Could there have been a better way to end the rugby league year?

The Kiwis shocking everyone (including us, to be fair...), by beating the Kangaroos 34-20 in the rugby league World Cup Final. This was a game that Australia was supposed to have virtually wrapped up going into the final, and after already beating the Kiwis 30-6 in the first round of matches, it was justified that they were expected to walk away with the Cup. But the Kiwis had other ideas, and they executed the perfect game plan for beating the Aussies.

Right from the Haka you just knew this one wasn't going to be a walkover for the Aussies - the Kiwis laid down the challenge, as the Aussies marched forward to face their opponents face to face. It was without a doubt one of the best Haka's we've seen in a long time.

The Kiwis kept themselves in the game despite the Kangaroos taking an early 10-nil lead, but the crucial moment was when Darren Lockyer dropped the ball over the line, giving the Kiwis a life - if he had scored the Aussies would have had a 16-nil lead, and they would most likely would have gone on to thrash the Kiwis. The Kiwi's then managed to scored through Jeremy Smith, and from that moment on they knew they were in with a chance.

They did all the important things well, like shutting down Thurston and Lockyer, and despite some poor errors at times they kept fighting.

Going into the second half the Kiwis had to dig deep, as they have a habit of slipping in the last fourty. But this time they maintained their composure, while the Aussies were the ones who started to get the wobbles. It started when Billy Slater threw the ball infield as he was about to go out, only to have it land in the arms of Benji Marshall who ran away for a try. There was then another crucial moment when Lance Hohia was awarded a penalty try, after Joel Monaghan took him out as he went for the ball. The momentum had swung the way of the Kiwis - but you could never count out the Kangaroos, who have a habit of scoring late in the game to spoil the party.

When Adam Blair scored late in the game, though, we knew we had won - especially when Marshall slotted the conversion. It was the greatest feeling possible, and for us it will go down as the best moment in New Zealand sport that we've personally watched. We always talk about the 2005 Tri Nations final as being great, but this surpasses that by a long way. Not until the All Blacks win another World Cup (or, even less likely, the Black Caps win one), will this feeling be repeated.

The tournament has been a huge success, and we feel it is worthy of being run every four years. Based on the supporter turn out, we don't think the rugby league governing body would disagree.

It's been a fantastic year of rugby league, and although we didn't get all the results we'd have liked, all in all it's been very entertaining - and the Kiwis win caps it off for us in the best possible way.

Now all we have to do is wait for the 2009 season to begin, which will be the year of the Warrior.

You heard it here first.

The Kangaroo's sent out a warning to all teams in this year's rugby league World Cup, with a 30-6 win over the Kiwis - who are considered to be the only other team capable of winning. Although that theory may have just gone down the drain...

The Kiwis were in the match for about 50 minutes, and although they were trailing 18-6 they were still within reach of the Aussies. But the Kangaroos showed their class, and ran away with the game to secure their first-up win.

The problem for the Kiwis is that they don't have the forward pack to match the Kangaroos, who just seem to be able to eat up the meters at will - while the Kiwi boys seem to struggle to make good yards.

We're really missing Roy Asotasi in the front row, and a game breaker like Frank Pritchard in the second row. Nathan Cayless is a quality front rower, but he doesn't compare to the impact a guy like Asotasi has. We need guys who are constantly creating gaps for the backs to operate, but it's just not happening on a regular basis.

It's far too early to write them off, and if they can get through to the semi-finals they could bounce back and knock the Kangaroos off their perch. But it will by no means easy...

They need to start playing Issac Luke at hooker, move Nathan Fein into the halves with Benji, and have a guy like David Kidwell on the bench for his experience and passion.

So far the World Cup has been great, with PNG nearly beating England, and Ireland going toe-to-toe with Tonga, only to lose late in the game. It's good to see that the lesser sides are putting up a decent fight.

It shows that there are other countries who are capable of playing more international games in league, and could pave the way for more Tests ,rather than just the three or four we usually get.

The World Cup's off to a good start - bring on the rest, and bring on a Kangaroo vs Kiwi final!

This weekend sees the Rugby League World Cup kick off, with England taking on PNG in Townsville on Saturday. The Kangaroos then take on the Kiwis, in what could easily be an early look at the final - these are the two sides considered favourites to win, although England might have something to say about that.

This will be the first World Cup in eight years, which just goes to show how insignificant international rugby league is at the moment. Really, only Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain offer any real competition at the highest level.

