Australia hold off spirited New Zealand to return to the World Cup final

Australia had to survive an almighty scare from New Zealand but the defending champions booked their place in next weekend’s Rugby League World Cup final.

The Kangaroos have failed to reach the final only once and that was back at the tournament’s inaugural edition in 1954, but that record was under threat at various stages during an engrossing and high-quality semi‑final in Leeds. However, the quality of Mal Meninga’s side ensured it was they, not the Kiwis, who progressed to next Saturday’s final at Old Trafford.

They await the winners of the second semi-final between England and Samoa, and do so knowing they had to deliver a quality performance here.

The Kiwis made an enterprising start. It was evident from the early exchanges that they were intent on playing an open brand of rugby and it took barely 10 minutes for it to have an impact. They broke the deadlock when Dylan Brown’s kick was claimed superbly by Joey Manu, who palmed the ball back for Jahrome Hughes to score.

But as you would expect, falling 6-0 behind simply stirred the Kangaroos into life. Within five minutes they were level courtesy of one of the great World Cup tries, as Ben Hunt’s high, hanging cross-field kick was claimed on the full by Josh Addo-Carr, who raced past Jordan Rapana for his 12th try of the tournament, equalling the record set by Valentine Holmes five years ago. Incidentally, Holmes was stood on the other wing here and like everyone inside Elland Road, he could only marvel at the brilliance of Addo-Carr.

Rapana then put New Zealand back ahead from the boot but the brilliance of the Kangaroos’ attack then yielded their second try. Jack Wighton stepped through the Kiwis’ line before being hauled down by Manu, but Wighton had the vision to