Rugby World Cup 2015
- Thread starter Blackleaf
- Start date
So I was right with three of my predictions but wrong on the Ireland vs Argentina prediction, although I did end up saying in a later post that Argentina have the capability of surprising Ireland.
So all the Semi-Finalists are Rugby Championship sides. This is the first Rugby World Cup in which all four Semi-Finalists are from the Southern Hemisphere. As is often the case, the Southern Hemisphere sides just look superior to the Northern Hemisphere sides. England will remain the only Northern Hemisphere side to have ever won this tournament.
All four Quarter Finals were great matches and showed just what a highly entertaining game Rugby Union can be. New Zealand were just scintillating against France. The All Blacks played Total Rugby and it's hard to believe they aren't superhuman at times.
Many did tip Argentina to surprise Ireland, but not many tipped them to thrash the Paddies by a 23-point margin.
As for the Scots, they'll probably takes weeks to get over their 35-34 defeat against Australia, especially with Australia's winning three points coming from a last-minute penalty which the Scots believe was rather dubious. The referee, Craig Joubert, called a deliberate offside against Scotland when replays seemed to indicate the ball had come off a Wallaby player. It was left to Bernard Foley to win the match for Australia: if he scored the last-minute penalty, Australia would win 35-34. If he missed it, Scotland would win 34-32. And, of course, he coolly stroked it home. The Scots also scored the most points they've ever scored against Australia - yet they still couldn't win.
Quarter Finals
Australia 35-34 Scotland
Ireland 20-43 Argentina
South Africa 23-19 Wales
New Zealand 62-13 France
Mouth-watering Semi-Finals
Saturday 24th October
South Africa vs New Zealand (K.O. 16:00 BST Twickenham, London)
Sunday 25th October
Argentina vs Australia (K.O. 16:OO GMT Twickenham, London)
Bronze Final
Friday 30th October
Loser of semi-final 1 vs Loser of semi-final 2 (K.O. 20:00 GMT Olympic Stadium, London)
Final
Saturday 31st October
Winner of semi-final 1 vs Winner of semi-final 2 (K.O. 16:00 BST Twickenham, London)
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What is it about the the Southern Hemisphere and Rugby Union. Influence of the Southern Cross. Polaris can't seem to compete. No shows in the Semis.
Don't forget that, in New Zealand, Rugby Union is the national sport.
Although, having said that, it's also the national sport of Wales and they've never been to the Rugby World Cup Final, let alone won it, yet it is only the third-most popular team sport in England after football and cricket (only the fourth in the North West of England - where I live - and Yorkshire where Rugby League is more popular) and yet England have managed to reach the Final three times, winning it once.
The reason why the Southern hemisphere giants - New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and now up and coming Argentina - continue to dominate Rugby Union is because they seem to place more emphasis on skills, whereas the Northern hemisphere sides seem to prefer brawn - and skill is beating brawn.
This is the eighth Rugby World Cup and it will be the seventh time it has been won by a Southern hemisphere side. The only Northern Hemisphere side to have won it was England in 2003, who managed to beat the Aussies in that Final in their own backyward in Sydney.
Rugby World Cup 2015: Southern hemisphere brains have thoroughly eclipsed northern brawn
For the first time in the tournament's history there will be no European semi-finalist because physicality without sophistication has been trumped by skills
By Paul Hayward, Chief Sports Writer, at Twickenham
18 Oct 2015
The Telegraph
A grievance is the only thing the Six Nations will take home. Beyond Scottish anger over the refereeing of their excruciating defeat by Australia, the northern hemisphere leave this World Cup without a semi-finalist for the first time in the tournament’s history. Shall we just fly the last two rounds down to Sydney, Wellington, Buenos Aries or Pretoria?
A World Cup denouement in London when the four remaining contestants hail from south of the equator is an embarrassing anomaly for Wales, Scotland, Ireland and France – who all crashed out on an otherwise monumentally entertaining weekend for the sport. Even worse: England traipsed out after three games. So what is this: a World Cup or a northern hemisphere benefit tour? Resistance was offered by Wales and Scotland, who were mighty on a rancorous Sunday at Twickenham. But France and Ireland were hammered.
England were the host who bails out on his own party and is eventually found crying down by the river. Whatever the final verdict on Craig Joubert’s refereeing, a finger is pointing straight at the northern hemisphere countries, where winter has descended with numbing speed.
Whatever the verdict on Craig Joubert's refereeing, a finger is pointing at the northern hemisphere countries
The common denominator? New Zealand, Australia and Argentina venerate skills. They believe that to play rugby to international trophy-winning standard you have to put skills first. Handling, running, tackling, retrieving and all the minutiae of play in and behind the scrum. South Africa, less so. The Springbok calling card is still power. But that physicality often comes with a degree of sophistication the Six Nations struggle to match.
This is an old record. We have been saying it for decades. A Martian could watch the All Blacks and see a higher level of artistry. All 15 are comfortable on the ball. They are fast and dexterous and dynamic. Here in England, though, the story has taken a turn for a worse. Never had there been a southern hemisphere clean sweep at the quarter-final stage.
A Martian could see the superiority of the New Zealand All Blacks' handling skills against France Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images
Scotland’s Kiwi coach, Vern Cotter, was in no mood to join a seminar about southern superiority. “Is it culture, is it weather, is it the things they practise? I don’t know,” he said.
The outcome, though, is painfully obvious. For the seventh time in eight World Cup tournaments the trophy will be lodged in the planet’s southern half. From 1987 to 2011, there was a maximum of two and minimum of one northern semi-finalist. England (in 2003) remain the lone northern hemisphere world champions. The only prize that unhappy band will be winning this time is the World Cup of injuries.
When it mattered, the northerners kept the physios and the doctors far busier than the scoreboard.
Joubert’s decision to award Australia a penalty which was kicked through the posts 79 min 20 sec into the last of the quarter-finals killed the hemispherical balance at this World Cup. An injustice or not, it started with a botched Scottish line-out, which opened the possibility of a last-minute calamity.
"This tournament is being played in European conditions, remember, but the Europeans are all at sea: injured, en masse, or undone by southern creativity"
Northern inferiority was consistent throughout. In the pool stage England lost 33-13 against Australia – a 20-point deficit. Scotland went down 34-16 against South Africa and later 35-34 against Australia. Only Wales were a consistent irritant to the southern powers, with their 15-6 defeat by the Wallabies and 23-19 reverse against South Africa on Saturday.
In the quarter-finals, the globe split in two, with New Zealand mangling France 62-13 and Argentina mashing Ireland 43-20. The Scots were the Six Nations’ last line of defence but valour was insufficient. All four last-eight games were compelling in different ways. At the end, however, it was impossible to escape the sense that next year’s Six Nations Championship will feel like a second-tier competition.
Way down south, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa have been joined by a fourth power. Argentina joined the new Rugby Championship in 2012, thus broadening the former Tri-Nations series to a third continent.
Argentina mashed Ireland 43-20 Photo: Reuters / Toby Melville
Australasia, Africa and South America are now lording it over Europe. At the time of the expansion, Greg Peters, the Sanzar chief executive, called the addition of Argentina “long overdue,” saying: “The Pumas play an exciting and different brand of rugby.” Ireland will concur after departing at the quarter-final stage for the sixth time. They went to their doom without Paul O’Connell, Peter O’Mahony and Johnny Sexton.
Wales were one long casualty list topped off with admirable spirit.
France, where the league budget is €136.5 million (£100.4 million) and overseas stars proliferate, started well but were reduced to a rabble against New Zealand, who broke two knockout stage records: for margin of victory and points scored. Scotland surpassed themselves but still went out. England? Oh, England. A mission that turned into a muddle.
