New Zealand All Blacks' McCaw holds up the Webb Ellis Cup after beating France to win the Rugby World Cup final match in Auckland. REUTERS.
By: LUKE PHILLIPS, Veteran prop Tony Woodcock scored the All Blacks' sole try, with replacement fly-half Stephen Donald hitting a second-half penalty as first-choice kicker Piri Weepu let eight points go begging.New Zealand ended 24 years of misery when they edged France 8-7 to win the Rugby World Cup for a second time here on Sunday. The All Blacks, who also won the inaugural 1987 tournament, beating the French on home soil in that final too, also at Eden Park, were made to work hard by a 'Les Bleus' team that poured scorn on the view of many pundits that they were the worst side to have ever made a World Cup final. Veteran prop Tony Woodcock scored the All Blacks' sole try, with replacement fly-half Stephen Donald hitting a second-half penalty as first-choice kicker Piri Weepu let eight points go begging. France, guilty of playing too much in their own half, hit back with a try from inspirational captain Thierry Dusautoir converted by Francois Trinh-Duc, but it was not enough against a New Zealand side that offered up a tough-as-teak defence. Victory was especially sweet for All Blacks captain Richie McCaw and coach Graham Henry, who both held their respective roles when New Zealand suffered a crushing quarter-final loss to France in Cardiff four years ago. Business Day - All Blacks pip France to win Rugby World Cup
