, if that makes sense. Last week, you said Sam's performance was

the best performance in an English shirt for 20 years. I meant every

word I said. I thought it was outstanding. It was the most

outstanding performance I have ever seen for a long time. I just thought

you set the lead for the team throughout the game. Cheers, last

week Paul Deacon said to me before the game he needed me to play as

well as I could if we had a chance of winning. I enjoyed playing in

that jumper. I enjoyed the day and the atmosphere, but it is

unfortunate we did not get the result. You are a player who raises

his game in the England shirt. International Rugby league is a lot

different to club rugby league. Games are won or lost on efforts off

the ball as well as on the ball. You know yourself. It is all effort and

you are representing your country and your family and everything. It

brings out the best in players. That is why I love playing for England.

You talk about what Jamie means to you and how he has brought you up.

Take a look at Jamie's reaction. Look how scared Robbie looks. That

is what it meant to us watching last week. Yeah, I think that is great.

This country is very patriotic. It is brilliant support we have had

throughout the whole tournament. It has been a joy to play in. Something

happened last week when I scored that try. We can reveal what

happened when the earlier try went over. My false teeth flew out across

the studio. I was aware of a commotion behind me. We did not

realise he had put them in upside down! As far as George is concerned,

your brother, this must have been a difficult week for him because of

his involvement in the penalty and a high tackle on Sonny boy Williamson.

How is he? He is disappointed with that tackle. But he has had a good

year and he did a lot of good things for his club and his country this

year. Two pin one thing on a player... Sam is absolutely right,

that is one moment. They were probably others that England could

have done better, but it was not the highlight of the day and it was not

the game breaking play. That happens with big bloke on big bloke all the

time. For the moment, thank you. Sam is standing here next to us as an

international rugby league player, but this is how it all began for Sam

and his brothers. It was a huge part of my life. I spent a lot of time

there as a kid. My dad coached there and my other three brothers played

there as well. I started when I was five years old. We were bred into

it, being four brothers. It was set in stone we were going to go there

as well. The dad was a coach down here. He coached all his kids. They

were a close-knit family. Sam was an outstanding player from 13. He was

always head and shoulders above everybody else. My mum and dad were

good at getting extra training and we had a chance to play from five or

six years old, playing so young. They were to really likeable lad. My

mum bought us red and blue boots to tell the difference between us on

the pitch. They realised how good and big they work when Sam started

to make it, but unfortunately Mark passed away. The biggest impact it

had was on Sam because he became the carer and he did everything for

Mark. It really made Sam Grow up. He realistically became the dad and he

brought the twins on. I am really proud of my little brothers and they

are always my little brother no matter how little they are. They got

to Australia via Bradford Bulls and Leeds Rhinos. We are proud they are

playing for their country, but they deserve it because they are good,

grounded lads. Having seen that and having watched the game, if a kid

wants to get into rugby league now, what advice would you give them? Get

your boots on and go and enjoy it. I was down at the Hall last night and

I said, enjoy your time and play with your friends. When you are 24

or 25, or 34 or 35, you never forget your junior rugby league days. I

said, get out there and enjoy it, it is a special time in your life.

Brian is delighted if you think he is 35. You brought Sam into

Bradford, what would you say to the kids who want to get involved? Get

down to wherever you can play rugby league. The more and more people we

have playing, you will love it. It's the mates that you get through it

all, carries yon through your life. We saw Sam's dad in the piece, that

no know if you've heard Brian's story about his encounter. My very

first professional game as an under 19, you old fellow was playing

professionally for the opposition, we went round the old boys club,

your old fellow whacked me before we got on the field! So being a brave

soldier, I tried to make the best of it can he was a lot bigger than me,

the referee was a great referee in the local society and

professionally, he sent us both off before we even got to the field! He

said, right, you're off! Right, it's a tournament that has seen 27 games

so far, one to go. Plenty of other states as well.

They get a standing ovation, that has been a magnificent game.

He has dropped it! Slipped over the line! Oh, dear.

We have seen some spectacular hits, some fascinating bits of skill, and

yet, I am led to believe that that video of her sniffing your shorts is

one of the most watched viral things in Australia. So I have heard! She

asked me for my shorts on the other side of the field, I've said I had

some embarrassing undies on, I didn't think the cameras were

rolling, they caught me off guard! She was happy, anyway! You haven't

seen her for two weeks, but today... I wouldn't do that! I had never seen

fear in your eyes before! Lets tell you how the Australians got here. We

touched on an earlier. They were only tested earlier in the

tournament. There try-line hasn't been crossed since.

Let's hear from Tim Sheens, their coach. You may be halfway round the

world but I get the impression a nation expects of you and your team?

Yes, there will be expectation, that's obviously for the fans and

the media and everyone else. From our point of view it's about the

process today of playing well right through the game, not worrying too

much about the end result, it's tense to look after itself. I know

you have said that it's not about revenge, 2008 is history, but some

of your lessons learnt a hard lesson that they. It really was five years

ago, if you start worrying about what happened then, it's just

something you don't need. So we really haven't talked about it, the

media have tried to bring it up a little bit, with respect to you all,

but the guys are just focused on this, this is about this team and

this year. Is Billy Slater 100% fit? He wouldn't be playing if he wasn't.

What does he bring to the team? He could coach the team, he could coach

the team, he's that sort of player commie talks them through

everything. The French style to Greg Inglis but he is the sort of guy

that could coach the team -- different style to Greg Inglis. Tim

Sheens says that Billy Slater is 100% it.

Do you think it is a risk playing Slater? No, I think what he said is

really telling, the fact he can coach this team shows what a smart

player he is, and regardless of injury, Slater is a key part of this

team. Leaving him to the side, where else can the Aussies win this?

Fundamental to this is the Queensland core that runs through

the centre, Billy Slater at fullback this guy right here is one of the

world 's greatest fullbacks, one of the greatest in the completion. Then

we have the stand-off, Johnathan Thurston, energetic and dynamic.

Cooper Crunk and Cameron Smith, both of these guys, they revived the

smart bits of play that get this Australian team around the field. --

they provide. They all play together for Queensland. Expect to see these

guys come up with the big decisions in the big moments of the game and

get them right. Myself and Jamie have played against them on a number

of occasions and that the crucial moments, they get the play is right,

they make this team take. He is getting braver and braver! A couple

of the Aussies look like they wanted clatter him. The fact that you

Slater is back means the Australians have their best players in the best

position? I think so, a lot of them want him at fullback, to put the

best centre back into his position also unhappy decent player like

Slater really helps. I don't think there is a risk, they were training

on Wednesday and they batted him, so he is ready to play. If you look at

the bench line-up, they are not worried about him. You mean they

properly put him through his cases? -- places? Last week he did tell us

that when he suffered the injury against the US, a suffered more pain

when he received the injury then and when he did the original injury 12

months before. That hurt anybody. What happened to him on Wednesday on

the training field didn't quite replicate that but it's hard when

you are in a vulnerable position, but he was picked up, stamped on,

trampled on, he is fit to play. A shake of the head as you saw that

try. It's not nice seeing that one. He might need his boots on stop he

was right in amongst it! Let's just look at Thurston. He has been trying

some of his kicks into this corner while we have been stood here. I

think he is key to this Australian team winning it, it's the accuracy

of his kicks. You can see where they land, a yard from the goal line.

They don't score that time, they get a bit of luck on another cake, but

his accuracy is incredible. -- another kick. A yard away from the

goal line again. The games are won by building pressure, using the

right kicks at the right time. Using a slightly different variation of

the kick, but again, this art the same way they want to. I love the

cake hear from him, and again, he landed in that area. -- a lovely

cake here. A pertinent point about the kicking game, because it's so

size from Australia, Cameron Smith creates a kind of pressure. The

Kiwis have to do the same. If they don't find a kicking game better

than the one they established last week and through the tournament, it

will be tough for them. That's what the Aussies do well, they keep the

ball in play. They try and where the opposition down that way. For the

Kiwis to get the win, like Jamie Peacock said, they are going to have

two disrupt Crunk and Thurston when they are kicking and try and force

some errors. If the ball goes out into touch, it will favour them.