On the menu for next weekend: New Zealand versus South Africa and Argentina against Australia. Two fine games. Never mind that France reached the 2011 final and England were in the two before that. This World Cup has brought regression for the countries who will fight for lesser spoils this winter in the great cities of London, Paris, Dublin, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Rome. This tournament is being played in European conditions, remember, but the Europeans are all at sea: injured, en masse, or undone by southern creativity.
Wales were one long casualty list topped off with admirable spirit
At least England can hide in this pack a bit. The embarrassment is shared more widely now. But until the European countries shift from brawn to brain there will be no redress. The victors at this World Cup have been speed and accuracy of execution. Or, in a word: skills.
Rugby World Cup 2015: Southern hemisphere brains have thoroughly eclipsed northern brawn - Telegraph
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So it's Semi-Finals weekend. The four highest-ranked teams in the world clash, and it'll be a feast of Rugby Union.
Rugby World Cup 2015: South Africa v New Zealand preview
2015 Rugby World Cup
Semi-Final
South Africa v New Zealand
Venue: Twickenham Date: Saturday, 24 October Kick-off: 16:00 BST
Coverage: Live on BBC Radio 5 live, plus live text commentary and report on the BBC Sport website.
New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has told his players South Africa will want to "rip our heads off" in Saturday's World Cup semi-final at Twickenham.
The All Blacks go into the game, which kicks off at 16:00 BST, having won 47 and lost three of their past 52 Tests.
South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer says the defending champions are "the best team to have played the game".
"He's just about killed us with compliments," said Hansen. "He's a cunning wee devil is Heyneke."
Both sides have won the World Cup twice, with New Zealand aiming to become the first country to win successive tournaments.
"Just look at their record in the last four years," said Meyer.
"Usually after the World Cup there's a decline in performance but they just got better, which just doesn't happen in world rugby."
Meyer added his team need to produce their "best performance ever" if they want to win.
He said: "For South Africa it's probably the biggest test ever, playing the All Blacks at their best."
All Blacks need 'A game and more'
New Zealand scored nine tries as they hammered France 62-13 in the quarter-finals.
But Hansen said his side will not be paying too much attention to Meyer's compliment.
"He has been praising us all week and, whilst I know he means some of it, I know they are getting ready to rip our heads off," he said.
2015 Rugby World Cup semi-final line-up
South Africa v New Zealand
24 October at Twickenham, 16:00 BST start
Argentina v Australia
25 October at Twickenham, 16:00 GMT start
"We need to be in that same state. If we get caught up in all that and lapping up all the praise we won't be in the right mental state to play."
Despite their thumping win over the French, Hansen believes there is more to come from his side.
"I don't think we have played our best rugby," he said. "If we don't turn up with our 'A' game, we're not going to have a chance. We need our 'A' game and a little bit more."
Can anyone beat the All Blacks?
New Zealand are looking to win a record 13th consecutive match at the World Cup.
History is not entirely on their side on Saturday, however, as South Africa are - along with Australia - one of only two sides to hold a winning World Cup record against them.
South Africa v New Zealand - past World Cup meetings
New Zealand 12-15 South Africa (1995 final in South Africa)
New Zealand 18-22 South Africa (1999 third-place play-off in Wales)
New Zealand 29-9 South Africa (2003 quarter-finals in Australia)
In total, New Zealand have a winning percentage of 58% against the Springboks - though such is their long-term excellence, that is their lowest success rate against any side.
By comparison it is 68% against Australia, 77% versus France and 80% against England.
Will Lomu be erased from the record books?
Jonah Lomu was rugby's first global superstar and still holds a share of two World Cup try-scoring records - but both could be broken on Saturday.
South Africa winger Bryan Habana is tied with the All Blacks legend on 15 tournament tries and will claim the record on his own if he scores on Saturday.
New Zealand powerhouse Julian Savea, meanwhile, is chasing the try-scoring record for a tournament.
He has eight this year - level with the mark set by Lomu in 1999 and Habana in 2007.
The stats you need to know
Teams
South Africa: Willie le Roux; JP Pietersen, Jesse Kriel, Damian De Allende, Bryan Habana; Handre Pollard, Fourie du Preez (captain); Duane Vermeulen, Schalk Burger, Francois Louw; Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth; Frans Malherbe, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: Adriaan Strauss, Trevor Nyakane, Jannie du Plessis, Victor Matfield, Willem Alberts, Ruan Pienaar, Pat Lambie, Jan Serfontein.
New Zealand: Joe Moody, Dane Coles, Owen Franks, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (captain), Kieran Read; Aaron Smith, Dan Carter, Julian Savea, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Ben Smith.
Replacements: Keven Mealamu, Ben Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Victor Vito, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Beauden Barrett, Sonny Bill Williams.
BBC Sport - Rugby World Cup 2015: South Africa v New Zealand preview
Rugby World Cup 2015: South Africa v New Zealand preview
2015 Rugby World Cup
Semi-Final
South Africa v New Zealand
Venue: Twickenham Date: Saturday, 24 October Kick-off: 16:00 BST
Coverage: Live on BBC Radio 5 live, plus live text commentary and report on the BBC Sport website.
New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has told his players South Africa will want to "rip our heads off" in Saturday's World Cup semi-final at Twickenham.
The All Blacks go into the game, which kicks off at 16:00 BST, having won 47 and lost three of their past 52 Tests.
South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer says the defending champions are "the best team to have played the game".
"He's just about killed us with compliments," said Hansen. "He's a cunning wee devil is Heyneke."
Both sides have won the World Cup twice, with New Zealand aiming to become the first country to win successive tournaments.
"Just look at their record in the last four years," said Meyer.
"Usually after the World Cup there's a decline in performance but they just got better, which just doesn't happen in world rugby."
Meyer added his team need to produce their "best performance ever" if they want to win.
He said: "For South Africa it's probably the biggest test ever, playing the All Blacks at their best."
All Blacks need 'A game and more'
New Zealand scored nine tries as they hammered France 62-13 in the quarter-finals.
But Hansen said his side will not be paying too much attention to Meyer's compliment.
"He has been praising us all week and, whilst I know he means some of it, I know they are getting ready to rip our heads off," he said.
2015 Rugby World Cup semi-final line-up
South Africa v New Zealand
24 October at Twickenham, 16:00 BST start
Argentina v Australia
25 October at Twickenham, 16:00 GMT start
"We need to be in that same state. If we get caught up in all that and lapping up all the praise we won't be in the right mental state to play."
Despite their thumping win over the French, Hansen believes there is more to come from his side.
"I don't think we have played our best rugby," he said. "If we don't turn up with our 'A' game, we're not going to have a chance. We need our 'A' game and a little bit more."
Can anyone beat the All Blacks?
New Zealand are looking to win a record 13th consecutive match at the World Cup.
History is not entirely on their side on Saturday, however, as South Africa are - along with Australia - one of only two sides to hold a winning World Cup record against them.
South Africa v New Zealand - past World Cup meetings
New Zealand 12-15 South Africa (1995 final in South Africa)
New Zealand 18-22 South Africa (1999 third-place play-off in Wales)
New Zealand 29-9 South Africa (2003 quarter-finals in Australia)
In total, New Zealand have a winning percentage of 58% against the Springboks - though such is their long-term excellence, that is their lowest success rate against any side.
By comparison it is 68% against Australia, 77% versus France and 80% against England.
Will Lomu be erased from the record books?
Jonah Lomu was rugby's first global superstar and still holds a share of two World Cup try-scoring records - but both could be broken on Saturday.
South Africa winger Bryan Habana is tied with the All Blacks legend on 15 tournament tries and will claim the record on his own if he scores on Saturday.
