England, meanwhile, are conducting a review into their disappointing performance at the World Cup, having become the first host nation not to advance from the pool stages.
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That indomitable spirit the coach has instilled came to the fore in the second half, as onlookers feared the Australian side was about to be blasted away.
He said: “It is a different feel to 2011 when the final was tighter, and it was a massive relief four years ago”.
Complete pandemonium broke out as proud All Blacks fans welcomed home their Rugby World Cup champions at Auckland Airport.
The left-footed Carter, with his final touch, took the conversion with his right foot and there were to be none of the last-minute nerves that marked the 2011 final triumph at Eden Park.
Steve Hansen has achieved his goal of the All Blacks winning consecutive World Cups, but he sidestepped suggestions his class of 2015 is the greatest team of all time.
“I wasn’t happy with how things went, obviously I think the injury set me back”, said Folau, who will shortly start a stint playing in Japan. “Possibly. For the moment let’s just all agree that this is the best team in World Cup history”, former All Blacks captain Sean Fitzpatrick wrote in the Sunday Times. However, New Zealand had other ideas and Milner-Skuddder went over in the corner, fed by Richie McCaw.
That put the All Blacks 21-3.
Australia, as expected, competed tigerishly at the breakdown with David Pocock again proving the master of the turnover but relentless pressure gave Carter the chance to put points on the board.
Mitchell signed off without adding to his 14 career World Cup tries, one behind the record shared by Lomu and Habana.
Australia kicked off but were immediately forced back into their own half.
Speaking about New Zealand’s success at Twickenham, Carter admitted it was a special moment.
The Wallabies camp was hit with a spying bombshell less than 24 hours before kick-off in the biggest game of all when a photographer snapped pictures of their game plan.
From a scrum the All Blacks front row was penalized and Bernard Foley landed the equalizing penalty.
Hansen’s name would appear at the top of any list of potential replacements but the 56-year-old is determined to ensure New Zealand’s dominance of the game continues.
They had a stroke of luck as referee Nigel Owens had his attention drawn by the television match official to a tip tackle by full back Ben Smith. This time Carter kicked the points.
Beauden Barrett scored the All Blacks third try minutes from the end.
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Carter was deservedly named man of the match.
