Dan Carter: 'It is a dream come true'

New Zealand fly-half Dan Carter has described winning the Rugby World Cup in his final Test match as a "dream come true".

The 33-year-old missed the triumph on home soil four years ago through injury, but atoned for that with a man-of-the-match display in the final this evening, scoring 19 points as the All Blacks beat Australia 34-17 at Twickenham.

Carter retired from international rugby after the match, bringing a fairytale end to a stellar career.

"The personal milestone is very pleasing after what happened four years ago," he told Sports Mole after the match.

"I would have loved to have been there in New Zealand playing in the final, but unfortunately I wasn't through injury. I've had to work extremely hard during the last four years to get to where I am today, and there were times where in those four years when I was doubting whether I'd be here or not.

"It's a dream come true to be part of such a special side and achieve something like this, it's just so pleasing."

Carter ends his career with 1,601 international points to his name - 355 more than second-placed Jonny Wilkinson in the all-time list.