0:00:41 > 0:00:50It was 45 years ago... And the memories don't leave you...
0:00:54 > 0:00:59Nash to kick off in the final of the World Cup.It was the best of times
0:00:59 > 0:01:03and the worst of times but for us lot there was only one thing which
0:01:03 > 0:01:07mattered.Tonight we start with a try which will surely go down
0:01:07 > 0:01:17amongst the greatest of the decade. To this day, I can still see Clive
0:01:17 > 0:01:23Sullivan racing down the way. Everybody is saying go go go. What a
0:01:23 > 0:01:30tremendous try.Those of us still alive still talk about it to this
0:01:30 > 0:01:38day. We had done it and we were the world champions.
0:01:43 > 0:01:51It has been far too long. Lets beat the Australians again.Yes, it has
0:01:51 > 0:01:56been 45 years since a team from these shores has won the Rugby
0:01:56 > 0:02:00league World Cup, so good England do it today in Brisbane against the
0:02:00 > 0:02:03world champions with a world champions on home soil? Joining me
0:02:03 > 0:02:13for this, just in Holbrooke and Sam Tomkins and being neutral, former
0:02:13 > 0:02:17Kiwi international Robbie Hunter. This is it, the Rugby league World
0:02:17 > 0:02:23Cup final 2017. Australia against England with Brian Noble, Ian
0:02:23 > 0:02:29Millward and Dave Hunt. COMMENTATOR: They are getting quite
0:02:29 > 0:02:37a reception. It is a journey for the England side over 12 months ago, it
0:02:37 > 0:02:42goes a lot further than that for England fans, 45 years since Great
0:02:42 > 0:02:49Britain won this trophy as England, they have never won it. Is denied
0:02:49 > 0:02:56the night it will change? -- is tonight the night it will change?
0:02:56 > 0:03:03Cronk, one of their three stellar names. There is the other of that
0:03:03 > 0:03:07legendary triumph rent, Cameron Smith. They were named in at
0:03:07 > 0:03:13Australian starting line-up. One or two are not quite up to the pedigree
0:03:13 > 0:03:18of kangaroos of yesteryear but there's no doubting Slater, Smith
0:03:18 > 0:03:23and Cronk are amongst the best of all time. The coach of course have
0:03:23 > 0:03:32reinstalled pride in the kangaroos' jersey. Changes for England. Currie
0:03:32 > 0:03:41comes in in the absence of Shaun Cole claimed with his injury. Johnny
0:03:41 > 0:03:47Lomax coming onto the bench. He has not played since the first game in
0:03:47 > 0:03:53this tournament against Australia and that is six weeks ago. The
0:03:53 > 0:03:58referee tonight is an Australian. It's an English man in the video
0:03:58 > 0:04:08both. One of each on the touchline. Chris Campbell and Chris Butler. The
0:04:08 > 0:04:13countdown begins on the big screen. To get the World Cup under way.
0:04:15 > 0:04:23CROWD CHEERS England hope for glory. It has been
0:04:23 > 0:04:26a wonderful World Cup and it comes to what could be an epic conclusion
0:04:26 > 0:04:33here tonight in what could be a really physical battle. James Graham
0:04:33 > 0:04:37leads the charge for England. Let's hear for the first time since
0:04:37 > 0:04:42kick-off, Ian Millward and Brian Noble.We are looking for an 80
0:04:42 > 0:04:46minute performance from England team. We saw 70 minutes last week.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49They have got to be good, they've got to execute and I think they will
0:04:49 > 0:05:01tonight.It looked as though he took a hit, James Graham, in that first
0:05:01 > 0:05:07tackle so we will wait to see what impact that has. How many times have
0:05:07 > 0:05:13we seen him look like that in his career? Here comes Gale looking for
0:05:13 > 0:05:21a kick. Might be a challenge there. The Australians are not going to go
0:05:21 > 0:05:25away. They are a terrific team themselves. Hughes at the start of
0:05:25 > 0:05:35the game. Slater is up there. Graham.Taken in by Gagai.
0:05:39 > 0:05:47Both teams need field position. Smith is a master at it. Smith is
0:05:47 > 0:05:56really good at it.Australia looking to move it left. Here is Morgan.
0:05:56 > 0:06:02Down the left-hand side. Smith at dummy half the game. Cronk high in
0:06:02 > 0:06:12the air. A simple catch. Widdop takes the challenge there.No
0:06:12 > 0:06:21pressure there. He makes himself ten metres. This man is a player of the
0:06:21 > 0:06:28tournament in many peoples' eyes. Elliott Whitehead outside the 30.
0:06:28 > 0:06:40Roby picks it up. Sam Burgess down the middle. Number 13 shirt. Graham.
0:06:40 > 0:06:47England reach the last. Gale with the kick a game. It's a careful
0:06:47 > 0:06:50cautious opening to the game for both sides here tonight. Just
0:06:50 > 0:06:57searching each other out as Gagai brings it back.Wayne Bennett talks
0:06:57 > 0:07:02about they've got a complete ten from ten in the first ten set and
0:07:02 > 0:07:07they have started well, England. It might sound boring and economic, but
0:07:07 > 0:07:11it builds field position and gets you in the groove of the game real
0:07:11 > 0:07:20quick.35 metres out. Woods takes it in. He will be playing with the
0:07:20 > 0:07:24Bulldogs next year, of course.
0:07:29 > 0:07:37Ryan Hall.In relation to the kicking game, Cronk has the space to
0:07:37 > 0:07:43find a flaw and a space between the wingers and full-backs. England are
0:07:43 > 0:07:47intent on organising the kick chase is out there. They are not looking
0:07:47 > 0:07:50for the space because the back three of Australia got it covered.Slater
0:07:50 > 0:07:59is so lethal and in space he can back it up with speed. England have
0:07:59 > 0:08:03some good footwork are getting in between the defenders.And early
0:08:03 > 0:08:09kick once again. Slater is across there.
