LONDON: New Zealand capped one of the most dominant eras in rugby history by becoming the first team to retain the World Cup, repelling Australia’s second-half resurgence in a 34-17 win sealed by the boot of unflappable Dan Carter on Saturday.

In the 112th and likely last test of his record-breaking career, Carter steered the All Blacks to an unprecedented third global title — and first outside New Zealand — with a dropped goal, a penalty from halfway, and a right-footed conversion of Beauden Barrett’s breakaway try in the final 10 minutes at Twickenham.

Carter finished the highest-scoring World Cup final with 19 points to take his record points tally to 1,598, and finally played a full part in an All Blacks’ World Cup win after getting injured during the team’s 2011 title campaign.

“I’m pretty grateful to be where I am considering what happened four years ago,” said the 33-year-old Carter, who was also part of the unsuccessful 2003 and 2007 campaigns.

“I’m so proud of the team. To win back-to-back World Cups is a dream come true. It’s a pretty strong group of guys. We try to do things no other team has done before... it’s a special feeling to be part of such a great team.”

New Zealand have lost just three times in 54 matches since their triumph on home soil four years ago, and have won every World Cup match since losing to France in the 2007 quarter-finals.

Their victory left rivals wondering what they have to do to knock the rugby kings off their throne.

“This was all about New Zealand. They thoroughly deserved their win. They’ve been the best team all tournament, they’ve played really well,” said Australia’s battered captain Stephen Moore whose side staged a stunning second-half fightback when New Zealand were reduced to 14 men for 10 jittery minutes.

The New Zealand victory was an incredible end to what World Rugby president Bernard Lapasset has called the “best” World Cup ever — 48 matches in front of record attendances.

Tries from Nehe Milner-Skudder and Ma’a Nonu had the All Blacks cruising 21-3 early in the second half before Ben Smith’s yellow card opened the door for Australia, who got back to within four points with tries by David Pocock and Tuvita Kuridrani.

But Carter stepped up with an exquisite drop goal and a 50-metre penalty to put the result beyond doubt.

Replacement wing Barrett applied the black icing to the Kiwi World Cup cake with a late try which Carter converted, and the All Blacks made more history.