IT TOOK five weeks but now we know. Australia are the best in the world at Rugby League.

Actually we've known that for 25 years but it still took well over a month for arguably the dullest World Cup ever to grind to its predictable conclusion.

Every dog deserves its day and the minnows of any sport must be given every encouragment to progress.

But the competition we have so proudly hosted might as well have started at the semi-final stage. And that's being charitable.

Australia and New Zealand could have saved their airfare and sorted out their domestic spat a bit nearer home.

Instead the Kangaroos brought their monopoly over here to keep their stranglehold on the trophy which will be extended to 29 years before anyone tries to de-throne them again.

And people say Manchester United make the Premiership boring.