OWN CORRESPONDENT, Cardiff | Saturday 7.05pm.
AUSTRALIA have won the World Cup final 35-12 on Saturday, making history as the first team to win it twice and the first country to be champions in both rugby and cricket.
Both sides traded penalties, until Wallaby winger Ben Tune scored the first try in a World Cup final since 1991, a multi-phase movement to dot down. And in injury time replacement backrower Owen Finnegan barged over to seal the 23 point lead.
But the Aussies, who lead 12-6 at half time, can thank Matt Burke for their victory. The dead-eye fullback kicked seven penalties and two conversions after securing a spot in the final last week with eight three-pointers that buried the Springboks in the semi-final.
The kicking game dominated the final, as it has the whole tournament, with French flyhalf Christophe Lamaison kicked slotted four penalties. Inexplicably, France tried to run the ball from under their own cross bar and conceeded a penalty that Burke slotted to stretch the lead to 9 points.
Minutes later Lamaison kicked another penalty to draw it back to 18-12.
France, for all the underdog hype, failed to reproduce the stunning second half comeback last week that blew the All Blacks away.
The William Webb Ellis trophy, held by South Africa since their 15-12 kicking-inspired win over New Zealand four years ago, has been handed to Aussies captain John Eales by Queen Elizabeth.
France were comprehensively outplayed by a side simply more professional than themselves. The Wallabies were looking to be in trouble in the first half, but they knew that if their defence could hold out, there would be mistakes and lapses to take advantage of later.
France effectively played themselves out of the game as their forwards transgressed every rule in the book. One can hardly fail to notice that France had no game plan. They were relying on week-old tactics against a side that can only be beaten by breaking down service to the scrumhalf.
A side different in all ways to the All Blacks. George Gregan showed that he has few peers in his position, and the inside flip to Finnegan which sealed the match was simply incredible.
France can only blame themselvesfor losing this one. Gallic heart and fire, when channeled constructively, wins matches. When it is given free reign, all you can do is watch the penalties go over. All credit to Australia, they showed their professionalism, commitment and skill, and rightly deserve to be World Champions.
Scorers:
Australia — Tries: Ben Tune, Owen Finnegan. Conversions: Matt Burke (7); Penalties: Burke (7).
France — Penalties: Christophe Lamaison (4).
Longer match reports:
Men from Down Under on top of the world
Australia waltz to second World Cup final
The final we deserve by ANDY CAPOSTAGNO.
* Strengths and weaknesses of finalists
* Aussies, French both aim to make history
* Larkham finally happy at flyhalf
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