Goodwill stories about the All Blacks have been regular warm touches around the World Cup with Sonny Bill Williams' gold medal transfer to a young fan, one of the enduring moments of the final.
Up in the Twickenham stands, Kiwi Katrina Haberfield had applauded Beauden Barrett's match-sealing try with more emotional energy than anyone in the 80125 crowd.
Her signed All Black jersey and other regalia hid some enduring discomfort and a drain from surgery as she sat next to Kieran Read's brother and watched the All Blacks win successive tournaments.
Her delight rose even further in the final minutes when Barrett chased down an attacking clearing kick to crown the 34-17 victory with the last try.
Barrett had sorted tickets to the final for Haberfield and her English husband Steve after being in their hair salon at nearby Whitton in the early stages of the tournament and hearing about their rugby passion and Haberfield's health issues.