Kiwis claim World Cup glory

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The Kiwis, rated 7-1 outsiders by bookmakers before kick-off, came from 10-0 down to play the Kangaroos off the park and lift the World Cup for the first time in the 54-year history of the tournament.

British fans among the 50,559 crowd at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium cheered the underdogs to a sensational victory which ended 36 years of domination by Australia.

Full-back Lance Hohaia scored two tries, including a controversial penalty touchdown awarded by English video referee Steve Ganson, as the Kiwis ended an eight-match losing run at the hands of the arch enemy stretching back to their 24-0 Tri-Nations Series in 2005.

The outcome was especially sweet for the Kiwis' assistant coach Wayne Bennett, who was sacked as Australia coach in the wake of that shock defeat at Elland Road three years earlier.

The match looked to be going according to the script when international player of the year Billy Slater created two tries in seven minutes for skipper Darren Lockyer and winger David Williams.

But Slater turned from hero to villain in the second half by gifting a try to New Zealand stand-off Benji Marshall while Williams was also punished for a defensive blunder as the Australians wilted in the face of a second-half onslaught.

The Kiwis hit back in the first half through Jeremy Smith and Jerome Ropati and Issac Luke's second goal edged them in front before man-of-the-match Lockyer went over for his second try six minutes before the break.

But, with Fein and Hohaia pulling the strings, New Zealand dominated the second half with prop Adam Blair clinching victory by grabbing a sixth try five minutes from the end.