Johnathan Thurston was man of the match in an emphatic 34-2 annihilation of New Zealand to regain the Rugby League World Cup at Old Trafford.
And Quade Cooper wove his magic in the Wallabies’ gripping 30-26 win over Wales at the Millennium Stadium.
Two fabulous games of football. The Kangaroos were almost perfect. The Wallabies a mixture of ill-discipline to be penalised 18-9, but they offset that by sheer brilliance in spasms – especially playmaker Cooper, whose only blemish was to be yellow-carded at the death for an early tackle.
Milestones surfaced to make the wins even more valuable.
Thurston went past Mick Cronin’s international point-scoring recording record of 309, and Billy Slater’s double took him to 22 tries from 24 starts.
And the Kangaroos kept their tryline untouched for the last 404 minutes of the tournament.
Cooper played his 50th Test, the Wallabies increased their unbeaten record against Wales to nine, and posted four wins in a row for the first time since Robbie Deans took over the June 2008.
The capacity crowd of 74,468 at Manchester United’s home ground were treated to a rare exhibition of champagne rugby league.
Thurston was the conductor, but his band played just as many tunes.
In fact, it would be hard to mention one Kangaroo who didn’t play out of his skin.
Just one stat underlined how much the ball in hand ruled.
Jarryd Hayne ran 160 metres. Paul Gallen 152, Matt Scott 142, Billy Slater 122, Corey Parker 117, Thurston just 98 – but he was busy setting up support – Andrew Fifita 95, and Greg Bird 96.
Champagne alright. The Kiwis were only in the final for 15 minutes at 2-2, and then all they really did was chase or tackle as the Kangaroos exorcised their World Cup final loss to the Kiwis five years ago.
The Wallabies of the last year would have lost last night by probably 20 points.
But Ewen McKenzie has corrected their lack of pride and passion, and that 30-26 win was just bursting with guts and determination.
Had they been more disciplined in retiring, or not playing the ball on their feet, or being offside, they would have been further in control.
And dropping regulation ball didn’t help either. But having mentioned the ugly parts of their win, the good parts were simply magnificent with Cooper and Israel Folau right off the top shelf, as was Michael Hooper up front.
The Wallabies topped the runs with 119 to 89, the run metres with 769-447, but Wales missed more tackles 35-21, and that was purely due to incessant Wallaby pressure.
It can safely be said the Wallabies are back, and have truly earned their festive season break.
Now it’s up to Adam Scott to turn his four-shot lead over Rory McIlroy into an Australian Open victory at Royal Sydney to clinch the grand slam of Australian golf and join Robert Allenby, who achieved the feat in 2005.
Both Scott and McIlroy were a bit off their game yesterday, but expect fireworks today if the weather remains fine.
An Australian trifecta would give this weekend the ultimate, and leave the door open for the baggy greens to make it a quadrella starting Thursday in Adelaide when the second Ashes Test gets underway.
Simon R
Guest
See the credit Tim Sheens gave Slater? Said he could coach this team and that's the difference between a guy like him and Inglis at Fullback. Go to any live match and see his work ethic on every play, always moving around, creating gaps and plays. Inglis is unbelievable and no credit taken from him, but he stands around and gets the ball given to him.
Lurchn
Guest
-- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Lurchn
Guest
Why after a poor tri series/RC ever yr after winning 3or4 game against one good and some poor opposition do we get "WB would of lost this last year line -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Minz
Guest
I would dearly love to see England not make it through the group stages. Unfortunately I don't think that'll be the case!
Katipo
Guest
I think congratulations must be given to Tim Sheens for peaking the Kangaroos for the final. The tournament really came down to one game for them and they were well prepared and totally focussed for it. Of course that's much less focus required than winning a Rugby World Cup or Rugby Championship or 6 Nations where you have to beat many teams of international quality and peak multiple times. But It is true that the Kangaroo's did beat all comers in the RLWC. There isn't much else that they can do. Totally dominant in the tournament. Daylight second. I'm enjoying the Wallabies attacking stye. More tries. Less scrum (collapses). Still, the results are not as good as we had under Deans (His teams consistently beat the 'Boks) but the rugby is more entertaining to watch - no doubt about that - and hopefully some wins will come against the big 3 (NZ, South Africa and England). There is now a more optimistic feeling in Aussie rugby going in to 2014. A pat on the back to Ewen McKenzie too.
