Click here for Millward's review of the 2000 World Cup

Sporting Life pundit Ian Millward believes the writing was on the wall for New Zealand in the first-half of the World Cup final.

He explains: "I thought New Zealand were very brave but they had to burn up too much energy in the first-half.

"Australia were very patient and the little things in their game - such as Brett Kimmorley's kicking game - took their toll. Territorily they were able to put a lot of pressure on the Kiwis and it told after the break.

"A lot of people have been asking what would have happened had New Zealand scored again at 18-12 but Australia defended very well when they had to.

"I didn't think there was much between the teams, which is why New Zealand were able to defend so well but those efforts told later in the game and they were a bit like a car running on empty with 20 minutes to go."

So who was the difference between victory and defeat for the Kangaroos?

"I thought the man-of-the-match was Kimmorley. His kicking game was outstanding and his direction around the rucks was very, very good. Wendell Sailor did well to score his tries but it was players like Kimmorley, Fittler, Johns and Gidley who gave him the space to shine."

How many of this Australian side will still be around for the next World Cup?

"I think quite a few will be around next time. Trent Barrett will take over from Fittler. Nathan Hindmarsh will move into the side, Craig Gower will come through at hooker. Kimmorley will be available, Andrew Johns should be while Scott Hill, Matt Gidley, Darren Lockyer and Matt Rogers all have youth on their side. The talent is still there."

And what of the beaten finalists - where do they go from here?

"This is an interesting time for New Zealand as quite a few of their players may not be around in four years time. They may go through a transition period and it is very important the right young players from the NRL as well as their own domestic game are identified. They can't afford to go into a dip as they are not far behind Australia - indeed they are very close to them."

The next time we will see the world champions on these shores is on next year's Kangaroos tour - is there any hope for Great Britain there?

"I think Great Britain will test them. The grounds will be greasy and the strength of England is in the club scene. It is very strong, stronger than many people realise.

"However internationally they are off the mark. The key now is to identify the right players who will be suited by the international stage.

"England were the disappointments of the World Cup. Australia were there for the taking in the first game and the performance against New Zealand in the semi wasn't up to scratch. You have to ask were they using the right tactics? Were the right players picked?

"But Great Britain can welcome back stars like Iestyn Harris and Kieren Cunningham. I still feel Paul Newlove is the best centre in Britain and Paul Sculthorpe will be up there with the best back-row forwards in the world at the end of next season.

"A Great Britain team will compete well next year providing the right ingredients are in place."

So was the 2000 World Cup a success or failure?

"It is hard to say. Wales did some great things and along with Ireland they were the over-achievers.

"The Welsh display against Australia was awesome! How many of their players are on big money in Super League? Take out Harris, Cunningham and Sullivan and you are looking at players from the Northern Ford Premiership, youngsters still looking to make their name and a couple from rugby union.

"They did tremendously.

"The downsides were the weather - which we can't control - and the ticket prices.

"This is the peoples game and the prices should have been aimed towards the working man who is the lifeblood of this sport. Some venues could have been promoted better - so there were negatives which can be learned from. But there were lots of positives.

"The game was on the BBC, Sky, in the newspapers. What people were expecting was the standard of rugby we see in Super League Grand Finals and semi-finals but you were never going to get that in some of the games."

So what was the highlight of the tournament?

"The spirit of some of the sides, namely Wales and Ireland was outsanding but the Welsh performance against the Kangaroos has to be the high point.

"But Australia once again showed unless you are prepared to put a lot of time and effort in with your young players, give them good grounding in the core skills, when they are under pressure they will be exposed. The system down under provides this."

And a player of the tournament?

"Some players can be more dominant in the lower teams. I thought Johns and Kimmorley were outstanding for Australia as were Gidley and Lockyer.

"What Harris and Cunningham did for Wales was magnificent while in France their centres showed great pace. We should remember France was the success of the tournament in terms of attracting crowds which is good for the long-term in promoting international rugby league."