We're going to let Ryan go now. He's going to join the commentary team,

take one last look at the outfit! Robbie will rejoin us after we look

at the semifinals from a Kiwi point of view.

Penalty to New Zealand! A moment the heroes! -- moment for heroes.

With literally seconds to play! Now he has a kick to win the game.

They showed the courage to stay in their full stop and Sean was doing

his thing. The boys, they showed right courage to get into the

positions to get Sean to do a bit of magic. England played very well, we

are going to have to improve our game, there are aspects that need a

lot of work. Just have to go out and enjoy the moment. Here is how New

Zealand got to the final. They were tested and they were

tested to their physical limits, we saw Sonny Bill in that piece, with

ice on him, as if he was in an episode of cat -- casualty! Will

that physicality have taken it out of him? I don't think so, they have

been building momentum, hopefully they will be able to build on

everything as opposed to knock them about, it was a physical game, the

intensity stayed all the way through to the final play of the game, which

we saw Shaun Johnson breaking British hearts. We talked about

Thurston, do you want to look at the New Zealand halves? They need to

make sure the halves dominate the game. We know they have the strike

weapons on the edge but it needs Shaun Johnson to get it together,

they are doing those strikes together. If they have this type of

talent, with the strike factor weapons, they can get over the

try-line. Having that game sense to know that there will be people

sitting back in the whole, and they can get over the try-line. There we

see the play that breaks the English hearts. Once again, we're looking

about the individual ability of the New Zealanders. You can see the

footwork of Shaun Johnson, he just stops Kevin Sinfield, he stutters,

he bounces out and you tell lies with your eyes, you see George

coming across as well, that's what New Zealand can bring. What they

need to do, importantly, is make sure they play in the middle of the

park, and the halves are crucial. He gave him a little tap as he went

past. Did you talk about that in the England dressing room at half-time?

Not really, that's just individual audience. Sometimes you can't stop

things that people throw at you, you saw Shaun Johnson, with the

footwork. But I think the Kiwis to do well, they have to put everything

together, the halves need to mix it with the forward and link it with

the backline. I think we are in for a great game today, great spectacle.

Speaking of the forwards, let's go and join Earl Crabtree who has been

looking at them. If New Zealand want to get their hands on the World Cup,

they have to win the middle of the field, they have two dominate, the

likes of Hargreaves and the Bromwich, they have to make sure

they dominate there. If they do that they stand a good chance. And they

give themselves an opportunity off the bench to make sure they can lift

the intensity. Isaac Luke has been sensational. He is going to beat the

one to watch. He will be exploiting any chinks in the armour. Off the

back of that is a player we have not mentioned yet. Sonny Bill Williams.

Expect to see magic from that guy tonight. He knows how to turn it on.

When he wants to do it, he will do it. The New Zealand players just

walking behind us now. A lot of the crowd are in Kiwi deer. They are

standing and they are applauding as they go off. All of this, this whole

game is being played against the backdrop of what happened five years

ago. The Kiwis have played Australia in two previous World Cup finals,

losing them both. I think we are in for a 1090 minutes. And that has

stunned New Zealand after such a good opening. Things are not going

as planned. Wonderful passing. The skipper is over the line. I think he

has got it down! They Kiwi crowd is going wild. It is the biggest upset

ever in the history of the World Cup. New Zealand, the champions of

the world. They were the players who won it five years ago. Here are the

players who are going to try and retain it this afternoon at Old

Trafford. Three of the members of the 2008 team are in the 17 today.

Stephen Kearney coached them five years ago and he coaches them this

afternoon. He led the Haka. He is with Robbie Hunter-Paul. What are

your memories of the 2000 Rugby league World Cup final? I remember

getting beaten and it was not a great memory. It was a wonderful

occasion for us. We were pretty close in the game, but we did not

quite manage it. We have to do it today. You had success in 2008. Can

you do it again ten night? We are here and we feel we have not had our

best performance out there yet in this tournament. I am pretty sure it

is going to be today. What are the key moments or key individuals you

are looking for from the Australians? They have a number.

Cameron Smith is very influential. Billy is back in the group. You

could name 17. For as it is about ourselves and putting in our best

performance. If we play to our best ability today, we will give

ourselves a great chance. It was a physical game against England last

week. How have you prepared? The guys are in great spirit. We are in

the World Cup final. It has been a challenge to keep your feet on the

ground most of the week, but they are in good spirits and I am pretty

sure it will be a great performance. Stephen Kearney was talking to

Robbie. We are ten minutes away from seeing some of the biggest stars in

rugby league. # Chrome I need to know now, now now, will you love me

again? # I need to know now, will you love me again? # . It is getting

close. They will be in the tunnel very shortly. The Australian team go

through their final warm ups. We can hear from two of them now. How could

you get sick of that face? That is sensational from the kangaroos. It

has been a successful campaign so far. We have improved in every match

since the first game, but this will have to be a bigger effort. A few

guys involved in the 2008 World Cup, it is still disappointing we

lost that game. It has not been tough for the Kiwis. We are here to

be the 2013 champions. It is nothing to do with making up what happened

in 2008 because nothing is going to change the result. You and me. He

gets a bit annoying. He is a bit of a personality. We went to the zoo

and we went to the Guinness brewery. That will be the one and

only Guinness I will have. We saw Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs. I am a

fan of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. He has got great footwork. I think England

are pretty unlucky not to be in the final. There have been too many.

When I think about it it was not funny at the time because it's done.

That was a good shot because he was about 30 metres away. He did not

have much to work with. We need to play our best footie to beat the

Kiwis, there is no doubt about that. It is going to be a special night

for myself personally to work -- walk out in the kangaroos' site at

Old Trafford. He likes to laugh. There is no doubt they have enjoyed

this tournament. But you want to concentrate on Smith and his head to

concentrate on Smith and his head-to-head battle with Isaac Luke.

Eyes Luke likes to be very direct. But at the start he has only had two

kicks from dummy half an Cameron has had 20. Cameron has got many strings

to his bow and he is a great leader for the Australian team. The sun is

shining. How beautiful is that? The stadium is full for this 2013 Rugby

league World Cup final. We saw them hugging each other making their way

out into the tunnel. How will they be feeling? They will be excited

because they know the whole year is resting on the next few minutes. We

used to own this trophy and we need to protect it and we need to go out

and own it once again. We are coming in against underdogs, but they have

to go up against Australia and believe in themselves and play for

their full 80 minutes with intensity. They are underdogs and

they can go head to head with the Aussies. I think the game against

the English will stand the Kiwis in good stead. What you cannot factor

in is collision. They are going from ten Myles an hour collisions up to

30 Myles an hour collisions. It will take some time for the Australians

to adjust to that. You live in Australia and you work in

Australia, Robbie, how much does five years ago cropped up? It must

still play on the minds of some of those who featured five years ago?

The Australians are a very passionate nation. For the Kiwis it

gives them a sense of confidence, they know they can go out and get

the job done. That is what makes for a great game today. I am sure the

hairs will be standing up on the back of their necks. This is the

2013 Rugby league World Cup final. Here, Australia and New Zealand.

There is determination and concentration on 26 men as they walk

towards the middle of this Old Trafford pitch. I wonder as they

came out if they took a moment to look around and take in the crowd as

they applaud them to their team line ups. A few moments from getting

underway in the World Cup final. The anthems will be sung by Russell

Watson. # Australians all let us rejoice. # For we are young and

free. # We've golden soil and wealth for

toil. # Our home is girt by sea.

# Our land abounds in nature's gifts.

# Of beauty rich and rare. # In history's page let every stage.

# Advance Australia fair. # In joyful strains then let us

sing. # Advance Australia fair.

# E Ihoa Atua. # O nga iwi matou ra.

# Ata whakarongona. # Me aroha noa. # Kia hua ko te pai.

# Kia tau to ata whai. # Manaakitia mai.

# Aotearoa. # God of nations! At Thy feet. # In

the bonds of love we meet. # Hear our voices, we entreat. # God defend

our Free Land. # Guard Pacific's triple star.