0:08:12 > 0:08:18Roby makes a tackle. Australia starting from deep game. Slater gets
0:08:18 > 0:08:27behind the play of the ball now. The 14th time the World Cup it has been
0:08:27 > 0:08:31played since 1954, Australia have been world champion is ten times.
0:08:31 > 0:08:38They have dominated. England never have won it as England. Three times
0:08:38 > 0:08:48as Great Britain. And off-loaded by Woods. Now it comes to Cronk.
0:08:56 > 0:09:03Widdop is in position. He has evaded a first attempt to tackle. Gets
0:09:03 > 0:09:11caught on the second. Hall muscling his way through. He's done a
0:09:11 > 0:09:22splendid job. McGillvary making metres for fun in this tournament.
0:09:27 > 0:09:35Burgess hurling himself forward. Graham is to his left. They played
0:09:35 > 0:09:40together for Saint Helens and 11 is all those years ago. Graham is
0:09:40 > 0:09:46holding his head. He is having a shaky start in terms of personal
0:09:46 > 0:09:51health.There is a big high tech I was alluding to. The longer this
0:09:51 > 0:10:04goes on for England, the better. -- high kick.Bateman and Gale have
0:10:04 > 0:10:14some deficiencies in defence.Smith at dummy half. A kick downfield. It
0:10:14 > 0:10:21won't catch out Gareth Widdop. England on the 40 metre mark, that
0:10:21 > 0:10:30is a slight win for England.That is a win for England is definitely.
0:10:30 > 0:10:37Widdop was in great position. They are on the halfway line.It's not
0:10:37 > 0:10:45the prettiest of rugby league but effective at the moment. Whitehead.
0:10:45 > 0:10:56Roby again. This is Hill. Roby looks around to see what's going on. Quick
0:10:56 > 0:11:01from Widdop but he could not get away but ducks underneath the
0:11:01 > 0:11:06attentions of Michael Morgan. They are on the last. There is the first
0:11:06 > 0:11:13mistake of the game. The first mistake as England. It just lets
0:11:13 > 0:11:17Australia off the hook a little bit.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26Four tackles gun. Australia will finish this with an attacking kick.
0:11:26 > 0:11:35Michael Morgan again. -- four tackles now. Maguire to the
0:11:35 > 0:11:40right-hand side. England arms all over him. Smith is here. This is the
0:11:40 > 0:11:49last play. It is with Cronk again. He might have had a penalty there.
0:11:49 > 0:11:54The referee has not picked that up. England at least had possession. How
0:11:54 > 0:11:57many times have we seen Australia put the ball in the England area
0:11:57 > 0:12:04like that?Widdop has diffused three danger kicks already and I believe
0:12:04 > 0:12:08he's outstanding.
0:12:15 > 0:12:20Is he playing at full-back for your team next year?There will be a big
0:12:20 > 0:12:25debate when he returns because he came to the juniors as a fallback.
0:12:25 > 0:12:35That is great.That is terrific. Great kick, great kick.That is the
0:12:35 > 0:12:40value of your kicking game. He has leathered that down the field on the
0:12:40 > 0:12:46back of a tough set from England, as well. It builds confidence.Great
0:12:46 > 0:12:55work by a front row.I don't think he will find the try scoring against
0:12:55 > 0:12:59England so easy today even though we scored twice in his last two games.
0:12:59 > 0:13:09It is with Morgan. Just inside the England half. Twice he has
0:13:09 > 0:13:17off-loaded. Slater. The off-loaded. The referee gives it as a high
0:13:17 > 0:13:22tackle. A penalty for Australia. They have a chance to relieve a bit
0:13:22 > 0:13:31of tension here. Both sets of players. Nothing serious going on.
0:13:31 > 0:13:39The replay here. It was high. It warrants a penalty.Share is Cronk.
0:13:39 > 0:13:49Morgan puts the dummy on for the cross. # here is. -- here is.
0:13:49 > 0:14:00Clever. Smith again. England has it covered. England's defence has been
0:14:00 > 0:14:04terrific in this tournament so far, but they are being tested here
0:14:04 > 0:14:10again. Morgan going left. Does not offer much of a threat on that
0:14:10 > 0:14:20occasion. Two tackles to go. Smith. Darting away. He passes to McGuire.
0:14:20 > 0:14:29Last play. Smith goes left. It is with Cronk. A high one by Watkins.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32McGillvary misted and England were lucky to get away with it.Did
0:14:32 > 0:14:40Watkins tried to catch it? I would like to see that again.It hit him
0:14:40 > 0:14:43on the head.
0:14:46 > 0:14:59That is a big kick, isn't it from Widdop?This is the big test.While.
0:14:59 > 0:15:04Clattering. Here's a big fella. Aaron Woods takes it in as well.
0:15:04 > 0:15:09England has been magnificent. England are going to have to watch
0:15:09 > 0:15:13this. Maguire.
0:15:21 > 0:15:27Slater comes back towards the middle. Still three tackles to go
0:15:27 > 0:15:37for Australia. Morgan, a short ball. A big effort in defence. Cronk has
0:15:37 > 0:15:44gone over to score in attack. They put pressure up which was building
0:15:44 > 0:15:50in building and eventually something had to give and they found a leak in
0:15:50 > 0:16:01the English line, Cordner.It goes out to Cronk. Brown on-the-fly. He
0:16:01 > 0:16:05breaks the tackle.
0:16:09 > 0:16:15Smith puts it over. 6-0. The international player of the area it
0:16:15 > 0:16:24again.The long ball. I don't like using the word structure but people
0:16:24 > 0:16:26are in position.
0:16:33 > 0:16:39They have forced an error, Australia.When bait clearness, this
0:16:39 > 0:16:44will be England's best starting position so far. -- when they clear
0:16:44 > 0:16:53that.I don't know how many thousands are here.First set inside
0:16:53 > 0:17:00the 30. Pretty good building up points early in games, England.
