New Zealand edged out Australia 34-17 at Twickenham to become the first side ever to retain the Rugby World Cup title.
The All Blacks, who have now won their last 14 games in this showpiece competition, held a comfortable lead at the break thanks in large to Nehe Milner-Skudder's breakthrough try.
Ma'a Nonu added a second score of the evening soon after the restart, but a yellow card picked up by Ben Smith gave the Wallabies a glimmer of hope.
David Pocock and Tevita Kuridrani both crossed over during that 10-minute spell, but a Dan Carter drop goal and late Beauden Barrett try sealed things for the world's top-ranked side.
Relive Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the 2015 Rugby World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand at Twickenham. One way or another, history will be made this afternoon as one of these southern hemisphere giants lifts the Webb Ellis Cup for a record third time.
That's right - after 47 matches, in which time we have seen drama aplenty, the latest instalment of this famous competition will come to a close in around four hours' time. On paper, and with the host nation long out of contention, this is the best final we could have possibly hoped for as the planet's top-two sides collide.
This is the most played Test fixture in history, yet rather incredibly we have never seen the Trans-Tasman rivalry played out on the biggest stage of them all in a World Cup final - until now, that is. Before taking a look at some past matches between the pair in further depth, let's check out some confirmed team news.
TEAM NEWS!
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, Kieran Read
AUSTRALIA XV: Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell, Bernard Foley, Will Genia; David Pocock, Michael Hooper, Scott Fardy, Rob Simmons, Kane Douglas, Sekope Kepu, Stephen Moore, Scott Sio
An unchanged side for New Zealand, then - the first time that has happened for the Kiwis since naming the same fifteen players to face France in the final four years ago. Steve Hansen is clearly happy with what he has seen, naming a matchday squad that boasts a combined 1,339 caps.
Five players in this New Zealand side are likely to bow out of the game after today's match - regardless of the outcome. Richie McCaw has refused to confirm that he will run out in the famous black strip for one last time today, but Dan Carter, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith and Keven Mealamu have all announced their plans to call time on their international careers.
It certainly has all the ingredients to get a little emotional come full time, with so many greats of the game bowing out of the international game on the biggest stage of them all. Nonu and Smith, who extend their record centre partnership to 62 matches this afternoon, will certainly be missed in this imperious All Blacks side.
A word on Dan Carter, too, who has been an inspiration to many of those young New Zealand players breaking through at various levels. Not only does he depart as Test rugby's leading points scorer, but his drop goal in last week's match against South Africa is largely to thank for New Zealand even being in a second-successive final.
McCaw himself, who leads the try scoring against Australia with 11 in his career to date, will become the second ever player to appear in 22 Rugby World Cup matches when running out at Twickenham in a couple of hours' time. The skipper will also lead out the All Blacks for a record 13th time in the competition in what is his 148th appearance for the two-time winners.
New Zealand can also call on Julian Savea, who needs just one more score to oust Jonah Lomu and Bryan Habana in becoming the record try scorer at a single World Cup. Many have predicted that tries will be kept to a minimum this afternoon in a tight battle, but Savea could - as ever - prove to be key.
This is what these two sides are battling it out for at Twickenham - the Webb Ellis Cup
So experience is certainly not lacking in the New Zealand ranks, particularly when considering that 13 members of the successful 2011 World Cup squad are still present. While Steve Hansen has opted to stick with a winning formula, opposite number Michael Cheika has made one alteration to his side.
Scott Sio comes back into the fold after overcoming an elbow injury that forced him to sit out the semi-final win over Argentina. James Slipper is the man he replaces at loose-head prop, while full-back Israel Folau has himself shaken off an injury to feature from the off.
Matt Giteau, the third doubt heading into this southern hemisphere showdown, is the lone survivor from Australia's 2003 final defeat to England. Bernard Foley also takes up his spot in the starting lineup, knowing that the 23 points required to finish as the competition's top scorer are now likely to allude him.
Drew Mitchell has some history of his own in sight, too, with his 14 scores at a World Cup just one short of the current record held by the aforementioned Lomu and Habana. We witnessed Habana come close to claiming that impressive record outright on numerous occasions last night, but a 15th try did not arrive.
