The Kiwis came from 0-10 down to win a pulsating final 34-20. The Kiwis were 12-16 behind at the break but stormed away with 22 points to 4 in the second period. Watched by 50,599 plus millions on TV the Roos had no answer to the New Zealand power plays and all round skills. So with the Cup going to New Zealand for the first time they ran away to the final score of:
New Zealand 34 Australia 20
Scorers
New Zealand
Tries: Smith, Ropati, Hohaia, Marshall, Penalty try, Blair
Goals: Luke 3, Marshall 2
Australia
Tries: Lockyer 2, Williams, Inglis
Goals: Thurston 2
Teams
New Zealand: Hohaia, Perrett, Mannering, Ropati, Vatuvei, Marshall, Fien, Cayless, Leuluai, Blair, Fa’alogo, Harrison, Smith.
Replacements: Luke, Eastwood, Rapira, Manu.
Australia: Slater, Monaghan, Inglis, Folau, Williams, Lockyer, Thurston, Kite, Smith, Civoniceva, Laffranchi, Stewart, Gallen.
Replacements: Hunt, Fitzgibbon, Tupou, Watmough.
Referee: A Klein (Great Britain)