NEW Zealand became the first team in Rugby World Cup history to win back-to-back titles after its comprehensive 34-17 victory over Australia at Twickenham.
The All-Blacks surged to a 18 point lead courtesy of a Ma’m Nonu try shortly after the half time interval and looked set to run away with a comfortable third World Cup title. But the Australians, who have never lost a World Cup game on UK soil, were determined not to make the 2015 World Cup a one-sided affair.
Kiwi full-back Ben Smith was yellow carded midway through the second half, which opened the door for a Wallabies fightback.
The resulting lineout allowed a bludgeoning David Pocock try after a terrific Wallabies’ rolling maul – breathing life into the contest that looked dead and buried.
Then, when Tevita Kuridrani latched onto Will Genia’s expertly executed box kick to score the Wallabies’ second try of the game, the Australians were suddenly back in business.
Bernard Foley coolly slotted the subsequent conversion kick to move the Aussies within four points with ample time on the clock to snatch victory from the jaws of the defeat.
The momentum was with the Aussies and the game was turned on its head.
The All-Blacks were not to be denied though, with man-of-the-match Dan Carter’s drop goal with under ten minutes on the clock making the task a much more onerous one for the Aussies.
With less than five minutes left the Wallabies were forced to take risks to find the line and in doing so turned the ball over, which led to a Beauden Barrett try that iced the game.
All-Blacks captain Richie McCaw was glowing of his team post-match, who had been accused of cracking under pressure in past tournaments.
“I’m so proud of the guys. We lost a bit of momentum in the second half but we kept our composure and came back strong,” McCaw said.
“I wouldn’t say [we were] anxious. I knew the momentum was against us but we’ve been in those situations before.
“It’s a matter of not panicking. I’ve done it many times over the years, but to do it in a World Cup final shows the calibre of men we’ve got.”
It was a record breaking campaign for the New Zealanders, who not only went through the World Cup undefeated, the All-Blacks also became the first team in history to go back-to-back.
The title is New Zealand’s third Rugby World Cup title – the most in the history of the event.
Man-of-the-match Dan Carter, who missed the 2011 home win through injury believes this win will sit comfortably as one of the country’s greatest sporting achievements.
“I’m pretty grateful to be where I am considering what happened four years ago,” Carter said.
“I’m so proud of the team. To win back-to-back World Cups is a dream come true.
“It’s a pretty strong group of guys. We try to do things no other team has done before … it’s a special feeling to be part of such a great team.”
New Zealand coach Steve Hansen heralded Carter’s performance as one of the all-time great displays in a World Cup final.
“He is one of the great players and for him to come out and show all his skills tonight … it is pretty special,” New Zealand coach Steve Hansen said.
“It’s a great way to finish. You couldn’t script it any better.”
The Australians lost their first match on UK soil in Rugby World Cup history, but were gallant in the tournament after being in disarray only two years ago.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika commended his team on a terrific performance, but conceded the Australians came up against a once in a lifetime team.
“We fought back bravely, but they’re the world champions and they deserve to be. I always believed, even at the end – but it wasn’t to be.” Cheika said.
“New Zealand won fair and square and they’ve been the form team since the last World Cup. We wanted to challenge them tonight, and I think we did, but we just came up short.”
Australian captain Steven Moore echoed his coach’s sentiments in the aftermath of the defeat.
“It is all about New Zealand, they thoroughly deserve the win they were best team all tournament,” said Moore.
“Sometimes you come up against a better team and that was us tonight.”
After their dominant display in the last two World Cups, the All-Blacks have been installed as short priced favourites heading into the 2019 RWC in Japan.
The runners-up Australia are on the second line of betting at $5.50 with Sportsbet.com.au, while the winner of the third placed playoff; South Africa are at $7.00.
After their fourth placed finish at the 2015 RWC the Argentina Pumas are at $17.00.
World Cup 2019 betting
Odds provided by Sportsbet.com.au
Australia $5.50
South Africa $7.00
Ireland $15.00
Argentina $17.00
Wales $21.00
France $21.00
Scotland $67.00
Samoa $151.00
Japan $176.00
Fiji $276.00
Italy $501.00
Tonga $501.00
