All Blacks class drags Rugby World Cup final to life after disappointing start | Eddie Butler

A delicious moment of technical expertise from Conrad Smith lit the fuse for a memorable New Zealand victory but Australia briefly threatened a comebackFor one minute short of a full first half this was a final like most others. It had been billed as having the potential to light up the firmament, but was going the way of most hyped contests, into a tangle of bodies. The World Cup final takes players into places where suffocation is an ever-present threat. Related: New Zealand retain Rugby World Cup with ruthless display against Australia Continue reading...