Hails All Blacks' 'damned good rugby'

New Zealand captain Richie McCaw said winning a second World Cup was his proudest moment and made him want to put retirement back even further.

"We played some damned good rugby there. We lost a bit of momentum in the second half, but we kept our composure. We came home strong which has been the mark of this team for the past four years," McCaw said of the dramatic 34-17 win over Australia at Twickenham.

Was it the proudest moment of his 148 test career? "Absolutely," he replied after captaining the first side to win back-to-back World Cups.

"We said four years ago after the last one that we would get on the road again," said McCaw.

McCaw said he had not been anxious when Australia fought back into the game when Ben Smith was sin-binned.

"I knew the momentum was against us. But we have been in those situations before and its a matter of not panicking and doing the simple things."

Asked about retirement, McCaw said: "I still don't want to think about it" and that he wanted to enjoy the triumph.

"Look at the moment, I am still proud of this team.

"I am going to enjoy today. How could you get enough of this. We will worry about that after today. I just want to enjoy having played a wonderful World Cup final here with a great bunch of men.

"I am so proud of having been able to wear this jersey again today. I don't think you ever have enough of it. If you get moments like this, why would you ever call it a day?"

Source: AFP