Twitter Reacts to the Rugby World Cup Final Between New Zealand and Australia

Trans-Tasman rivalry was at the heart of the Rugby World Cup final when New Zealand took on Australia at Twickenham on Saturday evening.

The All Blacks were rampant in their quarter-final win over France before edging South Africa in a thriller a week earlier at the same venue.

Australia squeezed past Scotland in one of the tournament's most controversial games and then put away Argentina in the semi-final.

And as the two countries hauled themselves out of bed for the early kick-off, tensions were running high.

Some famous faces had their say pre-match:

New Zealand took an early lead through a Dan Carter penalty and looked to add to their advantage in the early stages.

They were denied by some superb defending by Australia and the brilliance of Michael Hooper and David Pocock:

There was plenty of love for Carter, who missed New Zealand's final victory four years earlier due to injury:

And so too was there appreciation of referee Nigel Owens, who has shot to fame throughout the tournament:

Kieran Read waited until the biggest game of his career to try something new—a midfield up-and-under:

New Zealand were dominant, and Carter nudged them 9-3 ahead before Nehe Milner-Skudder put an exclamation mark on the first half with a well-taken try in the 39th minute:

Carter converted to ensure New Zealand led by 13 at the break, the largest lead ever at half-time in the World Cup final.

Australia would have to become the first team to overcome a half-time deficit in order to lift the trophy.

Sonny Bill Williams came on at half-time, and his impact was instantaneous. His offload two minutes into the second half set Ma'a Nonu to streak away and score to extend the lead:

"

NONU NONU NONU!!!! WAS I FIRST TO DO THIS TWEET???

— Sharyn Casey (@ShakefieldCasey) October 31, 2015"

It was an 18-point deficit, but Wallabies fans remained hopeful:

And Ben Smith's yellow card, becoming the first person to be sin-binned in a World Cup final after 52 minutes, gave them hope:

When Pocock burrowed over from the resulting penalty, Australia were back in it:

The comeback was well and truly on when Tevita Kuridrani scored with 15 minutes to play to cut the lead to four:

Carter's drop goal pushed the lead back out to seven...

...and his 75th-minute penalty put the game to bed.

New Zealand could finally celebrate:

Beauden Barrett's last-minute try put the icing on the cake for the All Blacks, who become the first team to defend their world championship:

It was a fitting way for some of the greatest players of a generation to end on:

New Zealand celebrated the win with a victory haka.

[Twitter]