WELL that’s a wrap!…and it what a fantastic occasion it was on Saturday at Old Trafford that signed off the Rugby League World Cup.

However, it does still niggle how much better it could have been if England had made it there!

Samoa put up a great fight in front of 67,500 fans, but it was the pre-tournament favourites Australia that finally conquered.

The Kangaroos inevitably made it a record 12th World Cup win. Even with the vast majority of the stadium behind the South Sea islanders, and Aussie forward Angus Crichton spending ten minutes in the sin-bin for a forearm smash on the head of Samoan star Chanel Harris-Tavita, the Aussies always looked destined to lift the trophy.

Despite neither England team, men or women making the final, there was a great atmosphere inside the Theatre of Dreams.

The platform for this was laid prior to kick off with the Samoan Siva Tau where they certainly got into the faces of their opponents …and you can’t question their efforts throughout the game.

However, the superior talents of Tedesco, Michell and Co were there for all to see, as the Aussies went into a 20-0 first half lead and never looked back.

St Helens Star:

Speaking of half time, it was great to see one of my favourite childhood artists, Heather Small of M-People performing ‘Search for a hero’ …just as my good friend Kevin Sinfield entered through the tunnel to a rapturous applause, following his 7in7 Ultra Marathon challenge for Rob Burrow and the MND community.

Kev and his team have raised over £2m in this latest effort to support our good mate, and Leeds Rhinos legend Rob. Well done to all involved.

Despite England's men and women falling just short, I think the tournament as a whole was a big success. Congratulations to the Jillaroos of Australia who demolished the Kiwi Ferns in the final to claim the Womens World Cup.

St Helens Star:

However, I think the stars of the whole RLWC2021 were the England Wheelchair team who were sensational from start to finish. They finally beat current champions France in a thrilling final, to give England at least one trophy to celebrate.

The wheelchair competition really did capture the public imagination, and with all games screened live over the BBC channels has no doubt gained the sport thousands of new fans. With sell-out crowds and electric atmosphere, the wheelchair competition really has hit another level. The players lack of self-preservation and amazing skill and speed was a real spectacle.

As I sign off my column for 2022, we now look ahead to our domestic Betfred Super League competition of 2023.

It will be interesting to see how my two former clubs go on, Saints under new boss, my good mate Paul Wellens who takes over from Kristian Woolf.

Also, an under-pressure Darryl Powell, who will be looking to turn around a dreadful first season at the Wolves and finally challenge for silverware.

Unsurprisingly, title sponsors Betfred have the Saints as 9/4 favourites to win their fifth title in a row…and knowing Wello as I do that wouldn’t be a surprise. Wigan are 10/3 , Warrington 8/1 and Salford 25/1 to lift the trophy at Old Trafford next year, with the other local club and returning Betfred Super League new boys, the Leigh Leopards the 33/1 outsiders.