England's Gareth Ellis,(C), runs at Australia's Greg Inglis, (L), and Johnathan Thurston during the teams' Four Nations rugby league final at Elland Road, Leeds, England. Photo / AP
Australia have sent retiring captain Darren Lockyer out in style, winning the Four Nations title by extending their 39-year dominance over England in finals with a 30-8 victory at Elland Road.
After 59 tests, 36 State of Origin appearances and 355 NRL matches, Lockyer's illustrious career ended in one last glory when he scored the final try after Sam Thaiday, Jharal Yow Yeh, Johnathan Thurston, Greg Inglis had crossed to eclipse England's resilient, if limited, performance.
England hadn't beaten Australia in a title match since the 1972 World Cup and not at home in a final since 1959, but spurred on by a parochial, sell-out Leeds crowd of 34,174 the hosts had the Kangaroos rattled in the first half thanks largely to an energetic performance from hooker James Roby.
But though it was Lockyer's farewell after an international career that began in 1998, the star of the match was Thurston, potentially his heir apparent at five-eighth for Australia.
The halfback was involved in everything, including giving away a first-half penalty try for a high tackle on Ryan Hall, England's only try.
England struggled to build any pressure early, whereas Australia spent a large portion of the first half in England's quarter, let down only by poor handling and rushed options.
Thaiday scored in the third minute after Thurston's chipped bomb was batted back by winger Yow Yeh for center Chris Lawrence to find the second-rower to crash over from close range for a converted try.
Akuila Uate looked to have extended the lead in the 13th, but England centre Jack Reed's tackle forced the Australia winger to step out before placing the ball down.
Another chance went begging seven minutes later when England fullback Sam Tomkins spilled a spiral bomb from Lockyer, Lawrence collecting the loose ball and going over but the video referee ruling an Australian player offside from the kick.
Australia was made to pay for its prolificacy when England received its penalty try in the 36th. Setting up camp inside Australia's quarter for the first time in the half, Hall spilled the ball as he went to place it down because of a high tackle from Thurston.
Thurston went some way to making amends by kicking a penalty goal to give Australia an 8-6 halftime lead.
Australia centre Greg Inglis blindsided Gareth Ellis with a big hit at the start of the second half, but the England second-rower epitomised the hosts' spirit by bouncing back up and looking to square the ledger when possession changed hands.
England squared the ledger scoring-wise at 8-8 after Sinfield kicked a penalty from in front in the 52nd. But Australia came right back and almost scored two minutes later when Yow Yeh was forced over the touchline by Roby and Jamie Jones-Buchanan as he went to put the ball down.
Lockyer instigated the crucial try in the 57th, finding Darius Boyd with a long pass to give Yow Yeh an easy run to the line for a 14-8 lead.
That soon became 20-8 when Thurston finished off a bust by prop Paul Gallen up the middle in the 62nd to put the result beyond doubt.
Thurston turned provider six minutes later, stretching the defence out wide before finding Inglis to stroll across the line untouched.
Then came Lockyer's moment in the spotlight, touching down under the crossbar with time just about up. The fairytale end had a twist, though Lockyer's conversion from in front striking an upright to bring a wry smile from the Queenslander as the final whistle blew.
SCORES
Australia 30: (Sam Thaiday, Jharal Yow Yeh, Johnathan Thurston, Greg Inglis, Darren Lockyer tries; Thurston 4 conversions, penalty goal).
England 8: (penalty try; Kevin Sinfield conversion, penalty). HT: 8-6.
- AP
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