0:17:00 > 0:17:06Watkins trying to squeeze his way through. 50 metres out. England
0:17:06 > 0:17:14trailing 6-0 but a chance now. Hill five metres away. Penalty. Penalty
0:17:14 > 0:17:25for England. Do they kick for gold? Keep playing field position.Burgess
0:17:25 > 0:17:33on the field getting very close. Just about his first touch. Roby
0:17:33 > 0:17:45sprinted left. Hall. Bateman. They took a gamble.It did not work.
0:17:45 > 0:17:49There is still time. I thought they were trying to create not enough
0:17:49 > 0:17:54space if that makes spends. They gave their ballplayers no chance,
0:17:54 > 0:17:57really.
0:18:00 > 0:18:06-- if that makes sense.Cameron Smith at dummy half looks to his
0:18:06 > 0:18:09left.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16Smith, a little chip.
0:18:28 > 0:18:37The thing is, for me, there's a couple penalty cases there for me. I
0:18:37 > 0:18:42think the need to look at what's going on here.I love your passion,
0:18:42 > 0:18:54Brian.There you go.This is not fair.It is very fair. Gillett, the
0:18:54 > 0:19:08man simply hanging on to long there. -- too long. 6-0, Australia lead.
0:19:13 > 0:19:21Share is Watkins. McGillvary coming back on the inside. He lost the
0:19:21 > 0:19:27ball. At least he has wrapped up the tackle on Smith. Whitehead falls on
0:19:27 > 0:19:32it. The referee said penalty Australia.Spot on. He had to catch
0:19:32 > 0:19:38and pass. McGillvary has been a powerhouse all tournament. Hard to
0:19:38 > 0:19:42stop in the right-hand corner.
0:19:54 > 0:20:01Grey back on the inside to Walmsley. Smith on his ankles. Making decent
0:20:01 > 0:20:08progress, England. Looking for the step back on the inside, Gillett
0:20:08 > 0:20:13makes the tackle.Smart play. They have moved on, the Australian
0:20:13 > 0:20:21defence.Walmsley. Bulldozing forward. Picking a position 20
0:20:21 > 0:20:27metres out, and a penalty for England for holding Gale. They were
0:20:27 > 0:20:34onto the last play and now have six more. Do they go for gold? Graham a
0:20:34 > 0:20:40game. They sent Australia are just running out of juice at the moment.
0:20:40 > 0:20:49-- of sent Australia. -- they sense Australia are running out of juice
0:20:49 > 0:20:53at the moment. An opportunity lost for England again. Just a rush of
0:20:53 > 0:20:57blood when they needed calmness. They have handed Australia a
0:20:57 > 0:21:10lifeline.That is three which have come down the end of this park.
0:21:12 > 0:21:18This has been the difference down at the centre.Smith again. Cronk
0:21:18 > 0:21:26sweeping along the line to Morgan. Back on the insider game. There is a
0:21:26 > 0:21:31gap found by Cordner. Cameron Smith is running it and going wide.
0:21:31 > 0:21:43Chambers. Safely into the English arms of Ryan Hall.England under a
0:21:43 > 0:21:54lot of pressure. England are so those back three.Soft hands by
0:21:54 > 0:21:59Graham. And an intentional pass, I think, by Watkins. Graham will take
0:21:59 > 0:22:03that and then, very late, the referee decided it was a forward
0:22:03 > 0:22:09pass. Australia hoping to stop the clock.It's hard to see what
0:22:09 > 0:22:16happened there. Watkins went backwards.Didn't it get propelled
0:22:16 > 0:22:21backwards through the force of the tackle? England's desperate to hang
0:22:21 > 0:22:31onto that. They go the drop goal. It did not come off.That will be the
0:22:31 > 0:22:37end of what has been a punishing and fascinating first half. It might
0:22:37 > 0:22:42have lacked flair at times. It might have lacked real edge of the seat
0:22:42 > 0:22:48excitement but, boy, as a Test match, it was great.It is well on.
0:22:48 > 0:22:52England need to do better but they are in the game. They are playing
0:22:52 > 0:23:02their socks off.Can England build on that first half performance? Is
0:23:02 > 0:23:09there an explosion of Australian points? So many questions. Here
0:23:09 > 0:23:12comes the answer is. With 40 minutes left to play, Australia get first
0:23:12 > 0:23:20touch of the ball in the second half. They get and Alex Walmsley
0:23:20 > 0:23:25shoulder. What do you reckon in the second half now?I think England's
0:23:25 > 0:23:32need improvements and have got to maintain their concentration. Get
0:23:32 > 0:23:40Australia to the point where they not struggling as such. But they
0:23:40 > 0:23:45looked under pressure towards the back end of the first half.Tyson
0:23:45 > 0:23:53Frizell. Just short of ten metres from the England half. Cronk under
0:23:53 > 0:24:00pressure from Currie. He has put it down. There's no hiding place for
0:24:00 > 0:24:07Gareth Widdop at the start of the second half. The England coach knows
0:24:07 > 0:24:13this is a big mistake for England. He has kept his head for the whole
0:24:13 > 0:24:23tournament.So here come Australia. Brown puts his body where it hurts.
0:24:23 > 0:24:30Makes the tackle on Slater. Five metres away. Smith from dummy half,
0:24:30 > 0:24:37looking left. Australia trying to get through the England defender.
0:24:37 > 0:24:42Graham comes crashing over the top adding his weight to that defensive
0:24:42 > 0:24:48situation. Smith slows things down a little bit. Gillett tries to spin
0:24:48 > 0:24:54his way through and England are holding on. Barely tackles in the
0:24:54 > 0:25:00second half. A big crash bang wallop. England's defenders are used
0:25:00 > 0:25:08to taking those on. Tackle number six, a chip over the top. Widdop.
0:25:08 > 0:25:13That catch was 50 times more difficult than the first but he
0:25:13 > 0:25:17nailed it.That is what you do, put your body on the line to make up
0:25:17 > 0:25:26that earlier one.Well done, Gareth Widdop.Slater stands and waits at
0:25:26 > 0:25:35dummy half. They seem to have a loose carry there. He keeps held.
0:25:35 > 0:25:42Inside being a shaft, Smith again. Shuffled forward -- inside the
0:25:42 > 0:25:50England half. Three tackles still to go. Cronk on the inside almost loses
0:25:50 > 0:25:57his shorts. Widdop comes in to make the tackle. Two tackles away. Slater
0:25:57 > 0:26:09comes left. Great catch. McGillvary, fee goes towards the halfway line.
0:26:09 > 0:26:14They swarm around him but it was a heroic played by someone who has
0:26:14 > 0:26:20been an English hero in the World Cup. And from the brink of despair,
0:26:20 > 0:26:25England are launching themselves back at the kangaroos again here.He
0:26:25 > 0:26:31read the play really, really well. Cronk made the initial break. Then
0:26:31 > 0:26:39we find ourselves at the end of the other field.This is Tom Burgess to
0:26:39 > 0:26:50push on again. Still a couple of tackles to go. James Graham. Gale
0:26:50 > 0:26:58coming through. Bateman brings it on. Another penalty? A lot of
0:26:58 > 0:27:09morning going on. Dugan had cleverly put a foot in the area. It is a
0:27:09 > 0:27:13seven tackle play. Dugan is on his way again. Great play in that last
0:27:13 > 0:27:1930 seconds or so.They need to apply pressure because they jumped
0:27:19 > 0:27:30straight into the attack on the back of McGillvary. They need closure.
0:27:30 > 0:27:37Gillett has ripped all the way through heading towards the line. A
0:27:37 > 0:27:46big tackle. Widdop was in his way. It goes to McLean. He comes back
0:27:46 > 0:27:51from whence he came. Morgan has got a bit of space. This time he has the
0:27:51 > 0:27:56footwork, Michael Morgan. He is in the four Australia's second, but the
0:27:56 > 0:28:04referee is going to ask for a try on the field.You need to walk away
0:28:04 > 0:28:13now. I want to make sure the defence wasn't disadvantaged by a player in
0:28:13 > 0:28:17front of the ball.
0:28:21 > 0:28:29Goes back across. They have a decision to make on the line.
0:28:32 > 0:28:38Can we go back to this, please? If you would.
0:28:43 > 0:28:48It is on Smith. He runs behind Smith full stop I've made my decision.
0:28:48 > 0:28:58Here we go. The crowd went like this. No drive. Obstruction. He ran
0:28:58 > 0:29:02behind Cameron Smith, clear as day. Yes, correct decision.But getting
0:29:02 > 0:29:13closer. Hall inside for Gale. He tries to twist his body but can't
0:29:13 > 0:29:17get in a comfortable position to offload so takes the tackle. Now it
0:29:17 > 0:29:27comes left to Gale. Bateman with a quick pass. Widdop. Where is this
0:29:27 > 0:29:33going? It bounces all over the place. A corner in the end. England
0:29:33 > 0:29:37get a penalty.Australia in total confusion. Extremely unlucky not to
0:29:37 > 0:29:43score a try. They had a desire to keep the ball alive. Widdop is a
0:29:43 > 0:29:52smart one. When it ricocheted, they thought they could get that.A great
0:29:52 > 0:29:59chance for England. Hill drives it in. England, England, is being
0:29:59 > 0:30:06chanted around Suncorp Stadium.
0:30:19 > 0:30:25He almost got there himself. Roby weights again. Hoists it back.
0:30:31 > 0:30:35Watkins extricate himself from one tackle. Two more in green and gold
0:30:35 > 0:30:41wrapped themselves around him. Back to the middle again, Gale with
0:30:41 > 0:30:46a kick through, Brown on the chase but it was covered well enough.
0:30:46 > 0:30:49Australia have it back. What is the referee giving?
0:30:49 > 0:30:54A penalty for offside?England will have to come down the right-hand
0:30:54 > 0:31:00side, Kallum Watkins has a true pass to put a win away. But I feel
0:31:00 > 0:31:05Bateman lacks the ability to set up the winger.
0:31:05 > 0:31:10Brown has come off, Widdop up to six, Lomax to full-back. The coach
0:31:10 > 0:31:13is trying to inject some attacking.
0:31:27 > 0:31:33England ball in the end.I thought Lomax had tipped that forward.
0:31:33 > 0:31:38Clearly I was wrong, the referee got it right.
0:31:38 > 0:31:43Billy Slater is looking absolutely bushed. He looks like he has played
0:31:43 > 0:31:46three matches. I made the point at half-time that
0:31:46 > 0:31:49Australia had a really easy game last week, 50 something points. Does
0:31:49 > 0:31:54that hard on them for the back of this game, orders the Tonga game
0:31:54 > 0:32:00that England had, which was physical and tight, harden them?16 minutes
0:32:00 > 0:32:04to play, that is plenty enough time for a hat-trick, as we learned in
0:32:04 > 0:32:11the Tonga game. Whitehead was upon the inside, had
0:32:11 > 0:32:15he not lost his footing. -- up on.
0:32:31 > 0:32:37Widdop with a great step, and a second, and a kick towards the
0:32:37 > 0:32:45corner. Morgan has it.Brilliant.A great passage of play from England.
0:32:45 > 0:32:51Elevator. Look about this ankle tap from Dugan. Kallum Watkins was gone.
0:32:51 > 0:32:57Don't steal it to us! Abanda last play from man of the tournament
0:32:57 > 0:33:00Gareth Widdop. The tackle from McGillvary.
0:33:00 > 0:33:09They deserve something.Burgess of the field for time being. -- Burgess
0:33:09 > 0:33:13off the field. England fans booing Australia because they are wasting
0:33:13 > 0:33:15time to try to get it back in the tank.
