One of the greatest moments in All Blacks history: Remembering the 2011 Rugby World Cup final

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw holds the Rugby World Cup trophy at the conclusion of the New Zealand All Blacks v France Rugby World Cup Final. Photo / Photosport

Seven years ago today, New Zealand celebrated one its greatest sporting moments as the All Blacks held high the Rugby World Cup for the first time in 24 years.

The nail-biting triumph was labelled as "a victory for the nation" which united the country with a collective smile and rousing cheer.

And with the next World Cup just around the corner, Cheree Kinnear takes a look back on the 2011 grand final and the many moments that made it so memorable.

What was it?

The final of the 2011 Rugby World Cup played between the All Blacks and France at Auckland's Eden Park. The All Blacks, who had finished top of their pool with four straight wins, were fresh off a 20-6 semifinal victory over the Wallabies.

Richie McCaw and the All Blacks celebrate with the Webb Ellis Cup. Photo / Photosport

France, who finished second in the pool with two wins and two losses, had overcome Wales by just one point in their semifinal match-up.

What were the stakes?

Playing their first World Cup final since 1995 in front of a passionate Eden Park home crowd, the stakes couldn't have been higher for the All Blacks.

The match mirrored the 1987 Eden Park Rugby World Cup final – the first World Cup played – where the All Blacks defeated France 29-9 with three tries, one conversion, four penalties, and a drop goal.

But having watched the All Blacks fall out in the semifinals in 1999 and 2003, and the quarterfinals in 2007, it's safe to say most Kiwi fans were nervous wrecks.

Who was involved?

Despite both No 10 top choices Daniel Carter and Colin Slade injured, former All Blacks captain and rugby legend, Richie McCaw, still led a strong team onto the pitch.

Brad Thorn, Jerome Kaino, Sam Whitelock, Kieran Read, Richard Kahui and Piri Weepu were among the starting 15 with the likes of Sonny Bill Williams and Ali Williams on the bench.

Meanwhile, the French were led by captain and man-of-the-match, Thierry Dusautoir, with the likes of Imanol Harinordoquy, Dimitri Yachvili, and Lionel Nallet on the field.

France responded to the All Blacks Haka. Photo / Photosport

What happened?

The tone was set well before kick-off after the French responded controversially to the All Blacks' haka. Holding hands in a 'V' formation, France swarmed towards the All Blacks before doing the unthinkable and crossing the halfway line. Standing just 10 meters away as the All Blacks performed a passionate haka, the French showed they meant business.

It didn't take long for fans to realise that this match was going to be a close-fought battle with a try from Tony Woodcock the only points scored in the 5-0 first half. Woodcock was just the second prop and the first since Tony Daly in 1991 to score a try in a World Cup final and it was that effort which will be remembered as a definitive moment that gave the All Blacks a slight advantage throughout.

The All Blacks congratulate Tony Woodcock on his try during the 2011 final. Photo / Photosport

Things didn't look great for the French at the start of the second half with Dimitri Yachvili missing a penalty attempt before a successful penalty kick by Stephen Donald put the All Blacks further into the lead 8-0.

What happened next?

It was in the 47th minute when things got really interesting and a sneaky manoeuvre from Francois Trinh-Duc saw Yachvili score the first try for France. Determined to carry the momentum for his side, Dusautoir scored next to the posts and suddenly it was a one-point match as the All Blacks were tested to the max.

Stephen Donald taking the penality kick. Photo / Photosport

When final whistle sounded the All Blacks looked nothing but relieved as the victory saw Eden Park erupt in wild cheers and celebration. The result marked the slimmest margin by which any Rugby World Cup final had been decided with each side scoring just one try and the outcome determined by kicks.

It was also the first time that a nation held both the men's World Cup and Women's Rugby World Cup.

The parade

Shortly after the final, Auckland hosted a parade were thousands of fans packed the city centre to celebrate the win with their rugby heroes. The team rolled down Queen Street on utes waving to adoring fans.

McCaw held the Webb Ellis Cup proudly above his head alongside Henry while Carter and Weepu danced with entertainers to the sound of drums and bagpipes.

The All Blacks then travelled to Christchurch and Wellington for further victory parades.