In the sheds after RWC final heartbreak |  

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Australian here - Every time someone says ‘ Oh it’s the *All Blacks* ‘ it’s literary because of efforts like that. No rubbish, no excuses. All heart. Your DNA when it comes to the sport of Rugby Union imo is built off being ruthless in success, and humble in defeat. Hold your head high! You’ve done your country and everyone who has worn the jersey before you proud!

Down to 14 men for most of the game, you guys dug deep and went down by a point, pushing all the way. Proud of you all.

Respect from Ireland lads, you fought to the death and battled on when most teams would collapse after losing a man. Thank you for making this world cup magical.

Heads up boys, we're damn proud of each one of you. Wrap around Sam, he can't be allowed to blame himself. He was immense, he lead us to the final, and with 14 men on the field we almost won. We have your back no matter what, enjoy the summer and we'll see you next year!

Love All Blacks!One of the toughest days.Really sad. But super proud of the effort. Coming from a Sri Lankan who have been supporting and watching every single All blacks match since 2003. Thank you to the All Blacks legends who are leaving the team after the world cup. Hats off to you.

From a South African, thank you to The All Blacks for last night. Theres nothing quite like an SA vs NZ test match, and to all have the pleasure of it on the biggest stage was special. Utmost love, respect and honour to every single one of your All Blacks, and to New Zealand. Roll on 4 years time 😉

Jason Ryan is a beautiful soul of a man! I feel for him and for the boys! Much love and respect for the ABs. I hate red cards in games - and I said that to the AB supporters who were sitting next to me here in Montreal. Proud of the Boks for staying in the game, as the ABs resurgence were knocking on our efforts. Massive respect from a Saffa!

Well done from South Africa. You guys played hard and are legends ❤

We love you all All Blacks! still so proud of this group of ABs, thank you to those moving on, god bless you and your families and all you have done for NZR. grateful and honored. Thank you Foster for everything you put into NZR.

Saffa here, I just wanted to congratulate the AB's and New Zealand on a great tournament and an epic effort in the Final. You are all great and I have nothing but respect and love for your team and your country. Much love and you'll be back stronger and better! The AB's might not have won their 4th Cup, but you will and you're still the greatest rugby nation on earth. 😊❤

After the Red card I thought it was going to be a repeat of Twickenham. But the way you guys responded and fought back, the loss doesn't feel so bad. All Blacks Forever🇳🇿

You didn't win the Cup but my God you came close. Huge effort, I'm so proud to be a Kiwi. I'm proud of you all. Be proud of yourselves!

Very proud of our Boks for scrapping this one out, we had a tough run. Thank you to the ABs for bringing it to us, I was gutted for you when Cane's card got upgraded to red, much love to ABs and New Zealand. They have and always will have our respect. No doubt they will have their 4th soon.

Legends. You were by far and away the best team out there. You did us all proud.

I'm so proud of you guys!!! NZ loves you :)

Heads up boys! It just wasn’t your day today. Stand tall, stand proud!!! God Defend New Zealand 🇳🇿 ❤

So proud of the boys, the adversity the team & management has faced this year, to climb the mountains that you have during this WC and to battle through that game with the cards and some questionable calls. Hold your heads up, nothing in it. Absolute legends. Thank you for representing

Ahh man. Sorry NZ 🇳🇿 you fought to the death indeed. I think your country New Zealand, and the entire world of rugby fans, regardless of their nationality, sings your praises after that performance and has such respect for you. Well done sincerely.

So proud of these boys...to play with 14 men for the entire 2nd half is a testament to your fortitude and mana and lose by 1 point....we are proud of you and will welcome you home as the champions you truly are.....

As a South African I just want to say, you guys did amazing! We respect you guys so much, and we never take it lightly when we have to face the All Blacks because you are such an incredible team! Congratulations on making it to the final, it was no easy feat and much respect.

Thanks to Rick and George and Andy and this team - this has been a great broadcasting campaign to watch, thanks

As Springbok fan! So much respect to this team! This game was amazing. And the All Blacks definitely made their country proud with that performance! Thank u for this amazing final.