Australia's victory over Argentina was in large down to their impressive defensive display, but Adam Ashley-Cooper received much of the plaudits thanks to his hat-trick of tries. He has an impressive record against today's opponents, too, having scored more against them than any other player past or present.
BENCH WATCH!
NEW ZEALAND REPLACEMENTS: Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper, Greg Holmes, Dean Mumm, Ben McCalman, Nick Phipps, Matt Toomua, Kurtley Beale
AUSTRALIA REPLACEMENTS: Keven Mealamu, Ben Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Victor Vito, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Beauden Barrett, Sonny Bill Williams
With Scott Sio now fit and back in the starting XV, there is no place in the squad for reserve prop Toby Smith. Slipper, as already mentioned, is the man to make way for Sio at loose-head prop. In terms of the All Blacks, they also posses many game-changing options, with Sonny Bill Williams having to make do with a place among the back-ups today.
So plenty of quality on display at Rugby HQ this afternoon, then, as the world's top-two sides meet in a mouthwatering Rugby World Cup final clash. It all got underway six weeks ago at this very venue, as England kicked off what has been an incredible tournament.
Many will have their own choices, no doubt, but not many could argue against the game of the tournament coming back on that opening weekend. South Africa, one of the pre-tournament favourites, were humbled by a spirited Japan side that captured the world's attention during their three-week stay.
I was in Gloucester a few weeks back when Japan's tournament came to an end following victory over the United States in what was essentially a dead-rubber. Assistant boss Steve Borthwick talked highly of the Brave Blossoms' plans to really push on over the next four years, with the competition heading to the Far East for its next instalment.
While Japan won over many neutrals with their superb style of play, which earned them victory over the Springboks when kicking into touch late on, over in Pool C Argentina were also winning a few friends. An opening-game defeat to New Zealand aside, Los Pumas stormed through in second place with an incredible 179 points scored.
Meanwhile, over in Pool D, there was no real surprise to see Ireland and France left to battle it out in the final game to decide who would avoid the All Blacks in the last eight. Ireland came out on top, going through as group winners, although their journey would not last much longer than their opponents'.
It was Pool A that was understandably grabbing all the attention, though, as England, Australia and Wales battled it out in arguably the toughest ever group. Things started well enough for the tournament hosts, who claimed a bonus-point win over Fiji in the opening game of the competition to get things up and running.
Defeat to Wales all-but ended England's hopes of progressing through, however, with defeat to Australia the following weekend putting the final nail in the coffin. The inquest was soon underway after a hugely disappointing showing at their own tournament, but for Wales and Australia it was a case of job done.
England failed to make it beyond the pool stage following defeats to Wales and Australia
While Australia were having to overcome real challenges in the shape of England and Wales, as well as a decent Fiji side, New Zealand were finding things a little easier against the likes of Georgia, Tonga and Namibia on their personal quest to reclaim the Webb Ellis Cup.
Argentina provided their toughest test to date heading into the knockout stages, with many questions still left to be answered at that stage. Those question were answered in the most incredible of fashions, though, as the Kiwis ran in nine tries to see off France in a repeat of the 2011 final.
I was lucky enough to be pitchside at the Millennium Stadium on that memorable night a couple of weeks back, as the All Blacks eased into the semi-finals with a record-breaking knockout win. Twenty-four hours after that game, Australia were preparing to face Scotland in the final last-eight tie.
Scotland provided the northern hemisphere's last hope of success at the tournament, and they so nearly carried the flag into the semis. An incredible game of rugby concluded with Mark Bennett seemingly winning the game for the Dark Blues late on, only for Bernard Foley to slot over a contentious penalty in the last minute to put the Wallabies through.
Serious questions were asked of referee Craig Joubert in the aftermath of the game, with World Rugby admitting that he made an error in judgement when awarding Australia that late pen. Indeed, that has provided one of the big talking points of the competition - combined with the heavy use of TMO in the early stages - while talks of England's failures are also still rumbling on.
Regardless of the circumstances surrounding their victory, it was Australia who would walk out against Argentina seven days later in the semi final of the Rugby World Cup. Despite crossing over three times inside the opening half-hour or so, the Wallabies just could not shake off their stubborn opponents.