0:33:24 > 0:33:30There is a World Cup up for grabs here.
0:33:30 > 0:33:39These are moments that could make the destiny. Widdop to Watkins,
0:33:39 > 0:33:45Watkins to McGillvary. Too many arrive to slow him down.
0:34:01 > 0:34:08Roby docks. He would have known that the shadows were closing in, that he
0:34:08 > 0:34:13would not get through. The last play in the set. Graham to
0:34:13 > 0:34:22Widdop. It bounces beyond and behind McGillvary. Another England
0:34:22 > 0:34:30opportunity just slips by. The Burgess boys are ready to
0:34:30 > 0:34:36return. Sam and Tom. It is with me telling you that
0:34:36 > 0:34:41golden point extra time is what would happen if England scored a try
0:34:41 > 0:34:47and a goal and the scores stayed at 6-6, a draw takes us to golden point
0:34:47 > 0:34:50extra time. It is one score that England need at
0:34:50 > 0:34:51this stage.
0:35:14 > 0:35:18Widdop! Interception almost by Valentine Holmes. It was a handling
0:35:18 > 0:35:23error from being Australia's World Cup.
0:35:23 > 0:35:28Instead, England get the ball back. Game on. Keep in mind they had them
0:35:28 > 0:35:31stripped for numbers, he had to come in and try to take that, otherwise I
0:35:31 > 0:35:40had them for numbers. England start a set 30 metres out.
0:35:40 > 0:35:47Tom Burgess comes in to drive it in. He lost the ball.
0:35:47 > 0:35:52He has lost the ball. He can complain all he likes, the referee
0:35:52 > 0:35:59will not change his mind. Was there a hand?There definitely was. But it
0:35:59 > 0:36:01is still his responsibility.He knew.
0:36:07 > 0:36:12It is like a heavyweight boxing contest in the last round where they
0:36:12 > 0:36:15have given everything and have nothing left to give.
0:36:27 > 0:36:33Lomax was careful, gathered up the bounce. England need a break from
0:36:33 > 0:36:37somewhere. The break was almost Lomax 's ribs! But he is brave
0:36:37 > 0:36:39enough to play on.
0:36:51 > 0:36:57Ten yards made so far, another 18 needed in three tackles. Bet macro
0:36:57 > 0:37:07Enever 80. Lost the ball, but it is a penalty. This time it was stolen.
0:37:07 > 0:37:12That is just what England needed. The crowd are under pressure, they
0:37:12 > 0:37:17are all booing the Aussie crowd. Wherever you are watching, this next
0:37:17 > 0:37:19five minutes will not be comfortable, whoever you are
0:37:19 > 0:37:20supporting.
0:37:24 > 0:37:29Two balls on the field, they just had to wait to kick one offer.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36Luke Gale has had a very good game tonight.
0:37:43 > 0:37:50The referee says forward in the tackle. A knock-on from Tom Burgess.
0:37:50 > 0:37:57A look of steely eyed fury and frustration. Australia get valuable
0:37:57 > 0:38:02possession back.Look at the technique of the tackle. He has gone
0:38:02 > 0:38:05up, through, underneath the ball to force the error. Technique for a
0:38:05 > 0:38:10young guy watching that. You just feel deflated, they are coming down
0:38:10 > 0:38:18here and losing the ball in early rucks.3.5 minutes to go. One score
0:38:18 > 0:38:25in it. Is that try in the 13th minute enough to win the World Cup
0:38:25 > 0:38:27again for Australia?
0:38:33 > 0:38:39Lomax picked that up. We are very, very nearly at the this is its
0:38:39 > 0:38:47stage. Maybe one more subtle England?They might get two more
0:38:47 > 0:38:51sets. This is the key set, then they get a penalty and the outside backs
0:38:51 > 0:38:57come in and they make it easy meat. Roby saw a bit of disruption in the
0:38:57 > 0:39:02defensive line. Recovered deploys quickly enough. -- recovered its
0:39:02 > 0:39:03poor use.
0:39:10 > 0:39:18A kick and I hope. Made a huge error when the World Cup final was played
0:39:18 > 0:39:22here in 2008, which gave New Zealand the game. But no sign of an error
0:39:22 > 0:39:33like that tonight. Gagai was dealt with by Ryan Hall. It is now seconds
0:39:33 > 0:39:43rather than minutes. Knock-on! Hope lifts again for England with two
0:39:43 > 0:39:50minutes to play. You look at those around, standing up, they can't bear
0:39:50 > 0:39:58to sit down because of the nerves and tension.He realises-- he
0:39:58 > 0:40:04realises his side have one last chance. This is it. This is it. Two
0:40:04 > 0:40:10minutes to go. This will almost certainly be a England's last set if
0:40:10 > 0:40:12they do not score.
0:40:23 > 0:40:28Tom Burgess, desperately keeping hold of the ball. Roby is here, less
0:40:28 > 0:40:35than 20 away. The kick is on, the chase was blocked. Australia had it.
0:40:35 > 0:40:44It was a gamble, but why did they go so early? England will hardly see
0:40:44 > 0:40:54this ball again now. Sam Burgess's reaction was more out of frustration
0:40:54 > 0:41:01for his own team rather than anything Australia have produced.If
0:41:01 > 0:41:08you marked his kicking game against Cronk, they have been far superior.
0:41:08 > 0:41:15It smacked of impatience. The clock is still there. An average set of
0:41:15 > 0:41:20six is 45 seconds. You will have a chance to get two sets anyway.
0:41:20 > 0:41:24England have never been close to lifting a World Cup trophy than they
0:41:24 > 0:41:29have been here tonight. In many ways that makes it even more unbearable
0:41:29 > 0:41:30for their supporters.
0:41:34 > 0:41:41Almost the last minute. Australia will drive its downfield. Then on
0:41:41 > 0:41:53the fifth they will kick it, wary it, as Graham Nowell says. -- kick
0:41:53 > 0:41:58it, welly it. It will take some heroics for England to rescue the
0:41:58 > 0:42:00situation. 40 seconds left.
