Australia down NZ to clinch Rugby League World Cup

Slick Australia overpowered New Zealand 32-12 in a pulsating battle on Sunday to lift a fourth consecutive Rugby League World Cup crown and reinforce their status as the sport's global powerhouse. The home team took a 24-6 advantage into the break on a muggy evening at a sold-out Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane and never relented to inflict more pain on their arch-rivals. Liam Martin and Jack Bostock bagged two tries each with Bradman Best and Tom Trbojevic also crossing in a fast and furious clash where Australia's fitness in draining conditions proved decisive. The masterclass denied New Zealand their first title since 2008. That upset – also in Brisbane – was the last time a team other than Australia lifted the silverware. Since then the Kangaroos have won 23 games in a row at the tournament with Sunday's victory their 13th title from 17 World Cups played since its inception in 1954. So dominant are they that they have lost just one of 20 Tests in the 2020s. New Zealand performed an emotive haka, eager for revenge after going down 24-22 to Australia in an epic tournament opener over a month ago. But they were immediately on the back foot, conceding after just 84 seconds. Harry Grant threw a...