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New Zealand stuns Aussies to take the Rugby League World Cup

November 22, 2008

New Zealand has won their first ever Rugby League World Cup following a stunning 34-20 victory over Australia in Brisbane.

The win for the Kiwis was the first time since 1972 that someone other than Australia has won the Cup. Great Britain were successful in 1972.

The match saw a penalty try awarded to New Zealand just when Australia got back to within two points of New Zealand. With the score at 22-20 to New Zealand Australia’s winger Joel Monaghan was ruled to have taken out New Zealand’s Lance Hohaia. Billy Slater was close enough for some to think that there was doubt if Hohaia would have beaten Slater to the ball.

Slater had played well in the first half and setup tries for Darren Lockyer and David Williams. With just under 20 minutes remaining he had a brain snap when he decided to flick the ball inside when trying to prevent it going over the sideline. He then watched on helplessly as Benji Marshall grabbed the ball and dived over to give his team a 22-16 lead.

Adam Blair put the icing on the New Zealand cake when he scored a try four minutes from the end of the match. He collected the ball after a kick by New Zealand was knocked down before being kicked along the ground two more times before coming clear for Blair to take it from the ground with one hand to stroll over untouched.

Game over and New Zealand had a few minutes left to play before the partying began. As fulltime came Australia’s players were stunned. They had let the match slip away and with it the top ranking in Rugby League.

A truly memorable victory for the Kiwis.

Written by rob · Filed Under Rugby League 

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