# From the shafts of strife and war. # Make her praises heard afar. # God

defend New Zealand. The crowd show their appreciation of

Russell Watson singing both national anthems. We are not down with the

pre-match rituals. Let's see what happens when the Kiwis do the haka

this afternoon. They didn't get as close as they did

five years ago. It's an intimidating atmosphere. This is the rugby league

World Cup final 2013. Forget what it could have been and enjoy what it's

going to be. The Kiwis are the holders but the

underdogs. The Kangaroos want their trophy back. And Old Trafford is a

herbalist shop for a potential epic here today. -- are fabulous actor.

New Zealand had a couple of injury concerns in the build-up, Elijah

Taylor is back at loose forward. Vatuvei and Tuivasa-Sheck are both

fit. Tuivasa-Sheck has been an electrifying presence on the wing

for the Kiwis. Alex Glenn coming in on the bench. For Australia, their

the consent has been over fullback Lee Slater. He is fit and having to

have a positive influence. Greg Inglis moves back into the three

quarters. What an imposing presence he provides.

The referee today is an Englishman, Richard Silverwood. There isn't

Englishman on the touchline. -- there is an Englishman. The final

act at the end of five fabulous weeks of drama, it really has been a

wonderful tournament and this should be a fitting finale. Look at that!

We are in for a cracker. Last week was a banquet, this is a feast, or

the other way round! This is going to be a belter. There is an early

mistake by Bromwich. But that one down to nerves. He rushed up, took

his eyes off the ball. Great attacking position now for

Australia. Probably not the start the Kiwis

wanted. Big, big test now. Early in the match. Australia looking to

stamp their authority on the game right from the off.

Brett Morris is often the one who goes under the headlines but he a

really good player. Really efficient finisher.

There were hands in there. Foran puts it behind the line. I thought

the Aussies knocked that on. They are asking for a video decision full

mighty relief for the Kiwis. They were strong, they put halfback

pressure on. One of the interesting dynamics, the first courage to have

made back-to-back finals in the long history of these world cups, the

dynamic is who the crowd sides with. Normally you would expect them to go

with New Zealand but given that New Zealand eat England last week it'll

be interesting to see how they go. I think they will definitely support

New Zealand, they were definitely going the Aussies when they came

out. Police later had an important role

five years ago, with an uncharacteristic mistake -- police

later. I wonder if he has memories of that. One of the tactics the

Australians will use is put Shaun Johnson under pressure and disrupt

the New Zealand kicking game. I think New Zealand need to take a

leaf out of their book, do the same to Thurston and to Evans if he comes

on the field, and Cameron Smith. Kieron Bryan ran Billy Slater

offered, the penalty goes Australia's way. Great field

position. What at the bottom of your screen,

that is far too obvious. They are going for gold, which is

probably a sign of the respect between these two teams. There is a

huge advantage in the centre. Greg Inglis and Jarryd Hayne, what a

class pairing that is. If they get a lot of ball today, that could be

significant, there are -- they are bigger and quicker than their

opposite numbers. Johnathan Thurston is on for a

record, six more points and he beats the international point-scoring

record, established by Mick Cronin. 309 points. The first two of the

game, taking Thurston to within four points of making that record. And

more pertinently, Australia lead. It's bubbly on the back of quite an

obvious shoulder charge from Foran. -- it's probably. They dropped the

ball once, the Kiwis, and given a penalty away, that is why we are

seeing the two point difference. I think they are quite pleased it is

only two points. Very narrow in goals here, at Old

Trafford. You're kicking has to be precise. You don't want to give away

too much from restarts. Any crossfield kicks, you don't want

them to go dead. Australia look to roll forward.

Trying to build some momentum here in these early stages.

Hoping for an awkward bounce but Tuivasa-Sheck has collected it, he

so often beats that first man, he did it again. We spoke at the top of

the show about the intensity of this game, who would have most, but most

of the green and gold, they will understand pressure from second one

until the last second. I think Tuivasa-Sheck is struggling. He

started limping. He is gone, I think. He's going off. He had the

injury coming in, didn't he? He was hurt against England. There were

doubts about him coming in this week. You can see the shin is

heavily strapped up. At one stage they thought it might have been

broken last week. First involvement in the game and he is off, that is

very, very sad to him. New Zealand, in the meantime, in decent position

inside the Australian half. Foran across the line! Could take by

Mannering, still going. He has left an Australian player down injured,

Jarryd Hayne looks in all kinds of trouble. Up go the big hands of

Sonny Bill Williams, a dangerous off-load outside, he has gone on the

inside. The referee says knock-on. I think we will get some treatment

here for Jarryd Hayne, who looks in a terrible way. He was whacked,

legitimately, as he was carrying the ball. That's a shame for the young

lead. -- the young lad. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, already. That's

rather innocuous, didn't look like anything stop --. I thought it was a

textbook tackle. It might have been that left knee clipping him. It's

got to be the head bone. -- hipbone. He is really struggling. He doesn't

look great, Jarryd Hayne. He made his way into this Australian side,

wasn't involved in the first game against England. And this is the

concern for Australia, Lewis having been injured earlier in the

tournament, they lose that second row three quarters person to bring

on. The worry was Slater. Now with the injury to Jarryd Hayne, it's a

different dynamic. I know Tim Sheens was saying earlier in the

tournament, when they tried to fill the three quarters line with a

second rower who wasn't used to playing there, that they had been

caught. New Zealand will be sensing this, if he goes off, although

having said that, looks as though he will be OK. He is up on his feet.

Jarryd Hayne 's stays on for the time being. He will try to run it

off if he can. They have gone through five and here

comes the last. Greg English almost got there. That is good play. Good

yardage. It was a great kick by Thurston.

We know how good and effective Isaac Luke is in that position, but he is

very selective. Sonny Bill Williams gets the ball every time. The timing

is to perfection. There was a far more pressure on the Kiwi fullback

than Billy Slater. I think Slater got a lot of protection.

Straight into Greg Bird. The Australians are very patient. Like

the test match at the start we talked about the differences at the

highest level. They will wait for the minutest of opportunities and

execute. We have got news from both Benson -- ventures. He is tiny

Arnold. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck went straight in. Jarryd Hayne took a

bang on a nerve that goes down his neck, but he will be all right. That

is OK because it is not his head. He will run that off. A penalty for New

Zealand. Greg Bird loves to get under your skin, doesn't he? With

the little penalties he is a fantastic player. When he played

over here for Catalan he played in the harvest. -- the harvests.

That man Greg Bird, he is a good player. English is a powerful man,

but even he cannot push of three key ways. Australia have lost a bit of

ground. They will have to hand over the ball. The cake was not far

enough. John is down on the touchline. I am here with Mark

Webber, the Formula one star. What do you make of the game? It is

pretty tense, they are feeling each other out. It is great to see the

sport that I grew up with, rugby league, playing here today. It will

be a hot contest. What do you make of the World Cup so far? An awesome

tournament. A penalty to New Zealand. Mark

Webber is a Canberra fan. He had his last race last week for Red Bull.

Penalty for New Zealand, going for gold, no great surprise. It has been

an intense start to this game. They have taken quite a bit out of each

other. No clear-cut chances. I have to say the referee's it means you

certainly cannot miss him. You cannot mistake him for a player, can

you? He is not kicking the goal, you know he is the referee! We talked

about Mick Cronin who has 76 World Cup points. If Johnson kicks this,

he will equal that record. Here is an opportunity for Shaun Johnson,

the man who broke English hearts seven days ago. A chance to bring

parity to this World Cup final. A last, lingering look at the target

ahead of him. Old Trafford quiet and is a little as Johnson puts it over.

From the raucous nature of the Rohrer greeting those two points

from New Zealand, we are left in no doubt as to where the majority of

the sympathy lies in the audience today.

Australia looking to win their 10th world title in their 13th

consecutive World Cup final. Cameron Smith is a world class player, but

why do they kick to him? They call him the beast for a reason. But

Vatuvei has a bit of vulnerability. There is a suggestion he is not

great under the high ball. That is great play. They run back

and they stand in front of Billy Slater. They just stand there and

stop. They make it very difficult. Just watch this. They stopped so

they have to go around him. Cameron Smith has got the measure of

them. That is an inch perfect kick. New Zealand have the drop-out under

the sticks. Cameron Smith is a genius at this. They like to keep

the ball in play and you have to play every second. It was a great

kick. The chase was not great from the winner. Thurston gets across and

makes a tackle. They are telepathic, him, Thurston, Cronk and Billy

Slater. It is fantastic how they work together. A quartet with the

all conquering Queensland side as well and that makes a difference.

