New Zealand reaction (head coach Foster, captain Cane, Lomax, Smith, Ioane. Whitelock)

MIXED ZONE

Rieko Ioane, centre

On his feelings losing by one point:

"That's the harsh reality of footy. We've seen it throughout this tournament but to experience it at the final hurdle is pretty gutting. This one is going to stink for a bit as all losses do. It's pretty tough at the moment."

On easing pain of Sam Cane:

"That game tonight wasn't won or lost by Sam's red card.  We had our moments out there and if we were to capitalise on a better day we might have got a better flip of the coin. Tonight wasn't our night. As for Sam I am sure he is feeling it but the boys will get around him. New Zealander's back home should be proud of the way Sam and Foz (Ian Foster) have led this team. They've galvanised all us boys over the course of getting here and we are proud of Sam regardless."

On how hard to feel can still win game with 50 minutes playing with 14-man:

"It's not hard at all. If you'd have felt that energy out there you'd be saying the same thing. We are a team that has faced adversity often, not only in the game but outside. This group of boys is really tight-knit and we work and play for each other. Sam going off doesn't rattle us, it only makes us tighter. That effort was displayed out there."

On any messages from Ian Foster in his final game:

"That stays within the locker room but what I'm able to say that I have the utmost respect and praise for Fozzie. He has also faced adversity not only this tournament but leading into this tournament and to lead us and produce some of the footy we were able to produce is a credit to him. Everyone was quick to get on him when. things were bad and so quick to come back when things started coming good. The message is just believe in who's in charge because as players we do. This playing group has huge, huge praise for Fozzie and whether he gets his flowers or not he will from us."

Tyrel Lomax, prop

On the feelings in the dressing room:

"Disappointed. Pretty gutted but I think there is a lot we should be proud of in that game. We played most of that with 14 men. The fight back was awesome from us."

On the response after the red card:

"All of it was around problem solving,. around our line-out. Attack shape and a lot of defence things, Ardie [Savea] really stepped up as captain as well."

On pride from defeat:

"We played pretty much that whole game against a tough Springboks side and I think we should be pretty proud of how we went. I think we problem solved really well, all of our leader stood up pretty well."

On the Springboks:

"I though they kept the pressure on us really well. Handre Pollard is a really good goal kicker, you just can't give him that many opportunities to get points."

On Ian Foster:

"I thought he has been an awesome coach, I think the way he has carried himself over the last 18 months has been awesome. Him and Sammy [Cane] have led this team."

Aaron Smith, scrum-half

On his emotions and the match:

“I am just immensely proud of the guys tonight. For a long period we were down to 14 men and we fought really hard to get within a point.  All the guys put in a massive effort.

“We had plenty of opportunities in that last 20 minutes to try to get ahead on the scoreboard but credit to South Africa, they put a lot of pressure on us, making tackles and turnovers. We were coming hard and gave everything we had, but we just couldn’t execute in the end.”

On dealing with the red card for Sam Cane:

“We always have plans around if we get cards and how our game changes, depending on what the position is of the guy carded. It was good at half-time to get some alignment on that and how we wanted to play and try to strike from scrums.

“We held strong with one less forward and had opportunities but we just couldn’t get over the line again.”

On the match:

"We didn't die wondering. I think we threw everything we had and the champions south Africa held strong in those key moments and they held strong in the moments, got turnovers, They nailed those little moments. That's rugby. That's Test match rugby and it's brutal sometimes. It was an amazing game to be a part of and I was proud of our effort tonight."

On this RWC:

"This World Cup has really been amazing, France has really put it on. Playing at this amazing venue is something else and seeing all the fireworks go off it's pretty cool. when it's not for your team it's a bit of a bummer but I've really enjoyed this World Cup, It's been am absolutely amazing eight weeks it's something I'll never forget. I'll definitely com back with my family one day. I have enjoyed every moment. Pretty gutted right now but he memory and the time I have had in this jersey and this World Cup has been amazing."

On seeing his family after the final:

"I went to get my kids, they don't know how you are feeling but they still love you. That really grounded me, they still love their dad. He still loved the medal, those are the moments you have to be grateful for and brings things into perspective. Family is important. This game was important but I came off the field and I gave everything I could and the team had. Sport if like that. The memories I gave made an been a part of, from the quarter-final, it has been a hell of a month."

Sam Whitelock, second-row

On the pain of defeat:

“The boys have been great, they’re getting round everyone and making sure everyone is supported in there. Sport can be pretty cruel.”

On coming back to France to play for Pau:

“It’s a bit weird. It hasn’t sunk in yet. I am still here with the team and speaking English. It will be completely different when we get back but that is still a month or so away. I’m just dealing with this at the moment.”

On believing the team could even reach the Rugby World Cup final:

“You always have to have faith. We had seen parts of it over the last couple of years when we have put it together for periods but I felt we took a couple of big steps in this tournament. We didn’t get the job done against France early on but there were parts we were really proud of. We took that confidence moving forward and that allowed us to expand and play our game. Tonight we really didn’t get in our flow.”

On representing his country more than 150 times:

“Every jersey is special. It’s an absolute privilege to play for your country and it doesn’t mater who you are playing against. It’s special playing in a World Cup final.”

