
New Zealand have continued their rugby world domination after defeating Australia 34-17 in the World Cup final at Twickenham Stadium this morning.
By winning the match, the All Blacks became the first nation to win three World Cups and the first to go back-to-back.
New Zealand veterans Dan Carter and Richie McGaw both had matches to remember it what could possibly be the last for McCaw. Carter scored 19 points in a man-of-the-match performance while McCaw was at his terrorising best
The first half started physical with the All Blacks surging with intent but the Wallabies defence resisted the early onslaught. However it was ill-discipline that let Australia down with Carter converting four penalty goals.
Bernard Foley levelled the scores at 3-3 after 14 minutes from a penalty but that was as close as Michael Cheika’s men got to victory.
Nehe Milner-Skudder and Ma’a Nonu both scored tries either side of half-time to blow the score out to 21-3. The Wallabies finally found some rhythm and a way past the All Black defence when fulllback Ben Smith was yellow carded to score two tries of their own from David Pocock and Tevita Kuridrani to reduce the deficit to just four points
However, Carter slotted a field goal and converted another penalty within five minutes to put the result beyond doubt at 27-17.
Substitute winger Beauden Barrett crossed in the dying stages to score New Zealand’s third try of the match. – Jesse Mullens
Top photo from All Blacks Facebook page.