Rugby World Cup 2015: Next Generation Capable of Succeeding All Blacks Old Guard

The mood at Twickenham on Saturday evening will have dwarfed that of Eden Park in 1987 or the same venue in 2011 as New Zealand defeated Australia 34-17 to claim the Rugby World Cup 2015.

It was a night of firsts for the All Blacks; the first team to win an all-Southern Hemisphere final played on European soil; the first team to win back-to-back world titles and their first time claiming the crown outside their own backyard.

But it was also an evening of swansongs and goodbye performances. It was the last time we'll ever see the triumphant old guard of Dan Carter, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith and Keven Mealamu in international colours, with Richie McCaw also expected to follow Tony Woodcock into Test retirement.

At the head of the queue paying homage to the departing veterans was New Zealand coach Steve Hansen, who picked out McCaw and Carter for special praise, per the Telegraph's Steve James:

"

Richie is the best All Black we have ever had and Dan is a close second. The only thing that separates them is Richie has played 148 matches at flanker, which is unheard of - you put your body on the line every time you go there. The challenge for the other guys now is to try and become as great as him and Dan.

"

He was almost correct—as absurd as it may sound given the magnitude of Saturday's win, the aim for this new breed isn't to match Carter and his fellow retirees. It's to go on and become even better.

For now, of course, the island country boasting a population of just under five million will bask in their historic defence of the World Cup. Gerry Thornley of the Irish Times rightly teased the thought of this New Zealand team being the best ever to have existed:

The sense of achievement will only last so long, though, and part of the All Blacks' cyclical success in the sport has always been their ability to look beyond the now and consider what's to come.

Hansen has been happy to make the most of his veterans' talents while they've edged their way toward the exit, but the plans have long been in place for their departure and with Rugby World Cup 2019 in sight.

It's well-founded that New Zealand's ability to produce a factory line of quality players comes down to the prominence of rugby being the nation's primary sport, and the new dynasty looks ready to emerge.

Even in the wake of such a tremendous and unique achievement in London, captain McCaw had the humility to shine a light on not just the team, but those waiting in the wings already, per Rugby World:

Many see Chiefs flanker Sam Cane as the man to succeed McCaw in the No. 7 jersey, and at just 23 years of age, the 31-times capped young gun could be a staple of the team and future captain for years to come.

Meanwhile, a fit-again Aaron Cruden may come back to contend for Carter's soon-to-be-vacant No. 10 shirt, but rugby writer Brendan Gallagher noted the coincidence of Beauden Barrett, 24, coming on to score Saturday's last try:

The All Blacks are almost selfish in the way they stockpile talent. Even with Cruden absent, versatile Colin Slade could barely get a minute at the World Cup, and Highlanders Lima Sopoaga was unable to even make the squad.

Perhaps the most crucial conundrum for selectors comes in midfield, with both Nonu and Conrad Smith taking their leave as they jet off to Toulon and Pau, respectively. 

It may be a stretch to think Sonny Bill Williams will stick around long enough to contend for a place in 2019, at which point he'll be 34 and possibly trying his hand in Formula One or some other sporting venture.

As BBC Sport's Tom Fordyce pointed out, the former rugby league and sometimes boxer came on to have a big impact at Twickenham. He was a bench player at this tournament that other teams would have killed to have among their arsenal:

But even when looking beyond the departing first string, players like Slade, Malakai Fekitoa and even the malleable Ben Smith could come into the centres, while Crusaders star Ryan Crotty will be one of many candidates for a promotion.

The biggest challenge for New Zealand now is quelling the exodus of native talent. Earlier this year, Liam Napier of Stuff.co.nz reported Jerome Kaino had boosted their ranks by signing a new contract until 2018.

Hannah Peters/Getty Images

However, to see the likes of Charles Piutau and Frank Halai leave for Premiership outfit Wasps and Tim Nanai-Williams committing to Samoa are sorry blows in their efforts in moulding a new wave of talent.

Onwards and upwards, though, that's the key. McCaw and Carter will be missed figures in All Blacks colours, and at no point will their contributions be forgotten, but their successors are already emerging, and the future looks bright.