New Zealand win rugby World Cup by one point
After 24 years of hurt, the All Blacks lift the Webb Ellis trophy again – but only after France take it right down to the wire.
New Zealand have finally laid their rugby World Cup demons to rest by winning the competition for a second time after 24 years.
The All Blacks entered the competition as red-hot favourites, but they have earned a reputation for “choking” when it matters most over the years.
France – written off as no-hopers ahead of the final at Eden Park – gave the home side a colossal scare, but New Zealand ground out an ugly 8-7 win to send the rugby-mad nation into wild celebrations.
Les Bleus delivered a performance of which few people thought they were capable, having lost to New Zealand and Tonga in the pool phase and then edged past 14-man semi-final opponents Wales.
They threw down an early challenge by marching towards the All Blacks’ traditional haka display in a “v” formation, eyeballing their opponents.
France then monopolised early possession and territory, but were unable to convert the advantage into points.
All Blacks prop Tony Woodcock scored the only try of a tense and tight opening 40 minutes at Eden Park.
Weepu failed to convert and the scoreboard read 5-0 at half-time, a far cry from predictions of a New Zealand demolition job.
Six minutes into the second half, France gave away a penalty 37 metres in front of the posts.
Stephen Donald took over kicking duties from Weepu and banged the ball straight between the posts to make it New Zealand 8 France 0.
But France continued to battle and sustained pressure paid off with a try from captain Thierry Dusautoir.
Replacement flyhalf Francois Trinh-Duc added the conversion and a nervous crowd were sensing a massive upset.
In the 63rd minute, the All Black scrum were penalised for driving up but Trinh-Duc dragged his 47-metre penalty attempt wide.
France kept hold of the ball through phase after phase and the New Zealanders grew more and more frustrated as the chants of “All Blacks! All Blacks!” from the 60,000-strong crowd grew louder and louder.
There’s going to be a lot of stories told as we get older but no-one here can take it away from this group. Richie McCaw
A turnover in the 77th minute was greeted as if it were a try and the match ended three minutes later when the French were penalised for offside, sending the host nation into raptures.
The win sees New Zealand end a 24-year wait for the rugby World Cup.
The All Blacks had not won the Webb Ellis trophy since they beat France in the inaugural tournament at the same venue in 1987.
“Tough men”
New Zealand captain Richie McCaw, who kissed the golden trophy, said: “I think at some stage some team was going to do it and this group of 30 had the opportunity.
“You just have to keep getting up and believing in the mate beside you and trust in him and make sure you do your job. Everyone around New Zealand has given this team so much over the past six weeks and now we’ve repaid them.
“There’s going to be a lot of stories told as we get older but no-one here can take it away from this group. They’re tough men and I think the whole country should be very proud of every single one of them.”