New Zealand powerhouse Julian Savea, meanwhile, is chasing the try-scoring record for a tournament.
He has eight this year - level with the mark set by Lomu in 1999 and Habana in 2007.
The stats you need to know
- New Zealand are playing in their seventh World Cup semi-final; no side has reached the last four on as many occasions
- South Africa have the best tackle success rate at this tournament so far, completing 91% of their tackles
- The All Blacks are yet to lose a scrum at this tournament, winning 30 out of 30 on their own put-in at this tournament
- Another win for South Africa would see them become the first team to beat New Zealand three times in the competition
Teams
South Africa: Willie le Roux; JP Pietersen, Jesse Kriel, Damian De Allende, Bryan Habana; Handre Pollard, Fourie du Preez (captain); Duane Vermeulen, Schalk Burger, Francois Louw; Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth; Frans Malherbe, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: Adriaan Strauss, Trevor Nyakane, Jannie du Plessis, Victor Matfield, Willem Alberts, Ruan Pienaar, Pat Lambie, Jan Serfontein.
New Zealand: Joe Moody, Dane Coles, Owen Franks, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (captain), Kieran Read; Aaron Smith, Dan Carter, Julian Savea, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Ben Smith.
Replacements: Keven Mealamu, Ben Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Victor Vito, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Beauden Barrett, Sonny Bill Williams.
BBC Sport - Rugby World Cup 2015: South Africa v New Zealand preview
They say that the current All Blacks are the best Rugby team ever, anywhere. Betting agast them is a long, long shot.
I reckon in saying that, South Africa coach Meyer is just playing some sort of cunning mind-games.
Having said that, it may be true. Since New Zealand won the last World Cup in 2011, they've lost just THREE games. They probably didn't have that great a winning streak even when the unstoppable juggernaut Jonah Lomu was playing for them in the Nineties.
I reckon this match will be fairly tight, though. It really is a mouthwatering clash of the titans. They're also the two most experienced sides at this tournament and both have plenty of players who have plenty of big game tournament experience.
2015 Rugby World Cup
Semi-Final
South Africa 18-20 New Zealand
South Africa: Pens: Pollard 5, Lambie
New Zealand: Tries: Kaino, Barrett Cons: Carter 2 Pen: Carter Drop-goal: Carter
At Twickenham, London. Att: 80,090
Damian de Allende of South Africa is tackled by Aaron Smith of New Zealand at Twickenham
Reigning champions New Zealand are into their fourth World Cup final after slogging past South Africa in another Twickenham epic.
The All Blacks were five points behind at half-time with a man in the sin-bin as four penalties from Handre Pollard cancelled out Jerome Kaino's early try.
A Dan Carter drop-goal and a Beauden Barrett try put the champions ahead.
South Africa replied with two penalties but a Carter effort in between secured victory despite ferocious Bok defence.
It was seldom pretty but once again in this World Cup there was a gripping finale, the All Blacks holding that two-point lead for the last 12 minutes as their opponents finally tired.
New Zealand fly-half Dan Carter's ten points in the match (two conversions, a penalty and a drop goal) saw him become the first non-Englishman to score over 100 points at Twickenman. He has also overtaken Grant Fox as New Zealand's all-time leading World Cup points scorer with 172
The crucial period
It was just the second time South Africa had seen a half-time advantage overturned in a World Cup game
Replacement Beauden Barrett scores the All Blacks' second try
No team has ever retained the Webb Ellis trophy, but the All Blacks will be favourites to do so when they meet either Australia or Argentina next Saturday after finding their way through a brutal encounter.
This was nothing like the free-flowing attacking rugby that had eviscerated France in the quarter-finals, but in its own way it was just as admirable, as South Africa refused to buckle despite having just 43% possession.
The game swung in the 20 minutes after half-time, New Zealand beginning that period five points down and with Kaino off the pitch, but ending it five points up and with Springbok wing Bryan Habana in the sin-bin instead.
And despite replacement Pat Lambie cutting the lead to less than a score, the vast experience of the champions saw them through.
Jerome Kaino's second try of the tournament gave New Zealand an early lead
Dan Carter has overtaken Grant Fox as New Zealand's all-time leading World Cup points scorer with 172
Dan Carter consoles Springboks captain Fourie Du Preez in the evening autumn rain at the end
New Zealand coach Steve Hansen: "It was always going to be close, they're a great side and they showed that again. I was really proud of our guys, they kept their composure.
"We just needed to come out for the second half and start taking the game to them rather than waiting for them to take it to us. We talked about it at half-time. We talked about keeping composure and talked about winning the first 10 minutes."
South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer: "Our discipline in the second half was just not good enough. They coped better with the weather in the second half. Discipline was the most important thing, especially in these rainy conditions.
"We wanted to make our country proud but we didn't. We should have pulled this win through but all credit to the All Blacks, they are a quality side."
BBC Sport - Rugby World Cup 2015: South Africa 18-20 New Zealand
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Argentina vs Australia is pretty close, too.
Australia are leading 22-15 with just under 15 minutes of normal time remaining.
The semi-final at Twickenham from a plane, as the autumn night arrives early
Australia starting to pull away now. They lead Argentina 29-15. Looks like Argentina are going to miss out on what would have been their first-ever Rugby World Cup Final. Australia are on the verge of reaching their fourth RWC Final, and their first since the 2003 Final, in which they lost against England. It will also be the first-ever Australia vs New Zealand Final. Whichever one wins the tournament, it'll be for a record third time.
Semi-Final
Result
Argentina 15-29 Australia
Australia will be playing New Zealand in the 2015 Rugby World Cup Final at Twickenham in south west London on Halloween after beating Argentina, who will have to make do with the Bronze Final against South Africa at the Olympic Stadium in east London on Friday.
Semi-Final
Result
Argentina 15-29 Australia
Australia will be playing New Zealand in the 2015 Rugby World Cup Final at Twickenham in south west London on Halloween after beating Argentina, who will have to make do with the Bronze Final against South Africa at the Olympic Stadium in east London on Friday.
Rugby World Cup
Bronze Final
South Africa recall Matfield & Pienaar
South Africa v Argentina
Date: Friday, 30 October
Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
Venue: Olympic Stadium, London Capacity: 80,000
Coverage: Live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app
Victor Matfield will bid farewell to international rugby by captaining South Africa in the third-place play-off match against Argentina on Friday.
The 38-year-old, who joins Northampton Saints after the World Cup, replaces Lood de Jager, who drops to the bench.
Matfield takes over as captain from the injured Fourie du Preez, who is replaced at scrum-half by Ruan Pienaar.
Bryan Habana, level with Jonah Lomu on 15 tries, is bidding to become the sole owner of the all-time World Cup record.
Matfield, who has signed a one-year deal with English Premiership side Northampton Saints, first retired after the 2011 World Cup.
He returned to action in 2014, but said before this World Cup that he was definitely retiring for good from international rugby at the end of the tournament.
The Springboks - beaten by Japan in the biggest shock in World Cup history in their first game at England 2015 - lost their semi-final 20-18 to New Zealand.
Coach Heyneke Meyer said he had considered fielding a much-changed team but decided to stick to only two changes because he "ultimately decided the team that has grown together over the past few weeks was the one with the best chance of delivering victory for our supporters".
He added: "Although our aim was always to win the competition, we have the opportunity to finish our campaign on a high and that is what we will be aiming for against a very good Argentine side."
Fly-half Pat Lambie will win his 50th cap if he comes off the bench.
