New Zealand crowned kings of the world
New Zealand are champions of the world.
Steve Hansen’s All Blacks cemented their status as arguably the greatest side to ever take to a rugby field on Saturday as they delivered the perfect final flourish at Twickenham, beating Australia 34-17 to lift the Webb Ellis Cup a record third time.
Saturday's final was the last act for a number of New Zealand's old guard, with skipper Richie McCaw, IRB world player of the year Dan Carter, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith and Kevin Mealamu all set to ride off into the sunset as back-to-back kings of the world.
And coach Hansen is likely to join that list of his esteemed charges, departing his role before the All Blacks look to defend their title again in Japan in 2019, writes Gerry Thornley.
Our World Cup review
Despite the 2015 World Cup being an ultimately disappointing one for Ireland and the rest of the Six Nations sides, it has still been a truly brilliant tournament.
Our team of Gerry Thornley, Matt Williams, Liam Toland, John O'Sullivan, Johnny Watterson and Gavin Cummiskey have looked back and given us their review of six weeks of scintillating rugby, from the highs of Japan beating South Africa through to the lows of the congestion at Cardiff train station.
Sexton makes Leinster return
One man who didn't have an ideal World Cup was Johnny Sexton, but the outhalf enjoyed a successful return to the blue of Leinster yesterday as Leo Cullen's side ran out 27-3 winners away at Treviso to move up to fourth in the Pro12 table.
Ballyboden St Enda’s Dublin champions
Meanwhile Ballyboden St Enda's were crowned Dublin senior football champions yesterday after they beat 2013 and 2014 winners St Vincent's 2-8 to 0-10 at Parnell Park following a whirldwhind opening quarter which saw them race into a 1-5 to 0-0 lead.
Everton thrash Sunderland
Elsewhere Sam Allardyce's Sunderland revolution hit a bump yesterday as his side were thrashed 6-2 by Everton at Goodison Park, while Southampton ran out 2-0 winnersagainst south soast rivals Bournemouth at St Mary's.
Jose Mourinho's position as Chelsea manager came under further scrutiny on Saturday as his side were beaten 3-1 at Stamford Bridge by Liverpool, and in his column Ken Early looks at the champions' puzzling meltdown.
Dubuisson wins in Turkey
Victor Dubuisson has had a difficult season on the PGA Tour in America but he bounced back to winning ways yesterday, shooting a final round 66 to secure the Turkish Airlines Open ahead of South Africa's Jaco Van Zyl.
Rory McIlroy shot a disappointing 71 in his final round which left him six shots off the lead, while Shane Lowry was a further shot back.
What to watch out for:
Football
Aston Villa travel to play Tottenham Hostpur in tonight’s Premier League fixture. (SS1, 8pm ko)
Racing
Frankie Dettori will lead the Irish attack in the Melbourne Cup in the early hours of Tuesday morning as he looks for his first win in the race onboard Willie Mullins’ Max Dynamite.
