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Hello and welcome to ESPN's live coverage of the 2015 Rugby World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand!
PREVIEW...
"So, this is it. Following six weeks of bruising action, Australia and New Zealand are the two heavyweights left slugging it out for Rugby World Cup glory..."
You can read ESPN's preview, produced by Martyn Thomas, HERE.
WHO TO FOLLOW...
Follow our men on the ground, Tom Hamilton @tomESPNscrum and Sam Bruce @SamBruce86, who'll be providing us with first hand insights straight from Twickenham.
Also, Rob Bartlett @RobBartlettESPN is at the Richmond fan park supplying images and information from some of the supporters!
THE TEAMS...
AUSTRALIA XV: Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell, Bernard Foley, Will Genia; Scott Sio, Stephen Moore (captain), Sekope Kepu, Kane Douglas, Rob Simmons, Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper, David Pocock
NEW ZEALAND XV: Ben Smith, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea, Dan Carter, Aaron Smith; Joe Moody, Dane Coles, Owen Franks, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (captain), Kieran Read
STATS AND FACTS...
- The two sides have met three times at World Cups, all in semifinals, with Australia holding the edge, two to one.
- New Zealand won the most recent encounter -- 41-13 at Eden Park -- to win the Bledisloe Cup for a 13th consecutive year.
- Australia vs. New Zealand is the most played international rugby union match, with the two sides meeting on 154 previous occasions. The All Blacks have won 105 of those encounters, with the Wallabies winning 42 and seven ending in a draw.
ALSO SEE...
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| 1 |
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We're under way!
Benard Foley has kicked us off here at Twickenham, the ball floats high in the sky before dropping in the grasp of NZ who look to pounce and launch the first attack of the game. Sam Whitelock with the ball in hand, carrying it into battle.
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| 2 |
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Nonu finds himself on the end of a Conrad Smith pass and carries the ball deep into the Australian 22 - impressive from the All Blacks centre. However, a poor pass from A Smith drives straight into Whitelock's torso, leading to a knock on and scrum. Understandably, both sets of players look nervous. Stephen Moore's even seen the first bit of blood of the game with a nosebleed.
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| 4 |
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After a couple of scrum resets, we're back to watching the All Blacks attack. Aaron Smith's little chip ball through is collected well by Drew Mitchell along the deck who kicks out, releasing the pressure, and we've got a NZ lineout along their left flank.
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| 5 |
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Some more Nonu ball carrying leads the way for another attack for his side. New Zealand looking very threatening at the minute, most of the game being spent in the Aus 22 so far.
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| 6 |
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First chance for points! New Zealand penalty, Carter to kick. He's made 63 points so far this WC, can he make that 66?
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| 7 |
0 - 3 |
Of course. Superb kick. 3-0 NZ.
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| 8 |
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| 9 |
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Australia's turn to attack, courtesy of Moore and Folau who take turns at taking the ball into contact - making solid advancements here towards the All Blacks 22.
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| 11 |
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Nerves showing again as a simple kick up field from Folau hits Ben Smith, who knocks on just on the edge of his 22. Silly error, however, can be forgiven for the size the occasion. Scrum again.
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| 12 |
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Scrum penalty against Owen Franks! Foley lines it up...
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| 13 |
3 - 3 |
Nicely done. 3-3.
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| 15 |
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It has to be said, the games turning into a bit of stalemate. Australia have managed to calm the very early All Blacks onslaught, but there's a lot of kicking going on. Kane Douglas is down here and looks in a lot of pain, too. Could this possibly be the end of his WC right here?
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| 16 |
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Yes, it's done for Douglas. He's come off and is replaced by Dean Mumm.
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| 17 |
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New Zealand awarded the penalty just inside their half for an infringement from Moore on Aaron Smith. Tripped up over his legs on the floor. It's been kicked for the corner and the All Blacks have the lineout from five.
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| 18 |
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| 19 |
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Hooper proving a real force at the breakdown again as he pulls his team out the dirt. New Zealand were just under the posts of Australia and very close to having the first try, but Hooper's work saves them. Penalty to kick out for Australia, giving them a bit of restbite and the platform to build their own attack.
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| 20 |
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Scott Sio's in risk of a yellow here for 'late' tackle on Dan Carter, who's lying on the floor. TMO called upon...
Saved! Just a penalty. Too far to kick for three, so the corner it is.
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| 21 |
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Like most games involving the All Blacks, they're the ones conducting the majority of proceedings here. However, the Australian defence's holding strong and proving very difficult to break down.