They perform season in an season out in these big games. They know each

other's play intimately. That is a good tackle, you have got

to close English down. Paul Gallen comes from New South Wales. It is

Slater who scores the game's opening try. That is why he is so important

to this Australian side. The timing of the run and the jump. He is not a

giant, but he is great in the air with his hands. A fantastic try. A

great kick from Thurston. A great leap from Billy Slater. The smallest

man in their back line. Watch this. That is great pinpoint accuracy. But

you have got to admire the leap and the catch and the finish. Super play

from Australia. Number four has got to try and get that. If you have got

a running jump to it, you have the advantage, and that is what this man

does, Billy Slater. You think he is going to take it anyway, but you

could get higher if you do a running jump at it and that is why Billy

Slater is so special. His timing was fantastic. He had eyes on the ball

all the way. But he watches the defender and he waits for him to

leap and that is how he timed his jump. He did not have to do it that

time because he could see the flight of the ball the full distance. There

may be a bit of redemption for 2008. Australia are back in the lead. Just

explaining to the viewers while the kick is so special. You are allowed

to catch Billy Slater whilst he is making the catch. That is just

before the line. He has got the run and the jump. A brilliant catch and

a brilliant cake. As Brian said earlier, they are great at finishing

sets off. That is the difference. They keep their composure,

brilliant. Australia looking to bring it

forward again. There is something about an Australian side in a big

match. They know their lines. I think it is a bit more than that. I

think Slater and Greg Inglis and Thurston and Cooper Cronk and Smith,

they know their roles and they know what they have to do. You cannot

switch off for a second. And when they kick well... It have to be

dealt with. What they do is they do the basics very well. Then you have

somebody do a bit of magic and that is the difference. It needs

something special from New Zealand to open this game up. At the moment

Australia have a stranglehold on proceedings. They have got to find a

kick. The difference between the two teams at the moment is the kicking

game and the accuracy of the kicking.

At the moment, they're not getting to Thurston. That is difficult for a

right footed player. You gets a good kick but hasn't got the yardage.

They don't really know who is going to kick the ball, is a Thurston, is

it Kronk? Is it Cameron Smith? Kevin Locke, they need to take the

pressure off Johnson. Any news from the sidelines? When I played against

the Australians previously, they put together periods of the game where

they are almost flawless. They are in that phase now, it's a very

dangerous period for New Zealand. They are rolling forward again here.

Juror ability stamped on his back. -- durability. A steam roller in

green and gold knocked him over. That's a great catch! He stays in

the field of play as well. Just to reinforce that, they are in this

period where they are taking all your energy out of you and you don't

ink you can do anything against them, so they need inspiration here,

New Zealand. -- you don't think. I think they find it difficult to get

into any field position. Although the yardage the Aussies are making,

it's so good, they haven't had any good field position yet. This is

where he is kicking from, the pressure is on. The Australians will

get over the halfway line easily. Australia, rolling it back now.

Parker is on the field. He was named in the international team of the

year, Corey Parker. He is only an interchange player when it comes to

the Australian World Cup side. Plenty of questions here! Loads of

them! And Richard Silverwood is not prepared to answer, from what he

saw. So it's handed to our video referee.

Start with the onside or offside. That's fine, all outside players are

onside. Through into the challenge. The Australian player attempts to

knock it back. OK, the Australian player hasn't touched it. Roll that

back again. Initially comes off the New Zealand player. It is now

touched the Australian player backwards, that's a zero tackle of

New Zealand. We have a knock-on by New Zealand at the moment. Just

normal speed, run this through fairly quick, we need to now confirm

the onside or offside. OK, this will be fine. If he's kicking it on the

line, he is onside. Run it through now. Both Cooper Kronk and Billy

Slater were onside. He's on the ground now. That's OK, no immediate

tackle. The ball is up. The hand is underneath. I am going to say the

hand is underneath. So the ball is up in this position. The ball is

still up, keep it running through. We have an Australian player in as a

potential driver. The hand is on the line. Can we look from the other

side? We have a possible penalty here with the driver. I cannot place

the ball on the ground. The hand is always underneath. He is only

touching the Australian player so that's OK. This will be no try, it

will be a penalty to New Zealand. It will be ten metres out.

There is a history of decisions going the way over New Zealand in

World Cup finals. That is an amazing tackle, a great, great tackle. To

stop the ball from being grounded, that's a special, special effort. I

think Kronk did ground the ball, but what the video referee says is,

you're not allowed to drive another player and impede a defender, I

think Fifita get involved in the tackle and pushes him. So it's

clearly a video to New Zealand in the repertory's mine. I think Fifita

thought he had scored. He looks as though he might be questioning the

decision, Tim Sheens. What a let off for New Zealand. Had Cooper Kronk

scored that try, you would have to say, a long way back for New

Zealand. He is a player who might give them some lake speed. -- lake

speed. A lot of shaking of the heads of the strange and! -- of the

Australians! We can't let that worry us. We have defended really well and

put ourselves in good positions, hopefully we can continue that. It

has to be a full 80 minutes from you guys will stop definitely. We have

got to be on our toes for the whole game.

The point is, they are allowed to stand still, although they clearly

moved their direction to get in the way of an attacking player. It's the

number of green shirts that is impeding the Kiwis, not what they

are doing. Also, what they do is they make the

early yards, they run very quickly, they get in position, so they don't

have to change their angle. I have to say again, difference so far has

been the quality of the kicking game. On the final tackle, the

quality hasn't been great from the Kiwis. There is an off load too far.

Given away to New Zealand. Now, can they pick up the momentum?

What a 12 months he has had back in rugby league, Sonny Bill Williams.

He just had to reach a little. But his footwork was good enough.

This next is the last play in this set. That's a good kick!

Australian defenders, right on the line. That is fabulous play. Morris

and Jarryd Hayne, involved in the tackle. That kick needed to be a

yard extra, a yard longer, he would have taken it over the try-line but

great defence. So Australia, having to do a bit of hard stuff here.

Billy Slater, shouting instructions to his team-mates and they have a

penalty. Hanging onto long, the Kiwi defenders. I think the referee

lasted a bit there, the Australians were claiming and whingeing, saying

that's a penalty, I don't know whether it is a tilt call, -- will

call... Certainly a relief from an Australian point of view.

Suddenly, there is a chance if Ford Deri is void! It might fill for

Cooper Kronk, who has got the try! Not the way it was intended, not

confirmed just yet. He has been denied once. Is he to be denied

again? Video referee again. Both players run through the line,

that's OK, so we are playing on. That's fine, he's onside. The

pick-up is clean. It's all good so far. The ball is up. That's fine,

that will be a try. No denying Cooper Cronk at the

second time of asking. And Australia do have their second try, and pushed

the lead up. Good communication as well, they can't get the passing

size Cooper Cronk, but what they have is good communication, and

there is a slip, one slip which gives Cooper Cronk that slight

advantage to get to the ball, which makes the difference.

In this team of stars, he was the Player of the Year in the NRL.

Thurston, looking to equal Mick Cronin's point-scoring record,

actually break it, can he goes to 310.

Old Trafford looks blended, doesn't it? Filled to capacity today.

Thurston curls this one round, he has done so superbly. A little

moment of international rugby league history for Thurston, he becomes the

most prolific international points scorer, with 310. Sonny Bill allows

the off load, great skills, get the boy away, there is the kick and

there is the slip. And Cooper Cronk is in. What are you saying, Earl

Crabtree? We're talking about the forward battle, I have been as

appointed, too many players falling off tackles and laying on the floor,

it's creating opportunities for the Australians, they have to tighten up

if they are going to get anything out of this. They need to stop the

gaps out why. The Australians are a really efficient team and they know

how to play. When somebody does not stop Thurston on that last play, it

is a try. They will get you. This is a kick off and look where they have

got to. Not a bad place to finish, but not quite what he would have

wanted. The Kiwis are desperate for a lift. You sense the crowd are

urging it as well. They are firing their big cannons. Kieran Foran has

been impressive. They have closed him down on the sidelines. They want

a very good finish. Johnson puts it high and Slater is

underneath it. He was off the ground when he was tackled and they are

claiming a penalty. They are making that kick just inside their own

half, so there is no pressure. Their possession and territory, 61 and 39.

