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Champions Australia wins rugby league World Cup over New Zealand
Updated: Saturday November 25, 2000 8:44 PM
MANCHESTER, England (AP) -- Wendell Sailor scored two of Australia's seven tries in a 40-12 victory over New Zealand in the rugby league World Cup final on Saturday as the Kangaroos won the title for the 10th time. Matthew Gidley, Nathan Hindmarch, Darren Lockyear, Brad Fittler and Trent Barratt also crossed the Kiwi line at Old Trafford although the New Zealanders were still in it at 18-12 down after scores by Lesley Vainikolo and Tonie Carroll. Sailor thought he had made the first score in the 22nd minute when he charged over in the corner. But Kiwi second row Stephen Kearney not only wrapped his arms around the winger as he dived, he managed to get his hand underneath to stop Sailor downing the ball. Two minutes later, however, Kearney's blunder handed the Kangaroos their first try. He was slow to reach to a Sailor kick ahead and Gidley outpaced him to the ball for the touch down which Mat Rogers converted to open up a 6-0 lead which they held until half time. The Australians opened up a 12-point lead when Hindmarch went over after taking a well-timed pass from Fittler and Rogers again converted.
But the Kiwis hit back with a try by powerful winger Vainikolo which was given after consultation with the video replay official. Referee Stewart Cummings wasn't sure whether Matt Rua hadn't knocked on in a jump for the ball with Kangaroos fullback Darren Lockyer but it was ruled that he hadn't and Vainokolo celebrated his 10th try in 11 tests. Although the try was converted, the Australians reestablished the 12-point lead when Lockyear went over for a converted try. But Carroll burst past two Australian tacklers to go over in the corner and Henry Paul's conversion brought the lead back to 18-12 with 22 minutes to go. But then came Sailor's burst of two tries to clinch the Kangaroos' 10th World Cup title. The winger collected a pass way out on the right and cut inside to roll past two defenders and go over for the score. Then a weaving run by Lockyear sucked in two New Zealand defenders and Sailor was left all alone to collect his 17th try in 15 international appearances. Fittler danced past three defenders to score the sixth Aussie try and then substitute Barratt sprinted half the length of the field to score the seventh. Lineups: Australia - Darren Lockyer, Mat Rogers, Adam MacDougall, Matthew Gidley, Wendell Sailor, Brad Fittler, Brett Kimmorley, Shane Webcke, Andrew Johns, Robbie Kearns, Gordon Tallis, Bryan Fletcher, Scott Hill. New Zealand - Richie Barnett, Nigel Vagana, Tonie Carroll, Wille Talau, Lesley Vainikolo, Henry Paul, Stacey Jones, Craig Smith, Richard Swain, Quentin Pongia, Matt Rua, Stephen Kearney, Ruben Wiki. Referee - Stewart Cummings, England.
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