It was a strange match in many ways, but one that Australia certainly deserved to win. Ill-discipline cost them at times, explaining why Argentina were within a converted try of levelling for large parts, until Ashley-Cooper rounded off a personal treble inside the final 10 minutes to finally get the job done.
It was hardly plain sailing for New Zealand in the other semi-final showdown, meanwhile, as they found themselves trailing to rivals South Africa at the interval. Yet despite being five down at the break, the Kiwis showed the character that only true champions have in their arsenal by turning the game on its head.
A 10-point swing, kick-started in a literal sense by Dan Carter's drop goal, all of a sudden put New Zealand in the driving seat. It was far from the imperious display witnessed against France a week prior, but this was a performance oozing grit and determination, underlining just why this side has been described as the sport's best ever.
With that the All Blacks were through to a record-equalling fourth final, up against a side they know better than any other in Australia. Despite this being the most played fixture in Test rugby history, this will be the first time they have ever faced off in the final of a World Cup.
Julian Savea crossed over for three of New Zealand's nine tries in the quarter-final rout against France
So today brings a close to the 2015 Rugby World Cup, which we have covered every step of the way here at Sports Mole. We have been up and down the land to bring you exclusive content from all 20 sides taking part in the competition, and that will be no different this afternoon.
Fresh from covering last night's bronze-medal final clash at the Olympic Stadium, Barney Corkhill has made it across London to Twickenham to watch over today's game for us. Updates will be provided throughout the afternoon, so let's check in with him for the first time today.
The pre-match thoughts of Barney Corkhill:
"The sun is out at Twickenham and the weather is perfect for what promises to be a stellar occasion. It is the two best teams in the world going head to head for the biggest prize in rugby, and there are sub-plots galore along the way.
"One of these teams will be the first to win the World Cup three times, New Zealand are looking to become the first side to retain the trophy, while Drew Mitchell and Julian Savea are both chasing World Cup try records. It is arguably the biggest final in the competition's history, and let's hope the match itself is befitting of ending what has been the best World Cup ever."
Best World Cup ever, indeed. That seems like a good cue to check out some of the tournament's facts and figures to date heading into this showpiece final, which are likely to change throughout the afternoon with many New Zealand and Australia players involved at the top end of the points scoring charts.
Overall, 2,388 points have been scored in this year's competition so far, in a tournament watched by 2,397,680 spectators - plus millions more across the globe. A total of 266 tries have been scored, combined with 190 conversions and seven drop goals.
We have also witnessed 219 penalties slotted over; something that is likely to play a key part this afternoon. The average points scored per game currently stands at 51 across the previous 47 matches, but a more cagey affair is expected this afternoon.
Now onto the individual stats which, as already touched on a little earlier, are likely to change come 6pm this evening. Nicolas Sanchez added a few more points to his personal collection last night in the third-place playoff, making him the outright leading points scorer in the competition to date with 97 to his name.
Handre Pollard went to the top of the pile at one stage yesterday thanks to his numerous pens, but he ends his participation in this year's competition four points off the current leader. Then comes Scotland's Greig Laidlaw (79), while Bernard Foley still has an outside chance of climbing to the top with 75 points to his name.
Julian Savea leads the way in terms of tries, of course, thanks in large to his display against France a fortnight ago. Just one more score is needed to take him beyond Habana and Lomu as the outright leading try scorer at a single World Cup.
David Pocock leads the way for most turnovers won at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, with 14 in all so far
Okay, stats and facts ticked off the list, it is time to cross over to Rugby HQ once again to gather some more thoughts from Barney Corkhill:
"New Zealand are unlikely to need any more motivation for this match, but if they did then it would surely come from wanting to give a fitting send-off to five players who will go down in All Blacks legend. Richie McCaw is surely the greatest of them all - arguably the best player the game has ever seen - while Dan Carter is not far behind in those stakes. Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith must go down as one of the best centre partnerships ever, while Kevin Mealamu has a whopping 131 caps to his name for the best team in the world.
"There seems to be a never-ending cycle of great New Zealand players, but this generation may well be the hardest yet to replace. Victory today would cement them as the best team of all time in the eyes of many and, whatever happens, it will be the end of an era for the All Blacks here. That simply makes this occasion all the more special."