South Arica and Argentina head to head
Played: 21
South Africa: 19 wins
Argentina: 1 win
1 match drawn
South Africa points: 779
Argentina points: 410
Three previous meetings:
23rd August 2014: Argentina 31-33 South Africa (2014 Rugby Championship)
8th August 2015: South Africa 25-37 Argentina (2015 Rugby Championship)
15th August 2015: Argentina 12-26 South Africa (2015 RWC Warm-up)
South Africa: Willie le Roux; JP Pietersen, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Bryan Habana; Handre Pollard, Ruan Pienaar; Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis, Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth, Victor Matfield (capt), Francois Louw, Schalk Burger, Duane Vermeulen.
Replacements: Adriaan Strauss, Trevor Nyakane, Jannie du Plessis, Lood de Jager, Willem Alberts, Rudy Paige, Pat Lambie, Jan Serfontein.
Argentina: Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, Santiago Cordero, Matias Moroni, Jeronimo De La Fuente, Horacio Agulla, Nicolas Sanchez (capt), Tomas Cubelli; Marcos Ayerza, Julian Montoya, Ramiro Herrera, Matias Alemanno, Tomas Lavanini, Javier Ortega Desio, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Juan Manuel Leguizamon.
Replacements: Lucas Noguera, Juan Pablo Orlandi, Juan Figallo, Guido Petti, Facundo Isa, Martin Landajo, Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, Juan Pablo Socino.
BBC Sport - Rugby World Cup: South Africa recall Matfield & Pienaar
Bronze Final
South Africa recall Matfield & Pienaar
South Africa v Argentina
Date: Friday, 30 October
Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
Venue: Olympic Stadium, London Capacity: 80,000
Coverage: Live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app
Victor Matfield will bid farewell to international rugby by captaining South Africa in the third-place play-off match against Argentina on Friday.
The 38-year-old, who joins Northampton Saints after the World Cup, replaces Lood de Jager, who drops to the bench.
Matfield takes over as captain from the injured Fourie du Preez, who is replaced at scrum-half by Ruan Pienaar.
Bryan Habana, level with Jonah Lomu on 15 tries, is bidding to become the sole owner of the all-time World Cup record.
Matfield, who has signed a one-year deal with English Premiership side Northampton Saints, first retired after the 2011 World Cup.
He returned to action in 2014, but said before this World Cup that he was definitely retiring for good from international rugby at the end of the tournament.
The Springboks - beaten by Japan in the biggest shock in World Cup history in their first game at England 2015 - lost their semi-final 20-18 to New Zealand.
Coach Heyneke Meyer said he had considered fielding a much-changed team but decided to stick to only two changes because he "ultimately decided the team that has grown together over the past few weeks was the one with the best chance of delivering victory for our supporters".
He added: "Although our aim was always to win the competition, we have the opportunity to finish our campaign on a high and that is what we will be aiming for against a very good Argentine side."
Fly-half Pat Lambie will win his 50th cap if he comes off the bench.
South Arica and Argentina head to head
Played: 21
South Africa: 19 wins
Argentina: 1 win
1 match drawn
South Africa points: 779
Argentina points: 410
Three previous meetings:
23rd August 2014: Argentina 31-33 South Africa (2014 Rugby Championship)
8th August 2015: South Africa 25-37 Argentina (2015 Rugby Championship)
15th August 2015: Argentina 12-26 South Africa (2015 RWC Warm-up)
South Africa: Willie le Roux; JP Pietersen, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Bryan Habana; Handre Pollard, Ruan Pienaar; Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis, Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth, Victor Matfield (capt), Francois Louw, Schalk Burger, Duane Vermeulen.
Replacements: Adriaan Strauss, Trevor Nyakane, Jannie du Plessis, Lood de Jager, Willem Alberts, Rudy Paige, Pat Lambie, Jan Serfontein.
Argentina: Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, Santiago Cordero, Matias Moroni, Jeronimo De La Fuente, Horacio Agulla, Nicolas Sanchez (capt), Tomas Cubelli; Marcos Ayerza, Julian Montoya, Ramiro Herrera, Matias Alemanno, Tomas Lavanini, Javier Ortega Desio, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Juan Manuel Leguizamon.
Replacements: Lucas Noguera, Juan Pablo Orlandi, Juan Figallo, Guido Petti, Facundo Isa, Martin Landajo, Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, Juan Pablo Socino.
BBC Sport - Rugby World Cup: South Africa recall Matfield & Pienaar
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Bronze Final
South Africa beat Argentina to finish third at Rugby World Cup
By James Standley
BBC Sport
30 October 2015
South Africa 24-13 Argentina
South Africa: Tries: Pietersen, Etzebeth Con: Pollard Pens: Pollard 4
Argentina: Try: Orlandi Con: Sanchez Pen: Sanchez Drop-goal: Sanchez
At the (Olympic) Stadium, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, East London
Att: 55,925
South Africa finished third at the World Cup as they beat Argentina 24-13.
A JP Pietersen try and Handre Pollard's boot gave South Africa a 16-0 half-time lead before Nicolas Sanchez finally got the Pumas on the scoreboard.
But Eben Etzebeth's try put the Boks out of sight and Juan Pablo Orlandi's late reply was little consolation.
The only disappointment for the Boks was that Bryan Habana was unable to claim the all-time World Cup try scoring record on his own.
JP Pietersen scores the Springboks' opening try after six minutes
Bryan Habana narrowly failed to become the World Cup's sole all-time top try scorer
The 32-year-old winger came within inches of scoring in the first half, only to be denied by the fingertips of Argentina full-back Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino as they both chased a kick.
But with the record on his mind - he entered the game tied on 15 World Cup tries with New Zealand legend Jonah Lomu - he had a mixed game, and several spilled passes suggested it was not to be his night before he was taken off to a rapturous farewell from a packed Olympic Stadium with 15 minutes remaining.
Boks overpower Pumas
JP Pietersen scoring the early opening try
Bath flanker Francois Louw earned five turnovers against Argentina on Friday night
A ruckus ensues
Both teams challenge a lineout at the 80,000-capacity Stadium at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in East London, which will become West Ham United FC's new stadium at the start of next season
South Africa fielded a near first-choice XV and the power of their pack ultimately told in east London.
Argentina enjoyed the majority of the possession but they ran into an unbreachable wall, with giant lock Etzebeth adding a game-high 20 tackles to his try and fellow second row Victor Matfield - captaining the Boks in his last-ever Test - weighing in with 16 in his hour on the pitch.
With open-side flanker Francois Louw winning a remarkable five turnovers on his own, to add to a dozen tackles, Argentina were never able to reproduce their attacking fizz from earlier in the tournament.
A game too far for Argentina?
Argentina had most of the possession, but gave away 15 penalties to South Africa's 10
The Pumas, seeking to match their third-place finish in 2007, made nine changes as a result of injury and exhaustion, and they were unable to match the sheer physicality of the Boks.
They enjoyed the better of both territory and possession but with their pack out-gunned up front, dangerous runners such as Santiago Cordero and Horacio Agulla were never given a sniff of the Springbok tryline.
They made an impressive 564 metres as a team with ball in hand but were forced to attack from deep and every time they approached the South Africa 22 a thumping tackle or classy steal saw them repelled.
BBC Sport - South Africa beat Argentina to finish third at Rugby World Cup
************************************
2015 Rugby World Cup Final
New Zealand v Australia
All Blacks aim for World Cup history
Both teams are aiming to lift the Webb Ellis Trophy for a record third time
Date: Saturday, 31 October Kick-off: 16:00 GMT Venue: Twickenham, south west London Capacity: 82,500
Coverage: BBC Radio 5 live commentary; live text commentary and analysis on BBC Sport website and app
The world's biggest stadium dedicated solely to rugby union is gearing up for the sport's biggest game
New Zealand are aiming to become the first team ever to retain the Rugby World Cup when they meet Australia in Saturday's sell-out Twickenham final.
More than 80,000 fans will see the All Blacks start as favourites, having lost only three games out of 53 since lifting the Webb Ellis Cup in 2011.
