Australia beat England to win Rugby League World Cup

Australia edged out England in a tight and nervy Rugby League World Cup final to retain the trophy at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. England produced a dogged and resilient performance in their first final for 22 years, but the Kangaroos held on to win an 11th world title.

Boyd Cordner smashed through for the only try of the game as England restricted Australia to six points.

They had chances of their own, but could not breach the hosts’ defence.

There was no moment that summed this up more than a desperate but brilliant ankle tap by Josh Dugan on Kallum Watkins in the second half after the England centre had broken through.

It was a monumental effort from England against a team who came into the game as overwhelming favourites.

Having lost to Australia 18-4 in their opening game, Wayne Bennett’s side both improved and impressed during the World Cup, holding off Tonga 20-18 for a memorable semifinal win before this thrilling final.

Australia’s victory, though, completed a World Cup double for the country, with the women’s team having beaten New Zealand 23-16 earlier.

England were forced to soak up wave after wave of Australian attacks in the first half as the Kangaroos built relentless pressure, completing 23 of 25 sets before the break.

Only a five-minute spell of indiscipline cost Bennett’s side, a high tackle from Luke Gale starting a spell in which Australia enjoyed four straight sets.

Watkins fumbled a Cooper Cronk kick over his own line and Ryan Hall caught another as England were forced into back-to-back in-goal dropouts, before James Roby was pulled up for another penalty.