Final Highlights: Australia v England Rugby League World Cup

It was 45 years ago... And the

memories don't leave you...

Nash to kick off in the final of the

World Cup.

It was the best of times

and the worst of times but for us

lot there was only one thing which

mattered.

Tonight we start with a

try which will surely go down

amongst the greatest of the decade.

To this day, I can still see Clive

Sullivan racing down the way.

Everybody is saying go go go. What a

tremendous try.

Those of us still

alive still talk about it to this

day. We had done it and we were the

world champions.

It has been far too long. Lets beat

the Australians again.

Yes, it has

been 45 years since a team from

these shores has won the Rugby

league World Cup, so good England do

it today in Brisbane against the

world champions with a world

champions on home soil? Joining me

for this, just in Holbrooke and Sam

Tomkins and being neutral, former

Kiwi international Robbie Hunter.

This is it, the Rugby league World

Cup final 2017. Australia against

England with Brian Noble, Ian

Millward and Dave Hunt.

COMMENTATOR: They are getting quite

a reception. It is a journey for the

England side over 12 months ago, it

goes a lot further than that for

England fans, 45 years since Great

Britain won this trophy as England,

they have never won it. Is denied

the night it will change? -- is

tonight the night it will change?

Cronk, one of their three stellar

names. There is the other of that

legendary triumph rent, Cameron

Smith. They were named in at

Australian starting line-up. One or

two are not quite up to the pedigree

of kangaroos of yesteryear but

there's no doubting Slater, Smith

and Cronk are amongst the best of

all time. The coach of course have

reinstalled pride in the kangaroos'

jersey. Changes for England. Currie

comes in in the absence of Shaun

Cole claimed with his injury. Johnny

Lomax coming onto the bench. He has

not played since the first game in

this tournament against Australia

and that is six weeks ago. The

referee tonight is an Australian.

It's an English man in the video

both. One of each on the touchline.

Chris Campbell and Chris Butler. The

countdown begins on the big screen.

To get the World Cup under way.

CROWD CHEERS

England hope for glory. It has been

a wonderful World Cup and it comes

to what could be an epic conclusion

here tonight in what could be a

really physical battle. James Graham

leads the charge for England. Let's

hear for the first time since

kick-off, Ian Millward and Brian

Noble.

We are looking for an 80

minute performance from England

team. We saw 70 minutes last week.

They have got to be good, they've

got to execute and I think they will

tonight.

It looked as though he took

a hit, James Graham, in that first

tackle so we will wait to see what

impact that has. How many times have

we seen him look like that in his

career? Here comes Gale looking for

a kick. Might be a challenge there.

The Australians are not going to go

away. They are a terrific team

themselves. Hughes at the start of

the game. Slater is up there.

Graham.

Taken in by Gagai.

Both teams need field position.

Smith is a master at it. Smith is

really good at it.

Australia looking

to move it left. Here is Morgan.

Down the left-hand side. Smith at

dummy half the game. Cronk high in

the air. A simple catch. Widdop

takes the challenge there.

No

pressure there. He makes himself ten

metres. This man is a player of the

tournament in many peoples' eyes.

Elliott Whitehead outside the 30.

Roby picks it up. Sam Burgess down

the middle. Number 13 shirt. Graham.

England reach the last. Gale with

the kick a game. It's a careful

cautious opening to the game for

both sides here tonight. Just

searching each other out as Gagai

brings it back.

Wayne Bennett talks

about they've got a complete ten

from ten in the first ten set and

they have started well, England. It

might sound boring and economic, but

it builds field position and gets

you in the groove of the game real

quick.

35 metres out. Woods takes it

in. He will be playing with the

Bulldogs next year, of course.

Ryan Hall.

In relation to the

kicking game, Cronk has the space to

find a flaw and a space between the

wingers and full-backs. England are

intent on organising the kick chase

is out there. They are not looking

for the space because the back three

of Australia got it covered.