Katipo
Guest
@doug I don't think the recovery time had much to do with it. A few of us commented after the NZ v England game (and it was a great game of footy between two evenly matched but ordinary teams) that if the kiwis can only beat England by 1 point then they are not up to the kangaroo's standard. We predicted the Aussies to win the final by 30 points. And so it turned out to be.
Dan
Guest
I think most people do mate. Heck, all you need to do is travel to Adelaide and you'll hear stuff all about League and Union. I remember back in 2003 when they had RWC games down there it was still barely covered. What I don't get is the seeming attempts to begrudge Rugby League doing anything to develop a greater international footprint. This tournament was an exhibition that may actually help spark interest in the sport for people who were otherwise unacquainted with it; is that really such a terrible thing?
Doug
Guest
Go watch the England v NZ game from the week before. It was fantastic. Unfortunately I think it left the kiwis a little flat for the final. Australia can only play who is in front of them and they did it magnificently. Pity the kiwis didn't have a bit more time to recover.
Phil
Guest
I was at RLWC opener in Cardiff. The lady we stayed with in Cardiff (who's father was from RL territory - Wigan) didn't even know it was on until she read it in the paper the day before. I also went to the Wallabies England game the following week. In February, when I tried to get tickets to the rugby, the game was already sold out. I had to go thru a travel company to get an accom & ticket package. No such drama with the league tickets and I was getting messages in my in box to buy tickets to RLWC final a few days before game. You don't appreciate the relative insignificance of RL until you are overseas. Although the RLWC did get the highest ever crowd for a rugby league game in Ireland....5000!!!
Robbo
Guest
Well done to the Kangaroos - mind you they were certainties and should realistically win every RLWC. Wallabies played well - glad to see Quade Cooper back in the team - he just ignites the whole back line. Go Aussies !!
Dan
Guest
I don't follow your logic at all. If one team dominates another with sublime skill does that make the display less impressive? When the Springboks thrashed the Wallabies 4 tries to nil in a complete display of power and width, did it make it "Aspumonti Rugby" simply because the Wallabies couldn't keep up?
Dan
Guest
The Wallabies match was thrilling and brutal stuff, but the RLWC final was a beautiful exhibition of skills of the highest order. Seriously, the talent on display in the side and that game was breathtaking and makes me wish we had that kind of depth in Union. That said, some of what the wallabies produced was pretty special too (though nothing as cool as Hayne's mis-catch to kick in which he put Morris over).
Adam
Guest
Why do you guys have to bag the rugby league world cup? If you're not into it fair enough, but what benefit is there in anonymous criticism. If you're not into it, why do you even care to comment? Other people have watched the league and appreciated and enjoyed it. The Aussies have had a victory. Be nice.
Crank Yanker
Guest
I know, how good was he? A truly amazing player, unbeatable even on one leg.
Crank Yanker
Guest
It was champagne from the Kangaroos, so much so that they completely dominated the Kiwis.
Crank Yanker
Guest
Please don't mention the League World Cup? The Fijians broke the English line, the Samoans broke the New Zealand line. Don't belittle the Kangaroos performance Ben. The Kangaroos are the best rugby team on the planet and deserved the plaudits they received. Perhaps the Wallabies could benefit from learning a bit from their League brothers.
johnb747b
Guest
Go you good thing, Billy Boy! Slater then daylight in the annals of fullback play. Even coaching against him must involve issuing a series of Hail Mary instructions.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
great night for the Wallabies and Kangaroos, a joy to watch both play some scintalating footy. Congrats to the Roos on becoming World Champions. Thurston and Slater were brilliant but everyone played well. The Wallabies despite the ill discipline at times did very well to hold off Wales. I thought Barnes at times was harsh on the Wallas. Cooper again was outstanding with Izzy and Hooper not far behind. How Cooper was left out of the Lions series was utterly ridiculous. Congrats on 50 caps. This was a cracking game.
Katipo
Guest
The Kangaroos are a team of true international rugby standard - the only team in league of that standard. The kiwi team would sit comfortably in the middle of the NRL table well or there abouts. Some terrific accuracy in the Kangaroos kicking game, pace on attack, discipline on defence. Congratulations Kangaroos. The Wallaby Wales games was much more competitive than the RLWC final. It really showed the difference between league and union. To think Wales and Australia are pooled together with England in RWC 2015. One team will not make it through the group. Quite the contrast.
Ben
Guest
Please don't mention the league World Cup ....what a joke and not breaching the kangaroo line. Who was going to breach it the Fijians. Fantastic from the Wallabies. Fantastic from link. They are really worth watching now. Watch the crowds for the RCA next year will boom