From a South African fan thank you guys for giving it your all ...I will always be an All Black supporter ....love u guys❤

Thanks Arron Smith for a good battle on the field, love from south africa ❤❤❤

WIN OR LOOSE ALWAYS A ALL BLACKS FAN.ALL THE BEST FROM FIJI 🇫🇯

You guys smashed it. I loved every second of the amazing sportsmanship both teams played with. Salute All Blacks. You guys are still what genuine rugby is all about

Sorry for a tough day, ABs. Still my favourite by a mile and proud of your effort.

So, so proud of the magnificent effort you AB’s put into the game. Hold your chins up and pat yourselves on the back, you’re our hero’s. 🤗🤗😍

Respect and love from South Africa.

From a South African, really sad for the All Blacks, especially the 3 Barratt brothers, that would have been such a fairytale. You should be so proud of your team. Lots of love from SA!

Scored the only try in the test and saved the game. You lads gave South Africa hell and we definitely appreciate how you came to play rugby and not points. I am South African and don't understand how we won against the last 3 teams. Keep your heads up gents, well done

As a South African I want to say Well done to the @All Blacks! You played an amazing game. Never gave up and gave us a good go till the last few seconds of the match. You can hold your heads high. You did NZ proud!

South African here. You boys should not hang your heads for one second. You are an amazing team. The only true equal and adversary to the Bokke. You played an amazing game. A Clash of Titans. It showed in the field and post match. Respect from a Bokke fan. Truly.

Always support you guys from Thailand. You’re a real man Sammy. Sure your red card means a lot to the result but sometimes life threat us like that. Admit that and come back stronger 🤛

Well done New Zealand ❤you guys can keep your heads high

Hey okes SA here and im really happy you guys made it to the final. I hated hearing the way the world wrote you off. The ABs are legends maybe this will be a reminder that even a "weak ab" team is always a WC contender. It also highlights the probelms with officiating. 10 years ago Bakkies and the boys smashed people worse than Cane did and got yellows. Never wanted to see this many cards in a final.

These guys are legends… I don’t know many teams who can take a loss like this!

The ABs will bounce back. They always do. Highest respect for them, their special ethos and way of playing rugby.

Bokke fan in SA here. You should be very proud of your performance. Couple of major blows and you almost won the game anyway with 14. We respect your tenacity and Rugby prowess. Your captain should be supported so that he does not shoulder the pain for a long time. Respect.

As a Bok fan I must say, Aaron Smith is pure class on and off the filed. Where would we be without each other. God Bless NZ

What a game AB’s can be proud of their team. Hats off to the Bokke for 3 hard weeks of rugby.

The fact the room after the defeat is being uploaded is so priceless. It’s great teaching moment for not only rugby fans but also for everyone who figure out a way. Thank you all blacks and hope you do well next time.

Madd respect to All the Players especially those that will retire Thank You for Your Mahi Massively Appreciated , Congrats South Africa World Champions once again

Proud of you Sam and the boys❤

Flying Fijian fan here. Congrats to both teams!

Hi, here is a German All Blacks Fan since 1999. I saw on German Television my first rugby match. It was New Zealand against ??? (I don't really know anymore). But I can remind me, that I was so impressed by the Haka. This was the first step to a fan. The legend Jonah Lomu was the second step, wow, what an athlete...Since 1999 I see every match of the all blacks at world cup, of course with a All Blacks jersey. The final was so close and so thrilling. In my opinion the All Blacks are the world champion. South Africa don't deserved it, when you compare their match performance with the All Blacks. We watch it with 5 people. Everyone was impressed from the fact that the All Blacks are playing with 14 for more than 50 minutes and are so close to win this final. I am really proud of you and hope, that I can see live. All Springbooks Fans, don't get me wrong. Every team, who is in a final, deserved it. But this time All Blacks deserved it more, due to their stunning performance with 14 man against one of the best rugby teams in the world.

My boys Richie and Jordie should take it easy and not be hard on them self for not converting those kicks

Tears of pride ... love your heart and emotion. Never loved the All Blacks more, as one person already beautifully said “you went from being rugby players to true All Blacks”

South African fan here, paying respect to the old foes. The All Blacks put up a hell of a contest even with a man down. I'm dreading the next 4 years, as all the top teams will feel keen and confident to avenge their narrow defeats against us. Edit: Oh, and Ireland will want to show their win was no fluke.

