Australia v New Zealand clockwatch

Matthew Gidley wins hands down for the first score

Blow-by-blow account of the Rugby League World Cup final as Australia beat New Zealand 40-12 at Old Trafford.

2.55pm: The players emerge to a cacophony of noise and they are introduced to the guest of honour - Britain's five-time Olympic champion Steve Redgrave.

The national anthems and Haka set the scene before Australia get the match underway.

4 mins: Australia try to impose themselves early on but New Zealand hold the Kangaroos at bay for the first two frenetic sets of six.

5 mins: Kiwi skipper Richie Barnett makes the first mistake as he drops a hopeful high kick but the full-back is not punished for his error.

Kiwi Craig Smith hits the Aussie defensive wall

6 mins: Brett Kimmorley lofts the ball behind the New Zealand defence but Darren Lockyer fails to catch it and a try chance goes begging.

7 mins: Australia have the upper hand, though there is worrying news for the defending champions as Adam MacDougall struggles with an ankle injury.

11 mins: Australia's Wendell Sailor is forced to slap the ball to safety behind his own goal-line as New Zealand attempt to assert themselves.

16 mins: An uncharacteristic handling error by Sailor out on the wing as he fumbles a simple catch and knocks on. Ironic cheers from the Kiwi contingent ring around the ground.

22 mins: Sailor almost gives the perfect riposte by breaking through three Kiwi tackles and grounding the ball for what seems to be the opening try... but wait.

Referee Stuart Cummings consults the video referee and New Zealand's Stephen Kearney is adjudged to have scrambled a hand under the ball before it hits the turf. No Try flashes up on the screen.

25 mins - Australia 6-0 New Zealand: Sailor taps through a little grubber kick and this time Kearney is slow to react. Matthew Gidley beats him to the chase and Australia get off the mark with the opening try.

Strongarm tactics keep Scott Hill at bay

Mat Rogers makes no mistake with the resulting goal kick.

35 mins: Frustrating times for the Kiwis as they fail to make an impression. Tonie Carroll makes one promising break but Australia smother the attack.

37 mins: New Zealand's Richard Swain boots the ball into orbit and Darren Lockyer fails to make a clean take behind his own lines.

Logan Swann hits him with a crunching tackle when he recovers but New Zealand cannot capitalise.

Half-time: The hooter sounds with Australia still six points to the good.

The second half is delayed as a male streaker has his moment of fame by braving the conditions with a naked charge across the pitch.

He evades a sliding tackle from a steward before finally giving himself up.

46 mins - Australia 12-0 New Zealand: Nathan Hindmarsh bursts through the Kiwi defence to grab the second try. Rogers adds the extra two points with ease.

Wendell Sailor weighed in with two Australian tries

49 mins - Australia 12-6 New Zealand: Confusion in the Aussie ranks as a kick forward on the fifth tackle bobbles free near the try line.

Lesley Vainikolo manages to scoop it up and flop over to score for the Kiwis. Henry Paul converts to reduce the arrears to six points again.

51 mins - Australia 18-6 New Zealand: The relief is short-lived for New Zealand... Kimmorley breaks for cover and releases Lockyer to claim Australia's third try.

Rogers maintains his 100% kicking record.

56 mins - Australia 18-12 New Zealand: Tonie Carroll keeps the action flowing from end to end in a thundering passage of play by making a powerful run for another Kiwi try.

Henry Paul makes no mistake with the goal kick.

63 mins - Australia 24-12 New Zealand: Gidley offloads to Sailor with a cheeky back-handed pass and Australia surge clear again as the giant winger rolls with the challenges to score.

Rogers keeps Australia well in front with another unerring boot between the posts.

68 mins - Australia 28-12 New Zealand: You can't keep a good man down... Sailor rounds off a fabulous flowing passing move by going in for his second try in the corner.

Sailor celebrates with the World Cup trophy

Rogers misses a kick at last, but it looks like the match is safe for Australia now.

73 mins - Australia 34-12 New Zealand: It has all gone horribly wrong for the Kiwis. Brad Fittler dances in for his customary try and the Kangaroos are making it all seem so easy in the closing stages.

75 mins - Australia 40-12 New Zealand: Trent Barrett races clear from 40 yards out and goes in near the posts for the seventh Australian try of the final.

Full-time: Australia are crowned world champions again as New Zealand's brave bid to halt their domination comes to nothing.