New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney has admitted that his side were given "a real lesson" by Australia in Saturday's Rugby League World Cup final.

The Kangaroos were solid in defence and clinical in attack as they thrashed the defending champions 34-2 at Old Trafford.

"I just think Australia's performance was nothing short of outstanding. We just couldn't get ourselves into the contest," Kearney told reporters.

"I thought the pressure they mounted - we were hanging on, last-tackle finishes and they came up with good points. I thought their performance was pretty faultless. They gave us a real lesson.

"When Australia play the way they did, we had to bring our best game today. I know we didn't do that. Australia certainly didn't allow us to play like that. The way they played took a lot out of us and that is as good as I have seen them."

Australia coach Tim Sheens described his side's showing as the Kangaroos' best performance during his four-and-a-half-year reign.