The Australian Kangaroos have achieved what no team has done in 40 years, winning a World Cup on home soil with a hard‑fought 6‑0 victory over England at Brisbane Stadium last night.
In many ways it was a night of redemption for Australia who famously failed to achieve the same feat in 2008 when they were handed a shock loss by the New Zealand Kiwis at the same venue.
Nine years later it is a very different Kangaroos side, with only Cameron Smith and Billy Slater the remaining players, and ask either of them why the result was different this time around and they will tell you the same thing – Australia's defence.
The Kangaroos conceded just 16 points in six matches during this year's World Cup, keeping three teams scoreless to stamp themselves as the undisputed champions of the world.
Big @boydcordner bursts through!
— Australian Kangaroos (@Kangaroos) December 2, 2017
We lead 6-0 after 16 minutes. #GoTheRoos 🇦🇺#RISE #RLWC2017 pic.twitter.com/LwQWKPetGQ
England were without a doubt their toughest test of the tournament, pushing them all the way in the contest that had the 40,033 fans on the edge of their seats.
Kangaroos second‑row forward Boyd Cordner ran off a superb short ball from Michael Morgan to score in the 15th minute.
Cameron Smith had no problems with the conversion, giving Australia a 6‑0 lead.
Rusi
nrl.com
