OF KANGAROOS AND KIWIS:
RECENT WORLD CUP AND FOUR NATIONS FINALS BATTLES BETWEEN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND:
World Cup final 2013, November 30, Old Trafford, Manchester
Australia 34 bt New Zealand 2
After the Kiwis secured a dramatic last-gasp win over England to progress to the final, it was expected to be tight. But Australia produced one of the most-comprehensive performances to blow the Kiwis away. The scores were locked at 2-2 for the opening 20 minutes before tries to Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk put the Kangaroos ahead 16-2 at the break.
With Johnathan Thurston starring, the Kangaroos went on with it, Slater scoring his second and Brett Morris bagging a double. It was the biggest winning margin in a final as Australia reclaimed the World Cup from the Kiwis.
Four Nations final 2010, November 13, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
New Zealand 16 bt Australia 12
The Kiwis stunned the defending champions to fight back from six points down in the last 10 minutes and score a dramatic upset win. Australia opened the scoring in the fourth minute through Brent Tate, before Shaun Kenny-Dowall squared the ledger just before halftime for a score of 6-6.
Greg Bird put Billy Slater over on the hour mark as Australia regained the lead and looked set to avenge their 2008 World Cup final loss. But Benji Marshall then clicked into gear for the Kiwis. He kicked brilliantly for a Jason Nightingale try in the 71st minute then threw the final pass for Nathan Fien’s match-winning try in the 79th.
World Cup final 2008, November 22, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
New Zealand 34 bt Australia 20
In one of the biggest upsets in history, the Kiwis bounced back from a 30-6 thumping by the Kangaroos earlier in the tournament to breathe new life into international rugby league.
Australia led 16-12 at the break, before the Kiwis regained the lead 18-16 through a Lance Hohaia try from a 60th-minute Billy Slater howler. The fullback threw the ball back infield as he was being pushed out by Manu Vatuvei only for Benji Marshall to swoop and score to put New Zealand further ahead.
Australia hit back through Greg Inglis to trail 22-20 before Hohaia was awarded a 70th-minute penalty try after video referee Steve Ganson ruled he had been illegally taken out by Joel Monaghan.
An Adam Blair four-pointer in the 75th minute sealed the historic win for the Kiwis and their first world Cup triumph.
