Image source, Getty Images

Pack up the moon, dismantle the sun, this tournament is done.

It's been a beaut - full of fans, passion, tries and narrow winning margins - and the team playing the most beautiful rugby will take home the Cup.

The hosts of the party departed indecently early, but it didn't stop things swinging.

Roll on Japan 2019 and rugby's foray into a bold new frontier.

Oh, and the British and Irish Lions class of 2017? Good luck with that lads. 

• New Zealand are the first side to win back to back World Cups

• This is the All Blacks' first World Cup title outside of New Zealand, with their 1987 and 2011 victories both coming on home soil
• The side leading at half-time has now won all eight Rugby World Cup finals
• New Zealand's Ma’a Nonu, 33, became the oldest player to score a try in a Rugby World Cup final
• This was the highest scoring final in Rugby World Cup history, the tally of five tries is also a record.
• Dan Carter has scored 126 points at Twickenham, more than any other non-England player and the eighth of anyone

Image source, Getty Images

Dan Carter has been reflecting on his personal World Cup redemption after missing the All Blacks' 2011 triumph through injury. The Kiwi points-machine scored 19 points as he waved a winning farewell to his international career. Talk about reading the script...

"This victory means a lot - it was a dark place four years ago and I've had to work extremely hard to be here today," he tells ITV.

"I'm proud of the boys and what they have achieved. Becoming the first team to retain the trophy shows how special this side is."

On his crucial drop goal: "I practiced a few in the back garden with my old man! I was pleased it went over, I was yelling at the ball to go over and it did. It gave us breathing space."

On his glittering international career: "This win is right up there with everything I've done in my career - it is the ultimate achievement. It has been an amazing career and to finish like this is hard to believe."

Image source, Reuters

While we bid farewells to the likes of McCaw, Carter and Nonu, there has been a new All Black star born at this World Cup.

Nehe Milner-Skudder only played 64 minutes of the final, but made 115 metres, 15 carries and four clean breaks - more than any other New Zealander.

Former England captain Will Carling sounds a tad excited. 

New Zealand number eight Kieran Read on ITV: "This is pretty surreal. Not just to win the World Cup once, but twice, it's a dream.

On All Blacks team-mates Dan Carter and Richie McCaw: "They're going to go down in history as the greats of this game. This victory is deserved for them."

Image source, PA

Image source, BBC Sport

New Zealand line up - World Cup trophy front and centre - and perform a celebratory haka in front of their fans.

Less eye-rolling and a whole lot more smiling than in the pre-match version.

Julian Spence: It was a captivating final to an exhilarating tournament! Both teams gave it all they had! 

Mariaargh: Would have only been improved by Paul O'Connell lifting the Webb Ellis Cup! New Zealand worthy winners. Best World Cup ever

Lewis: No team came close to the All Blacks, congratulations! What a send off!

Image source, AP

Australia's David Pocock has had time to tweet while licking his wounds. 

Success tastes good. Star baker Paul Hollywood congratulates a star team. 

Image source, Getty Images

Andrew, Richhill: The All Blacks have won the Rugby World Cup for a number of reasons. The easiest to mention is because they have the best team with the best individual players with the best execution of skills under pressure. But another big reason is because of their meticulous preparation. Before their pool stage match vs Tonga the coaches deliberately exhausted the players in training to replicate playing under mental and physical fatigue. Incredible. 

Sir Clive Woodward knows what it takes to win a World Cup, though he only won it once. 

Andrew Mehrtens
Former New Zealand fly-half on BBC Radio 5 live

The All Blacks apparently take it upon themselves to clean up the dressing room personally after every game.

"We always want to make sure that the place we go to, we leave it in as good if not better shape than we arrived," said Sam Whitelock in May., external

Wales scrum-half Mike Phillips sums it up succinctly. 

Image source, Reuters

Richie McCaw hoists the Rugby World Cup to the heavens and ticker-tape and pyro follow.

The All Blacks - like rugby teams all around the world - celebrate with a bit of sing-song.

Nothing to quench their post-tournament thirst just yet, but I'm sure one of the World Cup sponsors will have something chilling back in their dressing room.