New Zealand became the first team to retain the Rugby World Cup after holding off a second-half comeback by Australia to win 34-17 in an absorbing final, capping one of the most dominant eras in the sport's history on Saturday.
In probably the last test of his record-breaking career, flyhalf Dan Carter steered the All Blacks to a record third global title — and first outside New Zealand — with a dropped goal, a penalty, and a conversion from Beauden Barrett's breakaway try in the final 10 minutes at Twickenham.
Carter finished with 19 points, and finally played a full part in an All Blacks' World Cup win.
Ma'a Nonu's solo try from 40 meters put the All Blacks 21-3 ahead by the 42nd minute, and a grueling World Cup campaign looked to have taken its toll on the Wallabies.
Yet, Australia took advantage of a sin-binning for New Zealand fullback Ben Smith to score tries through David Pocock and Tevita Kuridrani in a 10-minute spell and move within four points of their neighbors. They were threatening to pull off the greatest World Cup comeback.
Carter saw New Zealand home, though, to likely end his test career with 1,598 points. Since the 2011 final, New Zealand has lost only three of 54 games. It was a fitting farewell — if confirmed — to international rugby for All Blacks greats Carter, captain Richie McCaw, Conrad Smith, Nonu and replacement Keven Mealamu.
Meanwhile, South Africa finished third in the Rugby World Cup after subduing Argentina 24-13 on Friday in a consolation playoff that only the players will remember.
Both sides were earnest and willing at Olympic Stadium in front of a sellout crowd of almost 56,000.
But the Springboks, pragmatic to the end, were hardly changed from their semifinal loss to New Zealand and looked tired. They scored only two tries, none to Bryan Habana, who had some half-chances to claim the World Cup's all-time tries record to himself and came off with 13 minutes to go because of cramps.
South Africa, up 16-0 at halftime, made victory certain when lock Eben Etzebeth scored their second try on his knees three minutes after the break. South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer was proud of his side, and still regretting losing the semifinal by two points. "If you jump up and down because you're third, you shouldn't be coach of South Africa," Meyer said.