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| ** New Zealand claim the World Cup! |
Tony Woodcock of the All Blacks breaks clear to score the opening try during the
2011 IRB Rugby World Cup Final match between France and New Zealand at Eden Park
on October 23, 2011 in Auckland, New Zealand.
(
October 22, 2011 - Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
AsiaPac)
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Tony Woodcock of the All Blacks breaks to score
(
October 22, 2011 - Photo by Sandra Mu/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Imanol Harinordoquy of France (C) is tackled by Ma'a Nonu (L) and Richie McCaw
(R) of the All Blacks
(
October 22, 2011 - Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
AsiaPac)
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Lionel Nallet of France wins the line out ball
(
October 22, 2011 - Photo by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images
AsiaPac)
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Richie McCaw of the All Blacks goes in for the tackle on Imanol Harinordoquy of
France
(
October 22, 2011 - Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
AsiaPac)
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Damien Traille of France is tackled by Brad Thorn of the All Blacks
(
October 22, 2011 - Photo by Sandra Mu/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Brad Thorn of the All Blacks celebrates after an 8-7 victory in the 2011 IRB
Rugby World Cup Final match between France and New Zealand at Eden Park on
October 23, 2011 in Auckland, New Zealand.
(
October 22, 2011 - Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
AsiaPac)
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Captain Richie McCaw of the All Blacks lifts the Webb Ellis Cup after the 2011
IRB Rugby World Cup Final match between France and New Zealand at Eden Park on
October 23, 2011 in Auckland, New Zealand.
(
October 22, 2011 - Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
AsiaPac)
**
It was not as convincing as many fans expected but the All Blacks held on to claim an 8-7 success over France and with it their second World Cup crown.
Man of the match: Yet another towering performance from Imanol Harinordoquy has gone into the locker of the Biarritz stalwart. The number eight proved once again he is a must in this French line-up as he foiled several home line-outs, ran well in open play and also had a good night in close quarters. However, along with Thierry Dusautoir, Richie McCaw put in captain's performance on Sunday and was colossal at the breakdown. Big game effort.
Moment of the match: It had looked like France were going to upset New Zealand in 1999, 2007 and now 2011 when Francois Trinh-Duc lined up a long-range penalty attempt with only a quarter of the game remaining. The replacement fly-half did not get hold of his attempt though and that proved the difference between the two when it came down to it.
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