image source: telegraph.co.uk
New Zealand's All Blacks defeated Australia 34-17 to retain the Webb Ellis Trophy in a thrilling 2015 Rugby World Final which was played on Saturday at Twickenham Stadium, England.
The win saw New Zealand become the first nation to win back-to-back Rugby World Cups as well as the first to win the competition thrice.
New Zealand were the first winners of the Rugby World Cup when they defeated France 29-9 in the 1987 final and have finished in the top four in all but one of the 8 Rugby World Cup tournaments held to date; 2007.
Dan Carter was named man of the match after his two conversions, four penalties and one drop goal earned his team 19 points. His efforts supplemented the tries made by Nehe Milner-Skudder, Ma'a Nonu and substitute Beauden Barrett.
Australia on the other got their points through David Pocock (try), Tevita Kuridrani (try) and Bernard Foley (two conversions and one penalty).
The victory saw All Blacks extend their dominance over their Southern Hemisphere neighbours who they have now defeated 106 times in 155 meetings. Of the remainng 49 encounters, New Zealand lost 42 times and drew 7.
Key Stats:
- New Zealand became the first team to retain the Rugby World Cup title, and win a third World Cup title.
- This was the first time New Zealand won the World Cup on foreign soil.
- The aggregate 51 points scored was the most ever in a Rugby World Cup final.
- Ben Smith became the first player to receive a yellow card in a Rugby World Cup final.
- New Zealand's Sonny Bill Williams, Jerome Kaino and Sam Whitelock played in a record 14th consecutive World Cup wins.
- The following New Zealand players joined six Australians and South Africa's Os du Randt as winners of two World Cups: Dan Carter, Ben Franks, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw, Keven Mealamu, Ma'a Nonu, Kieran Read, Conrad Smith, Victor Vito, Sam Whitelock, Sonny Bill Williams, and Tony Woodcock.
- Richie McCaw became the first player to captain two World Cup winners.