We lost a bit of momentum in the second half, but we kept our composure.
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Carter, who has confirmed it was his 112th and final Test, stretched his world record points tally to 1,598.
“But we have been in those situations before and it’s a matter of not panicking and doing the simple things”. Another feather in the cap for one of the greatest teams in sporting history.
The drop-goal itself was incredible, if not for the fact that Carter had only scored a handful previous to this World Cup but maintained his form from the semi-final to put Australia to the sword.
“I’m pretty grateful to be where I am considering what happened four years ago”, Carter said.
Today was the first time the All Blacks faced the Wallabies in a final since the World Cup tournament began in 1987 – even though between them, the two teams have appeared in six out of the previous seven finals.
The All Blacks had never won a World Cup on foreign soil but demonstrated their power early on, although a rousing rendition of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot demonstrated just how many neutrals were in attendance at Twickenham. “The more we test ourselves against South Africa, New Zealand and Argentina and the outbound tours to play the northern hemisphere teams the better we will get”.
After Carter had opened up a 9-6 lead with the boot, Nehe Milner-Skudder eventually broke the Wallabies’ resolve by going over in the closing stages of the first half.
His offload put the All Blacks on the front foot and Ma’a Nonu broke the line before crossing for his side’s second try. Having led 21-3, they saw Australia haul themselves within four points during a rousing fightback.
That spurred the Wallabies on to greater efforts and they got their second try after 63 minutes when a probing kick by Will Genia bounced perfectly for Foley who fed Kuridrani to slide over.
Mitchell signed off without adding to his 14 career World Cup tries, one behind the record shared by Lomu and Habana.
The Wallabies’ lineout was in tatters as Stephen Moore again struggled to find his man before Carter extended his side’s lead with an inch ideal penalty about a metre inside from the touchline.
“At 21-3, you could be fooled into thinking the game was over but at 21-17 they could easily have come back”.
New Zealand’s Daniel Carter, left, celebrates winning the Rugby World Cup final between New Zealand and Australia at Twickenham Stadium, London, Saturday, October 31, 2015.
He fed Tevita Kuridrani who stormed over and with Foley converting the gap was now just four points and it was game on.
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Underdogs to start the match, Australia’s hopes were dealt a savage blow with first-half injuries to key men Kane Douglas (knee) and centre Matt Giteau (concussion) and their chances of victory shrunk further when they took a 16-3 deficit into halftime.
