League: Beaten Aussies 'forgot' to bring the trophy

The Bill Kelly Memorial Trophy. Photo / Greg Bowker

Australia were so confident of winning Saturday night's Four Nations decider the ARL neglected to take one of the trophies on offer to the ground.

Kiwis captain Benji Marshall may have hoisted the Four Nations trophy above his head at Suncorp Stadium but the Bill Kelly Cup - the traditional piece of silverware on offer every time the two nations meet - was nowhere to be seen.

An inquiry from NZRL chairman Scott Carter confirmed the trophy had been left under lock and key at the ARL's headquarters in Sydney.

Carteraccepted ARL counterpart Geoff Carr's explanation of a simple oversight.

"While I enjoy the rivalry I'm not one to take cheap shots at our neighbours," Carter said. "They are great people. We love beating them but they are good to us.

"[Carr] was apologetic and it will be coming across to New Zealand ASAP."

The joy of Saturday's victory on the field was slightly offset by the disappointing crowd of 36,299. That low turnout coupled with a shortfall in the amount of revenue extracted from sponsorship and media rights meant the tournament would not produce the hoped for financial results.

New Zealand have dismissed suggestions they will travel to the Northern Hemisphere in 2012 for a Four Nations tournament not involving Australia.

The NZRL was determined to host matches at least every second year, ruling out a 2012 trip north, chairman Scott Carter said. A more likely scenario would see the Kiwis play Australia in May and October, with England invited to tour in November.