Slater

is so lethal and in space he can

back it up with speed. England have

some good footwork are getting in

between the defenders.

And early

kick once again. Slater is across

there.

Roby makes a tackle. Australia

starting from deep game. Slater gets

behind the play of the ball now. The

14th time the World Cup it has been

played since 1954, Australia have

been world champion is ten times.

They have dominated. England never

have won it as England. Three times

as Great Britain. And off-loaded by

Woods. Now it comes to Cronk.

Widdop is in position. He has evaded

a first attempt to tackle. Gets

caught on the second. Hall muscling

his way through. He's done a

splendid job. McGillvary making

metres for fun in this tournament.

Burgess hurling himself forward.

Graham is to his left. They played

together for Saint Helens and 11 is

all those years ago. Graham is

holding his head. He is having a

shaky start in terms of personal

health.

There is a big high tech I

was alluding to. The longer this

goes on for England, the better. --

high kick.

Bateman and Gale have

some deficiencies in defence.

Smith

at dummy half. A kick downfield. It

won't catch out Gareth Widdop.

England on the 40 metre mark, that

is a slight win for England.

That is

a win for England is definitely.

Widdop was in great position. They

are on the halfway line.

It's not

the prettiest of rugby league but

effective at the moment. Whitehead.

Roby again. This is Hill. Roby looks

around to see what's going on. Quick

from Widdop but he could not get

away but ducks underneath the

attentions of Michael Morgan. They

are on the last. There is the first

mistake of the game. The first

mistake as England. It just lets

Australia off the hook a little bit.

Four tackles gun. Australia will

finish this with an attacking kick.

Michael Morgan again. -- four

tackles now. Maguire to the

right-hand side. England arms all

over him. Smith is here. This is the

last play. It is with Cronk again.

He might have had a penalty there.

The referee has not picked that up.

England at least had possession. How

many times have we seen Australia

put the ball in the England area

like that?

Widdop has diffused three

danger kicks already and I believe

he's outstanding.

Is he playing at full-back for your

team next year?

There will be a big

debate when he returns because he

came to the juniors as a fallback.

That is great.

That is terrific.

Great kick, great kick.

That is the

value of your kicking game. He has

leathered that down the field on the

back of a tough set from England, as

well. It builds confidence.

Great

work by a front row.

I don't think

he will find the try scoring against

England so easy today even though we

scored twice in his last two games.

It is with Morgan. Just inside the

England half. Twice he has

off-loaded. Slater. The off-loaded.

The referee gives it as a high

tackle. A penalty for Australia.

They have a chance to relieve a bit

of tension here. Both sets of

players. Nothing serious going on.

The replay here. It was high. It

warrants a penalty.

Share is Cronk.

Morgan puts the dummy on for the

cross. # here is. -- here is.

Clever. Smith again. England has it

covered. England's defence has been

terrific in this tournament so far,

but they are being tested here

again. Morgan going left. Does not

offer much of a threat on that

occasion. Two tackles to go. Smith.

Darting away. He passes to McGuire.

Last play. Smith goes left. It is

with Cronk. A high one by Watkins.

McGillvary misted and England were

lucky to get away with it.

Did

Watkins tried to catch it? I would

like to see that again.

It hit him

on the head.

That is a big kick, isn't it from

Widdop?

This is the big test.

While.

Clattering. Here's a big fella.

Aaron Woods takes it in as well.

England has been magnificent.

England are going to have to watch

this. Maguire.

Slater comes back towards the

middle. Still three tackles to go

for Australia. Morgan, a short ball.

A big effort in defence. Cronk has

gone over to score in attack. They

put pressure up which was building

in building and eventually something

had to give and they found a leak in

the English line, Cordner.

It goes

out to Cronk. Brown on-the-fly. He

breaks the tackle.

Smith puts it over. 6-0. The

international player of the area it

again.

The long ball. I don't like

using the word structure but people

are in position.

