New Zealand have become the first team to retain the William Web Ellis Cup with a 34-17 victory over the Wallabies in the Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham.
The All Blacks put on a masterclass in the first half, and managed to hold off a fightback from the Wallabies in the second 40 to seal the result.
From the opening of the match it was clear New Zealand were primed, tactically and physically, were at the peak of their game.
More:
>> All Blacks relentless in winning Rugby World Cup
>> Five talking points from the Rugby World Cup
>> The Roar‘s live blog of the final
>> What legacy to the All Blacks leave?
Dan Carter was magnificent, and controlled the game for all except a ten-minute period in the second half.
The Wallabies looked slightly off the pace in the first half in particular, and only really threatened the defensive line of New Zealand while there was a player off the field.
In the end, it was two tries to the Wallabies, three tries to the All Blacks, and a deserving team lifting the Rugby World Cup trophy.
The All Blacks had all the running of the play in the first stanza, and made the pressure count on the scoreboard by the end of the first 40 minutes.
Injuries to Kane Douglas and Matt Giteau certainly didn’t help Australia’s cause, with both players who had been so crucial to the Wallabies’ play at the World Cup out in the opening 20 minutes.
It took New Zealand some time to get the scoreboard ticking over, but when flyhalf Dan Carter knocked over the 29th minute penalty, they began to get in their groove.
With 70% of the possession, and all the field position, the pressure on the Wallabies was immense.
The play wasn’t always attractive, with the All Blacks intent on playing the game in the Wallabies half, and using the boot to get them there.
All the pressure eventually told, with Nehe Milner-Skudder crossing after the All Blacks used the ball in hand for a number of phases in a row.
Richie McCaw, Aaron Smith and Ben Smith had some tremendous interplay on a number of occasions through the moment.
Fittingly, it was McCaw who through the last pass to his winger for the try, and Carter converted to give the All Blacks a 16-3 lead at half time.
The Wallabies had barely been allowed to play any rugby in the first half, and it looked as though New Zealand were set to repeat the dose as they resumed the onslaught early in the second half.
A try to Ma’a Nonu was the result, and a 21-3 lead.
But a yellow card to Ben Smith looked to tip this Rugby World Cup final on its head.
With the Wallabies hot on attack, after a number of phases with ball in hand, fullback Smith grabbed the leg of Wallaby winger Drew Mitchell and tipped him on his head.
It was an ugly looking tackle, and the All Blacks paid for it dearly, with Australia crossing the line through David Pocock after the now famous Wallabies rolling maul.
Australia had needed the shot to their attacking play, and this was it.
Suddenly after 50 minutes of being shunted back in tackles, their forwards were now making it over the advantage line with some regularity.
Taking advantage of the lack of a fullback on the field, a few well-placed kicks managed to get the Wallabies into good field position, and a precision box kick from Will Genia put the ball in the hands of Bernard Foley for Australia, who offloaded to Tevita Kuridrani who crashed over for Australia’s second try.
Four points in it. 16 minutes to play.
Australia had plenty of chances after the try. Sustained pressure on the All Blacks defensive line meant they certainly had to work for the next 15 minutes.
But a drop goal from Carter with ten minutes to play, and a penalty to the same man two minutes later from the halfway line meant Australia had too much to do, and not enough time.
A breakout try after Australia had hammered the line to Beauden Barrett put the game to bed, with the margin finishing at 17 points.
There’s no doubt the All Blacks were deserving winners. Their speed of play, ferocity in contact and tactical nous saw them run out deserving winners.
The second half saw some fantastic running rugby played after a very testing opening 40.
In a testament to the astuteness of their performance, retiring All Black Dan Carter was awarded the man of the match award, in a fitting end to one of the greatest careers in rugby history.
Congratulations to the All Blacks, 2015 Rugby World Cup champions.
Francois
Guest
jip NZ beat SA by 2 and NZ beat Oz by 16 - SA should be 2nd!!!
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Well my parents are dead. Thanks for insulting their memory though. Very big of you. I can see why you've chosen the All Blacks to be your children's role model rather than taking the job yourself.
Hoy
Roar Guru
Not that it matters now, but I have no issue with the Nonu try, but in the lead up to the Skudder try, I think McCaw ran into his own man in front of him, and Owens saw it, called it, and let it go... Owens said it was fine because the Wallabies still tackled McCaw, so no problem... How I wish they refereed like that at the ruck and maul time, when that scenario never plays out... regardless of how easy the bloke was to tackle, or lack of advantage in bumping into your own player in front of you... it is pulled up. Not this time, and a try came not too long after.