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| 23 |
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Another long penalty kicked for the corner by Dan Carter...
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| 24 |
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Nonu heavily involved again as the All Blacks look to break, and they've been awarded a penalty for a high Sio tackle. Needs to be careful the Aus No.3 as he's in danger on being binned. Matt Giteau's just taken a massive hit and has gone off for an assessment.
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| 26 |
3 - 6 |
Carter converts the penalty, and puts the All Blacks back infront by three points.
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| 27 |
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Most threatening move from Cheika's men so far as they continue to bash and barge their way to the edge of the All Blacks 22. Can't find that break though, and they've opted for the kick into the corner. Bounces out and a 22 metre dropout now.
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| 29 |
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Kick, kick and kick. Both sides relying on their feet to create something and open the way for a try. Giteau's been taken off, though...
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| 30 |
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NZ penalised for not moving away and we've got a penalty kick to Aus. Too far out so they've gone for the lineout.
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| 32 |
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Some more back and forth after their first lineout didn't result in much, and the Wallabies have been awarded another penalty in their half. The usual procedure again - kicked for the lineout up field.
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| 34 |
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What looked like a fantastic leaping interception from Genia, has resulted in a penalty kick to New Zealand after he was penalised for offside. Carter to push the lead to six points...
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| 35 |
3 - 9 |
Carter - penalty goal
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| 36 |
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New Zealand on the prowl again and some truly fantastic footwork from Ben Smith compliments their move which has shifted the ball forward by atleast 50 metres in just a matter of moments. Some better work from Australia has caused a halt to their advancing move, however, and the All Blacks have the lineout along their right flank.
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| 38 |
3 - 14 |
All Blacks on the edge of the Australian 22 here, battering their way into the Aus defence. Read, Kaino and Retallick all heavily involved.
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| 39 |
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MILNER-SKUDDER TRY FOR NEW ZEALAND!
Wonderfully worked try. Conrad Smith's great reverse offload helps to open space down the right flank before McCaw offloads to his right finding their winger. He had little to do besides run forward three metres and plant down. Tries in RWC finals aren't common and that could be Australia's undoing.
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| 40 |
3 - 16 |
Another awesome kick for Dan Carter. On fire.
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| 40+1 |
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HALF TIME ANALYSIS
ESPN's Sam Bruce had this to say straight from Twickenham:
"New Zealand appear to be on their way to a third Webb Ellis Crown having dominated the first half at Twickenham on Saturday afternoon. The Wallabies have barely tasted New Zealand's turf, while the All Blacks have powered up field with ease for much of the first half. The Wallabies have lost both Matt Giteau and Kane Douglas, two big blows, but the duo would have been powerless to stop some lovely handling that brought about the All Blacks only try just before the break. First centre Conrad Smith hit a lovely hole before offloading to Aaron Smith on the inside, the scrum-half then finding his skipper Richie McCaw, who has had a brilliant first half, who found Nehe Milner-Skudder for the try in the corner. Dan Carter added the conversion from the touchline to complete a perfect four from four with the boot and round out New Zealand's 16-3 lead. The Wallabies have it all to do. "
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| 40 |
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Carter kicks us off and the second 40 is now underway.
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| 41 |
3 - 21 |
NONU TRY FOR NEW ZEALAND
Truly fantastic try from Nonu. Sonny Bill Williams draws in three defenders before offloading on the half way to the All Blacks 12 who darts in the diagonal direction, from right to left, ditching Drew Mitchell and Kurtley Beale on the floor. Could be game over... Carter's missed the kick, mind you.
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| 43 |
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Scrum, Smith to feed...
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| 46 |
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That try seems to have sucked some of life out of the game - especially the Australian players - as we've spent a good three minutes trying to sort the scrum out. New Zealand have the ball in hand right now though, just inside their opponents half.
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| 47 |
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Another scrum now, however, Genia will be the one rolling it in instead of Smith.
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| 48 |
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Drew Mitchell creates some space and brings the ball forward 20 metres or so himself. Nice work from the winger, Australia need some more of that if they have any chance of lifting the Webb Ellis trophy in 30 minutes time.
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| 49 |
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Scrum, again... Genia to feed for the Wallabies.
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| 50 |
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New Zealand scrum absolutely savages the Aus pack and just as we look like another Milner-Skudder try, Beale intercepts along the flank and we're millimeters away from an Australia try. But, his offloading pass is just too high for Dean Mumm who's to his right.
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| 51 |
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Wow, the Wallabies have broken into the New Zealand 22 and are threatening here...Try looming!
