Australia has claimed a hat-trick of consecutive Rugby League World Cup titles after beating Samoa 30-10 in front of 67,502 fans at Old Trafford.
The Kangaroos won their record 12th World Cup trophy after a brace of tries from Latrell Mitchell and James Tedesco.
Toa Samoa fought back with scores from Brian To’o and Stephen Crichton in the second half, but it was not enough.
The green and gold got the balling rolling in the 13th minute when Mitchell beat two defenders to get over the line.
Nathan Cleary could not add the extras.
Four minutes later, Josh Addo-Carr exploited some lazy defenders and broke through the middle, with Tedesco in support to score.
Cleary made no mistake this time to make it 10-0, and the Kangaroos are clinical.
In the 29th minute, Martin crashed over as Australia went into the break 14-0 ahead.
In the second half, Samoa were given some hope when Angus Crichton was sin-binned for an elbow on Chanel Harris-Tevita.
But it was no problem for the Kangaroos, as even with 12 men they were able to score.
This time it was Murray who ran a great line to cross.
Cleary added the conversion to extend the lead to 20-0.
It was good night Samoa, even with 27 minutes of the contest left.
In the 58th minute, Crichton had a try disallowed by the video referee for a knock-on.
But with 20 minutes left, Samoa finally got on the board when a shift to the right found To’o and the winger dived over.
Crichton nailed his kick to cut the score back to 20-6.
It would not be enough though. In the 67th minute, Tedesco got his second of the night, touching down from Cam Munster’s inside pass.
Three minutes later Crichton picked off a pass to score his team’s second try.
He couldn’t convert his own score, leaving the deficit at 26-10.
Then in the final minute Mitchell grabbed his second of the night to close proceedings and ice the victory.
Australia 30
Tries: L. Mitchell (14), J. Tedesco (18), L. Martin (30), C. Murray (53), J. Tedesco (68), L. Mitchell (80)
Goals: N. Cleary (19), N. Cleary (54), N. Cleary (70)
Samoa 10
Tries: B. To’o (61), S. Crichton (71)
Goals: S. Crichton (62)
