Extraordinary, simply extraordinary. What a performance by New Zealand, who are world champions for the first time in their history after beating the so-called unbeatable Australians. As I write this, the men in black are cavorting across the field here in Brisbane. The men in green and gold cut a sorry sight on their knees. Australia were spoken of as a great team, but great teams win things and the Aussies were soundly beaten by an indefatigable Kiwis side, who tackled their way to a victory that finally ended the Kangaroos' World Cup winning streak stretching back to 1975. What spirit, what daring by Stephen Kearney's side, aided and abetted, significantly, by Wayne Bennett.

New Zealand trailed 16-12 at the break but dominated the second half. Australia looked a spent force and brain stormed under the relentless pressure applied by the hungrier Kiwis. When New Zealand edged in front for a second time after Lance Hohaia's scything run to the line, they wouldn't let go. Billy Slater's rush of blood to the head as he flung the ball infield led to Benji Marshall's crucial try. Greg Inglis pulled one back, but the outcome hinged on video referee Steve Ganson's crucial penalty try call in the 70th minute for Hohaia's second touchdown. Adam Blair added another late on. New Zealand celebrations will continue long into the night.

The tone for a great gane was set from the haka. Roared on by a 50,559 crowd, the Kangaroos advanced as the Kiwis went through their pre-match routine and the two teams went eyeball to eyeball before exchanging blow for blow in a fascinating first half. The Kiwis would have gone in ahead had Marshall managed to touch down Nathan Fien's kick early in the piece. The stand-off couldn't get downwards pressure on the ball and Australia struck twice in five minutes.

Slater was instrumental in both tries in the 13th and 17th minutes. His arcing run in shrugging off several tacklers set Darren Lockyer up for the first of the captain's first half brace. The full back's killer ball out wide put David "Wolfman" Williams clear from 55 metres. Lockyer would have had another try had the ball not slipped from his fingertips as he reached for Cameron Smith's kick.

But 10-0 down, New Zealand got back to lead 12-10. Jeremy Smith scythed his way beneath the posts and when Anthony Laffranchi knocked the ball from Marshall's grasp, David Fa'alogo picked up the pieces and provided Jerome Ropati with the Kiwis second try. That effort, though, was trumped by a simply stunning try in the 35th minute by that man Lockyer, who was twice involved in the build up and was on hand to take Anthony Watmough's scoring pass. Great stuff but ultimately not good enough on the night. Hail the Kiwis!