New Zealand All Blacks Win RWC

New Zealand All Blacks Win RWC

Olivia Hixson (9th), Reporter

The popular New Zealand team the “All Blacks” won their third Rugby World Cup on October 31st at the Twickenham Stadium in London, England.

Exactly 80,125 rugby fans gathered in the stadium to enjoy the intense match between the “All Blacks” of New Zealand and the Australian rugby team the Wallabies. With the thoughts of New Zealand’s past two record-breaking Rugby World Cup wins (one in 1987 and the other in 2011), the “All Blacks” fans had high anticipation for the 2015 RWC match.

As in most of their games, the “All Blacks” performed the Haka before they actually started playing.

For those who do not know, according to NewZealand.com, “The haka is a type of ancient Maori war dance traditionally used on the battlefield, as well as when groups came together in peace, Haka are a fierce display of a tribe’s pride, strength and unity. Actions include violent foot-stamping, tongue protrusions and rhythmic body slapping to accompany a loud chant. The words of the haka often poetically describe ancestors and events in the tribe’s history.”

Yeah, it’s pretty intimidating.

With a final score of 34-17, the “All Blacks” did not let their fans down and triumphed over the Australian Wallabies. This win marks a new record for the New Zealand “All Blacks”- they have now won three Rugby World Cups, or Webb Ellis Cups to be specific. Any photos of this victorious night will most likely show the New Zealand team flaunting the Webb Ellis Cup.

One could ask “So, what does this actually mean for the All Blacks?” Well, this win unofficially marks the “All Blacks” as the generation’s best team. Since the Rugby World Cup is held every four years, winning the past two is pretty dang impressive. New Zealand actually has the record of winning the most RWCs since 1987.

Now that the much anticipated match has fulfilled every New Zealand fan’s hopes and wishes, a fair amount of attention has been drawn to what the team is doing now. The whole team delighted their plane full of passengers on their way home from London by sharing their well-earned prize, the cup itself.

From RugbyWorld.com, “The guest of honor came in the shape of the Webb Ellis Cup, with passengers able to touch the trophy and take pictures as it was passed down the plane aisle.”

Similarly, the team was met at their airport by a swarm of fans, all applauding and cheering them on, as well as being delighted to see their home team return with the Rugby World Cup.

The All Blacks’ coach Steve Hansen, who has lead the team to win two RWCs in the past, is unlikely to return to his position as coach in 2017.

According to an interview of Hansen by Eurosport.uk, “’I like the idea of changing the guard halfway through a cycle which has a World Cup in the middle of it.’”

Congrats to the New Zealand “All Blacks!”