It will be the first time the All Blacks and Australia - the world's top-ranked sides - have met in the final.
Both are double winners but no country has won the tournament three times.
The build-up to the final has seen both nations throw their weight behind their quest for victory, with the Sydney Opera House illuminated in green and gold and the slogan "Go Wallabies".
The Sydney Opera House's iconic white sails have turned green and gold
The two countries' national airlines have also agreed a wager that their crews will wear opposing rugby jerseys on Monday should their team lose.
Welshman Nigel Owens will referee the match, while the 16:00 GMT kick-off is in the early hours of Sunday for the audience across Australia and New Zealand.
The eighth Rugby World Cup has been dominated by the southern hemisphere over its six weeks, with Argentina and South Africa knocked out in the semi-finals, while hosts England failed to progress from the group stage.
'Old fashioned' Cheika denies 'All Blacks' ban
Australia coach Michael Cheika, who took over a struggling side 12 months ago and has turned them into World Cup finalists, laughed off media suggestions on Friday that his players are banned from saying the phrase "All Blacks" in an effort to remove some of the mystique around their opponents.
Defusing some of the tension in the build-up to the game, he reeled off the name and jokingly grabbed his throat, exclaiming: "Can I say All Blacks now for you? Right. OK. [making a strangled noise] Poltergeist!
"It's pretty funny because if you notice, I never call Australia the Wallabies either. I'm really a bit old-fashioned in that way," added Cheika, who led Australia to their first win over New Zealand in four years as they won the southern hemisphere's Rugby Championship in August.
That was their only win in the past 12 games against the All Blacks, although there have also been two draws in that time.
'Devastated' Carter fuelled by second chance
All Black fly-half Dan Carter, the leading points scorer in Test history, missed New Zealand's 2011 triumph because of injury, and he admitted the thought of the 2015 final has been driving him on.
"Straight after missing the 2011 final I was pretty devastated," he said. "The reason I signed a new four-year deal was the chance of playing in a World Cup - that's what's been driving me.
"It will be a fantastic occasion, with both teams prepared to die for cause. What's happened in the past is irrelevant. Obviously it's a huge occasion but I'm just focusing on what I can do for this team."
Record breakers
At least two records - and possibly several more - will be broken on Saturday.
McCaw will extend his record for the most Test caps to 148 and team-mates Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith will play their 62nd Test as a centre partnership, another record.
Team-mate Carter will seek to add to his record points in Test rugby, which currently stands at 1,579.
New Zealand winger Julian Savea will hope to break the record for the most tries scored in a World Cup. He is currently level with compatriot Jonah Lomu and South Africa's Bryan Habana on eight.
Australia winger Drew Mitchell, who has scored 14 tries in World Cup history, is one short of the record held by Lomu and Habana.
New Zealand and Australia are both going for a history-making third win. South Africa have won the tournament twice, while England - champions in 2003 - are the only other side to have won the tournament since it was first held in 1987.
View from the New Zealand camp
Head coach Steve Hansen: "For us in 2011 and for most teams who have won, they've had to dig deep. It's not about doing anything magical, it's about getting the basic things right.
"We don't want to get carried away, to do things differently because it is the final. We know what works for us - the formula's pretty proven - and we need to stick to that and make good decisions."
Captain Richie McCaw: "I don't mind what type of game it is as long as we win.
"We've got a game plan about making space and scoring tries. We've just got to deal with whatever's in front of us. If that means it's a tight one, then that's what we've got to do."
View from the Australia camp
Head coach Michael Cheika: "We don't want to be proud just to make the final - that's too easy. We want to be proud of what we do on Saturday and make Australians more proud of us by giving everything we have got.
"I don't feel as though there is any pressure. People love to talk about the whole pressure thing. The only time you feel pressure is if you are not prepared as well as you possibly can."
Flanker Michael Hooper: "New Zealand are a great group of players who do the small stuff really well. To try and find weaknesses in them is tough; they're a great team."
This will be the 155th meeting between New Zealand and Australia
Experts' view
Former New Zealand fly-half Andrew Mehrtens: "Can Australia win it? Yes.
"The last couple of weeks they probably haven't performed to the level they did earlier in the tournament but they have still got it in them.
"They beat the All Blacks in Sydney in August so they will have confidence."
2003 World Cup winner Matt Dawson: "I threw a tweet out there asking who is going to win. Out of 150 replies 127 said they thought New Zealand will win it."
The teams
New Zealand: Ben Smith; Nehe Milner-Skudder, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea; Dan Carter, Aaron Smith; Joe Moody, Dane Coles, Owen Franks, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw, Kieran Read.
Replacements: Keven Mealamu, Ben Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Victor Vito, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Beauden Barrett, Sonny Bill Williams.
Australia: Israel Folau; Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell; Bernard Foley, Will Genia; Scott Sio, Stephen Moore (captain), Sekope Kepu, Kane Douglas, Rob Simmons, Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper, David Pocock.
Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper, Greg Holmes, Dean Mumm, Ben McCalman, Nick Phipps, Matt Toomua, Kurtley Beale.
BBC Sport - New Zealand v Australia: All Blacks aim for World Cup history
South Africa beat Argentina to finish third at Rugby World Cup
By James Standley
BBC Sport
30 October 2015
South Africa 24-13 Argentina
South Africa: Tries: Pietersen, Etzebeth Con: Pollard Pens: Pollard 4
Argentina: Try: Orlandi Con: Sanchez Pen: Sanchez Drop-goal: Sanchez
At the (Olympic) Stadium, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, East London
Att: 55,925
South Africa finished third at the World Cup as they beat Argentina 24-13.
A JP Pietersen try and Handre Pollard's boot gave South Africa a 16-0 half-time lead before Nicolas Sanchez finally got the Pumas on the scoreboard.
But Eben Etzebeth's try put the Boks out of sight and Juan Pablo Orlandi's late reply was little consolation.
The only disappointment for the Boks was that Bryan Habana was unable to claim the all-time World Cup try scoring record on his own.
JP Pietersen scores the Springboks' opening try after six minutes
Bryan Habana narrowly failed to become the World Cup's sole all-time top try scorer
The 32-year-old winger came within inches of scoring in the first half, only to be denied by the fingertips of Argentina full-back Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino as they both chased a kick.
But with the record on his mind - he entered the game tied on 15 World Cup tries with New Zealand legend Jonah Lomu - he had a mixed game, and several spilled passes suggested it was not to be his night before he was taken off to a rapturous farewell from a packed Olympic Stadium with 15 minutes remaining.
Boks overpower Pumas
JP Pietersen scoring the early opening try
Bath flanker Francois Louw earned five turnovers against Argentina on Friday night
A ruckus ensues
Habana missed multiple first half opportunities to take Jonah Lomu's all-time World Cup try scoring record for himself
Both teams challenge a lineout at the 80,000-capacity Stadium at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in East London, which will become West Ham United FC's new stadium at the start of next season
South Africa fielded a near first-choice XV and the power of their pack ultimately told in east London.
Argentina enjoyed the majority of the possession but they ran into an unbreachable wall, with giant lock Etzebeth adding a game-high 20 tackles to his try and fellow second row Victor Matfield - captaining the Boks in his last-ever Test - weighing in with 16 in his hour on the pitch.
With open-side flanker Francois Louw winning a remarkable five turnovers on his own, to add to a dozen tackles, Argentina were never able to reproduce their attacking fizz from earlier in the tournament.
A game too far for Argentina?
Argentina had most of the possession, but gave away 15 penalties to South Africa's 10
The Pumas, seeking to match their third-place finish in 2007, made nine changes as a result of injury and exhaustion, and they were unable to match the sheer physicality of the Boks.
