The New Zealand Rugby Union is big on the appearance of due diligence in selecting the All Black coaches but they might as well go for undue haste this time. Should the triumphant Graham Henry stand down, as most expect…

1. video The All Blacks parade in Christchurch

Perhaps we should call it the turtle syndrome. After all, that steady creature makes progress only when he sticks his neck out. New Zealand certainly stuck its neck out in bidding for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Even before…

1. photos Winning All Blacks parade through Auckland (26 photos)

Richie McCaw was again Captain Fantastic, being in the first three to the breakdown 45 times, and he was the top All Black tackler with 15 tackles and two assists, missing just two. He also made six ball carries for a gain…

1. All Black captain Richie McCaw admits emotional tightrope takes toll

Don't even think about Rugby World Cup 2015. Give it time to settle. After all, it's taken a while to have the Webb Ellis Cup nestling within these shores. So best let the nation savour this, allow the glow of victory…

1. video Victorious All Blacks parade through Auckland (3:22)

So the wrong team won the final but the right team won the Rugby World Cup. No, I didn't have too much of the bubbly stuff into the small hours of Monday morning. Not a drop, in fact. But however you view Sunday night's…

1. Editorial: Let's blow whistle on blaming the referee (39 comments)

No one could accuse New Zealand of not going over the top as Rugby World Cup hosts. The country fired its best shots, and then some. In winning the Webb Ellis Cup final though, the All Blacks were understated. Even a touch…

1. photos All Blacks fans: Readers photos (44 photos)

This was a game that was crying out for a hero. Against Argentina, Piri Weepu stood up. In the semifinal, Cory Jane rose above everyone to snuff out Australia's aerial attack. Who was going to make the final their own? If…

1. photos Best final images: All Blacks v France final (28 photos)

"Quatres annees de plus." It sounds slightly less brutal in French, but the message would have been the same. Four more years. And for much of the second half of a desperately intense, thoroughly competitive if rather…

1. photos Readers photos: All Blacks fans ecstatic (13 photos)

Welcome to the final edition of GBs-BBs. Over the past two months we've celebrated, tongue in cheek, the best and the worst of the myriad personalities that have made up this World Cup. Most have taken it in the spirit it…

1. Dylan Cleaver: Rugby World Cup good buggers and bad buggers (7 comments)

As we were warned during the week, we probably should have expected this from the French. They produced a performance completely at odds with their almost all their previous tournament form, dominating possession and territory…

1. Sporting greats: Gone before their time

On a night of redemption there was also a little forgiveness. The crowd rose to their feet on 34 minutes, more really to pay tribute to the injured Aaron Cruden but there was a touch of an apology, too, as everyone lingered…

1. video Skytower haka for All Blacks

I'm nervous about tonight's Rugby World Cup final (which is good; I was nervous last week too and look what happened) but not so nervous that I can't stop and salute Keven Mealamu who is set to take the title of the All…

1. video Team NZ's message for the All Blacks

Winning is a habit. At least, it is in the Anglo-Saxon rugby world. From regular success comes innate confidence, motivation to train and improve and, importantly, an enjoyment of the big occasion. Inevitably there will…

1. All Blacks v France: French legends see Gallic flair as path to Rugby World Cup glory

I don't think there is any way the French will come out employing filth against the All Blacks in the Rugby World Cup final tonight. Some think they may use that as shock tactics - and you've got to say they have done so…

1. All Blacks: Golden period will go down in history

It's a weird one, this Rugby World Cup final. It almost doesn't matter if the All Blacks beat France tonight or not - many of us are still surfing on the residual swell of that iconic victory over Australia. Of course it…

1. video All Blacks talk about the final