New Zealand 2-34 Australia

Australia produced a clinical performance as they thrashed holders New Zealand to win the World Cup at a sold-out Old Trafford. It was a near-faultless display from the Kangaroos, who scored five unanswered tries and have now won the trophy 10 times. Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk touched down and Johnathan Thurston kicked two penalties as the Kangaroos built a 16-2 lead at the break. Slater scored seconds after the restart and Brett Morris twice as Australia hammered their opponents. The Kiwis ght have produced the tournament's most dramatic moment when they snatched a last-minute victory over England at Wembley last weekend, but they were a poor second against the Kangaroos in Manchester. All they had to show for their efforts was Shaun Johnson's early penalty that briefly levelled the scores at 2-2 but the two sides were anything but equal on the day. The crowd of 74,468 was a record for an international fixture and most seemed to be backing New Zealand, but they had little choice except to admire the breathtaking play of the Kangaroos. Australia built pressure from the start and never looked in any trouble as a brilliant kicking display and some superb attacking invention enabled them to avenge their defeat in the 2008 final in Brisbane.