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Wellington went into party mode on Sunday as jubilant All Blacks fans celebrated New Zealand’s historic Rugby World Cup final win over arch-rivals Australia.
Energetic despite a 5am kick-off, thousands of supporters poured out of pubs in the capital’s Courtenay Place entertainment strip after the 34-17 victory.
Cars flying All Blacks flags tooted their horns as the good-natured crowd cheered, while strangers in All Blacks jerseys and scarves hugged on the sidewalk.
It means so much to us ordinary Kiwis. It’s a testament to the great All Blacks that are retiring and I feel truly proud to be a New Zealander
All Blacks fan Geordie Maxey
“What a day to be alive,” Geordie Maxey said after New Zealand’s record third World Cup victory.
“It means so much to us ordinary Kiwis. It’s a testament to the great All Blacks that are retiring and I feel truly proud to be a New Zealander.”
Shamoon Shamoon, the manager of the Grand Hotel, said the revelry was comparable to New Year’s Eve.
“We had a full house in 15 minutes and had to close the doors... [the atmosphere] was magnificent,” he said.
Due to timezone issues, the government passed special laws allowing pubs to open during the tournament, despite objections from morality groups.Prime Minister John Key, in a congratulatory message to the team, said “four million New Zealanders would have set their alarms to get up and watch the final”.
The tournament’s early start took a toll on some, with Callum Cookson and Ollie Ling still wearing pancake make-up from Halloween the previous night.
“We’re All Blacks zombies now... this isn’t make up – it’s our real faces,” Cookson joked.
“It was hard staying up, and when we weren’t asleep, we were nervous. We ploughed through the night and it was totally worth it, we’re winners.”
Rhythm Hartman, enjoying a celebratory kebab, struggled to express what winning back-to-back World Cups means to the rugby-mad nation.
“It’s part of our culture, it’s not just a game for us, it’s a bit more than that, how can you explain it?” he said.
“New Zealand always loves the ABs, especially when they bring home double World Cups.”For Emma Cossar, who dragged herself out to watch the match with a broken ankle, defeating Australia made the win even sweeter.
“Rugby is what we are, it doesn’t really matter about other stuff,” she said.
“Most people overseas only see New Zealand as part of Australia, so it’s pretty cool to be able to say we kicked the arse of every other rugby team in the world.”
In Australia, the result evoked a mixture of disappointment and defiance, with fans taking heart from the fact that the Wallabies – largely written off before the tournament – pushed the All Blacks all the way.
Supporters ranging from Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to Hollywood star Russell Crowe and golfer Greg Norman all tweeted messages telling the Wallabies to hold their heads high after an effort that had won the nation’s admiration.
“Absolutely, proud of the Wallabies,” fan Simon Ansell said after watching the final in a Sydney bar.
“New Zealand is an ultra-class team, I’m proud of what the Wallabies did, we’ll be back in four years’ time.”The atmosphere in Wellington was more tense 80 minutes earlier, amid fears the Wallabies could stage an upset.
The crowd at the D4 Irish bar watched the pre-match haka in absolute silence, letting out a collective roar when it was finished.
Every crunching tackle was met with applause by patrons enjoying pints of beer and fried breakfasts, with one spectator tempting fate by saying “it’s in the bag” as the All Blacks raced to a 16-3 half-time lead.
But a few streets away at the Four Kings bar, tensions mounted after the restart amid a stirring Australian fightback.
Smiles only began reappearing after Dan Carter’s drop-goal provided a handy buffer, then the bar erupted when Beauden Barrett’s late try put the result beyond doubt.
Chants of “All Blacks, All Blacks” erupted as We Are The Champions by rock band Queen blared over the sound system.
New Zealand Herald rugby writer Gregor Paul said it was a win that sealed the current All Blacks’ place in history.
“Who could mount any kind of counter viewpoint against Richie McCaw’s team being the greatest the game has ever seen?” he wrote.


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Rugby World Cup 2015

5am kickoff can’t prevent Kiwis partying as New Zealand celebrates back-to-back Rugby World Cups

New Zealand All Blacks rugby fan Michaela Brehlova reacts in Auckland. Photo: Reuters

Fans watch from the street in Wellington. Photo: AFP

Fans celebrate after the final whistle is blown at Twickenham. Photo: AFP

There was joy for All Blacks fans ... 

... but despair for the Aussies. Photos: Reuters

Dan Carter bows out as king of rugby after New Zealand beat Australia to win World Cup

New Zealand fly-half Dan Carter (centre) celebrates with team-mates after the All Blacks beat Australia 34-17 in the final of the 2015 Rugby World Cup at Twickenham on Saturday. Photo: AFP

New Zealand's Beauden Barrett scores a try during the Rugby World Cup final between New Zealand and Australia at Twickenham Stadium in London, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

Australia's flanker Michael Hooper reacts after losing the final match of the 2015 Rugby World Cup between New Zealand and Australia at Twickenham stadium, south west London, on October 31, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE, NO USE IN LIVE MATCH TRACKING SERVICES, TO BE USED AS NON-SEQUENTIAL STILLS

New Zealand's centre Ma'a Nonu (C) celebrates with New Zealand's lock Sam Whitelock (L) and New Zealand's wing Julian Savea (R) after scoring his team's second try during the final match of the 2015 Rugby World Cup between New Zealand and Australia at Twickenham stadium, south west London, on October 31, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE, NO USE IN LIVE MATCH TRACKING SERVICES, TO BE USED AS NON-SEQUENTIAL STILLS

Australia's fly half Bernard Foley (C) is tackled by New Zealand's prop Joe Moody during the final match of the 2015 Rugby World Cup between New Zealand and Australia at Twickenham stadium, south west London, on October 31, 2015. AFP PHOTO / GLYN KIRK RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE, NO USE IN LIVE MATCH TRACKING SERVICES, TO BE USED AS NON-SEQUENTIAL STILLS

epa05005011 Australia's Tevita Kuridrani dives over the try line to score during the Rugby World Cup 2015 final between New Zealand and Australia at Twickenham in London, Britain, 31 October 2015. EPA/ANDY RAIN EDITORIAL USE ONLY / NO COMMERCIAL SALES / NOT USED IN ASSOCIATION WITH ANY COMMERCIAL ENTITY

Australia players react after the Rugby World Cup final between New Zealand and Australia at Twickenham Stadium in London, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015. The All Blacks won 34-17. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

New Zealand's Daniel Carter kicks a penalty during the Rugby World Cup final between New Zealand and Australia at Twickenham Stadium in London, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

New Zealand's centre Sonny Bill Williams is tackled during the final match of the 2015 Rugby World Cup between New Zealand and Australia at Twickenham stadium, south west London, on October 31, 2015. AFP PHOTO / GLYN KIRK RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE, NO USE IN LIVE MATCH TRACKING SERVICES, TO BE USED AS NON-SEQUENTIAL STILLS

Enjoy it bro: Sonny Bill Williams gives away his World Cup winner’s medal to a boy in the crowd

Charlie Lines can't believe his luck. Photo: AFP

Charlie Lines celebrates. Photo: AP

Sonny Bill Williams with the fan. Photo: AP

Sonny Bill Williams takes Charlie Lines back to his seat. Photo: AP

Sonny Bill Williams and Charlie Lines. Photo: AP

Sport

Rugby

Jubilant fans take to the streets to sing praises of their world-beating All Blacks


Wellington went into party mode on Sunday as jubilant All Black fans celebrated New Zealand’s historic Rugby World Cup final win over arch-rivals Australia.
