Richie McCaw hailed his side’s resolution after leading New Zealand to their first World Cup victory in 24 years.
The All Blacks held off a gutsy French comeback to win 8-7 at Eden Park on Sunday with McCaw getting to lift the Webb Ellis trophy, the first New Zealand captain to do so since the inaugural staging of the competition in 1987.
Having been knocked out of the competition by the French in 1999 and 2007, the All Blacks were on the ropes again after Thierry Dusautoir’s try dragged the French back into the game. However, Tony Woodcock’s earlier score and replacement Stephen Donald’s penalty proved to be enough to carry Graham Henry’s men over the line.
"It's hard to let it sink in,” a relieved McCaw said on ITV after his side’s nervous and narrow success.
"I'm proud of every single one of the guys. We couldn't have been under more pressure at times but we stuck to our guns and got there in the end.
"I think the key was expecting things to happen. If you hope for the best and don't prepare for it when adversity comes you're not ready for it. Everyone dug as deep as they can.
"I think at some stage some team was going to do it and this group of 30 had the opportunity. You just have to keep getting up and believing in the mate beside you and trust in him and make sure you do your job.
“Everyone around New Zealand has given this team so much over the past six weeks and now we've repaid them.
"There's going to be a lot of stories told as we get older but no-one here can take it away from this group. They're tough men and I think the whole country should be very proud of every single one of them."
Jubilant All Blacks coach Henry, for whom some saw no future after the 2007 quarter-final loss to Les Bleus, added: "I'm so proud to be a New Zealander standing here.
“Richie and the boys just hanging in there right through the 80 minutes to win this thing is superb. This is something we've dreamed of for a while and now we can rest in peace.
"I've got so much respect for what the boys have done over eight years. It's been outstanding."