LONDON – New Zealand became the first team to retain the Rugby World Cup after holding off a second-half comeback by Australia to win 34-17 in an absorbing final, capping one of the most dominant eras in the sport’s history on Saturday.
In probably the last test of his record-breaking career, flyhalf Dan Carter steered the All Blacks to a record third global title – and first outside New Zealand – with a dropped goal, a penalty, and a conversion from Beauden Barrett’s breakaway try in the final 10 minutes at Twickenham.
Carter finished with 19 points, and finally played a full part in an All Blacks’ World Cup win after getting injured during the team’s 2011 title campaign.
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Ma’a Nonu’s solo try from 40 metres put the All Blacks 21-3 ahead by the 42nd minute, and a grueling World Cup campaign looked to have taken its toll on the Wallabies.
Yet, Australia took advantage of a sin-binning for New Zealand fullback Ben Smith to score tries through David Pocock and Tevita Kuridrani in a 10-minute spell and move within four points of their neighbours. They were threatening to pull off the greatest World Cup comeback.
Carter saw New Zealand home, though, to likely end his test career with 1,598 points. Since the 2011 final, New Zealand has lost only three of 54 games.
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