When you consider the amount of talented Pacific Island boys who play in the NRL and Super League, it's a shame that Samoa and Tonga don't play more regular Test matches. It's going to be interesting to see how they go in the World Cup - we've already seen Tonga play the Kiwis, and it wasn't the best performance we've seen.

Still - the fact that they get to represent their country on the grand stage is important for the growth of the game in the Pacific Islands, and if they can get a few more games under their belt they can definitely start improving. It's important that they can hold onto their star players like Feleti Mateo, rather than having them play in the World Cup and then go off to play for Australia or New Zealand.

We don't have a problem with them playing for Australia or New Zealand if that's who they want to play for, but they can't choose to play for one team and then another - it's just not healthy for the growth of international rugby league.

The rules need to be made clear - you make your choice who you want to play for, and that's final.

The World Cup should be very exciting, and it gives us a great opportunity to see some other countries that we don't get to watch - for the simple fact that they don't play enough league at this level.

Make the most of it, league fans, because rugby league World Cups don't come around very often. Besides, this is the last lot of rugby league action for the year, so absorb as much of it as you can!

We're sure you wont be disappointed.

The NRL season may be finished, but we don't have to wait long for our next dose of rugby league action.

The World Cup is only a couple of weeks away, and while the Kangaroos are heavy favourites to win the cup, don't count out the Kiwis and Great Britain just yet - they may have a few tricks up their sleeves.

The Kiwi's and the Kangaroos named their 24 man squads yesterday, and while the Kiwis are pretty much as we expected, Ricky Stuart has named a few bolters in his Kangaroo squad.

Raiders stars Terry Campese and Joel Monaghan have been rewarded for a strong season with Canberra, and while we don't expect them to make the full strength team, they will get some game time in the pool matches. Both are exciting players, and are on the cusp of lengthy representative careers.

There are six Manly Sea Eagles players in the squad, which is a testament to how well they have been playing, while five Storm players also made the squad.

The biggest bolter in the 24 man squad is Manly winger David "Wolfman" Williams, who only made his debut in the NRL this year. His career is going from strength to strength, and a World Cup win would be the perfect end to his stellar season - although as Kiwis we hope his season doesn't end that nicely...

Darren Lockyer will captain the team.

Here's the entire squad:

Terry Campese, Petro Civoniceva, Michael Crocker, Craig Fitzgibbon, Israel Folau, Paul Gallen, Kurt Gidley, Justin Hodges, Greg Inglis, Brent Kite, Anthony Laffranchi, Darren Lockyer, Joel Monaghan, Josh Perry, Steve Price, Scott Prince, Billy Slater, Cameron Smith, Brett Stewart, Glen Stewart, Brent Tate, Jonathan Thurston, Anthony Watmough, David Williams.

The Kiwis head into the World Cup without the likes of Roy Asotasi and Frank Pritchard, which will test them in the big games, but Steve Kearney has selected a good squad that could potentially upset the Kangaroos - although they'll have to play out of their skins.

The big news is that Benji Marshall is fit and ready to put on the Kiwi jersey. And, while his defence is often lacking, there's no question over his ability to break a game open.

Nathan Fien also returns to the team after the "Granny Gate" incident, and is now a full New Zealand citizen. His form with the Warriors has been great, and he will likely team up with Marshall in the halves.

Only Brent Webb and Thomas Leuluai have been selected from Britain, which really sums up how tough a competition the NRL is. Not that we're saying the Super League is soft, or anything...(ahem).

The most unlucky player to miss out on a Kiwis jersey has to be Luke Covell, who is an outstanding winger and an excellent goal kicker. He too has been in good form all year, and really must be wondering why he isn't there.

Steve Matai has been named in the squad, despite his ongoing shoulder and neck problems.

Here's the full squad:

Adam Blair, Nathan Cayless (c), Greg Eastwood, David Fa'alogo, Nathan Fien, Dene Halatau, Lance Hohia, Krisnan Inu, David Kidwell, Thomas Leuluai, Jeff Lima, Issac Luke, Simon Mannering, Sika Manu, Benji Marshall, Steve Matai, Sam Perrett, Sam Rapira, Jerome Ropati, Setaimata Sa, Jeremy Smith (from the Storm), Iosia Soliola, Manu Vatuvie, Brent Webb.

These two teams will meet first up, which is really going to set the tone for the entire World Cup.

It's going to be a great competition - bring it on.