PREVIOUS MEETINGS! As stated earlier, this is the most played Test match in rugby union, with the sides meeting on 154 previous occasions. That is just matches officially recognised by both federations, too, with the actual figure closer to the 200 mark. New Zealand have had the better of things, claiming 105 wins to their opponents' 42. I will leave you to work out how many draws there have been.
In terms of past encounters at the Rugby World Cup, this will be the fourth time they have met at this famous competition. All of the previous meetings have come in the semi-finals, with Australia winning in 1999 and 2003, before the All Blacks exacted their revenge en route to lifting the cup four years ago.
Australia are actually the only side with a winning track record against the Kiwis at the World Cup, having got their opponents over the years. South Africa could boast the same record seven days go, until losing that tight semi-final that New Zealand managed to just about navigate through.
DID YOU KNOW? New Zealand may have won the World Cup twice before, but they have never done so outside of their own country. The previous two successful campaigns came in 1987 and 2011 when hosting the tournament, so history will have to be made if they are to triumph for a record third time this afternoon.
Another one for the fact-lovers among you - the side leading at half time in all seven previous World Cup finals has gone on to lift the trophy. It makes a positive early start all the more important once we get underway in around 15 minutes' time.
Well Australia head into this game with just the one defeat to their name this calendar year, but it perhaps does not help that the solitary reverse came against today's opponents in August. What does stand them in good stead, though, is the fact that they have only ever lost one World Cup fixture in the northern hemisphere (vs. England in 2007).
This will be the Wallabies' fourth participation in the final of a Rugby World Cup. It is a positive record on the whole, having won two and lost one of those previous showdowns. Opponents New Zealand are competing at this stage of the competition for a fourth time themselves, meanwhile, boasting an identical record with two previous tournament wins.
Australia may have won seven World Cup in succession now, but New Zealand have not suffered defeat since losing to France in the 2007 quarter-finals. That is a run of 13 victories on the bounce, which is unsurprisingly a record.
New Zealand will be competing in their 50th Rugby World Cup match this afternoon, incidentally - a milestone no other side has yet to reach. Experience is certainly not lacking, either, with 13 members of today's squad a part of the successful 2011 winning side.
The Red Arrows have just flown high over Twickenham, leaving a trail of blue, white and red smoke. The teams are now out on the field, with the anthems due to be played prior to the spine-tingling Haka - worth the entry fee alone.
While the players belt out their respective anthems, I will quickly point you in the direction of our final preview, which can be found by clicking here.
We are now just moments away from kickoff in the 2015 World Cup final - first, the Haka...
CONVERTED TRY! NEW ZEALAND 21-17 AUSTRALIA (TEVITA KURIDRANI)
We have a game on our hands now, folks! Tevita Kuridrani is the hero for Australia, crossing over to cut the Kiwis' lead to just four points. Beale chipped the ball into some space, which Mitchell gathered well on the far right despite the awkward bounce. The move looked to be fading, but all of a sudden Kuridrani was there in support to carry it the final 20 metres.
Ben Smith returns from the sin bin, but it has proved to be an extremely costly absence. Four points between the sides with 14 minutes left to go. All the momentum remains with the Wallabies in the final quarter of an entertaining final.
New Zealand have taken a more sensible approach now in an attempt to stifle the Aussies' threat. There is no denying which side is carrying the momentum, and the All Blacks simply need to see out this wave of pressure.
DROP GOAL! NEW ZEALAND 24-17 AUSTRALIA (DAN CARTER)
Dan Carter with a superb drop goal to make things slightly more comfortable for the All Blacks - what a loss he is going to be when bowing out. Just like last weekend, he finds the target from around 40 metres out to wrestle back some control.
A raft of changes, including Phipps on for Genia, disrupts the flow of things. The tension is quite unbearable with a converted try the difference between the pair. New Zealand looking far better now, which is completely understandable considering they are back to full strength.
New Zealand take their time over a scrum on the halfway line. It collapses and Carter now has a chance to put his side 10 point to the good - surely enough to secure the victory.
PENALTY! NEW ZEALAND 27-17 AUSTRALIA (DAN CARTER)
Could that be the kick that seals this final? I think it might just be. The Wallabies' momentum has well and truly gone; New Zealand on their way to an unprecedented third World Cup triumph.