Smeared
Guest
Congrats mate. We may have just witnessed the greatest era of test rugby in our lifetimes. It's hard to stay at the top for so long so it's an enormous effort. The NZ media however have gone on to trash the wallabies and for what. There were mumbles of a few bad calls here in Australia but no outcry of being hard done. No cry of being robbed like we got from Scotland. And now You are pumping out stories of Pocock deliberately stomping Richie and that Richie thinks it's intentional. NZ's sportsmanship and respectful show put forward to the public seems more facade than genuine. What classless and disgraceful garbage. Articles being published saying the Wallabies were a terrible WCF opponent that were never in the match and the shoreline should have been much greater etc. Why make such an issue over cheika calling test teams by their country, it must be a slight against the all blacks. Were not being bitter over the wallabies loss yet it seems a recurring theme coming from NZ that we are and deserve the respect we have shown. The true measure of a man is how he treats those who he has defeated and a portion of NZ aren't content with winning but in smearing our best efforts. To the victor go the spoils, and he may do with them as he please.
P2R2
Roar Rookie
OK Garth I will take it as you say it...I'm happy with a new dynasty being reforged..I am sure Aus will progress and develop also...ANZACS rule the rugby world.
P2R2
Roar Rookie
I think it is you clutching at straws mate...how else do you explain - perhaps this is the beginning of the end....for whom....Australia? because it is not for NZ
wardad
Guest
The ABs managed an unbeaten season with a 10 who looked like Alfred E Neumann !
wardad
Guest
You lucky bugger you ! Glad you had a great time mate half your luck.
Hello
Roar Rookie
I still have not seen this. Did a rewatch and missed it again. Thanks for giving the time it happened. If it is as bad as some people are saying we should see a citing.
Mike Julz
Guest
DIDN'T I SAY I TOLD YOU SO!!! Well done to my All Blacks. Deserved Champions. You bloody legends. Best World Cup Final. Hard luck Wallabies. I thought for a moment there they gonna snatch it in the end, but Dan Carter put it out of reach. What a bloody legend. So happy right now. Grew up watching those guys in the past ten years or so, gonna miss them. Gonna miss those dreadlocks too. Great sendoff. #McCaw #Carter #Nonu #Conrad #Mealamu #Woodcock ALL BLACKS WORLD CHAMPIONS #BACKTOBACK #3TIMES
Rebel
Guest
People have pointed out plenty of instances for both sides, maybe a few more in the ABs favour. On the high tackle, ref didn't see it, asked tmo to look but advantage played out. Unless it's a yellow card offence then no problem. Considering Kepu's run of tackles, not really an issue. Yes it was a forward pass, it was missed, as were a lot of things both ways. Ref had no impact, I have always tried to leave the refs alone as it is a tough thankless job. Owens is class and the best in the world. He did a good final and the result was determined by two sets of gladiators. More trys in a final than we have seen for a while. Looking forward to the next generation of players coming through in each side next year. But for now I am just content.
cuw
Guest
must be looking forward to super season with the likes of loni uhila, vaia fifita, 3T, pita ahki, coming to the hurricanes :)
cuw
Guest
The coach may be good but the strategy of playing an unbalanced 3rd row needs serious consideration. according to espn, OZ 3rd row carried the ball like 21 times and made a grand total of 15m. compare that to the NZ 3rd row who carried the ball 36 times and made 90m !!! if we look at tackle stats the OZ 3rd row made 31 and missed 7. NZ made 28 and missed 3. if the idea of playing two 7s is turnovers , then the stat doesnot say much - OZ won 12 and NZ won 14 turnovers. someone like Palu (in form and injury free) oe Higginbotham would add more dynamism to the 3rd row.
44bottles
Roar Guru
The auto-moderation buzz words confuse me
AlanKC
Guest
With you there MJB and Cheika has done a fantastic job of bringing the team together and having a genuine shot of winning the final. The WBs probably needed everything to go perfectly for them and nor so for the ABs in order to win it and that didn't happen. Well earned congratulations to NZ, the best rugby side I've had the honour of watching (even though they've stuck many a dagger in my heart) and, just quietly, I'm very proud of the Wallabies for the way they've played. If the ARU can't turn this performance into a surge in popularity the game's in trouble.
bennalong
Guest
I note the shared camaraderie in most posts above but the trolls are still present, like flies around a turd, and they irritate and pollute the true spirit of rugby.
bennalong
Guest
Congratulation to the All Blacks. They played the perfect power game at the start and despite not getting the points looked well in control. The Wallabies took the momentum in the second half but could not sustain it. I have no complaints coming in second this time. I'm full of admiration for Cheika and our boys with Stephen Moore so gracious in defeat.
Jerry
Guest
Apparently he picked up a bit of a strain at the end of the first half - was an injury sub.
Hasté
Guest
The card is what got them back in the game and Smith was deservedly carded, did you notice they did not score again once the Kiwis were back to a full contingent. In some ways I would suggest the Wallabies were very lucky he did get carded or it could have been much worse. I stand by what I said England were terrible as were Fiji, Scotkand and Wales were not much better. If anything the All Blacks had the much harder road having to play every single semi finalist on the way to winning the cup.
androidangler
Guest
So basically what you saying SA should not even bother to play rugby. SA will never become 1st 2nd or 3rd They will never ever again beat Aus or NZ. Wow mate where's your deep rooted hate for SA comes from. I've been reading your posts for a while. You never have anything good to say about SA.