#RWC2015 signs off in style

New Zealand (@AllBlacks) beat Australia (@Wallabies) to retain the @RugbyWorldCup in a thrilling final that was celebrated and debated on Twitter around the world.

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Within seconds of the final whistle, the #TeamAllBlacks celebrations were documented on field in an emotion-charged Vine:

And a huge Twitter talking point followed moments later on the lap of honour, when New Zealand’s @SonnyBWilliams gave his winner’s medal to a young fan, who ran on to the pitch.

The final was dominated by legends Ritchie McCaw and @DanCarter, who rounded off his last international with a drop goal, captured on Twitter via Amplify, which won him man of the match and a @TwitterMirror portrait.

It wrapped up a brilliant #RWC2015 tournament, during which fans were brought closer to the action than ever before on Twitter, Vine, and Periscope.

Exclusive Twitter Polls gave fans the chance to vote for man of the match in every group game, yielding the memorable moment that Mamuka Gorgodze discovered he had won the award for his valiant efforts for @GeorgianRugby in a loss to @AllBlacks.

And fans around the world were given the chance to send their Tweets of support to iconic screens on the side of Twickenham. Contributors, over the course of #RWC2015, included @SamuelLJackson, @NicolaSturgeon, and @CliveWoodward.

Twitter Data

Tweets about #RWC2015 generated 6.8 billion impressions (views) on Twitter and across the web since the start of the tournament.

The most-Tweeted about players and coaches across the six weeks were:

1. Dan Carter (@DanCarter) - #NZL
2. Sonny Bill Williams (@SonnyBWilliams) - #NZL
3. Richie McCaw - #NZL
4. Ayumu Goromaru - #JAP
5. Bryan Habana (@BryanHabana) - #RSA
6. Dan Biggar - #WAL
7. Stuart Lancaster - #ENG
8. Julian Savea (@juliansavea7) - #NZL
9. Sam Burgess (@SamBurgess8) - #ENG
10. Bernard Foley (@bernardfoley) - #AUS

The single moments that created the greatest discussion on Twitter during the tournament were:

1. New Zealand triumph 34-17 over Australia to win the 2015 Rugby World Cup
2. The moment Japan seal a shock 34-32 victory against South Africa
3. Ireland crash out of the tournament in quarter-final’s with a 20-43 loss to Argentina
4. Full time whistle blows as England lose 25-28 to Wales in Pool A
5. Australia seal their place in the final with a 29-15 victory over Argentina
6. Japan score their final try to take a 34-32 lead over South Africa
7. Barrett scores New Zealand’s final try in the 78th minute of the final, before Carter converts
8. England become the first host nation to exit in group stages as they lose 13-33 to Australia
9. The full time whistle sees Ireland run out 50-7 victors over Canada
10. Australia narrowly emerge victorious against Scotland in an extraordinary 35-34 win

Each nation had their own official rallying cry hashtag on Twitter to get behind the team. The five most-used throughout the tournament were:

1. #vamospumas - Argentina
2. #japanway - Japan
3. #carrythemhome - England
4. #homegroundadvantage - South Africa
5. #shouldertoshoulder - Ireland

From the start of the tournament to the bitter end, amazing sportsmanship was on display:

Although beaten, the @Wallabies were deservedly saluted on Twitter by celebrity supporters @KylieMinogue and @RealHughJackman:

But the spoils went to @AllBlacks, who signed off, in traditional style, with the Haka: