In the end the result was as predictable as the manner in which it was achieved.

Billy Slater scores a hat-trick, Johnathan Thurston picks up the man of the match award and Greg Inglis is named player of the series - another international romp for the Australian rugby league side.

But while the 46-16 scoreline in Saturday night's Four Nations final may suggest otherwise, this tournament was no walk in the park for the Aussies.

New Zealand have become a formidable foe, while in rampaging forward Sam Burgess, England have a component around which they can build a competitive side for the next decade.

For the first hour of the final, it could be argued the hosts were the better team, before a piece of Slater magic sparked a runaway win.

Same goes for New Zealand, who Australian coach Tim Sheens said had been the form team of the tournament before their untimely demise at the hands of the home side at a wet and wooly Galpharm Stadium in Huddersfield.

Australia can no longer simply turn up and expect to walk away with the trophy, they have to fight for everything they get.

The Kiwis and the English both have forward packs to be feared, and it is only Australia's dominance in the outside backs that allows it to blow opposition sides of the park.

That in itself is the main difference between Australia and the chasing pack - no-one has an answer to Inglis, Slater, Thurston and Darren Lockyer.

But this isn't just a problem constrained to international football - just ask NSW.

This is one of the greatest backlines ever produced, and it has the potential to be even better given one of its star members - Jarryd Hayne - barely made an impact all series.

Voted the best player on the planet just last week, Hayne was expected to take this tournament by storm.

Instead, he was outshone by the man on the opposite wing - who only got a start on the tour when Israel Folau pulled out with injury, Brett Morris scoring in all four Tests for a total of six tries from four games in the green and gold.

Maybe the possible retirement from international football of Darren Lockyer, who during this tour broke records like Gavin Miller broke noses, will slow down the Australian points machine.

Australia's international rivals might be catching up, but they're going to need a little more speed to reel in the likes of Inglis, Slater and co.

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