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Dominant Australia defeat New Zealand in Men’s World Cup final
Australia beat New Zealand 32-12 to win the men’s Rugby League World Cup, extending their record to 13 titles and claiming a fourth consecutive championship. After an unconvincing start to the tournament, the Kangaroos delivered a commanding performance in the final, underlining their status as the leading team in international rugby league.
Australia led 24-6 at half-time after scoring four first-half tries, including two from Liam Martin, who opened the scoring after 84 seconds. Tom Trbojevic and Jack Bostock added second-half tries, with Bostock also scoring twice; New Zealand replied through Casey McLean and Isaiah Papali’i. The final was played before a sell-out crowd of 52,500, and Australia’s win made it 23 consecutive victories in World Cup matches.
In short
- Australia beat New Zealand 32-12 in the final.
- The Kangaroos claimed a fourth straight title.
- Australia have won 13 Rugby League World Cups.
Explained simply
The men’s Rugby League World Cup is the sport’s main international tournament, bringing together national teams in a contest held every few years. Rugby league is a team game in which players carry and pass the ball to score tries, while each side has a set number of tackles to make progress.
Australia’s national team, known as the Kangaroos, has long been a major force in the sport. New Zealand’s team, the Kiwis, is a longstanding rival, and matches between the two are among international rugby league’s best-known contests.
The tournament title is a measure of success at international level, separate from the domestic club competitions in which many players spend most of their season. A World Cup final brings together the strongest teams from different countries and puts the sport’s leading players on a global stage.