0:42:07 > 0:42:14Too many Australian players for McGillvary to have any hope. 25
0:42:14 > 0:42:22seconds out. Tom Burgess over the halfway line.
0:42:25 > 0:42:32They will give it all to the last. Hall has come into the line. Back to
0:42:32 > 0:42:38Currie, who throws it in now. With Gale and Widdop. The countdown is
0:42:38 > 0:42:43on. The next time it goes out of play it is all over. Watkins makes
0:42:43 > 0:42:48the break, inside for McGillvary. There were England players on the
0:42:48 > 0:42:53inside. WHISTLE BLOWS
0:42:53 > 0:42:58But those England players sink to their knees in utter desperation.
0:42:58 > 0:43:04It is a relief as much a celebration for Australia, because they have
0:43:04 > 0:43:09been pushed to the absolute limits by that England side tonight. But
0:43:09 > 0:43:16somehow, somehow England couldn't quite find a way through. What a
0:43:16 > 0:43:27game. It is Australia who are world champions for Australia.
0:43:27 > 0:43:31To finally get a welcome victory on home soil has been quite a long
0:43:31 > 0:43:35time, lots of hard work has gone into it. That is one of the toughest
0:43:35 > 0:43:38games I have played in my career. Really pleasing victory for the
0:43:38 > 0:43:47boys. It has been a fairly... Fairly hard road over the last two years,
0:43:47 > 0:43:52we want to put ourselves back to number one, we have had back-to-back
0:43:52 > 0:43:55World Cup victories, very happy to have the Kangaroos as the best in
0:43:55 > 0:43:59the world. A tough one to take, but I think
0:43:59 > 0:44:06both teams played really well. 6-0 probably does not advertise a great
0:44:06 > 0:44:12game, but what a spectacle. We sacrifice a lot, worked so hard
0:44:12 > 0:44:17and were so close tonight. Very disappointed, but certainly very
0:44:17 > 0:44:25proud of the boys and the effort they put in.
0:44:25 > 0:44:31Australia 's B side remains iconic and remains world champions. They
0:44:31 > 0:44:38have been pushed to their limits but they found a way to hang on, and
0:44:38 > 0:44:41they ruled the rugby league worlds.
0:44:47 > 0:44:50Really disappointing to lose in that fashion. I thought we were really
0:44:50 > 0:44:56good tonight. We were good tonight, we just did not finish our chances.
0:44:56 > 0:44:59What we have built and created over the past six weeks has been
0:44:59 > 0:45:05fantastic. I am really proud of my team-mates, the stuff, it has been a
0:45:05 > 0:45:12great effort. Unfortunately we will just have to regroup and see how we
0:45:12 > 0:45:16can improve. At this level it is inches, we saw
0:45:16 > 0:45:17an ankle tap on Kallum
0:45:17 > 0:45:21At this level it is inches, we saw an ankle tap on Kallum, and Jermaine
0:45:21 > 0:45:25was so close in the first. Immensely proud of my country, how hard we
0:45:25 > 0:45:28have worked and what we have achieved. That is the hardest I have
0:45:28 > 0:45:33ever pushed my body, we could not have tried any harder, every single
0:45:33 > 0:45:37one of us. When you are so close it is hard to take, but when we reflect
0:45:37 > 0:45:40in the off-season we will be proud of what we have achieved.
0:45:40 > 0:45:45Cameron Smith said it was possibly the toughest game he has ever played
0:45:45 > 0:45:55in, from a former
0:45:57 > 0:45:59Queensland Australia coach, how do you rate that in coaching terms?
0:45:59 > 0:46:02Is right up there, 6-0 is unheard-of in the modern game. It was a really
0:46:02 > 0:46:04dogged affair, everyone came ready to play defensively, both teams were
0:46:04 > 0:46:06outstanding, the completion rates were excellent. It was an arm
0:46:06 > 0:46:11wrestle but it was a really entertaining game of rugby league.
0:46:11 > 0:46:17The scoreboard says you lost, but what did we lose? Effort, intensity,
0:46:17 > 0:46:23trying as hard as they did? You know, both teams had good shape and
0:46:23 > 0:46:29lots of options. That is what makes sport great. Someone has to win,
0:46:29 > 0:46:33someone has too lose. On the full-time whistle I had a
0:46:33 > 0:46:37text from a friend who said it was unbearable, that is probably quite a
0:46:37 > 0:46:42good way to describe it.Yes, that last ten minutes was torture. Just
0:46:42 > 0:46:46willing the boys to get that try. We were so
0:46:46 > 0:46:48willing the boys to get that try. We were so close, it is almost more
0:46:48 > 0:46:52disappointing that we were within touching distance.
0:46:52 > 0:46:56It is the closeness in many ways that is the frustration, it is not
0:46:56 > 0:47:00losing the big game, it is the fact that it could have been won.
0:47:00 > 0:47:04I absolutely agree, but I look at the other side, I have been speaking
0:47:04 > 0:47:07to Englishmen all week and said they will compete for 60 minutes and get
0:47:07 > 0:47:12blown away at the end with a couple of tries, I am pleased that did not
0:47:12 > 0:47:18happen. It would have been great to see a try add to go into extra time
0:47:18 > 0:47:20would have been fitting, because England played as well as Australia.
0:47:20 > 0:47:21We will see how Josh Duguid
0:47:21 > 0:47:23England played as well as Australia. We will see how Josh Duguid kept
0:47:23 > 0:47:26England at bay, it included what I think we all think will be the
0:47:26 > 0:47:31defining image of an next four years, the tackle on Kallum Watkins.
