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Australia 20 New Zealand 34: Kiwis complete stunning World Cup final win
NEW Zealand defied all expectations to win the 2008 World Cup with a stunning victory over Australia in Brisbane.
A penalty try awarded to Lance Hohaia, the outstanding full-back, helped give the Kiwis their first World Cup win in their third final appearance in front of a shell-shocked crowd of 50,559.
Given an 18-point start by the bookmakers, 7-10 outsiders New Zealand wrested the World Cup away from Australian hands for the first time in 33 years.
The Kiwis had lost all 13 World Cup ties against Australia before last night but were worthy winners on a memorable night in Queensland.
Australia threatened to blow their opponents away inside the opening quarter when the Kiwis were somewhat fortunate to concede just two tries. However after weathering the storm New Zealand hit back to stun a near-capacity crowd by scoring two tries of their own to edge into a 12-10 lead before the half-hour mark.
The Kiwis had also created the first chance of the final when a low kick by scrum-half Nathan Fien in the sixth minute caught Australia unawares only for Benji Marshall to bounce the ball down as he skipped through.
The deadlock was broken six minutes later from a stylish run by international player of the year Billy Slater, the Melbourne full-back who evaded David Fa'alogo and Marshall near halfway to race clear. Slater attempted to take his opposite number Lance Hohaia round the outside but New Zealand's full-back held firm, forcing Slater to throw a hopeful pass inside.
Agonisingly for the Kiwis Slater's pass was palmed up and into the hands of Australian captain Darren Lockyer, who went through for the opening try.
Johnathan Thurston missed the goal attempt but found the target following a 16th-minute try by David Williams, the Manly winger who had been drafted in earlier in the week following the loss of Brent Tate with a hip injury.
New Zealand's resolve never faltered and after Fien had again caused confusion in the Australia defence with a testing kick they closed the gap with a try by loose forward Cameron Smith, who surged through to the posts on a rampaging run.
Four minutes later Australia's defence was breached again when Marshall broke clear from halfway and had the ball yanked from his clutches by Anthony Laffranchi. Referee Ashley Klein waved play on and Marshall duly fed Fa'alogo who committed Slater to the tackle before putting Jerome Ropati over between the posts.
Issac Luke landed both conversions and with 13 minutes of the half remaining New Zealand led 12-10.
Given their defensive resolve, it was clear that it needed something special to open them up and Australia duly produced it with an exquisite handling move involving eight pairs of hands, three of which belong to Lockyer who finished off with aplomb for Thurston's goal to take the host nation into the interval with a 16-12 lead.
New Zealand went within a whisker of drawing level two minutes into the second half when Lance Hohaia fired out a long pass to the left wing where Manu Vatuvei bolted for the corner only to brush the touchline in a try-saving tackle from Williams.
The respite proved short-lived for Australia as the Kiwis took full advantage of three repeat sets deep inside their rivals' half to steal ahead with a try by Hohaia, who crashed over between three defenders.
Australia went close to a fourth try in the 58th-minute when Israel Folau burst through only to be held up over the line by Hohaia. The Kiwis then carried the ball to the other end of the field to be presented by a gift of a try as Slater hit the self-destruct button.
Having taken a deep kick close to his own line, Slater almost ran himself out of play and was forced to throw a speculative pass behind him where Marshall was waiting to collect the ball, turn and stride over to score.
A try by Greg Inglis narrowed the gap but when Hohaia was obstructed by Joel Monaghan as he chased through a low kick by Fien, video referee Steve Ganson awarded a penalty try following a long deliberation.
Marshall added the goal and landed another five minutes from the end after prop Adam Blair had picked up a loose ball and gone through a bedraggled Australian defence unopposed.
Australia: Slater; Monaghan, Inglis, Folau, Williams; Lockyer, Thurston; Kite, Smith, Civoniceva, Laffranchi, Stewart, Gallen. Substitutes: Hunt, Tupou, Fitzgibbon, Watmough.
New Zealand: Hohaia; Perrett, Mannering, Ropati, Vatuvei; Marshall, Fien; Cayless, Leuluai, Blair, Fa'alogo, Harrison, Smith. Substitutes: Luke, Eastwood, Rapira, Manu.
Referee: A Klein (England).
FULL REPORT AND REACTION IN MONDAY'S YORKSHIRE POST.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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