Australia thrash New Zealand to win Four Nations title

Australia have won the Four Nations trophy and regained the world number one ranking after beating New Zealand 34-8 at Anfield.

The Kangaroos established an unassailable lead by half time against a Kiwi side that suffered from ill discipline and made numerous handling errors.

Despite a brief revival from New Zealand, Australia were able to finish the job with ease to present coach Mal Meninga with a sixth win from his first six matches in charge.

With a quarter of the match gone, tries from Blake Ferguson, Josh Dugan and Trent Merrin plus a penalty from Johnathan Thurston gave the Kiwis a 20-0 lead.

That became 24-0 by the break as the ruthless Australians added to their score when Dugan touched down a kick from Thurston.

Full-back Darius Boyd extinguished any hope of an unlikely comeback with a score shortly after the restart, and although two tries from Jordan Kahu reduced the deficit, Australia's Boyd Cordner had the final word with a late score.