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| 52 |
8 - 21 |
Ben Smith binned for tackling dangerously, picking his opponent off the floor. Australia scrum from just five metres out... Here we go again...
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| 53 |
10 - 21 |
POCOCK TRY FOR AUSTRALIA
Solid pushing from the Australian pack results in the maul working wonders, helping to open the pathway for Pocock to plant down for five points. Late Australian fight back?
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| 56 |
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Australia making the most of the extra man advantage and all of sudden look pretty threatening here. Starting to really test the New Zealand defence here.
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| 57 |
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Ah, what a surprise. Commentators curse. New Zealand penalty helps to release the pressure.
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| 58 |
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Australian lineout here, just along the half way. Australia continuing their push for another try.
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| 59 |
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All Blacks starting to calm the storm with some of their own ball carrying. They've even got the penalty now, and Carter's kicked it for the corner. Not long until Smith's back.
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| 60 |
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The resulting All Blacks driving maul doesn't prove too effective and after some milling about, we've seen the ref blow for a scrum as NZ fail to use the ball.
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| 62 |
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Australia back under fire again and Ashley-Cooper has to kick to null the advancing All Blacks line. Smith's back on the field, too.
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| 63 |
15 - 21 |
KURIDRANI TRY FOR AUSTRALIA!!
HERE WE GO! GAME ON! Genia's kick into the corner is chased down by Foley and very few men in black surround him. He's taken down by Milner-Skudder eventually but not quickly enough as he still manages to find the incoming Kuirdrani who powers his way to the line.
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| 64 |
17 - 21 |
Foley makes the kick, too. Four points in it!
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| 66 |
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The Wallabies continuing their momentum as they're again the ones in control and taking the ball into battle. They can smell blood and are seeking out those vital points to take them ahead of the All Blacks for the first time in this game.
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| 67 |
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Aus lineout, stolen by the All Blacks, with Mealamu the one to try and gain some ground...
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| 68 |
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Carter opts for the corner kick and it's collected in style by Beale. Nicely done.
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| 69 |
17 - 24 |
DROP GOAL FOR CARTER! NEW ZEALAND 7 POINTS AHEAD!
Unbelievable piece of skill. Very far out, 46 metres. Extra time now if Aus score and then convert.
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| 71 |
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Scrum time! NZ to feed.
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| 72 |
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| 73 |
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Aus penalised for collapsing. NZ penalty - too far for Carter, though...or is it? Looks like he's teeing this up from 51m...
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| 74 |
17 - 27 |
Made it. Obviously.
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| 75 |
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Australia inevitably on the charge again and they need something very quickly. They broke into the NZ 22, but not for long and they're back to the half way trying to build their attack again after being urged back by the thumping tackles from opposition forwards.
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| 76 |
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They've made it to phase 15, now back into the NZ 22. Can it pay?
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| 77 |
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Drew Mitchell's electric running threatens again but they've dropped it. New Zealand available to clear and time is running out now.
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| 78 |
17 - 32 |
Wallabies working it well again and pumping it down the line. Most energetic they've been all game and New Zealand remain under genuine pressure. Beale has been great for the Wallabies.
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| 79 |
17 - 34 |
BARRETT TRY FOR NEW ZEALAND!
Barrett! Unbelievable decision making from Ben Smith to kick forward and Barrett darts after it running the majority of the pitch, having to kick the ball again himself in the process, and the only Wallabies man in any proximity is Pocock, who just doesn't have the pace against the replacement. This is all over now..!
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| 80 |
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IT'S OVER! NEW ZEALAND HAVE WON THE RUGBY WORLD CUP!
Man of the match: Dan Carter
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| 80+1 |
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FULL TIME ANALYSIS
Match report available HERE
ESPN's Sam Bruce had this to say:
"New Zealand are the Webb Ellis Cup champions for the third time after they held off a second-half fightback from Australia to run out 34-17 winners at Twickenham. The All Blacks dominated the first half to lead 16-3 at the break but the second-half sin-binning of Ben Smith for a lifting tackle opened the door for the Aussies and they soon took their opportunities with tries to David Pocock and Tevita Kuridrani. But a Dan Carter drop-goal, of higher quality that his effort against the Springboks in the semi-final, allowed the defending champions to steady and while Australia pressed hard in the closing minutes, a runaway try by Beauden Barrett following a Drew Mitchell error allowed the large All Black supporter on hand to breathe a collective sigh of relief. The All Blacks are deserving world champions."
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