Hey guys, I’m a South African now living in AUS. I’m really happy that South Africa won, but hey, you boys in Black have always brought the fight to the table! I commend your boys for their dedication and commitment! I happy when you guys, Aus or South Africa win!!!! This just proves that Southern Asia pacific and Africa rule the rugby world! The All Blacks never lost, they just taught the South Africans another lesson!👍

It was an honour and privilege to go to war with you. Thank for being the best and always bringing the best out of us. Respect

Love you guys you did us proud 🥲

❤❤❤You did very well guys! You were fighting and you did your best❤ You worked hard, you can be proud.

Always Supporting your Rugby - Well done with the game and the series overall!

As a french supporter i feel as sad as for you than my own team, probably because we share the same vision of the game... Congrats for your awesome tournament, friends !!

It,s okay boys take it like a man we all sad of the lost but you fight back that counts 😢😢

So proud ❤️🇳🇿👏🇳🇿👏🇳🇿👏🇳🇿🏉👍 Thank you all

Couldn't give our departing legends of the modern jersey the send off they deserve n it hurts but couldn't be prouder of the effort today. They deserve a hell of a reception touching down back home. Our champions forever!

As a South African I have to say that you really gave your best and I am proud of you for coming so far you fought to the end and you showed us that New Zealand is a country that you shouldn't mess with. All the best from South Africa.❤ 🇿🇦

My brothers you played one of the best rugby I've ever seen in History. All Blacks for life. 🇳🇿🇳🇿🇳🇿

Thank you boys win or lose we are proud of your effort you win some you lose some that's rugby head up congratulations to our bokke Brothers

Well done ABs . This was yr win but when decision makers hold it out against u for some damn reason with double standards what can u do . 14 against 15 n a try . Uve won the WC . However in my many comments I clearly said watch out yr discipline n don't give Boks any chance giving away penalties as Boks depend on penalty kicks to win . They do it throughout ABs made that fatal mistake n the results what it is . B Happy .

Always loved the passion the All Blacks bring to any match they play that was up there as one of the greatest examples of how never to give up when faced with unbelievable odds you guys are still number one in my opinion you don’t need a trophy to prove that what a rugby team

So much to say but fck.. this one hurts.. LOVE YOU BOYS!! you did NZ proud. Fck im a proud NZer today man.. no words.. ALL HEART!!

From a South African I can say that no other team could fight the Boks with 14 players like the AB's did, a huge amount of respect for the AB's. We had our share of luck and it was an epic final, we're very fortunate to be on the lucky side of this, immensely proud of the Springboks. AB's can hold their heads up high, rugby wouldn't be the same without these two teams.

Well played NZ...I felt Sam's red card was harsh....but you guys hung in there till the end. See you at the next RWC

I don't think the battle was about winning the cup between these two but more about making history,being the 1st to win it 4 times, and SA also wanted back-to-back wins like NZL. I picked this up in Sam Canes' post-match interview and Kolisi has mentioned it before as well. They compete to set the bar higher,very beautiful 🙌🏿 thank you NZL,you are still number 1 and we want that spot 🤝🏿

Awesome effort ABs LEGENDS

AB's are still my team! Proud as!

From a South African fan you really give us a run for our money with 14 players and you really can keep your heads high we will always respect you as a proud rugby nation better luck next time

Saffa here, respect to the ABs. We won today but we know that the next time we meet you it can be your win. Nothing to chose between these two sides😮

From the moment they lost with France they showed they were not playing around, it was wonderful to see. And the final... Even though South Africa played very well, it was one of those times where awarding two world cup winners would be very appropriate. With 14 players and pushing the opponent against the ropes like that... You should be proud of this defeat, a lot of teams around the world and across other sports have a lot to learn from you

From an Englishman. You did your country proud but can also I say you did rugby proud as you always do.

