New Zealand defeat Australia to retain Rugby World Cup
By Tony Tighe
Last Updated: 05/11/15 10:42am
New Zealand have become the first team to retain the Rugby World Cup after a magnificent 34-17 victory over Australia at Twickenham.
The All Blacks looked in complete control with just 42 minutes on the clock as tries on either side of half-time from Nehe Milner-Skudder and Ma'a Nonu helped them into an 18-point lead.
But Australia rallied and with full-back Ben Smith in the bin, they hit back with a David Pocock try before Tevita Kuridrani cut the gap to four points with 16 minutes left on the clock.
However, their hopes of a comeback were quashed by the man for the big occasion. Dan Carter. The fly-half potted a drop goal and then landed a monster penalty from halfway to put two scores between the teams, and a late try from Beauden Barrett ensured Carter and his fellow retirees would sign off in style.
Australia needed to get off to a good start but the opposite transpired. Will Genia's box kick was charged down and the scrum-half then knocked on underneath his posts following a break by Nonu.
Carter opened the scoring from the tee after Pocock was penalised for going off his feet, New Zealand winning the battle of the breakdown early on as they forced four turnovers in the opening 10 minutes.
Australia hit back after Ben Smith fumbled Bernard Foley's clearing kick downfield and Owen Franks was pinged at the resultant scrum.
Foley restored parity but it was a rare foray into the opposition half for the Wallabies in the opening period.
Australia lost Kane Douglas to injury on 14 minutes and the All Blacks looked destined to score when they took a quick tap penalty, only for Michael Hooper to make a crucial turnover on his own line.
Sekope Kepu was given a warning from referee Nigel Owens for a late hit on Carter and he was then pinged for a high tackle on the New Zealand fly-half, who kicked his side back in front.
Australia were dealt another injury blow when Matt Giteau was unable to continue after a head injury assessment, and Carter extended New Zealand's lead with a third penalty as a forward pass from Milner-Skudder went unnoticed.
With Australia's lineout malfunctioning, New Zealand dominated possession and territory and they finally made the breakthrough on the stroke of half-time when Conrad Smith's inside pass saw Aaron Smith combine with Richie McCaw to put Milner-Skudder over in the corner.
Carter nailed a touchline conversion to give New Zealand a 16-3 lead at the break and they extended that within two minutes of the restart when Nonu scythed through the Australia defence and charged over the line.
New Zealand looked home and hosed but Australia were handed a lifeline when Ben Smith was sin-binned for lifting Drew Mitchell above the horizontal.
They grasped it with both hands as Pocock touched down after Australia mauled their way across the whitewash, Foley converting to cut the gap to 11.
And it was a four-point game on 63 minutes after great play from the Wallaby half-backs. Genia spotted some space on the right wing and put a kick in for Foley to chase, and the fly-half was quickest to the bouncing ball before offloading to Kuridrani, who went over beside the posts.
Carter settled New Zealand's nerves with a majestic drop goal and he then landed a monster penalty from halfway to them 10 points ahead with six minutes remaining.
Australia went for broke in the closing stages but a Mitchell knock-on was punished at the death as Ben Smith threaded a kick through for Beauden Barrett, who booted the ball ahead before putting the seal on an historic third World Cup success.