They enjoyed the better of both territory and possession but with their pack out-gunned up front, dangerous runners such as Santiago Cordero and Horacio Agulla were never given a sniff of the Springbok tryline.
They made an impressive 564 metres as a team with ball in hand but were forced to attack from deep and every time they approached the South Africa 22 a thumping tackle or classy steal saw them repelled.
BBC Sport - South Africa beat Argentina to finish third at Rugby World Cup
************************************
2015 Rugby World Cup Final
New Zealand v Australia
All Blacks aim for World Cup history
Both teams are aiming to lift the Webb Ellis Trophy for a record third time
Date: Saturday, 31 October Kick-off: 16:00 GMT Venue: Twickenham, south west London Capacity: 82,500
Coverage: BBC Radio 5 live commentary; live text commentary and analysis on BBC Sport website and app
The world's biggest stadium dedicated solely to rugby union is gearing up for the sport's biggest game
New Zealand are aiming to become the first team ever to retain the Rugby World Cup when they meet Australia in Saturday's sell-out Twickenham final.
More than 80,000 fans will see the All Blacks start as favourites, having lost only three games out of 53 since lifting the Webb Ellis Cup in 2011.
It will be the first time the All Blacks and Australia - the world's top-ranked sides - have met in the final.
Both are double winners but no country has won the tournament three times.
The build-up to the final has seen both nations throw their weight behind their quest for victory, with the Sydney Opera House illuminated in green and gold and the slogan "Go Wallabies".
The Sydney Opera House's iconic white sails have turned green and gold
The two countries' national airlines have also agreed a wager that their crews will wear opposing rugby jerseys on Monday should their team lose.
Welshman Nigel Owens will referee the match, while the 16:00 GMT kick-off is in the early hours of Sunday for the audience across Australia and New Zealand.
The eighth Rugby World Cup has been dominated by the southern hemisphere over its six weeks, with Argentina and South Africa knocked out in the semi-finals, while hosts England failed to progress from the group stage.
'Old fashioned' Cheika denies 'All Blacks' ban
Australia coach Michael Cheika, who took over a struggling side 12 months ago and has turned them into World Cup finalists, laughed off media suggestions on Friday that his players are banned from saying the phrase "All Blacks" in an effort to remove some of the mystique around their opponents.
Defusing some of the tension in the build-up to the game, he reeled off the name and jokingly grabbed his throat, exclaiming: "Can I say All Blacks now for you? Right. OK. [making a strangled noise] Poltergeist!
"It's pretty funny because if you notice, I never call Australia the Wallabies either. I'm really a bit old-fashioned in that way," added Cheika, who led Australia to their first win over New Zealand in four years as they won the southern hemisphere's Rugby Championship in August.
That was their only win in the past 12 games against the All Blacks, although there have also been two draws in that time.
'Devastated' Carter fuelled by second chance
All Black fly-half Dan Carter, the leading points scorer in Test history, missed New Zealand's 2011 triumph because of injury, and he admitted the thought of the 2015 final has been driving him on.
"Straight after missing the 2011 final I was pretty devastated," he said. "The reason I signed a new four-year deal was the chance of playing in a World Cup - that's what's been driving me.
"It will be a fantastic occasion, with both teams prepared to die for cause. What's happened in the past is irrelevant. Obviously it's a huge occasion but I'm just focusing on what I can do for this team."
Record breakers
At least two records - and possibly several more - will be broken on Saturday.
McCaw will extend his record for the most Test caps to 148 and team-mates Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith will play their 62nd Test as a centre partnership, another record.
Team-mate Carter will seek to add to his record points in Test rugby, which currently stands at 1,579.
New Zealand winger Julian Savea will hope to break the record for the most tries scored in a World Cup. He is currently level with compatriot Jonah Lomu and South Africa's Bryan Habana on eight.
Australia winger Drew Mitchell, who has scored 14 tries in World Cup history, is one short of the record held by Lomu and Habana.
New Zealand and Australia are both going for a history-making third win. South Africa have won the tournament twice, while England - champions in 2003 - are the only other side to have won the tournament since it was first held in 1987.
View from the New Zealand camp
Head coach Steve Hansen: "For us in 2011 and for most teams who have won, they've had to dig deep. It's not about doing anything magical, it's about getting the basic things right.
"We don't want to get carried away, to do things differently because it is the final. We know what works for us - the formula's pretty proven - and we need to stick to that and make good decisions."
Captain Richie McCaw: "I don't mind what type of game it is as long as we win.
"We've got a game plan about making space and scoring tries. We've just got to deal with whatever's in front of us. If that means it's a tight one, then that's what we've got to do."
View from the Australia camp
Head coach Michael Cheika: "We don't want to be proud just to make the final - that's too easy. We want to be proud of what we do on Saturday and make Australians more proud of us by giving everything we have got.
"I don't feel as though there is any pressure. People love to talk about the whole pressure thing. The only time you feel pressure is if you are not prepared as well as you possibly can."
Flanker Michael Hooper: "New Zealand are a great group of players who do the small stuff really well. To try and find weaknesses in them is tough; they're a great team."
This will be the 155th meeting between New Zealand and Australia
Experts' view
Former New Zealand fly-half Andrew Mehrtens: "Can Australia win it? Yes.
"The last couple of weeks they probably haven't performed to the level they did earlier in the tournament but they have still got it in them.
"They beat the All Blacks in Sydney in August so they will have confidence."
2003 World Cup winner Matt Dawson: "I threw a tweet out there asking who is going to win. Out of 150 replies 127 said they thought New Zealand will win it."
The teams
New Zealand: Ben Smith; Nehe Milner-Skudder, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea; Dan Carter, Aaron Smith; Joe Moody, Dane Coles, Owen Franks, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw, Kieran Read.
Replacements: Keven Mealamu, Ben Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Victor Vito, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Beauden Barrett, Sonny Bill Williams.
Australia: Israel Folau; Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell; Bernard Foley, Will Genia; Scott Sio, Stephen Moore (captain), Sekope Kepu, Kane Douglas, Rob Simmons, Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper, David Pocock.
Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper, Greg Holmes, Dean Mumm, Ben McCalman, Nick Phipps, Matt Toomua, Kurtley Beale.
BBC Sport - New Zealand v Australia: All Blacks aim for World Cup history
The mighty New Zealand All Blacks have made history by becoming the first team to retain the Rugby World Cup.
In what was probably the best-ever final, fought between the two best teams in the world, in what was probably the best-ever Rugby World Cup, New Zealand took a commanding 21-3 lead just after half time before Australia - who were magnificent despite their defeat - fought back to make the score 21-17. The All Blacks, however, then added another 13 points without reply to win the Webb Ellis Cup once more.
In the process, the All Blacks have also now won the tournament for a record third time and have won it on foreign soil for the first time, with their two previous Rugby World Cup wins - in 1987 and 2011 - coming in New Zealand.
New Zealand's 16-3 lead at half time was the widest margin a team has ever led by at half time in a Rugby World Cup Final.
And this magnificent Rugby World Cup Final had five tries, the most of any previous one, beating the previous record of four tries scored in the first Rugby World Cup Final in 1987.
The team widely regarded as the best team ever to grace a Rugby Union pitch are World Champions for another four years.
New Zealand beat Australia to retain Rugby World Cup
By Tom Fordyce
Chief sports writer at Twickenham
BBC Sport
2015 Rugby World Cup Final
New Zealand 34-17 Australia
New Zealand: Tries: Milner-Skudder, Nonu, Barrett Cons: Carter 2 Pens: Carter 4 Drop-goal: Carter
Australia: Tries: Pocock, Kuridrani Cons: Foley 2 Pen: Foley
At Twickenham, south west London
Att: 80,125
World beaters: New Zealand have won the Rugby World Cup for the first time ever on foreign soil to become the first team to retain the trophy and the first to win it three times
New Zealand held off a fierce Australian comeback to win a thrilling World Cup final and become the first team to retain their title.