They have forced an error,

Australia.

When bait clearness, this

will be England's best starting

position so far. -- when they clear

that.

I don't know how many

thousands are here.

First set inside

the 30. Pretty good building up

points early in games, England.

Watkins trying to squeeze his way

through. 50 metres out. England

trailing 6-0 but a chance now. Hill

five metres away. Penalty. Penalty

for England. Do they kick for gold?

Keep playing field position.

Burgess

on the field getting very close.

Just about his first touch. Roby

sprinted left. Hall. Bateman. They

took a gamble.

It did not work.

There is still time. I thought they

were trying to create not enough

space if that makes spends. They

gave their ballplayers no chance,

really.

-- if that makes sense.

Cameron

Smith at dummy half looks to his

left.

Smith, a little chip.

The thing is, for me, there's a

couple penalty cases there for me. I

think the need to look at what's

going on here.

I love your passion,

Brian.

There you go.

This is not

fair.

It is very fair. Gillett, the

man simply hanging on to long there.

-- too long. 6-0, Australia lead.

Share is Watkins. McGillvary coming

back on the inside. He lost the

ball. At least he has wrapped up the

tackle on Smith. Whitehead falls on

it. The referee said penalty

Australia.

Spot on. He had to catch

and pass. McGillvary has been a

powerhouse all tournament. Hard to

stop in the right-hand corner.

Grey back on the inside to Walmsley.

Smith on his ankles. Making decent

progress, England. Looking for the

step back on the inside, Gillett

makes the tackle.

Smart play. They

have moved on, the Australian

defence.

Walmsley. Bulldozing

forward. Picking a position 20

metres out, and a penalty for

England for holding Gale. They were

onto the last play and now have six

more. Do they go for gold? Graham a

game. They sent Australia are just

running out of juice at the moment.

-- of sent Australia. -- they sense

Australia are running out of juice

at the moment. An opportunity lost

for England again. Just a rush of

blood when they needed calmness.

They have handed Australia a

lifeline.

That is three which have

come down the end of this park.

This has been the difference down at

the centre.

Smith again. Cronk

sweeping along the line to Morgan.

Back on the insider game. There is a

gap found by Cordner. Cameron Smith

is running it and going wide.

Chambers. Safely into the English

arms of Ryan Hall.

England under a

lot of pressure. England are so

those back three.

Soft hands by

Graham. And an intentional pass, I

think, by Watkins. Graham will take

that and then, very late, the

referee decided it was a forward

pass. Australia hoping to stop the

clock.

It's hard to see what

happened there. Watkins went

backwards.

Didn't it get propelled

backwards through the force of the

tackle? England's desperate to hang

onto that. They go the drop goal. It

did not come off.

That will be the

end of what has been a punishing and

fascinating first half. It might

have lacked flair at times. It might

have lacked real edge of the seat

excitement but, boy, as a Test

match, it was great.

It is well on.

England need to do better but they

are in the game. They are playing

their socks off.

Can England build

on that first half performance? Is

there an explosion of Australian

points? So many questions. Here

comes the answer is. With 40 minutes

left to play, Australia get first

touch of the ball in the second

half. They get and Alex Walmsley

shoulder. What do you reckon in the

second half now?

I think England's

need improvements and have got to

maintain their concentration. Get

Australia to the point where they

not struggling as such. But they

looked under pressure towards the

back end of the first half.

Tyson

Frizell. Just short of ten metres

from the England half. Cronk under

pressure from Currie. He has put it

down. There's no hiding place for

Gareth Widdop at the start of the

second half. The England coach knows

this is a big mistake for England.

He has kept his head for the whole

tournament.

So here come Australia.

Brown puts his body where it hurts.

Makes the tackle on Slater. Five

metres away. Smith from dummy half,

looking left. Australia trying to

get through the England defender.

