Editorial: All Blacks' prove their greatness

The best rugby team in the world has been crowned world champions.

It is fitting that the best rugby team in the world has been crowned world champions.

There is no question that the All Blacks have earned the title of best team in the world and they are worthy Rugby World Cup winners, having beaten Australia in the 2015 final at Twickenham yesterday.

It would have been an injustice if Australia had won the match and denied the All Blacks the chance to become the first team to win back-to-back titles and the first team to win three World Cups.

The All Blacks' record since they won the last World Cup in Auckland in 2011 makes them unquestionably the best.

This team has also earned the right to be regarded as one of the best All Black teams ever, some would even suggest the best.

Captain Richie McCaw and first five Dan Carter also deserve to be recognised as two of the greatest players ever, not just All Blacks.

What they have brought to the game is immense.

However, a lot of the credit must go to coach Steve Hansen, who has proved himself to be an even better coach than Sir Graham Henry.

Not only has he shown himself to be a fine coach, but also a good leader and a wise old head. The gruff persona is not to the fore anymore and he seems to speak more from the heart these days.

It rubs off on his team, which is modest and grounded.

It is also truly great and, scarily for opponents, can get even better, despite losing the old guard.

With more young talent waiting in the wings, like the remarkable Ioane brothers, don't bet against this side winning the next World Cup in Japan.