Wonderful tries from Nehe Milner-Skudder and Ma'a Nonu had given the All Blacks a 21-3 lead early in the second half before David Pocock and Tevita Kuridrani struck back.
With 15 minutes to go there were just four points in it, but a nerveless long-distance drop-goal and penalty from Dan Carter snatched back control.
And when replacement Beauden Barrett sprinted away on to Ben Smith's clearing kick at the death history was made, with New Zealand also becoming the first three-time champions of the world.
Beauden Barrett's last-gasp try was the icing on the cake for the world champion All Blacks
A fitting farewell
The achievement is a fitting farewell to their phalanx of retiring greats.
Carter was outstanding under a ferocious Wallaby assault, landing 19 points from the tee, and his captain Richie McCaw was not far behind as their side was tested to the limit.
They have been the outstanding side of this generation, and once again found a way to win when the heat came on from their great trans-Tasman rivals.
All Blacks seize control
The All Blacks came out at pace, McCaw smashing opposite number Michael Hooper, Wallabies' skipper Stephen Moore bloodied in the face and Carter curling over a testing penalty from out wide for 3-0 before Bernard Foley's simpler effort levelled it up.
Australia were targeting the great fly-half, Scott Sio lucky to escape a yellow card for a late hit and Sekope Kepu giving away a penalty for a high tackle that Carter popped over to retake the lead.
Matt Giteau was next to feel the intensity, clattered trying to tackle Kieran Read and unable to continue with what looked like concussion.
It was often messy and never less than flat-out, New Zealand dominating territory and possession but having to content themselves with a third Carter penalty, this time from way out right.
Ma'a Nonu scores his try at the start of the second half to put New Zealand into a commanding 21-3 lead, but Australia staged a remarkable fightback to make the score 21-17
Dan Carter kicks a penalty...
... and scores a drop goal
Then it came, a wonderful team move of magic hands and sweet timing - Conrad Smith finding space down the right, Aaron Smith popping up on his inside, McCaw taking his pass at pace and putting Milner-Skudder in at the corner.
Another perfect kick from Carter added the conversion for 16-3 at half-time and the Wallabies were sinking fast.
Wallaby fightback
Ma'a Nonu's fine try looked to have put the All Blacks out of sight
No team has ever scored so many in the first period of a World Cup final, and the brilliance resumed a minute into the second half.
This time it was Sonny Bill Williams, on for Conrad Smith, who sucked in three defenders before off-loading to Nonu, the wrecking-ball centre careering past the despairing Kurtley Beale and Drew Mitchell on a 40-metre run to the line.
Despite Carter's missed conversion the All Blacks appeared unstoppable, but when Ben Smith was sin-binned for tip-tackling Mitchell, Australia struck back - driving a maul off the line-out, Pocock at the back for the try, Foley curling over the conversion for 21-10.
Suddenly the men in gold sensed a chance and when Will Genia din ked a kick into the wide spaces in the right-hand corner, Ashley-Cooper was there to feed Kuridrani and send the huge centre away through Carter's tackle for another splendid score.
Tevita Kuridrani's try gave Australia real hope, but New Zealand regained control
With Foley's conversion sailing over, 14 unanswered points had come in 11 minutes, and a thrilling contest was wide open once again.
Carter would have his revenge. From 40m out he struck the sweetest of drop-goals to extend the lead to 24-17, and then nailed a penalty from just inside the opposition half with seven minutes left.
Australia kept pressing, but when the ball was turned over in the New Zealand 22 Smith kicked clear, Barrett out-paced the despairing Pocock and the party could begin.
What they said
All Blacks fly-half Dan Carter: "I'm pretty grateful to be where I am considering what happened four years ago. I'm so proud of the team. To win back-to-back World Cups is a dream come true - it's a special feeling to be part of such a great team."
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw: "We said four years ago that we get on the road again with this being the end goal, try and do something no-one else has done. 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."
Australia captain Stephen Moore: "It's all about New Zealand tonight - they thoroughly deserved to win. They have been the best team in the tournament and they played really well tonight.
"There are no excuses from us, I'm proud of the effort we put in and the way we fought our way back into the match. Sometimes you just come up against a better team and that was the case tonight."
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).
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/34671255
England 2015 in numbers
The crowd of 89,019 fans who watched the New Zealand vs Argentina match in Pool C at Wembley is the largest ever attendance for any rugby union match in history
Attendance: 2,477,805
Points scored: 2,439
Tries: 271 (a record five of them in the Final)
Conversions: 194
Drop goals: 8
Penalties scored: 224
Player who scored the most points: Nicolas Sanchez (Argentina): 97
Player who scored the most tries: Julian Savea (NZ): 8
Player who scored the most penalties: Handre Pollard (South Africa): 23
Player who scored the most conversions: Dan Carter (NZ): 23
Get more individual stats here: Rugby World Cup
Sonny Bill Williams: All Black gifts winner's medal to young fan
BBC Sport
1 November 2015
One young rugby fan left Twickenham with the ultimate souvenir after Sonny Bill Williams handed him his winner's medal.
But the youngster was lucky to make it to his hero after being "smoked" by a security guard, as he was tackled to the turf.
Charlie Lines raced on to the pitch to celebrate with his All Black heroes as they completed their lap of honour following New Zealand's 34-17 win over Australia, when he was tackled to the ground by a member of security.
But double World Cup winner Williams picked the youngster up off the floor, and allowed him to join in the celebrations with the players before draping the medal over his neck.
"He got smoked by the security guard, like full-on tackled," said rugby league convert Williams, a former New Zealand national heavyweight boxing champion. "It was pretty sad. He's just a young fella obviously caught up in the moment.
"If that was a younger brother or cousin, I would have given the security guard a hiding. But I just picked the kid up and took him back to his old lady and tried to make the night more memorable for him."
Williams tweeted about the incident after the final
Williams came on as a second-half replacement and his offload set up Ma'a Nonu to score the second of three New Zealand tries.
The 30-year-old was lauded for his sportsmanship when he consoled opponent Jesse Kriel in the wake of the All Blacks' semi-final win over South Africa.
Explaining his decision to give away his medal, he added: "I know he'll appreciate it and when he gets older he'll be telling his kids - that's more special than it just hanging on a wall.
"Better for it to be hanging around his neck than mine. I'm sure he'll remember it for a while. His mum was pretty happy. He had an All Blacks jersey on so he might be a future All Black."
Lines receives Williams' medal
'Look what I got'
Williams made the youngster's night
Lines joins in the All Blacks' lap of honour
BBC Sport - Sonny Bill Williams: All Black gifts winner's medal to young fan
In what was probably the best-ever final, fought between the two best teams in the world, in what was probably the best-ever Rugby World Cup, New Zealand took a commanding 21-3 lead just after half time before Australia - who were magnificent despite their defeat - fought back to make the score 21-17. The All Blacks, however, then added another 13 points without reply to win the Webb Ellis Cup once more.
In the process, the All Blacks have also now won the tournament for a record third time and have won it on foreign soil for the first time, with their two previous Rugby World Cup wins - in 1987 and 2011 - coming in New Zealand.
New Zealand's 16-3 lead at half time was the widest margin a team has ever led by at half time in a Rugby World Cup Final.
And this magnificent Rugby World Cup Final had five tries, the most of any previous one, beating the previous record of four tries scored in the first Rugby World Cup Final in 1987.
The team widely regarded as the best team ever to grace a Rugby Union pitch are World Champions for another four years.
