THE most predictable rugby league tournament of all time concluded in the most unexpected of ways when New Zealand were crowned world champions for the first time. Written off as no-hopers, they ripped away the World Cup that Australia had “owned” since 1975.

The Kiwis had lost all 13 of their previous World Cup matches against the men in green and gold, including a 30-6 defeat in a pool match in Sydney four weeks ago, but that record ended in spectacular style. Roared on by a small contingent of their own fans and a bigger, more vocal group of England supporters who had stayed on in Queensland after their team’s ignominious exit, New Zealand tore away the mask of invincibility that Australia have worn for the past 20 years with a magnificent display packed full of panache, power and polish.

The Kiwis were given little credit for their 24-0 win against the Kangaroos in the 2005 Tri-Nations final but the significance of yesterday’s result cannot be overplayed, not least because it is only 12 months since they lost all three Tests in Great Britain.

“That’s the greatest day in my career, the biggest thing that has ever happened to rugby league in New Zealand,” said captain Nathan Cayless. “The theme for us throughout this tournament has been ‘No regrets’ and there certainly aren’t any tonight. Hopefully we will get more respect back home now, especially from the media, because we deserve it. We have worked hard and nobody can take anything away from us.”

N e w Z e a l a n d ’ s c o a c h , Stephen Kearney, added: “It was a wonderful effort. We came here with a specific plan and put the Australians in a place that they are not used to.”

Australia had conceded only three tries in the whole tournament before the final. A World Cup organised to celebrate the sport’s centenary Down Under seemed to be going according to the script when they raced into a 10-0 lead with tries from David Williams, the wing, and captain Darren Lockyer, who had another effort ruled out for bouncing down the ball. That let-off proved to be the turning point for New Zealand. They rallied with tries by Jeremy Smith and Jerome Ropati, both of which were converted by Issac Luke.

Although Lockyer grabbed a second try just before the interval, the New Zealanders remained calm and produced a heroic second-half effort that will live long in the memory.

The host nation, who had gone into the match as 1-14 favourites, appeared shell-shocked by the lack of respect their rivals showed them from first to last. The usually unflap-pable Australians were forced into a succession of uncharacteristic errors, two of which dealt their hopes crippling blows during an action-packed second half.

The first mistake was committed by Billy Slater, the Melbourne full-back who earlier in the week had been named international player of the year. New Zealand had nudged ahead 18-16 with the first of two tries by the outstanding Lance Hohaia when Slater, one of the most dangerous broken-field runners in world rugby, fielded a deep kick by Nathan Fien near the corner flag. Rather than taking the safe option, he tried to beat the advancing defence on the outside, only to be shepherded towards the touchline. Sensing the danger, Slater threw a wild pass over his shoulder. Benji Marshall, the New Zealand stand-off, could not believe his luck as he accepted the gift by spinning effortlessly through 180 degrees for a walk-in try and a 22-16 lead.

Australia struck back immediately through Greg Inglis, but composure abandoned them completely with 10 minutes remaining when Hohaia was awarded a penalty try by the video referee, Steve Ganson, for a reckless obstruction by Joel Monaghan as they chased an awkwardly bouncing ball behind the goalline. That try and Marshall’s conversion opened up an eight-point gap. Still the Kiwis were not finished. A late try by prop Adam Blair sealed victory.

Australia had never lost a previous World Cup final in the tournament’s 54-year history but coach Ricky Stuart was magnanimous in defeat.

“There is a lot of disappointment with the players, probably because we didn’t play our best game,” he said, “but you can’t take anything away from New Zealand. Nothing they did and nothing that happened surprised me because I have said it all along: you only have to have one off-night and someone will get you. We probably should have had the ability to keep the lead but to New Zealand’s credit they grinded their way back for a good part of the second half.”

Star man:Lance Hohaia (New Zealand)

AUSTRALIA:B Slater; J Monaghan, G Inglis, I Folau, D Williams; D Lockyer (capt), J Thurston; B Kite, C Smith, P Civoniceva, A Laffranchi, G Stewart, P Gal-len. Replacements: K Hunt, A Tupou, C Fitzgibbon, A Watmough

NEW ZEALAND:L Hohaia; S Perrett, S Mannering, J Ropati, M Vatuvei; B Marshall, N Fien; N Cayless (capt), T Leuluai, A Blair, D Fa’alogo, B Harrison, J Smith. Replacements: I Luke, G Eastwood, S Rapira, S Manu

Scorers: Tries: Australia:Lockyer 12, 34, Williams 16, Inglis 65Cons:Thurston (2) New Zealand: Tries: Hohaia 49, 70, Smith 23, Ropati 27, Marshall 61, Blair 75Cons: Luke (3), Marshall (2)

Referee:A Klein (GB) Attendance:50,559