SNAPSHOT OF THE RUGBY WORLD CUP FINAL AT TWICKENHAM
RESULT: New Zealand beat Australia 34-17
KEY MOMENT: The All Blacks flexed their muscles in the 10 "championship minutes" either side of halftime to turn a slender three-point lead into a commanding 21-3 advantage with tries to winger Nehe Milner-Skudder and centre Ma'a Nonu, two conversions and a penalty goal to five-eighth Dan Carter.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Carter's 19-point individual haul from two conversions, four penalties and a drop goal in a flawless performance with the boot earned the master playmaker long overdue World Cup final glory for the first time in his final Test match.
WHAT IT MEANS: The All Blacks' victory sends Carter, inspirational captain Richie McCaw, champion centres Condrad Smith and Nonu and veteran hooker Keven Mealamu out as back-to-back World Cup winners as New Zealand become the first team to defend the Webb Ellis Cup and also the first to lift the trophy three times.
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WALLABIES' BEST: Flankers Michael Hooper and David Pocock were immense again, keeping Australia in the contest in the opening half hour, while Kurtley Beale sparked the Wallabies' revival after replacing injured centre Matt Giteau just 25 minutes into the final.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: "We said four years ago after the last one that we'll get on the road again and with this being the end goal, playing at Twickenham in a World Cup final, to try and do something no one else has done," marvellous McCaw.