That just says it all, really. We are all thrilled at the way

Australia are playing. This team can defend as well. They have not

conceded a point. One penalty against Fiji. 356 minutes since they

last conceded a try in a World Cup turn on. I do not know what to say.

They are good. You have got to be really good to beat them. They will

get you on your small play. That is six hours of tackling and tackling

and not conceding a try. That is a lot of extra time. Look how many

people are running with him. There are three men on the outside. You

cannot come off your man. On that occasion Greg Inglis is through. It

is very difficult to stop this Australian side. Johnathan Thurston

has kicked three out of three so far today. This is a significant moment

because it is a two scorer lead at the moment. If New Zealand got two

tries and converted them both, it would be all square. If he kicks

this, suddenly New Zealand are looking at a three scorer try. Where

are they meant the -- mentally? They are trying to play an Australian

type of game. They have got to offload, you have got to throw

something different at Australia. If you play them at their own game,

they will nail you. I thought New Zealand would take the game to the

Australian forwards. That has not been the case. Watch this off the

ball incident. Because they have had so much control possession, the

kicking has been so good. The Kiwis have not stamped their authority on

this game. We have not seen much of Sonny Bill Williams so far in this

game. The Australians are simply in complete control.

He is knocked on. New Zealand get a lift. They needed that. A bit of

luck. Yes, the foot is in. The lucky break that they wanted. Billy will

be hoping after five years, when people remember the past that he

threw it away. He will be hoping people will be saying remember that

try he scored in the World Cup final? But New Zealand have the

ability to counterpunch. We know that.

Suddenly the noise level is lifting around Old Trafford. Five kangaroos

were waiting for him. A great defence. Look at that. What a

defensive effort. It was like he looked up and suddenly thought,

where have my mates gone? Look at the numbers. Six green jumpers have

barrelled him out. He had no chance. He did not know, he thought he was

scoring. Should they have stepped in and made another few plays? I think

he should have stepped inside. Australia are WordPerfect so far.

Australia are keeping the ball close. This will be the final play

of the first half. The hooter sounds at half-time. How good was that from

the side in green and gold? Pretty impressive, very efficient, very

clinical. They defended supremely well. The Kiwis have to find an

answer. They are 40 minutes away from not retaining their trophy. A

fantastic first half performance by the Aussies. New Zealand have to

come from behind. How are they going to do it? Let's hear from Cameron

Smith, the captain. You must be really pleased with that first half.

Yes, it was. We had a simple game plan today, to run hard and make

sure we got the tackles in. A pleasing defensive effort. To keep

them down to only to point it is pretty good, but we will need a

bigger effort in the second half. We are here with Kieran Foran. A

difficult half? We have got to get back to winning the ground and

slowing them down. How do you stick with the Aussies when they are in

that mood? It is hard. They are winning the ground at the moment,

they are playing off quick play and winning the ball. We have got to

slow them down and hopefully make more of a ground game. All the best

in the second half. Jon Wilkin talking to the players. What a

dominant half that has been for Australia. They lead by 16-2. They

had 63% of the possession. Sam Burges, they have been dominant.

They have been very clinical and they have kept the ball in play. It

is going to be very hard for the Kiwis to win with that amount of

ball, but full credit to the Aussies. JP pointed out a few times,

that Thurston's kicking game is good. You are like a Mystic Meg. You

see how things are going to work and that is exactly what happens.

Australia's kicking game has been crucial. Yes, you need an accurate

kicking game. That is how you win games, with a

great kick and chase. They have starved them of possession. You will

see Cameron Smith with a great kick again into the corner. His partner

in crime is chasing. We saw them before in the build-up. Thurston is

chasing hard and they force a goal-line dropout because it leads

eventually to a try. It leads to pressure and they get another set of

six. Cooper Cronk with a great kick again. But what Jamie is pointed out

is it is not one person doing kicking, it is different players.

That is a problem for the Kiwis. It is a problem for the Kiwis. It is

kicking pressure. There is not enough intensity getting to the guy

kicking the ball and the reality is there are a number of different

players who can do that. Who are you looking at? When you are in the

middle of the park and you make a few tackles, you are trying to

think, sometimes you can get away from the script a little bit. Let's

start with Billy Slater's try. He is back and he has proved his fitness.

It is a team effort to defend this and the big guys let them down a bit

here. It is a great kick from Thurston. Slater is up there to take

the ball. It is a great score for Australia. This is what separates

the sides, the ability to score from kicks. They are always kicking from

the front foot and it is easy. Cooper Cronk had one disallowed. The

second time it was allowed. And some great lead up play by the

Australians. They are a bit tired at the moment. The ball went out the

back and they got the overlap in the numbers. Cooper Cronk is back in the

middle. We saw Issac Luke trip and fall a little bit. But did you see

the amount of Australians poring through? New Zealand should have got

back there in numbers. There should have been an intensity there. Their

energy levels are starting to drop because they have had to do so much

tackling. On Issac Luke stopping Cooper Cronk for the try that was

not given. That was fantastic. He showed a great desire to stop the

try. Not stopping until the final missal -- whistle. Often things like

this can lift a team to get back in the game. It got Robbie going. It

does not take much! It is a great individual effort. I am sure they

will be disappointed in the dressing room. In the World Cup final I

thought we would get more energy and a bit more from the Kiwis. Let's

hope they step it up. Stephen Kearney is giving them a good

talking to. It is the kicking with Cameron Smith, and his ability to

control the game. He is like a little general out there. The Kiwis

have not used the ball enough to see the best of eyes that look. I think

the Aussies have controlled the Kiwis after the kicks. They make the

first three tackles in sets. They have made more tackles. They have

defended very well. The Aussies have got a real emphasis on controlling

plays one and two and three. I want to show display here. It's a nice

shape, they didn't quite executed, you see the two runners, I think the

play is supposed to be designed to turn the fullback out the back and

have a 31. You see this from Australia, defusing try scoring

opportunities. You can't tell me that Australia aren't motivated by

2008, come on the! I reckon Vatuvei was dragged over the try-line, that

was a penalty for me. But you are impartial? Definitely! Despite the

black and white bow tie and hanky! This tournament has been special for

all sorts of reasons, one of them being that it is the BBC's voice of

rugby league last tournament. We will to him in a moment. -- talk to

him. I think the game has to be obtaining, and it is my job to bring

out the entertainment as well. That is a sensational try, it must

rank among the finest ever seen on this ground! Was and did Shakespeare

who said, good league one would always beat a good little one, if he

was alive today, he would say that about these Australians. I certainly

wouldn't like to meet him in a dark street. The personality that has

always been on the telly, I know he has links with my high school,

probably given my dad became! -- the cane. People like him because he's

that kind of man, he has been in the game for a long time, we will miss

him. Thanks for all the memories and the commentator, which always makes

me smile. For me, the best commentator in rugby league ever.

Sheer class! We are all smiling. You have made us

all smile. But what you said at the top of that peace is so true, there

is humour in the game and it has to be entertaining. It has. You have

got to have humour as a commentator, you can have so many statistics and

facts, but they only go so far, the audience like little stories, I

dotes about players, people and so on. I think there is great humour

and camaraderie between the players in the game and stop here, they're

knocking hell out of each other but you will see everyone in a different

mood when the whistle goes. That's right, they do not eat other about

but there is also a respect and humour. Without doubt. The players

playing today require what -- know what is required, but after the

match, there are a lot of friendships out of the game, it's

great to watch. With all of your knowledge and history of the game,

what have you made this tournament? It's been a fantastic tournament,

great advert for the game. It's been terrifically supported. Where the

game has really caught the imagination is lower down the these

levels, the USA, cook islands, Fiji, Tonga, Italy, great nations coming

through, where the game is now being played. It brought a little romance

to the tournament. The best one I have seen and I've seen the lot.

Now, those teams who have started to come through, they need to continue

to be encouraged and invited to play international fixtures.

