#360view: All Blacks record breaking win

Andy Lewis 11:58 01/11/2015
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Have your say on today's comment piece using #360view.

    The most consistent, the most efficient, the most talented and undoubtedly the 2015 Rugby World Cup’s best team emerged as champions at Twickenham on Saturday night.

    The All Blacks made history as the first nation to win back-to-back titles, the first to win three Webb Ellis Cups and, in doing so, perhaps established themselves as the greatest team the sport has ever seen.

    What this triumph also delivered was ultimate vindication for coach Steve Hansen and his unequivocal faith in his veteran campaigners.

    – RELIVE: New Zealand win 2015 Rugby World Cup final
    – #360view: RWC finalists’ very different attitudes

    – VIDEO: Five of the most memorable NZvAUS battles

    In the intervening years between their 2011 and 2015 successes, more than a few have raised concerns that the likes of captain Richie McCaw, last night’s man-of-the-match Dan Carter, the irrepressible Ma’a Nonu, Keven Mealamu and Conrad Smith had all hung on a little too long for this tournament.

    Hansen has never wavered in his support of players who have produced time and again for their country and they have repaid him handsomely.

    The All Blacks have shown the many sides to their game in this competition.

    Their dazzling skills were on display as a bedraggled French outfit were put to the sword in thequarter-finals, while the depth of their character and sheer will to win were evident in the semi-final defeat of South Africa.

    At half-time, trailing 12-7 with the rain crashing down and Jerome Kaino in the sin bin, the world’s number one team were staring into the abyss. But no side boasts the ability to solve problems like the All Blacks, to quickly identify issues, adapt and respond under extreme pressure and prevail. Winning is innate for them.

    That rich experience is built upon the core of old heads, now all-time greats, that Hansen has persevered with when some called for fresh blood.

    Carter was maligned for his form earlier in the tournament, yet in the final demonstrated why he will be remembered as one of the finest No10s to have played the game.

    With a resurgent Australia back in the match and trailing by just four points having made the most of Ben Smith’s foolish yellow card, he provided the final’s defining moment, drifting back into the pocket and slotting a nerveless drop goal to kill the Wallabies’ momentum stone dead.

    Carter has kicked eight drop goals in his 112 Test caps, but two in his last two at crucial moments in the semi-final and final.

    It was experience, quality, timing and execution – bywords for this New Zealand team.

    And when Carter nailed a longrange penalty from 51 metres to stretch the All Blacks’ lead to 10 points, the job was complete.

    For Australia, they leave England 2015 with their heads held high. Coach Michael Cheika has transformed them inside 12 months and with players like David Pocock, Michael Hooper and Tevita Kuridrani to drive them forward, they can look to the future with belief and optimism.

    Cheika may think long and hard on refereeing decisions which went against his side, missed forward passes and potential yellow cards. He’ll do well to maintain the philosophical standpoint he advocated when they benefited from an error to get past Scotland in the last eight.

    But there was no shame in defeat for the Wallabies. They lost to the better team – quite possibly the best of them all.

    Recommended