A World Cup final full of controversial calls ended in disappointment for New Zealand and elation for South Africa.

The game saw four yellow cards during the contest - two to each team - with the most prominent being All Blacks captain Sam Cane's card being upgraded to red for direct contact to the head when making a tackle.

Newstalk ZB rugby commentator Paul Allison says fans were quick to unload their criticisms onto the officials- which he argues isn't fair.

"I don't think we should be blaming the referees or the officials for the end result, I think the All Blacks had their opportunity and they weren't able to take them- the South Africans were."

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