International sport is the be all and end all of any sport. We have

home Nations rugby union, athletics with the Olympic Games, and rugby

league really has got to get back to the days when it was fit and strong

at international level. We have to get an Ashes series, a Lions tour.

My greatest memories were playing for England and Great Britain

against Australia, against New Zealand, playing against the

different nations is a fantastic thing, the pinnacle for any

sportsman or sportswoman. The more chances you get to do that in rugby

league, the better. I would agree, out of all of us who have played at

international level, the reason we got into playing sport in the first

place was to present our countries. It wasn't to become a professional

sportsman, you had to do that to represent your country. As a kid, I

ramble watching the international games, growing up, so it's great, I

hope the tournament has inspired a few young kids to get out there and

play for England, in the next series or whatever tournaments are coming

up. That was I wanted to do. And we all listened to you! Showing my age!

Anyway, you have media, marketing and sponsorship and that of is what

the game is about off the pitch. International sport brings those

three. Club rugby can only take it so far. We need to go on another

level. Who will win this? Australia, New Zealand looked overawed, you

wouldn't believe they were the world champions. They have let the

Australians do what they want with them. I am disappointed, they spoke

about in disciplined but you do need that passion and that emotion. When

he says passion, somebody upfront news to smack somebody. -- needs to.

Let's go back to our commentators. How about that throwaway line, this

is the best will I have seen, and I've seen the light! Second half on

the way, is the green and gold steam roller going to carry on inexorably

towards the world title? The one they have been denied since the year

2000, when they won it on this ground. They are winning the kicking

game, they are winning on the ground, they need to pick their

intensity up, New Zealand. If they don't score next, this game is over.

Australia have played it terrifically efficiently so far,

they have done exactly what needs to be done. But New Zealand have to

find a way of upsetting their rhythm.

And Billy Slater is loving this World Cup final! All the bad

memories disappear as a second try for Billy the kid, right from the

start of the second half, Australia stamp their authority on the game

again. Somebody mentioned it in the studio, saying the Kiwis look

overawed, and it's true. This is the first in an Slater axis, --

Thurston. Boyd to Slater on the inside, that is just the smartness

of that Queens land access down the left-hand side. Leaving a mark on

the floor, I think it was Shaun Johnson, left down there. That's

maybe why they are a number down. Again, Australia exploited it of the

numbers. We know that New Zealand can raise it on the big occasion,

the question is, how much did last week take out of them as of today? I

think it did. I mentioned it at the top of the show, it was a brutal

game last week, and absolutely fabulous game but physically, so

demanding. Our question over Australia was whether they would be

underdone, they are clearly not. They are so clinical, they spot

opportunities. Then they just execute them full

They go down the short side, he is isolated on his own, no centre

there. Billy Slater makes the extra number, brilliant awareness.

Half-time team talks may be written off but I wonder what they did say

at half-time. The New Zealand one was, get control of the tackles,

slow down the play. That didn't look like it was coming into play,

Australia said they had to match the intensity of New Zealand, they were

expecting them to come at them hard. Run hard, tackle hard and that will

do the business. It is not played out, the referee

says, so New Zealand are allowed position. They need something to go

their way. Just a spark of inspiration to bring this game back.

They have to score a minimum of four tries to win this World Cup, New

Zealand. And they need to not have Australia score again. Great tackle,

great tackle. I have been very disappointed with

the Kiwi forward, last week against England, England took it to them and

they responded. Today it hasn't happened. Foran put it high, Slater

went higher still. The thing about the Aussies, they will not stop,

they will go to the final whistle. They will look at opportunities and

when they come, they will finish you off.

There is confusion among the New Zealand defenders, the ball luckily

from their point of view has gone backwards and Foran is the one who

took it safely enough. There is your theory about kicking to Vatuvei, but

I disagree with this, we have looked at the Kiwis's previous shape, what

they have forgotten to do is run and play it out from the back. It is

easy for the Australian defenders to flood into the New Zealand line.

Look at that chase, the pressure is on. Not a bad kick in the

circumstances from Johnson. When you are down like that committee need

more than that from your set. Self-doubt, maybe? But that's the

element of the Test match, last week England and New Zealand, the

microscope is on you, that is why they are called test matches. They

will test you. It is clearly a strategy, a lot of green and gold

jumpers through on Vatuvei. Every part of your facet as a player is

tested against Australia. They have just done the simple things a lot

better. Terrific character, Cameron Smith.

Australia, moving ominously towards the halfway line again.

Making their mark in this game. History is being rewritten. It's a

World Cup that's moving back to Australia.

But the tackle is good. That is a good tackle. They have really

targeted Kieran Foran and Johnson. They have tested them. Slater does

not look fit! A really important point made by Tim Sheens before the

game. Billy Slater, he is not just a wonderful player with a ball in his

hand, he is not just a wonderful defender, he coaches his team. I

think especially in this squad the fullback can see everything. He is

the pair of eyes for the whole team. He can push and pull players off

sensibly and defensively. He can alter the kicking game. That is why

he is the best fullback in the world. He does those little extra

things. Australia for the time being penned inside their own 20. But not

for long. Some Friday looks as if he is difficult to tackle. He is a

fabulous player. Bash Sam Thaiday. They are being suffocated in rugby

league terms, New Zealand. You have not seen the forward taking the ball

in. Sonny Bill Williams is trying his best. He is getting to the first

receiver. He has off-loaded accidentally and that was stolen

from him. The penalty goes his way. Can they set up a car? Can they get

a toehold back in this game? The need for themselves. They needed a

result, they needed a penalty. They have got field position. Run first,

do not worry about your shape and your structure. Put a dent in the

line. The Canterbury prop. It is another big fellow, Hargreaves. But

Australia are tough on defence as well. Isaac Luke is running it and

having a go. But they are covered in green and gold. Kevin looked at

options on the outside, but it has gone on the inside. Mannering, it

has gone close, but not close enough.

Again not quite the contact you would have wanted. Again he is the

only kicker, said the pressure the Australians put on him, the quality

of the kick is not good enough. They needed to get good field position

and bang it out. I think Kevin Loche has two come in and help him a bit.

He is not doing enough. There is far too much pressure on Johnson.

But he is hurt. He collided with the advertising hoardings. This was a

concern before the game began. There was an urgency amongst Australia to

get padding around the edge of the picture. Brett Morris hit that

hoarding at some pace. In the meantime, is this a try or not?

Offside or on-site being the question. -- onside.

REFEREE: Just run it through now. I am happy with that. The ball is

tapped and everyone is on site. Go to the grounding. The ball is in the

air, his hands are on the ball and he brings it down to the ground

cleanly and it will be a try. Very often he gets ignored, but he

can finish, Brett Morris. There are a few doubts as to who is going to

be lifting that trophy at the end of the day. They spot the overlap and

there is a magical off-loaded. There he goes, the winger comes in. He

knows he is not going to make it. There is the kick. Tap, kick, try.

They do the basics exceptionally well. Oh, dear. It is all right you

laughing, he hurt himself. He is all right now. Jon Wilkin has thoughts

on the sidelines. If you look at the Australian team it suffocates the

opposition. It tightens its grip on the opposition. That is what they

are doing now. They are suffocating their opposition. That is why they

are at the world's best rugby league team. What animal was he talking

about? A boa constrictor. Do they get many of them in Saint Helens?

There might be a few in Hull. I thought it was a rugby league World

Cup final, not animal magic? There he goes again, six out of six. 28

for Australia. Not unexpected, really. Great skill from Josh

Papalii. It is the understanding of the situation. Morris kicks and

there is support from the inside and support from the outside. It is

going to take something of a rugby league miracle for New Zealand to

find their way back. There is a lot of time and the Aussies will not

stop. Plenty of sparkle and shine still to come. The doctor is saying

Brett Morris were live, but they are not happy. They say he took the

brickwork out and they say it is not good enough, the in-goal area.

They said they were concerned before because of the tightness of the area

at Old Trafford. Morris was a cross to make the

tackle. Pride to be restored, that is the first requirement from the

side in black. They are trying to make this a contest. They have never

been in this contest since the first Billy Slater try in the 20th minute.