Graham comes crashing over the top

adding his weight to that defensive

situation. Smith slows things down a

little bit. Gillett tries to spin

his way through and England are

holding on. Barely tackles in the

second half. A big crash bang

wallop. England's defenders are used

to taking those on. Tackle number

six, a chip over the top. Widdop.

That catch was 50 times more

difficult than the first but he

nailed it.

That is what you do, put

your body on the line to make up

that earlier one.

Well done, Gareth

Widdop.

Slater stands and waits at

dummy half. They seem to have a

loose carry there. He keeps held.

Inside being a shaft, Smith again.

Shuffled forward -- inside the

England half. Three tackles still to

go. Cronk on the inside almost loses

his shorts. Widdop comes in to make

the tackle. Two tackles away. Slater

comes left. Great catch. McGillvary,

fee goes towards the halfway line.

They swarm around him but it was a

heroic played by someone who has

been an English hero in the World

Cup. And from the brink of despair,

England are launching themselves

back at the kangaroos again here.

He

read the play really, really well.

Cronk made the initial break. Then

we find ourselves at the end of the

other field.

This is Tom Burgess to

push on again. Still a couple of

tackles to go. James Graham. Gale

coming through. Bateman brings it

on. Another penalty? A lot of

morning going on. Dugan had cleverly

put a foot in the area. It is a

seven tackle play. Dugan is on his

way again. Great play in that last

30 seconds or so.

They need to apply

pressure because they jumped

straight into the attack on the back

of McGillvary. They need closure.

Gillett has ripped all the way

through heading towards the line. A

big tackle. Widdop was in his way.

It goes to McLean. He comes back

from whence he came. Morgan has got

a bit of space. This time he has the

footwork, Michael Morgan. He is in

the four Australia's second, but the

referee is going to ask for a try on

the field.

You need to walk away

now. I want to make sure the defence

wasn't disadvantaged by a player in

front of the ball.

Goes back across. They have a

decision to make on the line.

Can we go back to this, please? If

you would.

It is on Smith. He runs behind Smith

full stop I've made my decision.

Here we go. The crowd went like

this. No drive. Obstruction. He ran

behind Cameron Smith, clear as day.

Yes, correct decision.

But getting

closer. Hall inside for Gale. He

tries to twist his body but can't

get in a comfortable position to

offload so takes the tackle. Now it

comes left to Gale. Bateman with a

quick pass. Widdop. Where is this

going? It bounces all over the

place. A corner in the end. England

get a penalty.

Australia in total

confusion. Extremely unlucky not to

score a try. They had a desire to

keep the ball alive. Widdop is a

smart one. When it ricocheted, they

thought they could get that.

A great

chance for England. Hill drives it

in. England, England, is being

chanted around Suncorp Stadium.

He almost got there himself. Roby

weights again. Hoists it back.

Watkins extricate himself from one

tackle. Two more in green and gold

wrapped themselves around him.

Back to the middle again, Gale with

a kick through, Brown on the chase

but it was covered well enough.

Australia have it back. What is the

referee giving?

A penalty for offside?

England will

have to come down the right-hand

side, Kallum Watkins has a true pass

to put a win away. But I feel

Bateman lacks the ability to set up

the winger.

Brown has come off, Widdop up to

six, Lomax to full-back. The coach

is trying to inject some attacking.

England ball in the end.

I thought

Lomax had tipped that forward.

Clearly I was wrong, the referee got

it right.

Billy Slater is looking absolutely

bushed. He looks like he has played

three matches.

I made the point at half-time that

Australia had a really easy game

last week, 50 something points. Does

that hard on them for the back of

this game, orders the Tonga game

that England had, which was physical

and tight, harden them?

16 minutes

to play, that is plenty enough time

for a hat-trick, as we learned in

the Tonga game.

Whitehead was upon the inside, had

he not lost his footing. -- up on.

Widdop with a great step, and a

second, and a kick towards the

corner. Morgan has it.

Brilliant.

A

great passage of play from England.

