DHAKA: New Zealand made sporting history at Twickenham in England, as they became the first team to be crowned Rugby World Cup winners for a second successive time.
Tries in each half by wing Nehe Milner-Skudder and centre Ma'a Nonu, followed by a late Beauden Barrett breakaway score, plus 19 points from All Blacks fly-half Dan Carter - including an important late drop-goal - in his 112th and final Test before joining French club Racing 92, saw New Zealand home 34-17.
It extended their record World Cup winning run to 14 Tests, and means the Webb Ellis Cup will remain New Zealand's property as they claimed a third world crown since the competition began 28 years ago.
But they were briefly given a second-half scare as Australia threatened a remarkable fightback from 18 points adrift after 42 minutes as number eight David Pocock and centre Tevita Kuridrani scored tries, with fly-half Bernard Foley converting both touchdowns that followed an earlier penalty.
It proved to be a pulsating final, brilliantly refereed by Welshman Nigel Owens, but New Zealand had enough in the tank to guarantee a winning farewell to Test rugby for the likes of Carter, Nonu, Conrad Smith and probably 148 times-capped Captain Marvel Richie McCaw.
The tournament's best two teams played out a thrilling spectacle, with Australia often giving as good as they got, but New Zealand ultimately possessed a mastery of the key moments as they dug deep into rich resources of experience to see them home.
New Zealand dominated the early exchanges, with Nonu proving a particular threat, and it was no surprise when Carter booted the All Blacks into a seventh-minute lead through an angled penalty.
While Carter's accuracy was never in doubt, there were more concerns surrounding All Blacks number eight Kieran Read, who required treatment for a foot injury before appearing to run things off in back--play and being able to continue.
It was Australia who suffered the the first major injury blow - albeit after Foley had tied things up with a penalty - when lock Kane Douglas limped off following prolonged treatment and he was replaced by former Exeter captain Dean Mumm.
New Zealand continued to dominate in terms of territory, but their attacking plays were met by immense Australian defence as each player hit the opposite number ferociously.
Carter restored New Zealand's advantage through a 26th-minute penalty, with Australia forced to regroup after centre Matt Giteau went off for a head injury assessment.
The teams
New Zealand: B Smith; Milner-Skudder, C Smith, Nonu, Savea; Carter, A Smith, Moody, Coles, O Franks, Retallick, Whitelock, Kaino, McCaw, Read.
Replacements: Barrett for Milner-Skudder (64), Williams for C Smith (41), Kerr-Barlow for A Smith (71), B Franks for Moody (58), Mealamu for Coles (65), Faumuina for O Franks (54), Vito for Kaino (71), Cane for McCaw (80).
Sin Bin: B Smith (52).
Australia: Folau; Ashley-Cooper, Kuridrani, Giteau, Mitchell; Foley, Genia; Sio, Moore, Kepu, Douglas, Simmons, Fardy, Hooper, Pocock.
Replacements: Beale for Giteau (26), Toomua for Mitchell (65), Phipps for Genia (65), Slipper for Sio (58), Polota-Nau for Moore (55), Holmes for Kepu (58), Mumm for Douglas (15), McCalman for Fardy (60).
Att: 80,125
Ref: Nigel Owens (Wales).
Source: BT Sport, BBC
BDST: 1101 HRS, NOV 01, 2015
RS