0:47:31 > 0:47:38But he had other good defensive moments.We were saying Josh Duguid
0:47:38 > 0:47:45had a defensive error, but that was very smart. Put his foot in goal, a
0:47:45 > 0:47:50quick tap on the 22. They get on the front foot, played the first play
0:47:50 > 0:47:55smack bang on the 40. He is a full-back by trade, Josh Dugan, so
0:47:55 > 0:48:00he knows how to get around the back. This is the defining moment. 15
0:48:00 > 0:48:05minutes to go, England Durham in the ascendancy, Kallum Watkins is coming
0:48:05 > 0:48:08through, a two on one with white head of the middle of the park with
0:48:08 > 0:48:12Billy Slater in full-back, and he just gets a fingertip and Knox his
0:48:12 > 0:48:13ankle.
0:48:13 > 0:48:15just gets a fingertip and Knox his ankle.
0:48:15 > 0:48:19For me, that was the player of the game for Australia and save them the
0:48:19 > 0:48:25World Cup. By all accounts, Watkins had done him off the ball, he had
0:48:25 > 0:48:31sidestepped off the ball, caught skinned him, it is a Hail Mary play.
0:48:31 > 0:48:36If he did not tap his ankle we would be sat here going what about Dugan,
0:48:36 > 0:48:42terrible effort. That would be the image of the World Cup, Kallum
0:48:42 > 0:48:45Watkins putting Elliott Whitehead back inside. It was an error at
0:48:45 > 0:48:49first but some effort to turn around. Kallum Watkins is not slow,
0:48:49 > 0:48:57he has made a meter on Kallum Watkins.It was sheer
0:48:57 > 0:49:00competitiveness from Dugan. I thought he struggled. But the
0:49:00 > 0:49:05competitiveness, to find a way to get a hand on his Brits, you can't
0:49:05 > 0:49:11coach that.There is something quite beautiful about a tap tackle. Nel
0:49:11 > 0:49:15from an English point of view, but executed well, it is pretty sweet.
0:49:15 > 0:49:19We know for and look for the big commissions, James Graham smashing
0:49:19 > 0:49:23his head in the first tackle, that is what we think rugby league is
0:49:23 > 0:49:27about, but the defining moment was an ankle tap.All four of us were
0:49:27 > 0:49:34out of our seats, it is on! And you see him stumble and fall towards the
0:49:34 > 0:49:40ground, your stomach. Bottom of your body.Where you out of your seat?I
0:49:40 > 0:49:49was.I just wanted check.Go on, Dugan!He has been wearing a British
0:49:49 > 0:49:53tie all day, but that is where his allegiances lie acclamation
0:49:53 > 0:49:53tie all day, but that is where his allegiances lie acclamation of baby
0:49:53 > 0:49:56composure let England down in the first but they had to try things in
0:49:56 > 0:50:00the second? We were a bit rushed in the first, a
0:50:00 > 0:50:03few decisions that will probably not right but we knew we needed to
0:50:03 > 0:50:09score, we did not want to go set for said. The Aussies are the best in
0:50:09 > 0:50:13the world. Kallum Watkins, if he executes first time, McGillvary is
0:50:13 > 0:50:18one-on-one with Billy Slater. That would be a clear-cut chance, you do
0:50:18 > 0:50:24not get too many. This one is a little bit of game plan or they were
0:50:24 > 0:50:29not in the right spots, a couple of, again... Probably a poor decision
0:50:29 > 0:50:35but we knew they had to score. I think in the first half England
0:50:35 > 0:50:40panicked with the ball on early tackles and the second half was
0:50:40 > 0:50:43execution on late tackles that stop them from getting over the try line.
0:50:43 > 0:50:49This type of rugby, this is England at their best, this is a difference
0:50:49 > 0:50:53on Australia, they will chance that arm and they just need a fraction
0:50:53 > 0:50:55more luckier and they
0:50:55 > 0:50:55arm and they just need a fraction more luckier and they score, you
0:50:55 > 0:50:59deserve something good but unfortunately could not get one.
0:50:59 > 0:51:04We are playing against a team which has conceded six points in six
0:51:04 > 0:51:07games, we can't be too critical of the England attack when you are
0:51:07 > 0:51:11playing against the best defence in the world, we are looking eclipse in
0:51:11 > 0:51:14the 80th minute where we can still win.
0:51:14 > 0:51:18For me England were probably a couple of games off with timing,
0:51:18 > 0:51:22getting the combinations right. All of those nuances of 1%...This
0:51:22 > 0:51:28should not be the case, this deep into a World Cup?Potentially in one
0:51:28 > 0:51:32respect there may have been an argument, just and will have his own
0:51:32 > 0:51:36thoughts, that Wayne Bennett requested a pre-season training camp
0:51:36 > 0:51:44to basically... That is the time you get to work on this. -- Justin will
0:51:44 > 0:51:53have those Democrat his own thoughts on this. It was not until three
0:51:53 > 0:51:58games in that he realised what was the best fit for the squad. We were
0:51:58 > 0:52:02maybe two games off being the cohesive unit, getting the timing
0:52:02 > 0:52:04right and those opportunities become tries.
0:52:04 > 0:52:11What highlights the disadvantage is with Australia, Cronk, Smith and
0:52:11 > 0:52:16Slater, they have played over 300 games at club level together, state
0:52:16 > 0:52:19origin for around ten years, Australian Alpha for around ten
0:52:19 > 0:52:23years. When the opposition has that in the nucleus of their side, that
0:52:23 > 0:52:28exposes when you are trying to match them.They know what each other are
0:52:28 > 0:52:32doing. The communication does not need to be the highest level between
0:52:32 > 0:52:38those three...It is not a word, it is a look, they just know. These
0:52:38 > 0:52:42three blogs have played together, not only at club rugby but also
0:52:42 > 0:52:46playing in the State of Origin together, and for Australia.
0:52:46 > 0:52:52Training must be an absolute dream, they know what everyone is doing.
