New team, same result.
Australia has claimed a third-straight Rugby League World Cup title as they saw off Samoa in a 30-10 win in Manchester to underline their status as one of sport's great sports teams.
Ranked in fourth spot coming into this tournament, Mal Meninga's side left the 67, 502 fans inside Old Trafford in little doubt as to who was the game's No. 1 nation as they put six tries on the underdogs.
Australia entered this competition under more pressure than ever before, after some of their best eligible players had been wooed into playing for Samoa and Tonga.
After three years without a game - the last of which in 2019 was a defeat to the Tongans - their standing and reverence in league's world order had been in question.
But after blooding 13 debutants on this tour and conceding just 42 points through six games, Meninga's side signalled the start of a newly-successful era in green and gold.
"This is only the beginning of this team, I can assure you," Meninga said.
"All these guys are going to be together for the next three to six years.
"There were times in that game when Samoa threw everything at us and we handled it really well. We came back with more energy."
Samoa created history by becoming the first tier-two nation to qualify for the World Cup final. Source: AAP / TIM GOODE/AAPIMAGE
It was the only title missing from Tedesco's trophy cabinet but he now boasts a full set after the Kangaroos brought Samoa's fairytale journey to the final to an end.
They conceded 60 points at the hands of tournament hosts England in the opener but slowly built into the competition by knocking off Tonga and the English to face Australia in their first-ever final.
Australia raced out to a 14-0 lead at halftime with tries to Latrell Mitchell, Tedesco and Liam Martin and Samoa was unable to claw them back in.
"The result was disappointing but not the effort nor the commitment of these guys," said Samoa coach Matt Parish. "I couldn't be prouder or happier about the group.
Josh Addo-Carr and James Tedesco celebrate with the cup after their 30-10 win over Samoa. Source: AAP / TIM GOODE/AAPIMAGE
He wasn't awarded a 40-20 in the first half, was held up over the line, and then got knocked out by a stray elbow from Kangaroos forward Angus Crichton in the 45th minute.
"We didn't get too many bounces did we?," said Parish, who blew up at the fact Crichton wasn't sent off.
Even when Australia were down to 12 men, they were able to cut Samoa apart with Cameron Murray further extending their lead to 20-0.
Samoa scored two late tries through Stephen Crichton and Brian To'o but their hopes of a comeback were quelled when Tedesco and Mitchell added their second tries late in the game, enabling Australia to celebrate their ninth title in the event's last 10 editions.
The celebrations quickly got underway, with pictures of the Kangaroos laid back with beers emerging from the changerooms, while Addo-Carr shared a photo of himself with Latrell Mitchell and Jack Wighton, draped under the Aboriginal Flag..
"For all the mob back home too f—-ing deadly my people," he wrote.
The Australia mens team, the Australia womens team and the England wheelchair team celebrate with their respective trophies after the Rugby League World Cup Final match between Australia and Samoa. Source: AAP / TIM GOODE/AAPIMAGE
Jillaroos annihilate Kiwi Ferns
Australia have been crowned women's Rugby League World Cup champions for a third straight tournament, underlining their ruthlessness with a 54-4 thumping of New Zealand in Manchester.
Marshalled superbly by veteran halfback Ali Brigginshaw, who claimed the player of the match award, the Jillaroos registered a 10-try victory - their biggest-ever against their trans-Tasman rivals in 26 Tests.
Try-scoring doubles from centre duo Isabelle Kelly, Jess Sergis and prop Kennedy Cherrington helped Brad Donald's outfit secure victory at Old Trafford on Saturday (Sunday AEDT).
Only Madison Bartlett's second-half effort prevented the Kiwi Ferns from being held to nil in an underwhelming showing.
"They are the greatest bunch of ladies," Donald said.
"I'm ecstatic for the group, it was everything we've dreamt of and spoken about for a number of years.
The Jillaroos celebrate after smashing New Zealand 54-4 in the Women's final. Source: AAP / Tim Goode/AAPIMAGE
New Zealand had pushed the Jillaroos all the way in the group stages only to suffer a 10-8 defeat in York but here they barely laid a glove on the Australians.
The Jillaroos' victory meant they drew level with the Kiwi Ferns' haul of three World Cup wins and ensured they haven't lost to their trans-Tasman rivals since 2016.
That pool stage result had given New Zealand hope that they might be able to spring an upset, but Australia got off to an ominous start when Brigginshaw sent Sergis across the line after just five minutes.
The Kiwi Ferns were unable to capitalise on a smart break from captain Krystal Rota and Kelly made them pay when she crashed over on the left with a quarter of an hour played to extend Australia's lead.
The Sydney Roosters' centre did a good job of nullifying the destructive Kiwi right edge of Amber Hall and Mele Hufanga, meaning New Zealand struggled to get out of their own end.
A deft and adventurous kick from Brigginshaw over the top of a tiring Kiwi Ferns' defence found its target, with Brisbane winger Julia Robinson regathering and racing away to score in the corner.
Kelly grabbed her second just before the break to give the Jillaroos a halftime lead of 20-0 and leave their opponents with a mountain to climb.
Utility Emma Tonegato continued the Australians' free-flowing attack and New Zealand's resolve began to crumble.
"We didn't give ourselves a chance, we played our worst game, today we were way off our best," said New Zealand coach Ricky Henry.
"The game has grown so rapidly in Australia and we need to try and get on that train."
Sergis added a second and five-eighth Tarryn Aiken crossed before the hour-mark to put Australia 38-0 ahead.
Bartlett went in at the corner after a nice break from Rota to restore some respectability to the scoreline but the Kiwi Ferns were pegged back by a four-minute double from Cherrington and a smart finish from winger Evania Pelite.
