New Zealand Just Thrashed Australia in a World Cup Final

New Zealand became the first team to retain the World Cup after beating Australia 34-17 on Saturday night.

* All Blacks start and finish strong to retain Rugby World Cup
* First team to win Webb Ellis World Cup Winner’s trophy three times
* Dan Carter bows out on a high with 19 points
* Record five tries in final

New Zealand capped one of the most dominant eras in rugby history by becoming the first team to retain the World Cup after beating Australia 34-17 on Saturday night.

In the 112th and likely last test of his record-breaking career, Dan Carter steered the All Blacks to an unprecedented third global title — and first outside New Zealand — with a dropped goal, a penalty from halfway, and a right-footed conversion of Beauden Barrett’s breakaway try in the final 10 minutes at Twickenham.

Carter finished the highest-scoring World Cup final 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.

It is the ultimate achievement,” said Carter, who — if this really is his final act as an All Black — concludes his test career with 1,598 points, over 300 more than the next best.

Fireworks exploded, tickertape flew, and Will Smith’s “Men in Black” rang out as McCaw lifted the Webb Ellis Cup toward the dark Twickenham sky in front of jubilant teammates on a stage on halfway. Seconds later, champagne corks were flying and then the All Blacks performed one last haka.

As cameras clicked all around, a keeper will be the sight of McCaw and Carter holding the cup aloft, one handle each.

“I think he (McCaw) is the greatest All Black we’ve ever had, and Dan is a close second,” Hansen said. “One is a flanker and shouldn’t play 148 test matches as a flanker. It’s unheard of.”