Well done All Blacks, you're a quality outfit and will always keep South Africa sharp and vice versa. South Africa's most skilled and dangerous opponent. Major respect to your nation🇿🇦🤝🇳🇿

Respect and congratulations to South Africa Springboks. Winning back to back Cups is hard but not impossible, as the All Blacks know too well.. Humility in defeat shows character, and honour, to my favourite Rugby team in the known universe, the All Blacks, you will always set the standard for all the other teams to aspire, both on the pitch with intuitive flair, speed and skill and off the pitch as amazing fathers, sons and brothers who do it for their families and country. Nothing like a white knuckle Rugby Final between Rugby's finest NZ v SA.. cheers for the memories..churr

France has immense respect for you guys. Incredible performance and you won our hearts

I am so proud of the way you were so humble in defeat. Hold your heads up high you have done your country so proud,14 men for most of the game. You did your absolute best, Sam Cane my heart breaks for your very unfair red card. Never mind you will get a huge welcome home. We still love you,To the men that are leaving,we in hour house salute you. Blessings and safe travels home ❤❤❤❤

I am very proud of each and every All Black player… You are still the best team for me… Kia Kaha 🇳🇿

All of you the best

64 yo Kiwi Never been prouder of the ABs !. Right in it despite so many odds working against you. You're still the best ! Better than all the rest !

Love you soooo much!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

You guys played a good game 🖤

Well done All Blacks. After your pool stage France loss everyone wrote you off including your own media. I am a Springbok supporter but even I knew after your France loss you will come back way stronger after an early upset and ultimately you did make it to the finals. At the end I think this game was best viewed by supporters who are neutral and just want to watch a good game. No matter the outcome it would be super heart breaking to either a Springbok or All Black supporter.

It Is what It is PROUD 🖤

Only respect to you guys

Thanks NZ rugby. You guys are always gracious in victory and defeat. It’s such a shame the yellow was upgraded. Total rugby incident. All SA supporters were gutted when that happened because it spoiled a great occasion. Hats off to the AB team for an superb comeback.

This one should have been yours, without doubt. From Ireland

Still proud of our boys ❤

Felicidades All Blacks gracias

Still proud to be an allblack supporter use have done NZ proud, Much love to use all

As a South African, I honestly can say that NZ supporters can be proud of the All Blacks team. They peaked at the right time and came through when most people did not even think they would have a chance in this RWC. You can hold your heads up high as a team.

Playing with 14 men, still managed to score a try. On top of that, you guys kept the Boks on edge till the end. Look at how Cheslin was while he's in the sin bin for the last 10 mins of the game, that's how nerve wrecking it feels to play against you guys...

After this match, I now realize why south africans love and respect the All Blacks... Greatest Rivalry in the history of the game❤️💯🇿🇦🇳🇿🙏

I’m a South African, living in the USA, and a huge all black fan. You were heroic. Be proud of what you’ve done as a group. You showed the world you can never take the ABs for granted. Huge respect.

I love that Ritchie was in the changing room, doesn't just show up to hand out advice....shows up to help carry the pain as well. Amazing!!

From a South African fan here. Well done to you guys, written off at the start of the world cup by so many but you showed your grit and what you are made of silenced a lot of critics. Us South Africans always say NEVER count NZ out. The respect we have for you guys is huge. The fact you had 14 men on the field for most of that game and still almost won. Can hold your heads up and be proud of what you accomplished. NZ will be back bigger and better after this. Looking forward to more battles going forward.

As a Saffa -- it really hurts to see you guys suffer. You're a hell of a team. Nothing but respect for you. Many more to come.

Let’s be clear, when the All Blacks were on an even par of 14 men each with South Africa, the All Blacks had the momentum. Don’t mistake this fact, New Zealand were the better team. A red card like that means the rules are wrong, a red card for a coat hangar tackle, a red card for biting or for stomping, but that? That’s a ridiculous rule, a yellow yes, that’s penalty enough. A red is a death sentence, for that kind of offense? Just dumb. In a final.......plain fuggin dumb. Africa will be happy with that, and they will be, but deep down, I’m certain that the fact they never crossed, or looked like crossing, would weigh heavy with their fans.

I am 70 years old and I have never been prouder to be a New Zealander watching the way you guys didn't let the many things that went against you in this match get you down and instead played your absolute guts out. And, after all the crap that Sam Cane has had to endure over the past year or so, mate you have done your country proud and I really hope you don't take any responsibility for today's result. You and the boys, for me at least, are true champions.