1 Dec 2013

Australia crush Kiwis in rugby league final

10:40 am on 1 December 2013

Australia have become rugby league world champions for the tenth time, beating New Zealand 34-2 in the World Cup final at Old Trafford.

The Kangaroos ran in five tries with the Kiwis' only points coming from a Shaun Johnson penalty.

The win means Australia gained revenge for their 2008 final defeat when New Zealand fought back from 16-12 down to win 34-20 and claim their first world title.

Their victory was built on the back of quick work around the ruck and precision kicking which allowed the Kangaroos to dominate territory and possession, Reuters reports.

Billy Slater and Brett Morris scored two tries apiece for the Kangaroos and Cooper Cronk also touched down as Australia underlined their dominance of the code.

Australia led 16-2 at the break but any hopes of another Kiwi fightback were extinguished immediately after the restart when Slater scored his second try.