New Zealand beat Australia to retain Rugby World Cup
By Tom Fordyce
Chief sports writer at Twickenham
BBC Sport
2015 Rugby World Cup Final
New Zealand 34-17 Australia
New Zealand: Tries: Milner-Skudder, Nonu, Barrett Cons: Carter 2 Pens: Carter 4 Drop-goal: Carter
Australia: Tries: Pocock, Kuridrani Cons: Foley 2 Pen: Foley
At Twickenham, south west London
Att: 80,125
World beaters: New Zealand have won the Rugby World Cup for the first time ever on foreign soil to become the first team to retain the trophy and the first to win it three times
New Zealand held off a fierce Australian comeback to win a thrilling World Cup final and become the first team to retain their title.
Wonderful tries from Nehe Milner-Skudder and Ma'a Nonu had given the All Blacks a 21-3 lead early in the second half before David Pocock and Tevita Kuridrani struck back.
With 15 minutes to go there were just four points in it, but a nerveless long-distance drop-goal and penalty from Dan Carter snatched back control.
And when replacement Beauden Barrett sprinted away on to Ben Smith's clearing kick at the death history was made, with New Zealand also becoming the first three-time champions of the world.
Beauden Barrett's last-gasp try was the icing on the cake for the world champion All Blacks
A fitting farewell
The achievement is a fitting farewell to their phalanx of retiring greats.
Carter was outstanding under a ferocious Wallaby assault, landing 19 points from the tee, and his captain Richie McCaw was not far behind as their side was tested to the limit.
They have been the outstanding side of this generation, and once again found a way to win when the heat came on from their great trans-Tasman rivals.
All Blacks seize control
The All Blacks came out at pace, McCaw smashing opposite number Michael Hooper, Wallabies' skipper Stephen Moore bloodied in the face and Carter curling over a testing penalty from out wide for 3-0 before Bernard Foley's simpler effort levelled it up.
Australia were targeting the great fly-half, Scott Sio lucky to escape a yellow card for a late hit and Sekope Kepu giving away a penalty for a high tackle that Carter popped over to retake the lead.
Matt Giteau was next to feel the intensity, clattered trying to tackle Kieran Read and unable to continue with what looked like concussion.
It was often messy and never less than flat-out, New Zealand dominating territory and possession but having to content themselves with a third Carter penalty, this time from way out right.
Ma'a Nonu scores his try at the start of the second half to put New Zealand into a commanding 21-3 lead, but Australia staged a remarkable fightback to make the score 21-17
Dan Carter kicks a penalty...
... and scores a drop goal
Then it came, a wonderful team move of magic hands and sweet timing - Conrad Smith finding space down the right, Aaron Smith popping up on his inside, McCaw taking his pass at pace and putting Milner-Skudder in at the corner.
Another perfect kick from Carter added the conversion for 16-3 at half-time and the Wallabies were sinking fast.
Wallaby fightback
Ma'a Nonu's fine try looked to have put the All Blacks out of sight
No team has ever scored so many in the first period of a World Cup final, and the brilliance resumed a minute into the second half.
This time it was Sonny Bill Williams, on for Conrad Smith, who sucked in three defenders before off-loading to Nonu, the wrecking-ball centre careering past the despairing Kurtley Beale and Drew Mitchell on a 40-metre run to the line.
Despite Carter's missed conversion the All Blacks appeared unstoppable, but when Ben Smith was sin-binned for tip-tackling Mitchell, Australia struck back - driving a maul off the line-out, Pocock at the back for the try, Foley curling over the conversion for 21-10.
Suddenly the men in gold sensed a chance and when Will Genia din ked a kick into the wide spaces in the right-hand corner, Ashley-Cooper was there to feed Kuridrani and send the huge centre away through Carter's tackle for another splendid score.
Tevita Kuridrani's try gave Australia real hope, but New Zealand regained control
With Foley's conversion sailing over, 14 unanswered points had come in 11 minutes, and a thrilling contest was wide open once again.
Carter would have his revenge. From 40m out he struck the sweetest of drop-goals to extend the lead to 24-17, and then nailed a penalty from just inside the opposition half with seven minutes left.
Australia kept pressing, but when the ball was turned over in the New Zealand 22 Smith kicked clear, Barrett out-paced the despairing Pocock and the party could begin.
New Zealand captain Richie McCaw and Dan Carter hold the Webb Ellis Cup
What they said
All Blacks fly-half Dan Carter: "I'm pretty grateful to be where I am considering what happened four years ago. I'm so proud of the team. To win back-to-back World Cups is a dream come true - it's a special feeling to be part of such a great team."
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw: "We said four years ago that we get on the road again with this being the end goal, try and do something no-one else has done. 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."
Australia captain Stephen Moore: "It's all about New Zealand tonight - they thoroughly deserved to win. They have been the best team in the tournament and they played really well tonight.
"There are no excuses from us, I'm proud of the effort we put in and the way we fought our way back into the match. Sometimes you just come up against a better team and that was the case tonight."
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).
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/34671255
England 2015 in numbers
The crowd of 89,019 fans who watched the New Zealand vs Argentina match in Pool C at Wembley is the largest ever attendance for any rugby union match in history
Attendance: 2,477,805
Points scored: 2,439
Tries: 271 (a record five of them in the Final)
Conversions: 194
Drop goals: 8
Penalties scored: 224
Player who scored the most points: Nicolas Sanchez (Argentina): 97
Player who scored the most tries: Julian Savea (NZ): 8
Player who scored the most penalties: Handre Pollard (South Africa): 23
Player who scored the most conversions: Dan Carter (NZ): 23
Get more individual stats here: Rugby World Cup
Sonny Bill Williams: All Black gifts winner's medal to young fan
BBC Sport
1 November 2015
One young rugby fan left Twickenham with the ultimate souvenir after Sonny Bill Williams handed him his winner's medal.
But the youngster was lucky to make it to his hero after being "smoked" by a security guard, as he was tackled to the turf.
Charlie Lines raced on to the pitch to celebrate with his All Black heroes as they completed their lap of honour following New Zealand's 34-17 win over Australia, when he was tackled to the ground by a member of security.
But double World Cup winner Williams picked the youngster up off the floor, and allowed him to join in the celebrations with the players before draping the medal over his neck.
"He got smoked by the security guard, like full-on tackled," said rugby league convert Williams, a former New Zealand national heavyweight boxing champion. "It was pretty sad. He's just a young fella obviously caught up in the moment.
"If that was a younger brother or cousin, I would have given the security guard a hiding. But I just picked the kid up and took him back to his old lady and tried to make the night more memorable for him."
Williams tweeted about the incident after the final
Williams came on as a second-half replacement and his offload set up Ma'a Nonu to score the second of three New Zealand tries.
The 30-year-old was lauded for his sportsmanship when he consoled opponent Jesse Kriel in the wake of the All Blacks' semi-final win over South Africa.
Explaining his decision to give away his medal, he added: "I know he'll appreciate it and when he gets older he'll be telling his kids - that's more special than it just hanging on a wall.
"Better for it to be hanging around his neck than mine. I'm sure he'll remember it for a while. His mum was pretty happy. He had an All Blacks jersey on so he might be a future All Black."
Lines receives Williams' medal
'Look what I got'
Williams made the youngster's night
Lines joins in the All Blacks' lap of honour
BBC Sport - Sonny Bill Williams: All Black gifts winner's medal to young fan
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Congrats to All Blacks.. Champions of the World.. and the best in the world. And fond farewell to Richie McCaw and Dan Carter in their last WC.
Long live the Haka.
Long live the Haka.
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Dan Carter is probably the greatest-ever fly-half. Probably even better than England's 2003 World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson.