Skipper James Tedesco scored two tries to help guide a clinical Australia to their third consecutive Rugby League World Cup title with a comprehensive 30-10 victory over Samoa at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, on Saturday.
Final debutants Samoa, boasting a squad packed full of players with vast National Rugby League experience, were in the game for large periods, but Australia — present in every World Cup final since 1957 — were clinical throughout, seizing with aplomb any opportunity that came their way.
First-half tries from Latrell Mitchell, Tedesco and Liam Martin, one converted by Nathan Cleary, saw Australia leading 14-0 at halftime.
Photo: AP
Much to the delight of the partisan 67,502 crowd at Manchester United’s home ground, Samoa’s Brian To’o got one back for the Pacific Islanders, converted by Stephen Crichton, with the center also grabbing a try of his own.
However, Tedesco and Mitchell both crossed for their second tries alongside a four-pointer for Cameron Murray to seal a victory that was never in doubt.
“The first half was expectational, we did what we needed to do,” Australia coach Mal Meninga told the BBC. “In the second half we scrambled well, a man down, but we still scored points. It’s what you do, you work for each other.”
“We played a champion team and just ran out of juice,” Samoa coach Matt Parish said. “We just couldn’t quite get close enough to put pressure on, but I’m really proud of this group. They kept trying until the end.”
In the Women’s Rugby League World Cup, Australia retained title with a dominant 54-4 victory over New Zealand, also at Old Trafford on Saturday.
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