All Blacks fans watch the Rugby World Cup final, from the Pioneer Tavern in Waipapa, Northland. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
The Rugby World Cup dream was crushed for thousands of All Blacks fans across the country when their team lost the final game in the competition.
South Africa beat the All Blacks 12-11 in a nail-biting, sitting on the edge of your seat match in Paris.
On the day, RNZ reporters were at pubs, stadiums and parks to get the play-by-play from eager fans watching on big screens.
The Green Man pub in Wellington was packed with hundreds of All Blacks fans, all buzzing with nervous energy.
The game-play had their hopes up and down like a yo-yo.
After a rough first half with All Blacks skipper Sam Cane sin binned and the team down 12-6, Wellingtonians were feeling frustrated.
"The skipper being red carded, I thought that was harsh because it should have just been a yellow", one said.
Another said: "We've had some pretty tough calls made against us. Over-officiated. That's the way rugby is at the moment".
All Blacks fan Sophia Thomas of Te Tii reacts with disbelief as Sam Cane's yellow card is upgraded to red. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
In Kerikeri, All Black's backer Tyler was also feeling the half-time blues.
"She's a bit tight. I'm not feeling this red card that Sam Cane got. I think we were a bit unlucky on that. I accept the yellow, but you know - this is rugby. If they can come back with only 14 men and still win this game it'll be the stuff of legends, there's no doubt about that".
Rugby fans gathered at Eden Park in Auckland to watch the 2023 Rugby World Cup final broadcast from the Stade de France. Photo: RNZ / Sigrid Yiakmis
Fans at Victoria Park in central Auckland for the final. Photo: RNZ / Rayssa Almeida
But at Paris in the Park, in Auckland's Eden Park, Springbok supporters were quietly confident.
One Boks fan said: "It's going to be very close.
"You know, it's the top two teams in the world. Maybe we'll win by 8 points if we're lucky. Maybe we're going to lose".
"For the Springboks, they think they're prepared, but we don't know what's going to happen. May the best team win", said another.
The second half had All Black fans on their feet when finally the team scored a crucial try, bringing them to one point behind the Boks.
All Blacks fans at the Homestead Sports Bar in Kerikeri react to the only try of the final. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
In Wellington, that try had AB's fanatic Harry feeling hopeful they could go all the way, despite being down a player.
"Bloody ecstatic. It's unreal out there. To do it with 14 is even better than doing it with 15, so let's go"!
Celebrations at the Green Man Pub in Wellington as Beauden Barrett scores for the All Blacks. Photo: RNZ / Jemima Huston
But in the end it wasn't to be.
The whistle blew and the Rugby World Cup was won by South Africa, by one point.
Around the country heads were in hands and some eyes welled up.
One Wellingtonian said, "I think we're all very disappointed and melancholy".
"It's disappointing. Not just the result, the result was gutting, but it was not a nice game to watch all up", said a woman in Auckland.
But tears of joy were shed in the Springbok camp.
At Eden Park, South Africa fan Dale was emotional about his team's big win.
"Being away from home, watching it from here, the boys have done us proud", he said with tears in his eyes and a lump in his throat.
All Blacks fans at Christchurch's No. 4 bar react after the final whistle. Photo: RNZ / Adam Burns
And even some Kiwis were feeling philosophical about the result.
One Kerikeri man said: "It was a fitting final. It was a great spectacle and it got the heart pumping".
While an Auckland woman said, "That was a marvellous game for our boys. 14 men! They did very well to come back. Proud of you boys."
As All Black supporters put this World Cup behind them they can now look ahead to the next, in Australia in 2027.
