New Zealand survived a Wallaby fightback to clinch the World Rugby title beating Australia 34-17 at Twickenham on Saturday.
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It was a thrilling final at Twickenham in what was the last game for a host of All Blacks stars – most likely including skipper Richie McCaw and star fly-half Dan Carter.
McCaw himself said becoming the only side to retain the World Cup felt “special” – and different to 2011 when the overwhelmingly feeling was one of relief.
As in the semi-final, when New Zealand were under pressure he took control with a drop kick – this time a blistering 51 metre rocket that all-but killed Australia’s hopes of getting back into the game.
The all-time leading point scorer in worldwide rugby with 1,598 points to his name in 112 tests, Carter has been back to his best in recent weeks, inspired by the chance to play in a first Rugby World Cup final.
Gutted Wallabies Captain Stephen Moore, gave full credit to the deserving All Blacks on the victory.
“This team is the best All Black team over a decade that we’ll ever see, which is really hard for me to say considering I wasn’t in it”.
Beauden Barrett scored the All Blacks third try minutes from the end.
Nehe Milner-Skudder (24) was named Breakthrough Player of the Year and his fellow All Blacks winger Julian Savea got try of the year for his blockbusting score against France in the quarter-finals.
When asked if he would ever accept a position with another nation, Hansen said: “No, not after coaching the All Blacks. I am going to enjoy today, and how could you get enough of this?”
“I’m proud of the boys and what they have achieved”.
And Carter can now begin a three-year adventure with French club Racing 92, having signed off a 112-cap Test career as unquestionably the finest stand-off of rugby union’s 20-year professional era.
Sonny Boy Williams would walk into any team in the world but has had to be content to spend most of his career on the bench behind stellar centers Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith, who are both now leaving the stage.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has been honoured for dramatically turning around the fortunes of the national rugby side, in front of an audience of players still battered and bruised from the Rugby World Cup final loss to New Zealand.
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“For us to get close to them we’ve got to improve at a faster rate than they are and I think we’ve got that in us, so when the games come against them we’ve just got to be ready for them”.
