By STEVE MASCORD
DESPITE all the changes to eligibility rules, all the global empire building of the NRL and record-breaking TV and live audiences, normal service resumed in the men’s World Cup final.
Lacklustre during the pool rounds, Kevin Walters’ Australia was ruthless on its way to a 32-12 win over New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium. It was Australia’s fourth consecutive World Cup and 13th overall.
Three days after the Kiwis’ Kalyn Ponga beat him to the Golden Boot award, Australia fullback Reece Walsh conclusively won that personal battle while back rower Liam Martin and wingr Jack Bostock each finished with try braces.
“Everyone was talking about all the other teams, all their cultures,” said Walsh over the Suncorp Stadium PA.
“I feel we got disrespected. How’s that for culture, baby?”
Asked about his ankle injury, he said: “I told Kevvy I was sweet but I wasn’t really sweet.”
After all the excitement surrounding New Zealand’s performance in the tournament opener and Ponga fight back from a broken arm, there was a whiff of anti-climax at halftime when Australia led 24-6.
The rot started as early as it possibly could, New Zealand’s kick-off sailing dead on the full.
What followed was the quickest try in World Cup final history to Aussie back rower Liam Martin, in the second minute.
New ulZealand managed to hit back in the sixth, the youngest player on the field in centre Casey McLean after Reece Walsh and Ronaldo Mulitalo collided in mid-air on a previous play and referee Grant Atkins ruled ‘play on’.
Australian winger Jack Bostock continued his marquee tournament by crossing in the north-western corner in the 19th minute. Reece Walsh and Bradman Best combined on the left after Kalyn Ponga had knocked down a certain try assist on the right.
That try was not converted but an escort penalty against Ronaldo Mulitalo soon allowed Cameron Munster to make it 12-6.
Next centre Best stepped off his left foot and left Dane Gagai clutching at air for the next Aussie try and then Penrith’s Martin scored his second when Jacob Preston pulled off a big hit on Naufahu Whyte and stole the ball at the same time.
After Mulitalo’s would-be try was chalked off for a knock-on in mid-air, Isaiah Papali’ii scored with 15 to go from a Kodi Nikorima kick.
Dolphin Bostock posted his second try with three to go. The Kiwis lost McLean to concussion at halftime.
AUSTRALIA 32 (Martin 2 Bostock 2 Best Trbojevioc tries Munster 3 goals) beat NEW ZEALAND 12 (McLean Papali’i tries Isaako 2 goals) at Suncorp Stadium,
Teams:
AUSTRALIA: Reece Walsh (Brisbane); Jack Bostock (Dolphins), Kotoni Staggs (Brisbane), Bradman Best (Newcastle), Tom Trbojevic (Manly); Cameron Munster (Melbourne), Tom Dearden (North Queensland); Keaon Koloamatangi (South Sydney), Harry Grant (Melbourne), Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (Gold Coast), Jacob Preston (Canterbury), Liam Martin (Penrith), Isaah Yeo (capt, Penrith).
Reserves: Patrick Carrigan (Brisbane), Ethan Strange (Canberra), Cameron Murray (South Sydney), Reuben Cotter (North Queensland), Sam Walker (Sydney Roosters), James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters)
NEW ZEALAND: Kalyn Ponga (Newcastle); Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins), Dane Gagai (Newcastle), Casey McLean (Penrith), Ronaldo Mulitalo (Cronulla); Kodi Nikorima (Dolphins), Jahrome Hughes (Melbourne); James Fisher-Harris (capt, Warriors), Jeremy Marshall-King (Dolphins), Moses Leota (Penrith), Isaiah Papali’i (Penrith), Briton Nikora (Cronulla), Joseph Tapine (Canberra).
Reserves: Te Maire Martin (Warriors), Naufahu Whyte (Sydney Roosters), Erin Clark (Warriors), Xavier Willison (Brisbane), Phoenix Crossland (Newcastle), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Warriors).
Referee: Grant Atkins.