Elevator. Look about this ankle tap

from Dugan. Kallum Watkins was gone.

Don't steal it to us! Abanda last

play from man of the tournament

Gareth Widdop. The tackle from

McGillvary.

They deserve something.

Burgess of

the field for time being. -- Burgess

off the field. England fans booing

Australia because they are wasting

time to try to get it back in the

tank.

There is a World Cup up for grabs

here.

These are moments that could make

the destiny. Widdop to Watkins,

Watkins to McGillvary.

Too many arrive to slow him down.

Roby docks. He would have known that

the shadows were closing in, that he

would not get through.

The last play in the set. Graham to

Widdop. It bounces beyond and behind

McGillvary. Another England

opportunity just slips by.

The Burgess boys are ready to

return. Sam and Tom.

It is with me telling you that

golden point extra time is what

would happen if England scored a try

and a goal and the scores stayed at

6-6, a draw takes us to golden point

extra time.

It is one score that England need at

this stage.

Widdop! Interception almost by

Valentine Holmes. It was a handling

error from being Australia's World

Cup.

Instead, England get the ball back.

Game on. Keep in mind they had them

stripped for numbers, he had to come

in and try to take that, otherwise I

had them for numbers.

England start a set 30 metres out.

Tom Burgess comes in to drive it in.

He lost the ball.

He has lost the ball. He can

complain all he likes, the referee

will not change his mind. Was there

a hand?

There definitely was. But it

is still his responsibility.

He

knew.

It is like a heavyweight boxing

contest in the last round where they

have given everything and have

nothing left to give.

Lomax was careful, gathered up the

bounce. England need a break from

somewhere. The break was almost

Lomax 's ribs! But he is brave

enough to play on.

Ten yards made so far, another 18

needed in three tackles. Bet macro

Enever 80. Lost the ball, but it is

a penalty. This time it was stolen.

That is just what England needed.

The crowd are under pressure, they

are all booing the Aussie crowd.

Wherever you are watching, this next

five minutes will not be

comfortable, whoever you are

supporting.

Two balls on the field, they just

had to wait to kick one offer.

Luke Gale has had a very good game

tonight.

The referee says forward in the

tackle. A knock-on from Tom Burgess.

A look of steely eyed fury and

frustration. Australia get valuable

possession back.

Look at the

technique of the tackle. He has gone

up, through, underneath the ball to

force the error. Technique for a

young guy watching that. You just

feel deflated, they are coming down

here and losing the ball in early

rucks.

3.5 minutes to go. One score

in it. Is that try in the 13th

minute enough to win the World Cup

again for Australia?

Lomax picked that up. We are very,

very nearly at the this is its

stage. Maybe one more subtle

England?

They might get two more

sets. This is the key set, then they

get a penalty and the outside backs

come in and they make it easy meat.

Roby saw a bit of disruption in the

defensive line. Recovered deploys

quickly enough. -- recovered its

poor use.

A kick and I hope. Made a huge error

when the World Cup final was played

here in 2008, which gave New Zealand

the game. But no sign of an error

like that tonight. Gagai was dealt

with by Ryan Hall. It is now seconds

rather than minutes. Knock-on! Hope

lifts again for England with two

minutes to play. You look at those

around, standing up, they can't bear

to sit down because of the nerves

and tension.

He realises

-- he

realises his side have one last

chance. This is it. This is it. Two

minutes to go. This will almost

certainly be a England's last set if

they do not score.

Tom Burgess, desperately keeping

hold of the ball. Roby is here, less

than 20 away. The kick is on, the

chase was blocked. Australia had it.

It was a gamble, but why did they go

so early? England will hardly see

this ball again now. Sam Burgess's

reaction was more out of frustration

for his own team rather than

anything Australia have produced.

If

you marked his kicking game against

Cronk, they have been far superior.

It smacked of impatience. The clock

is still there. An average set of

six is 45 seconds. You will have a

chance to get two sets anyway.

