The Kangaroos have come away with the World Cup title after a strong 30-10 win over a valiant Samoan outfit.
James Tedesco delivered a Man of the Match performance, while Nathan Cleary saved his best for the final.
Meanwhile, one glaring in the Samoan side was clearly exploited by Mal Meninga’s Kangaroos.
Read below for the three big takeaways from the World Cup final!
CLEARY SAVES HIS BEST FOR LAST
Gun halfback Nathan Cleary shirked off criticism of his form at the World Cup to deliver a playmaking masterclass against Samoa when it counted.
The 25-year-old was unable to stamp his mark on the competition leading into the World Cup final and pundits were calling for Daly Cherry-Evans to take over at halfback.
The classy playmaker’s record in representative games also came under the microscope after losing this year’s Origin series, going down 22-12 in a Suncorp Stadium decider.
Cleary had a point to prove and delivered on the big stage, recording three try assists and two tackle breaks to steer his side around the park.
The Panthers halfback sparked the Kangaroos’ first with a pinpoint pass for barnstorming centre Latrell Mitchell with a “great defensive read” according to Fox League’s James Graham.
“Great pass from Nathan Cleary, he took out three defenders there and Latrell took the space and very hard to stop in that situation,” Fox League’s Greg Alexander said.
Later, with only 12 players on the field, Cleary once again stood tall, putting Cameron Murray through a hole with a classy pass.
“Cleary ball, what a pass, Murray is over for Australia, Nathan Cleary puts on a play, that was superb service from the Australian halfback,” Voss said.
“What a beautifully executed play, the pass from the halfback Cleary was incredible,” the commentator said.
With only seconds left on the clock Cleary once again showed his class, throwing a lengthy cutout for Mitchell to charge over and score his second.
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SAMOA’S DOWNFALL
Samoa were valiant in defeat against a red-hot Kangaroos team, however one aspect of their game was placed under the microscope – defence.
Matt Parish’s side missed a staggering 42 tackles across the 80 minute contest as the Australians charged through the middle of the field.
Samoa also made 10 errors, and while the Kangaroos recorded 14, Australia were able to pounce off the back of their opponent’s mistakes.
“That’s what Australia do, they punish you for errors and they don’t relent in their pursuit for victory so a poor kick goes against Samoa and Australia go bang and react,” Fox League’s James Graham said.
“The Aussies just trampling Samoa, starving them of the ball, we have seen these landslide score lines and yet we haven’t been satisfied, Mal said it has been clunky,” Fox League’s Yvonne Sampson said.
“But this is the Kangaroos we have been waiting to see.”
After the first half, Samoa had missed a staggering 29 tackles but were able to regather in the second half and plug the holes.
“We spoke in the pre-game about how Australia were going to take on Samoa, it was through that middle third and I mean 29 missed tackles Samoa, 18 of those in the middle,” Fox League’s Corey Parker said.
“We saw there the Tedesco try off the back of Josh Addo-Carr in the middle.”
Meanwhile, Samoa also struggled in the battle for territory with Australia dominating 66 per cent of field position to go with almost 500 extra running metres.
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TEDESCO’S ‘GOLD STANDARD’
Kangaroos fullback delivered a Man of the Match performance in Australia’s World Cup triumph and Fox League’s Corey Parker labelled him the “best fullback in the World”.
The 29-year-old featured in every game under Mal Meninga this tournament and consistently performed at the back.
Standing up on the biggest stage, Tedesco recorded 202 running metres, two tries, eight tackle breaks and a linebreak in a performance for the ages.
“There’s plenty of good number ones out there, but for me he is the best fullback in the world at the moment, he is in sublime form,” Parker said.
“You talk about the standard he sets, the bar is set so high in what he is able to deliver week in, week out, he just delivers and he understands his game so well and what the team requires.”
Fox League’s Yvonne Sampson highlighted Tedesco’s consistency and said world class performances are simply “expected” of the Roosters No.1.
“Man of the Match performance in the World Cup final, just elite stuff from Teddy, we just expect this standard week in, week out,” Sampson said.
“And he delivers, it is just what he does, it’s this gold standard that only Tedesco can do every week, any other player we’d be saying ‘my god, make them an immortal immediately’.”
The 2021 tournament was also Tedesco’s first World Cup for Australia after featuring for Italy in th2 2017 edition.
