This is the rugby league World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand. Australia went into the game as hot favourites, as they were undefeated through pool play, including a convincing victory against the Kiwis in their opening match, as well as winning 9 of the 12 previous world cups, and the last 6 on the trot. New Zealand, though, had the tougher build-up, with consecutive tests against England to win their way through to the final, while Australia had trashed Fiji in its semi-final. This was played on November 22, 2008, at Suncorp Stadium (Lang Park), Brisbane.
New Zealand: 1. Lance Hohaia; 2. Sam Perrett; 3. Simon Mannering; 4. Jerome Ropati; 5. Manu Vatuvei; 6. Benji Marshall; 7. Nathan Fien; 8. Nathan Cayless (c); 9. Thomas Leuluai; 10. Adam Blair; 11. David Fa'alogo; 12. Bronson Harrison; 13. Jeremy Smith. Reserves: 14. Isaac Luke; 15. Greg Eastwood; 16. Sam Rapira; 17. Sika Manu. Coach: Steve Kearney.
Australia: 1. Billy Slater; 2. Joel Monaghan; 3. Greg Inglis; 4. Israel Folau; 5. David Williams; 6. Darren Lockyer (c); 7. Johnathan Thurston; 8. Brent Kite; 9. Cameron Smith; 10. Petero Civoniceva; 11. Anthony Laffranchi; 12. Glenn Stewart; 13. Paul Gallen. Reserves: 14. Karmichael Hunt; 15. Anthony Tupou; 16. Craig Fitzgibbon; 17. Anthony Watmough. Reserves: Ricky Stuart.
Referee: Ashley Klein (Australia)
