Australia has dominated Samoa to secure yet another World Cup, taking the victory 30-10 in stylish fashion at Old Trafford.
It’s the Kangaroos’ ninth World Cup of the last 10 tournaments and the side’s third in a row, demonstrating a true stranglehold on international Rugby League.
🏆 Australia are crowned WORLD CHAMPIONS for a 12th time!#RLWC2021 | @Kangaroos | #AUSSAM pic.twitter.com/xqaBX6oCOS
— Rugby League World Cup 2021 (@RLWC2021) November 19, 2022
The men’s victory also completed a double for the Aussies after the Jillaroos tore apart New Zealand in a massive 54-4 victory in the final.
Mal Meninga’s men demonstrated too much firepower from the opening minutes, with Samoa failing to get themselves into the game.
An early referee blunder saved the Kangaroos, but the Aussies were clinical from there on in, going 14-0 up at halftime.
Angus Crichton was sin-binned for 10 minutes in the second half after collecting Samoan Chanel Harris-Tavita with a forearm to the head, but the island nation couldn’t capitalise.
Cameron Murray would instead score for the Kangaroos with just 12 men, putting the result beyond doubt.
Taking to Twitter after the game, SEN’s Andrew Voss described that as the “telling” moment of the clash.
“No doubt Australia deserving winners,” Voss stated.
“I thought we saw the best performance of the tournament from the likes of James Tedesco, Cameron Munster was very good, Latrell Mitchell had some great touches, Jack Wighton…
The post mortem. @RLWC2021 @FOXNRL @fanfoxleague @VossyBrandySEN #RLWC2021 pic.twitter.com/QWeKIVgNl3
— Andrew Voss (@AndrewVossy) November 19, 2022
“The period of the game that was the winner was while Angus Crichton was in the sin bin for 10 minutes, not only did Samoa not score, but Australia came up with a try of their own.
“That certainly was telling. They always had their noses in front, they had a good half-time lead and they never let Samoa get close enough and bring this big crowd at Old Trafford into the game.”
Meanwhile, on the Jillaroos' performance, Voss described the side as the “benchmark”.
“The Jillaroos played to their potential, getting a dry track for the first time in the tournament, and boy did they turn on a show,” he added.
“That was an absolute performance of excellence, no disrespect to New Zealand but the Australian team is just next level now.”