England have never been close to

lifting a World Cup trophy than they

have been here tonight. In many ways

that makes it even more unbearable

for their supporters.

Almost the last minute. Australia

will drive its downfield. Then on

the fifth they will kick it, wary

it, as Graham Nowell says. -- kick

it, welly it. It will take some

heroics for England to rescue the

situation.

40 seconds left.

Too many Australian players for

McGillvary to have any hope. 25

seconds out. Tom Burgess over the

halfway line.

They will give it all to the last.

Hall has come into the line. Back to

Currie, who throws it in now. With

Gale and Widdop. The countdown is

on. The next time it goes out of

play it is all over. Watkins makes

the break, inside for McGillvary.

There were England players on the

inside.

WHISTLE BLOWS

But those England players sink to

their knees in utter desperation.

It is a relief as much a celebration

for Australia, because they have

been pushed to the absolute limits

by that England side tonight. But

somehow, somehow England couldn't

quite find a way through. What a

game. It is Australia who are world

champions for Australia.

To finally get a welcome victory on

home soil has been quite a long

time, lots of hard work has gone

into it. That is one of the toughest

games I have played in my career.

Really pleasing victory for the

boys. It has been a fairly... Fairly

hard road over the last two years,

we want to put ourselves back to

number one, we have had back-to-back

World Cup victories, very happy to

have the Kangaroos as the best in

the world.

A tough one to take, but I think

both teams played really well. 6-0

probably does not advertise a great

game, but what a spectacle.

We sacrifice a lot, worked so hard

and were so close tonight. Very

disappointed, but certainly very

proud of the boys and the effort

they put in.

Australia 's B side remains iconic

and remains world champions. They

have been pushed to their limits but

they found a way to hang on, and

they ruled the rugby league worlds.

Really disappointing to lose in that

fashion. I thought we were really

good tonight. We were good tonight,

we just did not finish our chances.

What we have built and created over

the past six weeks has been

fantastic. I am really proud of my

team-mates, the stuff, it has been a

great effort. Unfortunately we will

just have to regroup and see how we

can improve.

At this level it is inches, we saw

an ankle tap on Kallum

At this level it is inches, we saw

an ankle tap on Kallum, and Jermaine

was so close in the first. Immensely

proud of my country, how hard we

have worked and what we have

achieved. That is the hardest I have

ever pushed my body, we could not

have tried any harder, every single

one of us. When you are so close it

is hard to take, but when we reflect

in the off-season we will be proud

of what we have achieved.

Cameron Smith said it was possibly

the toughest game he has ever played

in, from a former

Queensland Australia coach, how do

you rate that in coaching terms?

Is right up there, 6-0 is unheard-of

in the modern game. It was a really

dogged affair, everyone came ready

to play defensively, both teams were

outstanding, the completion rates

were excellent. It was an arm

wrestle but it was a really

entertaining game of rugby league.

The scoreboard says you lost, but

what did we lose? Effort, intensity,

trying as hard as they did? You

know, both teams had good shape and

lots of options. That is what makes

sport great. Someone has to win,

someone has too lose.

On the full-time whistle I had a

text from a friend who said it was

unbearable, that is probably quite a

good way to describe it.

Yes, that

last ten minutes was torture. Just

willing the boys to get that try. We

were so

willing the boys to get that try. We

were so close, it is almost more

disappointing that we were within

touching distance.

It is the closeness in many ways

that is the frustration, it is not

losing the big game, it is the fact

that it could have been won.

I absolutely agree, but I look at

the other side, I have been speaking

to Englishmen all week and said they

will compete for 60 minutes and get

blown away at the end with a couple

of tries, I am pleased that did not

happen. It would have been great to

see a try add to go into extra time

would have been fitting, because

England played as well as Australia.

We will see how Josh Duguid

England played as well as Australia.

We will see how Josh Duguid kept

England at bay, it included what I

think we all think will be the

defining image of an next four

years, the tackle on Kallum Watkins.

