New Zealand stun Australia to lift World Cup
Saturday, 22 Nov 2008 13:40
Hohaia caused the vital penalty try and scored another himself
New Zealand left overwhelming favourites Australia stunned in Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium after beating the hosts 34-20 to lift the Rugby League World Cup.
The Kangaroos led 16-12 at half-time but the Kiwis dominated the scoring in the second half and streaked away towards the end.
A controversial penalty try midway through the second half may have helped the Kiwis when they needed it most.
Australia had just pulled back to within two points with 20 minutes to play when Lance Hohaia was taken out by Joel Monaghan off the ball as he chased down a kick into the corner.
The video referee adjudged Hohaia had been denied a scoring opportunity and awarded the try.
Australia had taken an early lead thanks to a try from captain Darren Lockyer, David Williams added to that score and Jonathon Thurston converted to put the Aussies 10-0 ahead.
At that stage it looked as if the Kangaroos would waltz though the final, as they had all their previous matches during the tournament.
But crucially Jeremy Smith and Jerome Ropati scored to get New Zealand back in the match. Lockyer got his second try of the game just before the break to restore the Aussies' lead but the battling Kiwis had shown signs of what was to come.
Hohaia rumbled over from close range at the start of the second half to inch the away side back in front and they made it 22-16 when Billy Slater threw an interception to Benji Marshall to score.
Greg Inglis crossed the whitewash to reduce Australia's arrears but that was when the controversy struck.
Hohaia looked to have beaten Monaghan and could have had a chance to touch the ball down over the goal line, had the half-back not fouled him.
However, the Kangaroos felt that full-back Slater was covering and would have prevented the try being scored.
With an eight-point gap established the Kiwis kicked a couple of penalties to extend their lead further.
And with Australia over-committed in attack Adam Blair was able to take advantage and get the final score for the Kiwis in the closing minutes.
It was a historic win for New Zealand, who lifted the World Cup for the first time.