Disappointed David Pocock: ‘We’ll cop it on the chin. That’s how it ends’
The Wallabies forward worked himself to the bone yet again in the Rugby World Cup final but not even his monstrous efforts could deliver the ultimate prize
New Zealand’s dominance in Rugby World Cup looks likely to continue
All Blacks have had a succession plan because they knew Dan Carter and Richie McCaw were retiring, and now South Africa look best placed to challenge them
Rugby World Cup 2015: five reasons New Zealand won the Webb Ellis Cup
The All Blacks timed their run into form to perfection, had one of the world’s shrewdest coaches and every player, regardless of how many caps he had, played as if his life depended on it
The Rugby World Cup in numbers: New Zealand lead the stats
The All Blacks scored the most points and tries, and had many of the leading individual performers. However the numbers also make impressive reading for Argentina
Rugby World Cup bonanza to fund coaching in emerging tier two nations
World Rugby has promised to do more to further close the gap between the tier one and tier two nations after the ‘biggest and best’ World Cup ever
Australia can see a golden sky through their Rugby World Cup tears
Scott Fardy says players will get swept up in country’s identity in the long term after Australia finish second in a bruising World Cup final
New Zealand’s rugby from the future paves the way for 2019 World Cup
The All Blacks were light years ahead of everyone else at this tournament and four years may not be long enough to close the gap
World Cup awards – the tournament’s best quotes, gaffes and ghouls
Farewell to all this… How Maradona, Croydon council and Henry VIII were among those making their mark in past seven weeks
New Zealand vintage of 2015, the greatest rugby team of all time
The top rugby union teams ever to have taken to the pitch, with the World Cup winners New Zealand a new entry at No1
Sonny Bill Williams gives Rugby World Cup medal to stunned 14-year-old fan
New Zealand star gives away his medal to youngster Charlie Line
Southern stars ease disappointment of England’s early World Cup exit
England provided a stunning stage for the Rugby World Cup but Australia, New Zealand and others who placed emphasis on athleticism and awareness of space put on the show
Beer and bad coffee: the Rugby World Cup final in Sydney and Tauranga
Aussies and Kiwis congregating to watch the Antipodean derby had terrifyingly early starts – but it didn’t affect their enthusiasm
New Zealand’s Richie McCaw tempted to play on after World Cup triumph
New Zealand captain Richie McCaw refused to rule out playing on after the All Blacks’ World Cup triumph over Australia at Twickenham, the second time he has won the tournament
Dan Carter brings down the black curtain for New Zealand as only he can
The fly-half had waited a long time to play in a Rugby World Cup final, and he made sure he didn’t miss out on glory with 19 points and a man of the match display
Michael Cheika: World Cup final loss can help Australia close gap on New Zealand
The Wallabies coach said: ‘The more we test ourselves, the better we’ll get’ while his New Zealand counterpart added: ‘At 21-17 they could easily have won the game’