But he had other good defensive

moments.

We were saying Josh Duguid

had a defensive error, but that was

very smart. Put his foot in goal, a

quick tap on the 22. They get on the

front foot, played the first play

smack bang on the 40. He is a

full-back by trade, Josh Dugan, so

he knows how to get around the back.

This is the defining moment. 15

minutes to go, England Durham in the

ascendancy, Kallum Watkins is coming

through, a two on one with white

head of the middle of the park with

Billy Slater in full-back, and he

just gets a fingertip and Knox his

ankle.

just gets a fingertip and Knox his

ankle.

For me, that was the player of the

game for Australia and save them the

World Cup. By all accounts, Watkins

had done him off the ball, he had

sidestepped off the ball, caught

skinned him, it is a Hail Mary play.

If he did not tap his ankle we would

be sat here going what about Dugan,

terrible effort. That would be the

image of the World Cup, Kallum

Watkins putting Elliott Whitehead

back inside. It was an error at

first but some effort to turn

around. Kallum Watkins is not slow,

he has made a meter on Kallum

Watkins.

It was sheer

competitiveness from Dugan. I

thought he struggled. But the

competitiveness, to find a way to

get a hand on his Brits, you can't

coach that.

There is something quite

beautiful about a tap tackle. Nel

from an English point of view, but

executed well, it is pretty sweet.

We know for and look for the big

commissions, James Graham smashing

his head in the first tackle, that

is what we think rugby league is

about, but the defining moment was

an ankle tap.

All four of us were

out of our seats, it is on! And you

see him stumble and fall towards the

ground, your stomach. Bottom of your

body.

Where you out of your seat?

I

was.

I just wanted check.

Go on,

Dugan!

He has been wearing a British

tie all day, but that is where his

allegiances lie acclamation

tie all day, but that is where his

allegiances lie acclamation of baby

composure let England down in the

first but they had to try things in

the second?

We were a bit rushed in the first, a

few decisions that will probably not

right but we knew we needed to

score, we did not want to go set for

said. The Aussies are the best in

the world. Kallum Watkins, if he

executes first time, McGillvary is

one-on-one with Billy Slater. That

would be a clear-cut chance, you do

not get too many. This one is a

little bit of game plan or they were

not in the right spots, a couple of,

again... Probably a poor decision

but we knew they had to score.

I think in the first half England

panicked with the ball on early

tackles and the second half was

execution on late tackles that stop

them from getting over the try line.

This type of rugby, this is England

at their best, this is a difference

on Australia, they will chance that

arm and they just need a fraction

more luckier and they

arm and they just need a fraction

more luckier and they score, you

deserve something good but

unfortunately could not get one.

We are playing against a team which

has conceded six points in six

games, we can't be too critical of

the England attack when you are

playing against the best defence in

the world, we are looking eclipse in

the 80th minute where we can still

win.

For me England were probably a

couple of games off with timing,

getting the combinations right. All

of those nuances of 1%...

This

should not be the case, this deep

into a World Cup?

Potentially in one

respect there may have been an

argument, just and will have his own

thoughts, that Wayne Bennett

requested a pre-season training camp

to basically... That is the time you

get to work on this. -- Justin will

have those Democrat his own thoughts

on this. It was not until three

games in that he realised what was

the best fit for the squad. We were

maybe two games off being the

cohesive unit, getting the timing

right and those opportunities become

tries.

What highlights the disadvantage is

with Australia, Cronk, Smith and

Slater, they have played over 300

games at club level together, state

origin for around ten years,

Australian Alpha for around ten

years. When the opposition has that

in the nucleus of their side, that

exposes when you are trying to match

them.

They know what each other are

doing. The communication does not

need to be the highest level between

those three...

It is not a word, it

is a look, they just know. These

three blogs have played together,

not only at club rugby but also

playing in the State of Origin

together, and for Australia.

Training must be an absolute dream,

they know what everyone is doing.

