In the wee hours of Sunday morning Sydney's Royal Oak Hotel played host to a unique bunch of patrons.
Peppered among a sea of Wallabies jerseys were groups of friends still enjoying a Saturday night out on the town, including several in costume returning from Halloween parties.
But while Australia was hoping to treat themselves to becoming the first nation to win three Rugby World Cups, New Zealand's trickery simply proved too much.
Most of the first half was an arm wrestle; the Wallabies managed to keep in touch with what's been labelled the greatest team in rugby history.But just before halftime Nehe Milner-Skudder scored the first try of the game, giving New Zealand the biggest halftime lead in a World Cup final, 16-3.
As the second half began, the costumed patrons hoping to jump on the Wallabies bandwagon had left.
An exhilarating vibe had suddenly turned worrisome, and it only got worse as the All-Blacks extended their lead 21-3.
Sticking to its underdog status, the Wallabies jumped back into attack mode. A penalty saw David Pocock finally get over the line with Bernard Foley converting. Then a beautifully placed box kick saw Tevita Kuridrani put Australia back in striking distance. With the margin back to four points, the room was once again abuzz.
But that's where the comeback ended. Ten minutes from time, man-of-the-match Dan Carter slotted in a drop goal for the Kiwis, while a further penalty five minutes later appeared to seal the result. A late runaway try to Beauden Barrett added salt to Australia's wounds.
Minutes after the final whistle the Royal Oak was mostly empty.
By now it was nearly 6am, and even the few New Zealanders who turned up to watch were heading home; maybe to dream of more World Cup glory when they return to do it all again in Japan in 2019.
"It was very disappointing, but hopefully we'll be back in the finals in four years' time," one Wallabies supporter told SBS World News. "I couldn't be prouder of the way our blokes fought back."
"I've never been more gutted in my life," another supporter said.
"It is party time," an All Blacks supporter said. "Ring up the parents, we're going out."
"Richie McCaw for prime minister," another All Blacks supporter said as he headed off to celebrate.
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