There are plenty of contenders in the annals of rugby league history to choose from, but this could well be the most dominant day in Australia’s long and illustrious history. No two Rugby League World Cups are the same in terms of the narratives, the plot-lines and the stories that are told.
They are thrilling rollercoaster rides, and this year’s has been no different. But more often than not, the final chapter is the same: and that was the case once again at Old Trafford.
The statistics alone are frightening. Of the last 12 men’s World Cups, Australia have now won 11 of them. They conceded just eight tries all tournament long here. Throw in the fact the Jillaroos won their third consecutive World Cup earlier in the day with a 50-point win over New Zealand, and there is no sign of the green and gold dominance ending across the male and female disciplines of rugby league any time soon.
There is an argument across the rest of the international game that the Australian authorities need to show more willingness to stage Kangaroos fixtures. Yes, the pandemic has stunted rugby league across the globe but the fact Australia had not played a single Test since 2019 before this World Cup underlines the apathy with which their hierarchy treat the international game. Whether this latest victory changes that remains to be seen: but the world needs Australia to be playing more often in the years between now and the next World Cup in 2025.
Perhaps the most chastening thing here was this was all so predictable. The story of Samoa, an island nation of just over 200,000 people, reaching the final for the first time captivated the rugby league world. But really, without getting up into top gear, the Kangaroos chewed that narrative up, spat it out and sauntered their way to yet another World Cup title. There was no shortage of effort from Matt Parish’s side, but the outcome was a typically familiar one.
“It’s fantastic,” the victorious coach, Mal Meninga, said. “The first half was exceptional and we did what we needed to do. In the second half we scrambled well, a man down but we still scored points. I wasn’t nervous, I’m confident in this footy team.”
Leading 14-0 at half-time, the Kangaroos always felt like they had Samoa at arm’s length. Samoa actually enjoyed the greater possession in the early exchanges but you felt that when they couldn’t make it count, the Kangaroos would make them pay. They duly obliged when Latrell Mitchell forced his way over before five minutes later, a break from Josh Addo-Carr led to James Tedesco scoring. Tedesco, the Australian captain who was playing for Italy in the last World Cup, was the game’s outstanding contributor here. “He was exceptional, absolutely on it tonight,” Meninga said. “We needed him.” Liam Martin was next to cross for the Kangaroos to make it 14-0 at half-timeand while Samoa had certainly battled, there was little doubting they had been outplayed in the crucial moments.
But this proud nation can look back on an unforgettable tournament.
Hopefully, they have created a legacy for more Australian-born players to commit to Pacific nations and in the long term, that could help close the gap on the Kangaroos. It could, in the years to come, be viewed as a breakthrough moment for the sport.
“It’s been a fantastic journey,” Parish said. “I’d like to thank all the Samoan people around the world for supporting this team. The support we’ve had all around the world has been unbelievable.”
However, his side were undone when it mattered here. Cameron Murray’s try while Australia were reduced to 12 men, following an elbow from Angus Crichton on Chanel Harris-Tavita that could have easily resulted in a red card, underlined the gulf in quality. Samoa at least created two special moments with tries from Brian To’o and Stephen Crichton, the man who broke English hearts last week in the semi-finals.
But they were mere consolations. Five minutes after To’o’s try, Tedesco cut through for his second before Mitchell did the same in the dying moments.
The celebrations come full time were ones we’re used to seeing now. Who can stop the Kangaroos? Right now, the answer appears to be nobody.
