THE big winners were the bookmakers last night, when the Kiwis beat the Kangaroos in the Rugby League World Cup final in one of the sport's biggest upsets of all time.

Glenn Munsie from TAB Sportsbet last night said one punter had $220,000 on Australia to win at a slender dividend of $1.11.

"It's a pretty big result for us, at least seven figures. We were very happy with the hold on the final," Munsie said. "We held just under $2 million on the game, which is probably over average on what we hold on an NRL game.

"We were very very happy the Kiwis won the World Cup. We got half a million out of Australia today to win the game."

The only loss the bagmen had last night would have been the first tryscorer and man of the match.

"It's hard to work out how Darren Lockyer got man of the match in a losing side when they got beaten by 12," Munsie said.

One betting agency was offering a $100 free bet to patrons - who opened a new account - on the proviso they backed the Kangaroos to win the World Cup at even money.

What looked like an extremely safe investment up until midway through the second half of last night's decider turned out to be yet another win for the bookies.

Lockyer looked a forlorn figure on the post-match presentation dais when he was recalled to the stage to accept his man-of-the-match award.

The long-serving Broncos skipper is nearing the twilight of his career and won't be playing when the next World Cup tournament is held again in five years.