All Blacks celebrate the RWC 2015 win
The New Zealand All Blacks withstood a gutsy AustralianWallabies fightback to claim victory 34 / 17 in the Rugby World Cup final and create history as the 1st side to win 3 titles, the last 2 back-to-back.
The All Blacks were given a Halloween night fright by the Wallabies, who battled their way back from 21 / 3 with 2 tries to get within 4 points of Richie McCaw’s side at 21 / 17.
But the cool boot of man of the match, Dan Carter, nudged the All Blacks ahead to give them breathing space at 27 / 17, before Beauden Barrett sealed matters with a length-of-the-field kick and chase in the 79th minute, converted by – who else? – Carter for a 34 / 17 final scoreline.
New Zealand, who became the 1st country to retain the Webb Ellis Cup, had laid the foundations of victory in the 1st half as Australia’s defence was stretched, eventually to breaking point, with Nehe Milner-Skudder scoring a try on the stroke of halftime to put his side in control.
Flyhalf Carter also kicked 3 penalties and a conversion as the reigning champions built a 16 / 3 halftime lead, Bernard Foley kicking a penalty in response.
Sonny Bill Williams entered the fray after the break and was immediately involved, helping set up Ma’a Nonu for New Zealand’s 2nd try to make it 21 / 3.
Dangerous tackle:
Australia beavered away at the New Zealand defence before Ben Smith was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle on Drew Mitchell, and in his absence Australia scored 14 points.
From the ensuing penalty and lineout David Pocock burrowed his way over, Foley adding the extras to make it 21 / 10.
In the 64th minute Tevita Kuridrani put Australia within a score when he powered over the line after Foley had gathered a Will Genia kick. Foley again added the conversion.
With the margin only 4 points going into the final 10 minutes, Carter slotted a drop goal then kicked a penalty to calm Kiwi nerves before Barrett added the gloss to a stellar New Zealand performance.
Man of the Match:
Probably all of the All Blacks deserve it as they played with such purpose, concentration and determination but it is an award we would make to Daniel Carter, the great flyhalf who tackled, took tackles, kicked with precision and passed with judicious skill.
Moment of the Match:
That wonderful try by Nehe Milner-Skudder when it seemed the All Blacks changed tactics and started running with confidence.
Villain of the Match:
Nobody at all. Rugby still is a game for gentlemen.
Scorers:
Australia:
- Tries: David Pocock (1), Tevita Kuridrani (1)
- Conversions: Bernard Foley (2)
- Penalties: Bernard Foley (1)
New Zealand:
- Tries: Nehe Milner-Skudder (1), Ma’a Nonu (1), Beauden Barrett (1)
- Conversions: Dan Carter (2)
- Penalties: Dan Carter (4)
- Drop Goals: Dan Carter (1)
Yellow Card:
Ben Smith (New Zealand, 52nd minute – Dangerous taklce)
Teams:
Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia, 8 David Pocock, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Kane Douglas, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Stephen Moore (Captain), 1 Scott Sio
Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 James Slipper, 18 Greg Holmes, 19 Dean Mumm, 20 Ben McCalman, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Matt Toomua, 23 Kurtley Beale.
New Zealand: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (Captain), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Joe Moody
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Sam Cane, 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Sonny Bill Williams.
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant Referees: Jérôme Garcès (France), Wayne Barnes (England)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
Sonny Bill Williams gives his Gold Medal to youngster:
Sonny Bill Williams gives his Gold medal to young boy who was tackled by Security man
All Blacks centre Sonny Bill Williams gave his Rugby World Cup winner’s medal to a boy who he said was tackled by a Twickenham security guard after Saturday’s Final.
Williams said the boy, later identified as Charlie Lines, was “smoked” – thrown to the ground – by a security official after running on to the field following the All Blacks’ 34 / 17 triumph over Australia.
Williams said he felt sorry for the youngster.
“I was walking around doing a lap of honour with the boys and a young fella came running out and he got smoked by the security guard, like full-on tackled him. I felt sorry for the little fella.
“He would have been 8 or 7, I kind of felt sorry for him.
“Hopefully made it a night to remember for him,” the All Blacks centre said. “It’s better that he has it rather than having it hang up at home.”
Williams came on as a halftime replacement for Conrad Smith and had an immediate impact.
He set up Ma’a Nonu for a try to push the All Blacks to a 21 / 3 lead.
“I knew that I’d been playing some really good football this tournament,” Williams said.
“I knew that I was going to be getting some game time so when I got on there I just tried to bank on my preparation and just try and add something of value. Thank goodness it came off.”
Australia pulled it back to 21 / 17 but Williams said this was the time to dig in and force a victory.
“I just don’t want to lose. I just try and stay in the moment and do that job as best I can. In sport, you’re going to have a winner and a loser and thank goodness we were winners.
“At 21 / 17 the bounce of the ball went our way and we scored a couple more tries.
“It’s a very happy changing room because it’s like a brotherhood and we all do it for each other,” he added.
Captain Richie McCaw, flyhalf Dan Carter and centre Nonu are among the All Blacks for whom the World Cup final was their last appearance for New Zealand.
“We’ve got some special men leaving us but it just shows how good our roster is, with the depth of players that we have in our squad – all of us contribute,” Williams said.
“It wasn’t spoken too much about in the week but we knew we had to see those guys out winners. It was just a special night, not just for those guys but for everyone because we all pulled our weight.”
Match Highlights: