New Zealand's women rugby league players last night pounded Australia 34-0 to retain their World Cup crown at Suncorp Stadium.
After winning the first two women's World Cup tournaments held in 2000 and 2005, they were untroubled throughout the 2008 edition.
They saved their most complete performance for the decider as they shut out the Jillaroos, scoring seven tries to none.
With Katrina Whatu-Simpkins and Trish Hina both scoring doubles, the Kiwi Ferns set the scene for a night of celebration for New Zealand rugby league - their final was the curtain-raiser to the Kiwis' 32-22 World Cup semi-final win over England.
The women's World Cup involved New Zealand, Pacific Islands, England, Russia, Tonga, Samoa, France and Australia with pool matches and semi-finals based on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.
The Kiwi Ferns reached their final by beating England 16-4 in their semi-final after sweeping through their pool matches by beating the Pacific Islands 72-0, Tonga 42-4 and Samoa 26-4.
In the inaugural police rugby league World Cup, New Zealand lost 12-20 to Fiji in the early curtain-raiser at Suncorp Stadium.
Women's World Cup final:
Kiwi Ferns 34 (Katrina Whatu-Simpkins 2, Trish Hina 2, Tasha Tapu, Luisa Avaiki, Maia Tua-Davidson tries; Trish Hina 3 conversions) Australia 0.
