When he was needed most he responded. Dan Carter was absolutely sublime as New Zealand secured their second World Cup triumph on the trot, with the man himself being quite fittingly awarded man of the match.
With the match in the melting pot after Australia had cut the deficit to four, Carter stepped up and delivered. A drop goal followed by the longest successful kick of the World Cup was his career in an instance; immaculate.
Needless to say, Twitter was quick to pay tribute.
Dan the Man again.. Best out-half that ever lived, and nudges All Blacks two scores clear.
— Gerry Thornley (@gerrythornley) October 31, 2015
I want to be Dan Carter when I grow up, the handsome, talented bastard. #legend
— Cormac O'Malley (@cormacpro) October 31, 2015
Geniuses in sport do things when people least expect it...that's the boy right there - @DanCarter #RWC2015
— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) October 31, 2015
Thank you Dan Carter. Thank you Richie McCaw. Thank you All Blacks.
— Zane Lowe (@zanelowe) October 31, 2015
Dan Carter is one of the best rugby players of all time.
— Manzi (@ClixWell) October 31, 2015
Nothing is more pleasing than seeing a man achieve his dream after all the sacrifice love you bro @DanCarter
— Ali Williams (@AliWilliams_) October 31, 2015
That was brilliant to watch best team won & best player stood up when needed #allblacks #DanCarter
— Darran O'Sullivan (@Darransull86) October 31, 2015
We've probably witnessed d best kicker in d game give an exhibition on d biggest stage in d world #NZLvAUS #DanCarter #HungerGames
— Aidan O Mahony (@GmailMahony) October 31, 2015
At least when Dan Carter retires after the World Cup we can all say that we were alive when he was playing...#legend #AllBlacks #whataman
— Mark McHugh (@MarkMcHugh1) October 31, 2015
Will we ever see the like of him again #carter #genius
— Paddy Bradley (@PaddyB14) October 31, 2015
He'll be annoyed it was a foot off the Black dot😜😜
— Ronan O Gara (@RonanOGara10) October 31, 2015
An honour to be here to see Dan Carter finally win a #RWCFinal. Fitting reward for the best player I've ever seen. pic.twitter.com/qjGBkGPBW4
— Paul Eddison (@pauleddison) October 31, 2015