New Zealand Rugby Fans in London celebrate winning the Rugby World Cup.
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The 33-year-old was in imperious form to lead his side to victory, keeping his cool to land a superb long-range drop goal as the Wallabies threatened a second-half comeback.
“I’m not a big rugby historian but I’ve played against these guys a lot and every time you play them it’s tough”, Wallabies captain Stephen Moore said.
“This win is right up there with everything I’ve done in my career – it is the ultimate achievement”, Carter said. “Becoming the first team to retain the trophy shows how special this side is”.
“Also, for a long time, we have put everything on the World Cup as the centre, but unless you’ve got real strength of character, you can be tricked into making decisions which are right for your survival, as opposed to what is right for the team”. He touched down at the end of a storming 40 metre run after a brilliant pass from replacement Sonny Bill Williams. Beauden Barrett then scored the shutout try with Carter landing the conversion.
Carter, who leaves the global scene with a record 1,528 points, won the player of the year award in 2005 and 2012.
Cheika took over the role from Ewen McKenzie late a year ago, inheriting a dysfunctional team that had underachieved since making the semifinals at the 2011 World Cup.
A kick for the corner went out on the full, a Carter clearing kick did not go out and when Australia kicked Ben Smith knocked on.
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.
However, having enjoyed the tournament in England, McCaw appears set to go back on his initial plan to step down from playing for New Zealand and might remain in coach Steve Hansen’s plans.
The task became even greater when Ma’a Nonu crossed just after half-time to make it 21-3, but Cheika said even at that point he was confident the Wallabies could make a game of it.
After Carter landed his third penalty the All Blacks produced the opening try.
Team skipper McCaw, 34, has been tipped to retire but said he was so excited by the win that he would not think about his future until he returns home. “For the players, I know a bit more about them and yes, he probably is the greatest All Black we’ve ever had, and Dan (Carter) is a close second”.
McCaw said he was “hugely satisfied” with the win.
Phil Waugh has hailed the impact of Michael Cheika after Australia finished as runners-up in the Rugby World Cup.
He added: We’ve got to keep growing.
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New Zealand’s Kendra Cocksedge was named women’s player of the year, and the sevens players awards were given to South Africa’s Werner Kok, and New Zealand’s Portia Woodman.
