‘This is the pinnacle’: All Blacks great on winning back-to-back World Cups
With history just 80 minutes away, the All Blacks stood 20 metres away from their fiercest rivals as they prepared to lay down their challenge ahead of the 2015 Rugby World Cup final.
Once the anthems had been sung, and with kick-off just a few minutes away, the All Blacks stared down the Wallabies ahead of the haka on the hallowed turf at Twickenham.
Legendary hooker Keven Mealamu, who was about to play what ended up being his final Test in the black jersey, led the All Blacks’ stirring rendition of Kapa o Pango.
As for their rivals Australia, who were led into battle by captain Stephen Moore, they embraced the challenge. The Wallabies stood side-by-side and prepared for their date with destiny.
The All Blacks took control of the Test, and appeared to be sailing towards a second-consecutive World Cup crown – but finals are rarely that one-sided.
Fullback Ben Smith was sent to the sin bin in the 52nd minute, and the Wallabies made the most of their one-player advantage. Tries to David Pocock and Tevita Kuridrani saw the Aussies claw their way back.
But eventually, the All Blacks hung on. Surged on by a sensational performance from flyhalf Dan Carter, the New Zealanders claimed a 34-17 victory over Australia.
For a number of legendary All Blacks, including Mealamu, Carter, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Tony Woodcock and of course Richie McCaw, it was their final Test. They’re bowed out as winners.
“This one here is probably a little bit more personal than 2011,” Mealamu said on NZT+ docuseries Trophies. “I knew it was my last Test match and I was retiring at the end of the year.
“I knew it was probably my last time in the black jersey (and) something we always talk about as All Blacks is how you want to leave the jersey.
“This was a really special moment for me… I wanted to be able to leave something special in the jersey.
“This represents but also to be able to say, one of our goals was wanting to be pioneers, to be able to do things that other teams hadn’t been able to achieve before.
“To be a part of an All Blacks side that won a World Cup overseas for the first time, it was quite a big feat and I really wanted to be part of that team, part of that legacy.
“This medal here represents that, being able to be a part of a legacy of All Blacks that were lucky enough to go back-to-back with Rugby World Cups.”
Mealamu played at four Rugby World Cups, and etched his name into history by helping the All Blacks hoist the Webb Ellis Cup at two of them.
The win in 2015 was special, of course, but the tournament triumph four years earlier stopped a nation. New Zealand hadn’t won the World Cup in 24 years, and were the favourites ahead of the 2011 event.
Playing on home soil, the All Blacks faced immense pressure and scrutiny ahead of the tournament. Failure wasn’t an option.
The All Blacks topped their pool, and went on to beat Argentina and Australia in the knockout stages, which set up a clash with France in the decider.
New Zealand struck first through prop Tony Woodcock, but Les Bleus hit back shortly after. The Test, and the tournament, was ultimately decided by that kick from replacement Stephen Donald.
The All Blacks won 8-7 at Eden Park, and a nation let out a collective sigh of relief as celebrations began across Aotearoa.
“I was lucky enough to play at four Rugby World Cups and two had really good outcomes, and the other two I’d say they were really good learning experiences,” Mealamu added.
“When you understand what it takes to be able to win one of these things, that’s really special because in our sport this is the pinnacle, being able to be named as a world champion.
“When I hold a medal like this I just think about what it’s taken to get to this place. What you see in the moments is 80 minutes, but in reflection, you get to see all the days of training, all the sacrifice that you put aside.
“When you’re striving towards something like this, that means a lot… I know that if I do this moment right and if our team does this moment right, then it’s a nice way for us to be able to show our appreciation to everyone that’s been a part of the journey.
“Being able to share something like this is really quite sentimental to me because I understand the work that’s gone into this.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Tamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
1 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to comments