MEDIA CONFERENCE

Ian Foster, head coach

On his feelings:

"Heck of a final. Always high emotion both sides of the fence this will be no different. 12-11, I want to congratulate South Africa for what they've achieved. they've shown a lot  of character and tenacity throughout this tournament. That's three close games they have come out the right side so they are doing something right.  For us it's heartbreaking and I look at the effort of our team, the way we played and came back and gave ourselves a really good crack at that, the second-half particularly after the red card in the first-half and the damage that decision made Overall, incredibly proud of our team but we've got a disappointed shed.

On red card for Sam Cane:

"I don't want game to be us talking about red cards. It is what it is. There will be a plenty of time to analyse that. There was an attempt to wrap. There didn't seem to be a lot of force in the contact. The hit on Ardie (Savea) had a lot of force going into that contact and a direct contact on the head so the game has got a few issues it's got to sort out. That's not sour grapes. There were two different situations with different variables and one was a red card, one was a yellow (for Siya Kilosi). That's the game."

On chances not taken and if game could have been won:

"It would be wrong to say we had all the chances, they had some chances too. There was a pressure cooker environment. You could see players from both teams making a few errors they wouldn't normally do. To get ourselves back, score that try, it's disallowed and we get another try. was pretty cool and got us in the game.  We gave ourselves every chance, but it wasn't to be. We are all gutted. We so desperately wanted to win this but I am equally proud. The attitude to play there against a mighty team. Every weeks ago the score was a very different score against them. We contributed massively to a very special final full of drama and two teams that put everything on the line."

On lineouts:

"I think our line-out went well. I thought we disrupted theirs and we had a couple of wins on their line-out which we squandered and gave them the ball back a bit too quick."

On his memories with this his final game with New Zealand:

"I would say there were a lot more up and downs. It's a privilege. I've been privileged to be with a special group of people. What's the highlight, probably today. We lost but as a coach you want your team on the big stage and to put their best foot forward which they did. We didn't get the result in the circumstances that we had to adapt to but I couldn't be more proud."

On Sam Cane who got sent off in the first half:

"I think we've all seen the way Sam has contributed to the game, our team behind the scenes, he's been fantastic, worthy of being captain of the All Blacks, which is a fantastic honour and a privilege and I think he's carried that magnificently well and I am incredibly proud of him. I am incredibly proud to coach him.

"It's a tough old day at the office when that happens and he'll be feeling a lot of emotion I guess.

"There's a few issues there, one is you look at the decision and say well, it is what it is, we can't control that unfortunately. I didn't feel we got the rub of the green in that first half, so we had to try and make our own luck but that was one that went against us.

"But the second thing is the heart and soul that the team showed afterwards to stay in that fight and I think that's largely due to the spirit of the group and the spirit of the leaders and even though Sam wasn't on, he was a big part of that."

On what makes this Springbok team so tough to beat:

"They just know their game. They are strong. Experienced. Clearly they have learned how to fight in dark places. You can't argue with the three tight wins in this tournament.

"They've got the ability to play the game at their pace."

On his thoughts on the TMO:

"Probably for the game to decide at some point. It's not tonight. We got the same behaviour from that TMO that we got in the Irish series last year, same TMO. So we expected what we got."

Sam Cane, captain

On his emotions:

“Just so much hurt right now. It’s actually hard to find words to explain it. It’s so, so hard. I’m feeling so much hurt, but I am so proud of the group the way they fought back and gave ourselves a shot of winning that game. It speaks volumes for the group as a whole. It is a fantastic group of men who care so much for playing for the All Blacks and making New Zealand proud. So there is a lot of heartbreak in the sheds right now. It is hard.”

On the red card:

“Look, at the time I wasn’t even aware, it caught me off guard that he stepped back. But we have been here for two months now and anything around the head has ramifications. I’m not here to discuss whether it was the right or wrong decision. It can’t be changed. Unfortunately it is something I am going to have to live with forever.”

ONFIELD REACTION

Ian Foster, head coach

On the result:

"I'm proud of our guys, to go down to that red card so early and fight our way back and give ourselves a chance is pretty special. I don't think it went wrong in any clear [place on the pitch], it was a real arm wrestle, both teams have their moment, incredibly proud of the way we fought and to get within a whisker of pulling it off is heart-breaking."

On the team:

"This group is very proud to be All Blacks, very proud to play for their country and have worked incredibly hard to get here. While I am so proud of what we did and how we worked we have to give it to South Africa, they are a quality team. They have had a few close victories in this tournament and are a different class. It's special for them but it equally hurts for us. I can't ask for much more than we did, we couldn't put more out on the park."

On Sam Cane:

"We will sort that out, it's gut-wrenching for him. Frustrating for us."

Sam Cane, captain

On the result:

"Extremely gutted and disappointed. First of all that the guys had to play with 14 men for the last 50-odd minutes. I thought the courage they showed out here tonight was incredible, the whole team are absolute warriors. It's tough. I'd like to say well done to South Africa. Back-to-back [champions[, they have been a fantastic team. They have had a heck of a tough road to the final and they have showed time and time again they have shown a way to win."