Accordingly, the nerves were settled and the Kiwis then unleashed an unbelievable combination of resolute, relentless and undaunted commitment. Suddenly it didn’t matter how incredibly talent-laden their opponents were; the reputations of superstars such as Darren Lockyer, Jonathan Thurston, Greg Inglis, Israel Folau and Billy Slater meant absolutely nothing.

Menacing Adam Blair, Sam Rapira and Jeremy Smith have come in leaps and bounds and were complemented by the brute forces of David Fa’alogo, Greg Eastwood, Bronson Harrison and Sika Manu, who laid  the highly important platform to let the backs run amok.

Despite his errors, I’ve always rated Lance Hohaia and he was the vital link between the backs and forwards. Issac Luke was a constant threat and I’m sure glad he’s on our side. But every player put his body on the line and for once, it was a classic example of one in, all in.

Jerome Ropati and Simon Mannering were the Goliaths in the centres having outgunned their opposites, high-profile twin towers Folau and Inglis. Nathan Fien, who had a fantastic tournament, eventually had the last laugh after the ‘Granny-gate’ scandal.

The wingers balanced the power and pace out wide with the world’s best Manu Vatuvei on one side and the strong and elusive Sam Perrett occupying the other flank. A great mixture and well led by the inspirational veteran Nathan Cayless.

You could almost describe our pack as ‘no-names’, given the fact so many of the regulars had been missing.  I’m talking about the skilful and dominant Sonny Bill Williams (who will no doubt live to regret his pitiful decision earlier this year) and dazzling SBW-like Frank Pritchard, not to mention the outstanding original first-choice captain Roy Asotasi.

Mercurial halfback Stacey Jones and legend Ruben Wiki could have slotted in easily considering how they’re both still capable of playing at the highest level – as Andrew Johns and Mark Gasnier could’ve done for Australia. Add in the presence of Steve Matai, who had to sit out the latter stages of the tournament and you’d think our chances should’ve been zilch. Goneski.

Credit to new coach Stephen Kearney and his perfect assistant Wayne Bennett, who were only appointed less than a year ago and devised a perfect game-plan to oust the arrogant Aussies.

The Kangaroos thought they needed only to turn up from the opening ceremony, having already decided to how they would spend their huge winnings and given out instructions to have the name ‘Australia’ immediately engraved on the cup.

The Kiwis thoroughly deserved their victory of unprecedented proportions and it is still an eerie feeling to be acknowledged as world champions, especially having defeated the Kangaroos on their own turf. But it’s been a long, long time coming and, as Cayless summed up perfectly, “no one can take that away from us”.

New Zealanders around the globe are over the moon with pride. So much for improving the credibility of rugby league,

Afterwards, Australian coach and master whinger Ricky Stuart  showed what a sore loser and a spoilt brat he is - and the majority of his team followed suit.

Conspiracy theories? Try telling that to the All Blacks, who have stumbled across one too many World Cups of their own and are still by far the best team in the world. That’s not to say the Kangaroos are the best team, either, because the Kiwis are aiming for consistency and when there’s still room for improvement – look out.

Stuart should actually have taken a leaf out of Graham Henry’s book. He had just been rewarded by the International Committee for Fair Play in approaching the winners’ sheds to congratulate them after his own team’s far more devastating loss in that fateful quarter-final loss to France at last year’s rugby World Cup.

I couldn’t care less what the rules were for nominating the Man of the Match but the fact the award was given to losing captain Lockyer was as insulting as the ‘underarm’ incident.

As much as Aussie sportsmen and women are admired for their achievements, it is a sad indictment that the way they conduct themselves and display poor sportsmanship has made them the world’s most despised nation.

The Ricky Stuarts, Lleyton Hewitts, Anthony Mundines and Shane Warnes (all the Aussie cricketers, in fact) only make millions and millions even more glad and proud NOT to be Australian. Their media also love to make excuse after excuse for their comrades and hardly give due credit, if ever.

As for our magnificent, humble and awesome Kiwis, I hope they’ve inspired our other teams to greater heights.

New Zealand now have rugby league bragging rights for the next five years … how sweet it is!