And nudges playing, winning.

Melbourne Storm won the competition

again, they have been dominant in

the NRL, it is nudges playing

together, it is getting success

together.

I am sure I read in a news article

over the course of the tournament, a

reflection saying these guys run it

themselves. We put together the

structures and agree them with that

leadership group, but when it goes

to the training pitch they are

almost self policing what is going

on.

From a coach plasma point of

on.

From a coach plasma point of view,

the Australian try, from an England

perspective, you would be

disappointed that you invited the

pressure on to you with penalties

and repeat sets?

Definitely. It is

not the start you want. Australia

are very disciplined with the ball

and unfortunately Cooper Cronk is

always on the mark, unfortunately

for Kallum Watkins he will defuse

those bombs 9910 Z 100, the one time

he did not it led to another set of

six and another opportunity. Ryan

Hall did a great catch but a perfect

kick from Cronk. It is a half missed

tackle, when you are defending your

try line you do not need to

completely defend, you can miss and

see the try.

When you look at them

on play, it looks a little bit soft,

we don't have enough line speed.

Half a missed tackle, when you're

watching it all, that was on the

back of four sets against the best

team in the world. Two drop outs at

two penalties on the back of each

other. That is what it comes down

to, building pressure.

That is 24 tackles, two region 40

metres sprints during a band back,

and back, fatigue its part -- plays

its part. In the first set and

second set that they had

back-to-back, England were dealing

with that, the defensive line was in

structure, they were getting off the

line half a step earlier, which was

cutting down decision-making time,

but fatigue takes

cutting down decision-making time,

but fatigue takes its play.

The

tournament as a whole, positive for

England despite today's Brasil?

I

think so. If at the start of the

tournament we had said England will

get to the final and in the 80th

minute they will still be in with a

chance of winning, I think we would

have all taken matter. Even the

final today, we were 7-1 with the

bookies to win it, a two horse race.

As an England setup we have gone

past what most people thought we

could achieve, but still not exactly

where we want to be. We want to be

holding the trophy.

A positive tournament for the game

as a whole, particularly regarding

the performance of the island?

A pro

performance for England, a great

stepping stone for the 2021 World

Cup in four years. -- a proud

performance. The Pacific nations

came to the forefront, Ireland of

the other four home nations teams

really had a brilliant tournament.

Of their players came through, lots

of them put themselves on the map.

Lebanon was another find during the

tournament, players like Mitchell

Moses will be knocking on the

Australian international door in a

very short amount of time. So from a

structural point of view we have

seen... It was nudges the big three,

Fiji played brilliantly and beat New

Zealand, Tonga beat new Zealand. --

it was not just the big three. It is

raising the aspirations of all the

nations.

Whilst you don't want to play Whee

in, week out, because familiarity

breeds contempt, you want to see a

bit more England versus Australia?

Definitely, there is a reason why

England have bridged the gap, it is

neck and neck. If they play two

weeks from now you could see an

England victory. The fact we had to

wait three more years is harsh, it

would be great to fit it in the

calendar but Super League and NRL

have very logged rugby league

seasons. It is not football, there

is so much contact that players need

a rest. But as a selfish van again I

would love to see more Australia via

England, now English are so good. --

no England are so good.

Thank you very much, then, to Sam,

Robbie and Justin That is it, the

Rugby league World Cup 2017 is over,

and once again Australia have won.

Goodbye.

ROCK MUSIC PLAYS

# You've been thunderstruck!

# Thunderstruck.

# Thunderstruck.

This will be a try!

Yet another try

for Jermaine McGillvary.

This is extraordinary!

And PGR into the semifinals! A

famous victory! -- and Fiji are

into.

Six of the best for Valentine

Holmes.

Listen to this noise! If they score,

there is no way back for England.

He has lost it!

England hopeful glory, Australia

expects. -- England hope for glory.

The England players sink to their

knees, but it is Australia who are