The 2008 Rugby League World Cup final was the conclusive and world championship-deciding game of the 2008 Rugby League World Cup tournament. Played between New Zealand and Australia on 22 November 2008 at Australia’s second-largest rectangular ground, Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, the match was a re-play of the 2000 Rugby League World Cup final and its outcome determined who would become World Cup-holders for the following five years.

Australia went into the final as favourites, having not only won every game of the tournament so far, but each with margins ranging from 24 to 52 points. It was Australia’s 10th consecutive World Cup Final having played in each one since the second-ever in 1957, and New Zealand’s 3rd. In what was one of the biggest rugby league upsets of all time, New Zealand beat Australia by 34-20 after trailing by four points at half time.

Suncorp Stadium 50,599

Game rating 10/10

Referee Ashley Klein (England)

Australia Slater; Monaghan, Inglis, Folau, Williams; Lockyer, Thurston; Kite, Smith, Civoniceva, Laffranchi, Stewart, Gallen Interchange Hunt, Fitzgibbon, Tupou, Watmough

Tries Lockyer 2, Williams, Inglis

Goals Thurston 2

New Zealand Hohaia; Perrett, Mannering, Ropati, Vatuvei; Marshall, Fien; Cayless, Leuluai, Blair, Fa’alogo, Harrison, Smith Interchange Luke, Eastwood, Rapira, Manu

Tries Smith, Ropati, Hohaia, Marshall, penalty, Blair
Goals Luke 3, Marshall 2