Here’s the latest I can provide about the 2008 Rugby League World Cup: the tournament concluded with New Zealand defeating Australia 34–20 in the final held on 22 November 2008 at Lang Park, Brisbane, to claim their first World Cup title. Australia entered the final as the favorites, but New Zealand produced a major upset to lift the trophy.[1]
Key context and outcomes
- Final match: New Zealand 34, Australia 20. This was a landmark win for the Kiwis, marking their first Rugby League World Cup title.[1]
- Venue and date: The final took place on 22 November 2008 at Lang Park (also known as Suncorp Stadium) in Brisbane.[1]
- Notable moments: The match featured a sequence of pivotal plays and a controversial decision late in the game that helped secure New Zealand’s lead, culminating in a decisive scoreline after a video referee decision.[1]
- Tournament structure: The 2008 World Cup included group stages followed by knockout rounds, with teams like England and Papua New Guinea also performing notably in their groups and knockout games.[3]
If you’d like, I can pull more details on:
- Top scorers and individual awards from the 2008 World Cup
- A game-by-game breakdown of New Zealand’s path to the final
- Historical significance and subsequent impact on rugby league in New Zealand
Would you like a concise timeline of New Zealand’s matches en route to the title, or a quick table of top performers from the tournament? I can compile that with precise match stats.