The Australia rugby league coach Ricky Stuart has paid tribute to the world cup winning New Zealnd side saying they deserve their success after humbling the reigning champions 34-20 in the final last night in Brisbane.
Australia had romped through to the final, amassing an incredible 180-16 points-scoring ledger courtesy of big wins over the Kiwis, England, Papua New Guinea and Fiji in pool play.
But a wayward pass from full-back Billy Slater and a penalty try ruling saw the Kiwis turn a 16-12 halftime deficit into a 14 point win.
Stuart says the Kiwis were simply better than his side in becoming the first team other than Australia, to win the world cup since Great Britain in 1972.
