I thought during the last few minutes that for all the blow out scores NZ had during the comp they really struggled when it came to a decent team. At the time I thought flat track bullies. I thought I'd eat my words when they scored in the last minute, but seeing them destroyed by Australia makes me think I may have been right all along

The truth of the matter is, when NZ were camped on our line at the start and finish of the second half, we conceded points. If you feel that we would not have been in similar situations against the Aussies, then you are not being realistic. What I will concede quite happily is that we would have made a far better game of it than NZ.

NZ are weak in the three quarters and this was ruthlessly exploited by the Aussies on Saturday.

You mentioned that Roby overshadowed Smith at Cardiff but, I thought Smith had the his best game for some time on Saturday and I include this years SOO in that period. you also overlook the fact that they were actually far superior to NZ in every department including the half backs.

Where did I overlook this?

Their try in the first half was fortunate and should never have been given. The second try was on the back of five straight penalties.

I was surprised how lacking in go forward the kiwi pack was, it seemed that the semi took it all out of them. That said some of their forwards look like they’re carrying a bit too much excess timber.

I doubt any side would’ve beaten Australia yesterday. They did almost everything to perfection. Take out Bird’s ill discipline and you have a near perfect performance. I was particularly impressed with the kicking game which was inch perfect. It’s rare to see it executed so well, particularly on a pitch with tiny in goal areas.

I never mentioned their first try. However, I agree, it was fortuitous.

Had we made it to the final, I am sure that we could have put some meaningful points on the board and we may have restricted their attack a good deal better than NZ. However, the Aussie defence was better than anything I have seen from England and they have a distinct edge in the half backs. In short, they would have conceded less and scored more than we would, which at the end of the day, is all they would have needed.

The Aussie defence was in full control - and always will be - when its forwards can get on top. The Aussie outside backs are quite simply superb defenders as a group - great decision-making and reading of the play. That makes scoring out wide very difficult if their pack doesn't get pushed around. They also make far fewer mistakes than other sides, and are ruthless in capitalising on the mistakes of the opposition.

One thing that seems to have been overlooked in the debates is that whilst many rated the NZ side as one of their best ever (on paper at least), that was a very, very strong Aussie side, without the usual withdrawals due to injury we get at the end of the year. Slater, Smith and Inglis will go down as all-time greats, and Thurston and Cronk are one of the best ever halfback partnerships. Add to that the likes of Hayne, who has shown he can literally destroy any team on his day, and the fact that not only are these players exceptional but also hugely experienced, and its no wonder they can beat anybody when they apply themselves.

Having said that....whilst I don't think for a second that England could have beaten them, had the English pack been able to play as well as it did vs NZ (minus mistakes), then we would have seen an Aussie team at least made to work much harder for the win.

That's pretty much how I saw it too.

NZ were relatively poor.
England, in my opinion, would have played better/made it harder for the Aussies.
Australia were excellent, but their job was made easier by the Kiwis.

I agree with both the above posters.
I think that the Aussies have had better packs in the past & England's pack is the best that we've had in the recent past. But there's no doubt that the Aussie backs are far & away the best unit.
Sadly, we never got to find out what a final between them & us would have been like.
The NZ pack massively underperformed.