Greg Bird is a good player. He put his arms around his neck like a boa

constrictor! A lovely little touch by Sonny Bill

Williams. We have not seen too much of him in this final. The

Australians making sure that the New Zealand team have had little to say

in this contest. Australia's line is holding strong,

and they have one more tackle to complete. That was Myles too deep

and it is New Zealand's turn this time to be trapped in that area and

find a bit of pain. That is Vatuvei. The kick was a bit too far. Again

the execution of the final tackle. Oh, that is nasty. The kick was a

bit too far. We have seen Grand Finals and the players skidding out

of the area and into the hardest trough beyond. I wondered this is

something the legal authorities might want to pick up on.

Australia efficiently and inexorably moving inside the news island half

again. What the inside support. They know he is going wide and he is

going to make the inside kick and they will pick it up. They have just

got methodical. Go forward, go forward, a little bit of space and

kick. I have got Robbie Farah with me, is it just about seeing this

game out? Yes, we have just got to shut them out and not let them

score. In the last five games we have shown we are the best defensive

side in this competition. You are allowed to celebrate now. Yes, five

years ago and tonight and we are going to celebrate tonight. Six

hours and 20 minutes since they last conceded a try. Josh Charnley in the

opening game at England was the last time Australia's line was breached.

They conceded a penalty against Fiji and a penalty against New Zealand.

They are absolutely cutting them to pieces. It is not just a question of

physicality, but it is psychology now. I thought New Zealand would

struggle in the last 20 minutes after last week's effort against

England. But the Aussies have shown us the prowess in game management

and how to play the game. The Kiwis struggled for the first 60 minutes,

so this last 20 minutes might be tough for them. There is no going

forward. It is very easy for the Australian defence. They have

totally dominated the tackle area today. They are going to come

inside, the touchline is there. Total domination. Look at the

statistics. Tackle completion, 97%! The Kiwis are leading that.

Australia come forward again. A crunching effort. By Sam Cash

Arnot. But Australia, poised just at the moment. It came off the shins of

Darren Boyd. Sam, you have to play against these

boys week in, week out, how impressed have you been? They have

been very good, very clinical. I have been very impressed with

Cameron Smith and Thurston, the game is getting in front of them a little

bit, they are staying very composed and clinical in taking chances.

He has knocked on. A very difficult ball to take, though. That's the

first time they have really put pressure on Billy Slater.

They are having a look at it. The referee has offered this to the

video referee just to make sure. Knock-on to Australia. Comes off

Billy Slater's hands. Ten metres away from that Australian line.

Pressure on the Aussies, they will not want to concede a try.

A cluster of defenders around Bromwich, puts him on his act. The

Aussie defensive line is ready again.

It is a desperate kick in the end. It will bounce back into the hands

of Billy Slater, the Australian defensive line has done its job

again. This is sensational defence from the Australians, it's one of

the best individually offensive outfits there is in world rugby,

with the off-loading prowess they possess, say you have to take your

hat 's off to the Australian team. It's not only defensively, they have

done everything so clinical, just getting the ball away, the kicking

game, the options, when they take the ball up. It's just been a

brilliant, brilliant performance. The game may be a bit flat and it's

because they have absolutely dominated everything. It has been a

tournament of a million memorable moments. One of the greatest games

of all time last weekend at Wembley, England against New

Zealand. We fat heretics from Italy and the USA. -- we have had heroics.

But the masterclass has been left for them very last game. This is how

you play rugby league! The opportunity was created by very

slick hands, and there was a man over.

Straight to an Australian, nobody with him. That just says it all. No

one is running with him. They want another six, they get

another six. The referee says it was touched by a New Zealand player. So

the set starts from here. Solid, straight up the middle. You

can tackle me if you want but there's going to be a big effort on

your behalf! Let's have a look. You can't do

that. New Zealand, looking to create

something. He can see how close he is to the

line, Jarryd Hayne. Straight into the hands of Isaac

Luke! Very nearly gave it back again.

I think last weekend has taken quite a bit of a toll on New Zealand. They

haven't given you a sniff today, have they? One or two errors all

game, we have made a fair few more than that. They have been well

disciplined, haven't given us many penalties, it is disappointing it

wasn't the spectacle it could have been. But Australia have stuck to

their game plan and played really well.

He has given it away, here comes Jarryd Hayne!

That was a great tackle, a try saving tackle, had to be made. I

think he has hurt himself, as well. It's hard to undersell how good a

performance this has been from Australia today. It's not in the

absolute classic we craved today but we consider back and per at how well

the Australians have played. Five years ago there was talk about

that Australian line-up as being the best ever. That kind of talk hasn't

really resurfaced this time around. Billy Slater has knocked that on in

full flight. In his dotage, when they say, do you

remember that World Cup final? He has won to smile about. He might

still sneak a hat-trick. He is looking to get the hat-trick.

New Zealand want to break this Australian resistance. The green and

gold are fuelled by the pride that they do not give tries away. Still

they come in impressive numbers in defence. There is not a gap to be

had so far. Given it away, Jarryd Hayne runs

away from the defence! And Morris will cap it all off.

Australia, the world champions again. His brace! Australia have

simply been superb. Sonny Bill Williams has tried

everything, there is nobody who has played better for New Zealand, he

throws the miracle pass, it's intercepted, but the support play

from the winner is William. He has done everything, Sonny Bill. He

tries to releases outside backs, I think it is foreign leaders and

find. Just try to get the one opportunity, a great run from all

the Kiwi cover backs, but he is too quick for them there. That is great

of the ball support will stop --. Jarryd Hayne 's's World Cup five

years ago was as a Fijian. A lot of people say that was the making of

him on and off the field, that World Cup. His kicking four goal has been

perfect today. He collects himself. Never any

pressure on his kicking at all. Seven out of seven, 14 points

personally. As the sun sets over this fantastic rugby league World

Cup it is another huge crowd that sees us off. 74,468 at Old Trafford.

It is a world record rugby league international attendance. Australia

and New Zealand on foreign soil. DAVIES: As you said, a fantastic

performance. All they have to do now is go for this next five and a half

minutes without conceding a try. The man of the match is Johnathan

Thurston. It could have been a number of people. The Australian

hand off. John Wilkin, what are you saying?

The Australian performance has been exceptional. The spine of the team

have controlled the ball well, as you see here from Johnathan

Thurston. They gave direction to the Australian side. I have never seen a

side defend with desperation. But they are still defending with that

intensity. A truly impressive display from the world champions.

Four and a half minutes. Some warhorses in that picture. Some of

them have been there and done that. Cameron Smith and Greg Bird and Paul

Gallen and Johnathan Thurston. The Queensland and New South Wales

fixtures every year are probably the toughest rugby league football on

the planet. Tim Sheens is winning the cup back

today as the Australian coach. It is not often you get a smile out of

him. I think Kieran Foran has played well. Look where they are kicking

from, just inside the halfway line. That is not an attacking kick. Billy

Slater is not fit. Good defensive work by the New

Zealand skipper. He has lost that. A moment of glory

for Grant Atkins in the World Cup final. He drew the referee's

attention to the moment. Two minutes for Australia to hang onto this

record, consecutive games without conceding a try. It is an amazing

feeling to be this far in front and two enjoyed the match. How often do

you get to enjoy a momentous occasion like this? They have been

enjoying the last 15 minutes I think! And they are not letting up

at all with the intensity in defence. They are desperate to

maintain busy road tries. Even in the first line of six it showed what

they meant today. Their line speed was intense. Their defensive line

speed is brilliant. They will have another set to

defend. New Zealand have a set of six. That is good player as well. He

just patted it into touch. Knowing that his team-mates know how to

tackle! I do not think there is going to be time for the full set of

six. They might get for Mac tackles in that most here. That they might

get for tackles in. Sonny Bill Williams knocked that on

and that might be the end of it. The Australians congratulate each other.

