Rugby World Cup 2019 | Playoff for third: New Zealand Vs Wales

The All Blacks have claimed bronze at the Rugby World Cup but a stunning gesture after the game has stunned the Kiwis' departing coach.

Steve Hansen farewells the appreciative Japanese crowd.

New Zealand have finished the World Cup with the bronze after brushing aside Wales 40-17 to finish the 2019 tournament with a positive result.

Neither side was looking too forward to the match with an open style throughout the game after both teams lost their semi-finals last week and are set to watch the World Cup final from the stands.

The haka, which has blown up throughout the tournament with Ireland challenging it with fans singing over the top of the war dance, only for New Zealand to punish the side, before England got the better of the All Blacks in the semi final after their V challenge.

But Wales were much more respectful, linking arms as New Zealand delivered an emotional haka with four players set to leave the jersey behind.

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Captain Kieran Read, who will move to Japanese Rugby, led the haka solo, as he usually shares the honour with TJ Perenara.

Winger Ben Smith and midfield pair Sonny Bill Williams and Ryan Crotty are also set to move on from the All Blacks set up as the next generation of players comes in.

The haka has been performed by the All Blacks since 1888.

But the match never rose to any great heights with both sides need to get through the match to finish off the tournament but opened up with some attacking rugby.

After the match, the emotion was raw with so many stakeholders set to walk away from their teams, including both coaches.

In the post-match interviews, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen was floored as the crowd cheered with a defining applause.

After 15 years in the top job and winning two World Cups (2011 as assistant coach and 2015 as head coach), when the crowd quietened down enough for him to respond, the departing coach simply answered "It's just a privilege".

🗣 "One bad day, you lose a game and you miss out."@AllBlacks coach Steve Hansen discusses the win tonight which secured the Bronze in an emotional and heartfelt interview🥉#RWC2019 #NZLvWAL #RWCTokyo pic.twitter.com/2sBJZ7zo6k

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) November 1, 2019

Lovely moment as the cheers of the fans stops Steve Hansen's interview in his tracks. How's the All Blacks journey been for him?

"Just a privilege. Thank you"#NZLvWAL

— Jack de Menezes (@JackdeMenezes) November 1, 2019

Read was also interviewed post-match and was asked what it means to him to be in the All Blacks jersey.

Holding the emotion back, Read said 

"This jersey means a lot," he said. "It's been part of my life for a long time. For me it dictates that you try and leave it in a better place than you found it. That was my aim for my entire career and hopefully I've done that."

Kieran Read and Steve Hansen share a moment after their final match with the @AllBlacks.#NZLvWAL #RWC2019 pic.twitter.com/7a3xBTFILp

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) November 1, 2019

Wales coach Warren Gatland, who ends his 12-year tenure with Wales to return to his native New Zealand and coach the Chiefs in the Super Rugby but has presided over one of the most successful periods in Welsh rugby history with three Triple Crowns, three Grand Slams and four Six Nations triumphs.

"That's era's over now but I'm excited about the next challenge now of going back to New Zealand and being involved with the Chiefs," he said. 

The long drought continues for Wales against New Zealand. ABs were determined to bounce back after SF loss. Won’t be the same without Steve Hansen and Warren Gatland at the helm of NZ and Wales. We’re back again tomorrow for the Decider .. England V South Africa on @FOXRUGBY

— Greg Clark (@greg_clarkie) November 1, 2019

Warren Gatland and Steve Hansen depart their roles with Wales and New Zealand leaving unrivalled legacies and huge shoes to fill. Incredible shifts. #RWC2019

— Tom Hamilton (@tomhamiltonespn) November 1, 2019

SCORES

Third-place playoff - New Zealand 40-17 Wales

Originally published as Rugby World Cup 2019 | Playoff for third: New Zealand Vs Wales

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