Five minutes for Australia to rescue themselves at Twickenham. They go through the phases but come up against a strong New Zealand defence. The high levels are there, but no way through at the moment as Carter makes an 11th tackle of the game.
Very good defending from New Zealand who, bar a 10-minute spell, have been solid throughout. Take nothing away from Australia, though - written off by many they have given us a thrilling second half.
CONVERTED TRY! NEW ZEALAND 34-17 AUSTRALIA (BEAUDEN BARRETT)
There is a reason why New Zealand are on the brink of history - they are simply the best on the planet when it comes to decision making. Smith took three players out of the game and kicked the ball into space for Beauden Barrett to race on to. It is all about the bounce, falling perfectly for a third score of the evening. That confirms it.
FULL TIME: NEW ZEALAND 34-17 AUSTRALIA
There we have it, then - New Zealand become the first side ever to retain the Rugby World Cup. Six teams have tried, six teams have failed; no such problem for the planet's greatest side who come out on top in a thrilling final.
It is the highest scoring final of all time, and arguably the most entertaining of all time. It looked like being a very one-sided contest at the interval, with New Zealand boasting a record half-time lead, but being reduced to 14 men gave Australia some hope - and then some!
Want to relive it all? Why not check out our full-time report from Rugby HQ following a real thriller in the English capital.
Real joy around Twickenham at the moment as New Zealand's player prepare to lift the Webb Ellis Cup high above their heads, securing their place in rugby folklore in the process. A word on Steve Hansen, who has turned this side into a different beast altogether since taking to the helm. Just three defeats since winning this competition four years ago, remember.
In terms of Australia, they will no doubt be feeling extremely disappointed at the moment but can certainly hold their heads up high. For a period of about 20 minutes, coinciding with Smith's spell on the sidelines, they really did have all the momentum. It was not to be in the end, though, and this will be seen as an opportunity missed in the grand scheme of things.
Some very interesting comments made by Richie McCaw post-match. Asked if, as was widely expected, he would be calling time on his career after this win, he responded: "If you get moments like today, why would you ever call it a day?" See you in 2019, Rich.
Nonu celebrates scoring the second of New Zealand's three tries, with a fine individual effort 42 minutes in
Barney Corkhill was fortunate enough to witness that final up close. Here are his post-natch thoughts:
"What a final that was. I must admit that I thought it was over when Nonu touched down, but Australia deserve so much credit for dragging themselves back into the game and making a fight of it. Ultimately, though, the class of New Zealand, and especially Dan Carter, shone through. He deserves this more than most having missed out in 2011, while it is also the perfect send-off for McCaw, Smith, Nonu and Mealamu. The greatest team of all time? It's hard to argue after tonight."
That is now 14 wins on the bounce for New Zealand in this competition, begging the question whether anyone can actually stop them? Four years is a long time in rugby, of course, but the All Blacks will head to Japan as strong favourites once more.
Australia's players now receiving their medals following a brave but ultimately futile display. It will be interesting to see what happens behind the scenes now with the Wallabies, but the platform is certainly there to build on today's disappointment.
Right, it is nearly time for the All Blacks to step up and lift the trophy. A special moment for those five players bowing out, although that McCaw bombshell a little earlier suggests that he may actually stay on.
The backroom members of staff receive their medals from Prince Harry, but not before Michael Cheika is greeted with a loud cheer from the crowd.
A quick reminder as we wait for the players to step up that we will have plenty of reaction from Twickenham over the next few hours. Hopefully some more from McCaw, too, who is clearly undecided over his international future.
On the subject of McCaw, take a look at these stats: 131 wins, 2 draws and 15 defeats in 148 Tests. 10 Bled Cups, 4 Tri Nations, 3 Rugby Championships, 2 World Cups. 110 wins as captain.
The Webb Ellis Cup is lifted high above Richie McCaw's head, and the party really has now begun. New Zealand are the first side to ever retain this famous trophy, seeing off all challengers to write their name in rugby folklore.
Well there we have it - the best World Cup of all time has come to an end. After 48 games and plenty of drama in between, we wave goodbye to England 2015. I hope you have enjoyed Sports Mole's coverage throughout the tournament. See you all in four years' time.
