Seven Fantastic RWC final moments   2 Nov 2015

Andy Burt

After leading 21-3 early in the second half, a rampant Australia closed the gap to four points before Dan Carter inspired the All Blacks to a stunning victory. Check out seven fantastic moments from the first ever Trans-Tasman Rugby World Cup final.

Pulsating Start

With the scene set and anticipation high at Twickenham, the All Blacks landed the first shots in a brutal opening passage. Jerome Kaino laid the platform by putting a big hit on Wallaby fullback Isreal Folau before Conrad Smith ran out of the line to pummel flanker Michael Hooper. Australia were unsettled and Will Genia’s first kick was charged down by Brodie Retallick to give the All Blacks the early momentum. The All Blacks swung onto attack and continued to press until a penalty was conceded. Dan Carter coolly slotted the chance to take the early lead.

Dead-eye DC
Dan Carter was always going to be a key player in the final and Wallaby prop Sekope Kepu was intent on targeting the All Blacks pivot. After being penalised for a late tackle on Carter, Kepu was again penalised for a high shot on the All Blacks star. With the score locked at 3-3, Carter showed that his radar was on by landing a penalty 30 metres out on a tough angle. Referee Nigel Owens warned Kepu that any more infringements would result in a yellow card.

The excellence of execution
At 9-3 up and half time beckoning, the All Blacks could have been satisfied with a six point lead and played for the break. But instead they heaped pressure on Australia’s defence and pressed deep into the opposition half. With the ball perfectly poised in midfield, a swift interchange of passes between Conrad Smith, Aaron Smith and Captain Richie McCaw put Nehe Milner-Skudder over for the first try of the final. Dan Carter landed his fourth straight shot at goal to give the All Blacks a 16-3 halftime lead.

Sublime Sonny
As a half-time replacement for an injured Conrad Smith, it didn’t take long for Sonny Bill Williams to make an impact. First it was an unlikely offload to Nehe Milner-Skudder to take the All Blacks into Australia territory. Cornered by three Wallaby defenders on the very next phase, SBW managed to offload a miracle ball to Ma’a Nonu in space. The dreadlocked mid-fielder sped through a gap before stepping Kurtley Beale and overpowering Drew Mitchell on his way to one of the all-time great Rugby World Cup final tries.

Game on
With Ben Smith yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle, Australia sensed an opportunity to get back into the game and did it through a clinical double-strike. First it was David Pocock off the back of a line out drive to close the gap to 21-10 before Will Genia showed his class. With no man back for the All Blacks, Genia put a clever chip over the top for Adam Ashley-Cooper to regather and feed Tevita Kuridrani to score close to the posts. Bernard Foley added the extras to close the gap to 21-17 with 14 minutes to play.

Clutch Carter
Joel Stransky did it in 1995, Johnny Wilkinson repeated the dose in 2003 and now it was Dan Carter’s turn. Delicately poised at 21-17, a game-breaking moment was required to split the tension and it came through the All Blacks first five. With the Wallabies defence rushing up out wide, Carter stepped to his left and unleashed a booming drop kick from over 35 metres out. The ball sailed over the middle of the posts to stretch the All Blacks lead to seven points. 

Add a comment