0:52:52 > 0:52:57And nudges playing, winning. Melbourne Storm won the competition
0:52:57 > 0:53:01again, they have been dominant in the NRL, it is nudges playing
0:53:01 > 0:53:04together, it is getting success together.
0:53:04 > 0:53:08I am sure I read in a news article over the course of the tournament, a
0:53:08 > 0:53:12reflection saying these guys run it themselves. We put together the
0:53:12 > 0:53:17structures and agree them with that leadership group, but when it goes
0:53:17 > 0:53:20to the training pitch they are almost self policing what is going
0:53:20 > 0:53:23on. From a coach plasma point of
0:53:23 > 0:53:23on. From a coach plasma point of view,
0:53:23 > 0:53:28the Australian try, from an England perspective, you would be
0:53:28 > 0:53:34disappointed that you invited the pressure on to you with penalties
0:53:34 > 0:53:37and repeat sets?Definitely. It is not the start you want. Australia
0:53:37 > 0:53:42are very disciplined with the ball and unfortunately Cooper Cronk is
0:53:42 > 0:53:46always on the mark, unfortunately for Kallum Watkins he will defuse
0:53:46 > 0:53:53those bombs 9910 Z 100, the one time he did not it led to another set of
0:53:53 > 0:53:57six and another opportunity. Ryan Hall did a great catch but a perfect
0:53:57 > 0:54:01kick from Cronk. It is a half missed tackle, when you are defending your
0:54:01 > 0:54:05try line you do not need to completely defend, you can miss and
0:54:05 > 0:54:12see the try.When you look at them on play, it looks a little bit soft,
0:54:12 > 0:54:17we don't have enough line speed. Half a missed tackle, when you're
0:54:17 > 0:54:22watching it all, that was on the back of four sets against the best
0:54:22 > 0:54:27team in the world. Two drop outs at two penalties on the back of each
0:54:27 > 0:54:31other. That is what it comes down to, building pressure.
0:54:31 > 0:54:36That is 24 tackles, two region 40 metres sprints during a band back,
0:54:36 > 0:54:42and back, fatigue its part -- plays its part. In the first set and
0:54:42 > 0:54:46second set that they had back-to-back, England were dealing
0:54:46 > 0:54:50with that, the defensive line was in structure, they were getting off the
0:54:50 > 0:54:54line half a step earlier, which was cutting down decision-making time,
0:54:54 > 0:54:54but fatigue takes
0:54:54 > 0:54:58cutting down decision-making time, but fatigue takes its play.The
0:54:58 > 0:55:02tournament as a whole, positive for England despite today's Brasil?I
0:55:02 > 0:55:06think so. If at the start of the tournament we had said England will
0:55:06 > 0:55:10get to the final and in the 80th minute they will still be in with a
0:55:10 > 0:55:13chance of winning, I think we would have all taken matter. Even the
0:55:13 > 0:55:20final today, we were 7-1 with the bookies to win it, a two horse race.
0:55:20 > 0:55:24As an England setup we have gone past what most people thought we
0:55:24 > 0:55:28could achieve, but still not exactly where we want to be. We want to be
0:55:28 > 0:55:32holding the trophy. A positive tournament for the game
0:55:32 > 0:55:37as a whole, particularly regarding the performance of the island?A pro
0:55:37 > 0:55:41performance for England, a great stepping stone for the 2021 World
0:55:41 > 0:55:45Cup in four years. -- a proud performance. The Pacific nations
0:55:45 > 0:55:52came to the forefront, Ireland of the other four home nations teams
0:55:52 > 0:55:56really had a brilliant tournament. Of their players came through, lots
0:55:56 > 0:56:03of them put themselves on the map. Lebanon was another find during the
0:56:03 > 0:56:05tournament, players like Mitchell Moses will be knocking on the
0:56:05 > 0:56:10Australian international door in a very short amount of time. So from a
0:56:10 > 0:56:16structural point of view we have seen... It was nudges the big three,
0:56:16 > 0:56:21Fiji played brilliantly and beat New Zealand, Tonga beat new Zealand. --
0:56:21 > 0:56:25it was not just the big three. It is raising the aspirations of all the
0:56:25 > 0:56:28nations. Whilst you don't want to play Whee
0:56:28 > 0:56:33in, week out, because familiarity breeds contempt, you want to see a
0:56:33 > 0:56:37bit more England versus Australia? Definitely, there is a reason why
0:56:37 > 0:56:41England have bridged the gap, it is neck and neck. If they play two
0:56:41 > 0:56:45weeks from now you could see an England victory. The fact we had to
0:56:45 > 0:56:48wait three more years is harsh, it would be great to fit it in the
0:56:48 > 0:56:51calendar but Super League and NRL have very logged rugby league
0:56:51 > 0:56:56seasons. It is not football, there is so much contact that players need
0:56:56 > 0:57:01a rest. But as a selfish van again I would love to see more Australia via
0:57:01 > 0:57:06England, now English are so good. -- no England are so good.
0:57:20 > 0:57:27Thank you very much, then, to Sam, Robbie and Justin That is it, the
0:57:27 > 0:57:32Rugby league World Cup 2017 is over, and once again Australia have won.
0:57:32 > 0:57:34Goodbye.
0:57:42 > 0:57:52ROCK MUSIC PLAYS # You've been thunderstruck!
0:57:52 > 0:58:01# Thunderstruck. # Thunderstruck.
0:58:01 > 0:58:10This will be a try!Yet another try for Jermaine McGillvary.
0:58:10 > 0:58:13This is extraordinary!
0:58:22 > 0:58:28And PGR into the semifinals! A famous victory! -- and Fiji are
0:58:28 > 0:58:31into. Six of the best for Valentine
0:58:31 > 0:58:36Holmes. Listen to this noise! If they score,
0:58:36 > 0:58:45there is no way back for England. He has lost it!
0:58:45 > 0:58:55England hopeful glory, Australia expects. -- England hope for glory.
0:58:55 > 0:58:59The England players sink to their knees, but it is Australia who are