It is a question of running down the clock. The referee is not going to

stop it. New Zealand are not bothered. Now the hooter sounds on

Australian redemption. They got their world crown back again and

deservedly so. Underneath the radar for much of this World Cup

tournament. Tested by England in the very first game, but since then

their dominance has been total, including in this final. They are

winners by 32-2. They bossed every facet of play. I thought they would

struggle against the bigger New Zealand pack. But they trusted in

the simple things. I thought there'd kicking was immense. With Smith,

Cronk and Thurston they did not know who to close down. When the chances

came they took them. I have not seen such a one-sided performance for a

long time. What a time to pull it out of the bag. A fantastic team

effort. Thoroughly deserved winners, Australia. But desolation from New

Zealand. Let's hear from the winning coach, Tim Sheens who is with Tanya.

Congratulations, how proud are you of this team? Extremely proud. We

came out in front of a great crowd and I thought we performed really

well. Our defence was great and our attitude was perfect.

Congratulations to New Zealand. They pushed us to the foreword by their

game. Even at the end you did not want to concede a try. We did not

start the game thinking that, but by 20 minutes to go we thought of that

and to their credit they dug in. You have achieved so much in your

career, but what does it mean to coach this site to be world

champions? I have not had a chance to think about it yet, but it is a

great privilege. Did you dream of this or why you so focused on the

tournament? You do not count on anything until the siren goes, but

we are very pleased and relieved. I know you said five years ago was

history, but it is nice to call yourselves world champions again,

isn't it? Sure it is. He makes his way back off to his celebrating

players. It was a comprehensive win for Australia. 34-2. You have to go

back to that first game against England for the last time a side

scored a try against them, which is a phenomenal record. Yes, and great

for the team. It is a cracking result. People might say it is a

great challenge, but they still had to defend the line. They performed

very well today. People might say New Zealand were off their game, but

the Aussies did that to them. The man of the match is with Tanya.

Congratulations on a man of the match performance and you are a

world champion. Thank you, it is a dream come true. It has been a long

six weeks. To win a World Cup with your best mates does not get any

better. It was an incredible performance, you looked so focused.

We have been building towards it and that was our main focus, to be here

at the end in the World Cup. Every week we kept on improving and our

defence was rock solid and that is what we build our game on. You said

before this match would not define you as players, but if you could

look each other in the eyes, you would be happy. You can do that!

Yes, it is a dream come true. We have worked so hard as a team. To be

here at the end and to win the World Cup with your best mate does not get

any better. What is tonight going to be like? It is going to be a big few

days, but I cannot wait to get home to my fiance and my little girl and

my mum and dad. I want to give a shout out to our family back home.

One of our young boys passed away earlier this year. This one is for

you, look. We thought it was going to be one night of celebration. As

he said, it is going to be a big few days. Let's hear from the runners

up. Stephen Kearney is with Tanya. Stephen, commiserations, but the

best team won today. Yes, I thought Australia's performance today was

outstanding. They were ruthless today. For us we did not have an

opportunity and we needed things to go our way and none of it happened

today. I thought Australia's performance was outstanding. They

saved their very best for this performance. We just could not match

them today. They did not give you a sniff in the 80 minutes. Absolutely.

They were ruthless, they did everything right. Their kicker

finishes were outstanding and they were very good today. How do you

reflect on the tournament as a whole? You have had some young stars

come through. Yes, we are very disappointed today, but we are a

young side. As you mentioned, there is some great young talent coming

through. It is a matter that we learn from this experience and get

better for next time. Thank you for your time. Everything is being set

up and the trophy presentation will be very shortly on BBC One after

Australia's very comprehensive win over New Zealand. Jamie, we spoke

about the kicking game pre-match, we spoke about the 2008 final. The

Aussies came out with a purpose because of that final and Billy

Slater in particular, given what happened to him in 2008. I think the

Australians had intent. I thought Slater was outstanding. I can

imagine he was not 100% fit, but some people can play. That is the

strength of a true professional. It is the strength of a true

professional. You could put that tried down to Queensland. These are

all Queensland players and they exploit the space that New Zealand

lacked in enthusiasm and energy. Some of that was sucked away by the

fact they lost possession. I thought Australia were outstanding. They

played very well and stopped New Zealand from playing. The Aussies

playing so clean takes the juice out of them. How do you beat a big

site? You start them of possession. Australia had the perfect game. I

also think it is a credit to the English team in the week before.

They were down on energy and the Australians were ruthless in what

they did over the full 80 minutes. It was exemplified in the last five

minutes. They would not give them anything. They were rushing around.

Were New Zealand overawed? I do not think they were over awed. They were

hoping to get that emotional energy behind them and to lift themselves.

But it was going to be a tough day at the office and it certainly was

for the Kiwis. Sonny Bill Williams is hurting in every way. Yes, a lot

of these boys start this event in 2012 and the effort and the training

and the sacrifice with food, and to get to this stage is amazing. There

is a lot more than 80 minutes that goes into tonight's game. The

Australians have got a wonderful back line. It is a fantastic ball

things go for you like that. When you are in possession and you are

doing the little things right, things come off for you. The ball is

going his way and it looks quite pretty. He did well to get up from

that and score a second. I think he was playing to the camera a little

bit. The boys still put their bodies on the line. They do that week in,

week out. And it is a good example of Australia. They poured number is

in. That was a good example. A little small, sniff of an

opportunity. Be ruthless and finish with a try. The few chances that New

Zealand had this afternoon they did not finish them off and that is the

difference between the two teams. What will this mean for New Zealand

rugby league? Before the match we spoke about the fact there is not an

inferiority complex because of what happened in 2008. Does New Zealand

now feel they can go head-to-head with the Australians? They do not

have to come into every game as the underdog. But this is a shock to

them today. I think every time you experience anything like that it is

a lesson learned. Sometimes it is a hard lesson learned, but it is a

lesson learned. Maybe they needed to say, we need to lift our intensity

in the early round and do a bit more physical work. Then see if they can

get the balance a bit better going into the semifinals and finals

itself. It is a unique experience. Referees are going up to get their

medals and there is no booing, there is a smattering of applause. As we

get ready to see New Zealand coming up and pick up their runners-up

medals, what does this say to England? From an English point of

view it shows how good you have to be to beat Australia. We were good

in that game, but way of our best. If we had been any good in that

game, we would have got through. There are three dominant nations. It

is safe to say now you can throw in England into that brief and on the

day we can beat anyone. Hopefully in the next World Cup England are in

the final dance. For me for New Zealand and England they are very

young teams and they can grow. I do not think the Australian players,

some of them, will make the 2017 World Cup. There is a belief amongst

the English that they can mix with the best. As Sonny Bill Williams

gets word of commiserations. We have reached the moment of that World Cup

being lifted by the winning team of 2013, the Australians. It attracted

they have been playing for form another 60 years.

It is Australia who get their hands on the trophy again, for the 10th

time. It has been a World Cup campaign that has been built on

defence. Now once again, they have a to defend. They have been simply

outstanding, today and through the tournament. They knew what they had

to do, it was just a question of keeping fit and raising the levels

for the finals. Today's performance was ruined. They closed the Kiwis

down, did the basics well. Any opportunities that came, they took

them. A quite magnificent team performance. Probably the last time

we see some of these players on English soil? People talk about

privilege but we have seen some of the best rugby players on the

planet. They have been clinical today, they have shown the

breathtaking ease, and their skills as well. World-class players, you

can look throughout the team. There is a pressure on Tim Sheens similar

to that if you were the Brazilian football manager. Every match, you

are expected to win. They'll do their job. The forwards run straight

and hard, get into field position. Then the generals, Thurston, Smith,

Cameron, then you have Brett Morris finishing things. A winning medal

for Cameron Smith. Calling up the rest of the squad, those who haven't

featured today. Cameron Smith lifts it! Australia, world-class and world

champions again! The fireworks go off and the

champagne is being sprayed. What a sight that is. Australia will

celebrate for days to come. They have been a credit throughout

the tournament, the Australians. Very professional. A great team

performance, ruthless. They have been exceptional throughout the

performance. They have come out with the best performance in the final.

We are out of time. We wished you a successful season and can't wait to

see you in an English shirt again. Thanks for being with us, Sam and

thank you both as well. Love to work with you both as well! We will see

you for the Challenge Cup coverage in April. If you want to see more

rugby, you can on the BBC. So after six weeks, we have arrived

at Australia, as convincing world champions. We have that excitement,

disappointment, the odd clown behind the window, Cheers, tears, and what

we have more than ever is people discovering and loving rugby league.