Overseas media have lavished praise on New Zealand for hosting the Rugby World Cup, and the South has received special mention for its stadiums, sheep and giant trout.
After seven weeks, 48 matches and 360 tries, the 2011 Rugby World Cup ended on Sunday when the host team beat France 8-7 to claim the Webb Ellis Cup.
"The final ended up as simple as ABC - All Blacks champions," BBC chief sports writer, Tom Fordyce wrote.
Not only was the national team crowned champion, but an Al Jazeera report singled out the country for its off-the-field performance.
"As a country, New Zealand has also played a blinder. The stadiums have been superb, especially the top-class Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin. Rugby under a roof could be the future if it generates that much atmosphere."
Robert Kitson, of The Guardian, awarded the match of the tournament to the final, which just pipped Ireland's poolwin over Australia.
"A bunch of us watched the latter game in a bar in Gore, the home of the Big Trout. It was definitely memorable. The game, that is, not the trout."
He singled out the Argentinian fans as having the best supporters, with his other abiding memory of the tournament "the flock of sheep painted in the colours of competing nations grazing in a field beside the road to Queenstown".
"The stunning Otago and Coromandel Peninsulas are highly recommended. Even the cheese-sandwich judging competition in Dunedin was a laugh."
Mike Averis, also with The Guardian, said New Zealand was so "immersed in their sport that it was possible to watch rugby 24 hours a day ..."
"It was almost possible to forget the rip-off prices. Almost."
The Daily Telegraph noted the New Zealand hosts were warm and welcoming, "ready with a beer and some banter".
"There was a fear they'd care only about the All Blacks, but they embraced one and all."
