Australia hark back to golden era with crushing Four Nations final win

The brilliance of Australia’s performance against New Zealand at Anfield underlines their re-emergence as the world’s pre-eminent side

Australia have clawed their way back to the top of the rugby league tree with an utterly dominant demolition of the Kiwis.

Record-breaking, historic, embarrassing. Choose your adjective, depending on your national persuasion. Wherever you come from, the facts are simple: the Kangaroos crushed New Zealand 34-8 at Anfield on Sunday to regain the Four Nations title they lost to the same opponent two years ago.

It was a result that emphasises the gulf Australia once again enjoys over the rest of the rugby league world, and underlines the sport’s biggest problem at international level: competitiveness. Once, it was a “big three” at the top of the international game in the shape of England, New Zealand and Australia. Now it is just the Kangaroos who reign supreme.

Related: Australia comfortably beat New Zealand to seal Four Nations title

Australia have beaten the Kiwis four times this year, with three of those victories completely convincing. England have not defeated Australia for 21 years, and not for a decade as Great Britain. While the likes of Scotland, Samoa and Fiji are undoubtedly improving, the green and gold remain eerily distant at the top. It is an ominous sign a year out from a World Cup that will be held mostly in their own country.

The final was over at half-time, New Zealand staring down the barrel of a 24-0 scoreline. Their brittle defence conceded four tries in the first half and most were incredibly soft. Australia’s opener, off the back of a scrum 10 metres from the try-line as Darius Boyd fed Blake Ferguson, was like a training move.

Australia could do no wrong and New Zealand were the architects of their own downfall. The Kangaroos were near-perfect and punished every mistake, big or small, made by the Kiwis. And the men from the Land of the Long White Cloud were in a generous mood, gifting the Aussies plenty of possession and scoring chances. There was seven errors in the first 20 minutes alone. The last thing Australia needed was a helping hand, but time and time again that is what they got.

In the second half New Zealand had a dig, Jordan Kahu bagging two tries. Kahu, standing in for the injured Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, has made a fist of his time in the full-back jumper. But you cannot give Australia a 28-0 lead and expect to win the game.

Serious questions need to be asked about David Kidwell’s tenure as New Zealand coach. He only got the job right before the Four Nations tournament, but he has now won just once in five games. They scraped by against England and were held to a draw with Scotland, a result that made the history books.

You can’t see Kidwell being replaced 12 months out from a World Cup, but stranger things have happened. The Kiwis have surrendered their Four Nations title and No1 world ranking ever so meekly. The decision to appoint a rookie coach who had never led an NRL, Super League or first-grade team before is a curious one. Yes, Kidwell learned under the likes of Craig Bellamy and Stephen Kearney, but the step up to Test level is huge.

New Zealand will be better, especially with several key players returning from injury. But their pride took a big hit at Anfield. A period of introspection is needed.

Australia, meanwhile, are harking back to their golden age, to the days of Lewis, Sterling, Langer, Johns, Tallis, Lockyer and the rest. This team are frighteningly good, playing with power and execution that is breathtaking. When they perform like this, and their opponents are so error-prone, there is only one outcome. Sadly, the 2017 World Cup is already looking like it could be a foregone conclusion.