All Blacks players Dalton Papali'i and Rieko Ioane Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Billy Stickland Photo: Inpho / www.photosport.nz
Rieko Ioane and Dalton Papali'i are into their first Rugby World Cup final and the Blues teammates are determined not to let the opportunity slip.
Last year it seemed far fetched that the All Blacks would win the showpiece tournament.
Coach Ian Foster had almost lost his job following a historic home series defeat to Ireland, with an upset victory over the Springboks at Ellis Park saving his skin.
However, they're now just one win away from claiming the World Cup crown after brushing aside Argentina 44-6 in the first semi-final in France.
Ioane is proud of how far they have come.
"We've faced a lot of adversity. People have said some not so nice things about us. But as a group we've stuck tight and always believed in the direction that we've been going and yeah, we're just hugely proud."
Rieko Ioane celebrates after the game. Rugby World Cup France 2023, New Zealand All Blacks v Italy, Pool A match at OL Stadium, Lyon, France on Friday 29 September 2023. Mandatory credit: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
The All Blacks are into a record fifth World Cup final with the chance to seal a record fourth title.
Ioane said the chance to make history will be a driver, but it won't be their main motivation.
"We won't look too far ahead as we still have a job to do, but the opportunity to do that is definitely exciting."
While Argentina proved no match for the All Blacks in their final four clash in Paris, Ioane believes the lessons they learnt in the emotional quarter-final win over Ireland was sound preparation for the World Cup title decider.
"It will definitely put us in good stead.
"But finals are different and it's not so much the form coming into the game it's the best team on the day. We need to prep as good as we have over the last couple of weeks and just look forward and try and control that emotion leading into the final because it's going to be a big one."
Ioane said it's a dream come true to reach a World Cup final and he's adamant the team always believed they could reach the title match, despite being beaten by South Africa in their final warm up game and losing to hosts France in the tournament opener.
"Definitely special and it's a date we pencilled in coming into this tournament and I think the belief that the boys retained throughout has stood strong."
Ioane's teammate at the Blues Super Rugby side, loose forward Dalton Papali'i said reaching his maiden World Cup final is something he's envisioned for most of his life.
"I can't really put it into words. This is a thing that you dream of as kids to make the final and especially after that first week when we lost to France and now to make it. We've got an opportunity to make our team, ourselves and our families and New Zealand proud."
Dalton Papalii. Photo: Photosport / John Davidson
Papali'i believes coach Ian Foster deserves plenty of credit for helping turn the side's fortunes around after suffering some tough losses and claiming some unwanted records over the past few years.
Foster's tenure will come to an end after the final and Papali'i said the players are determined to help him finish as a World Cup winner.
"Proof is in the pudding. He's taken us all the way here and this [the final[ is his last game and what a way for us to send him and also our [departing] senior players off if we can pull the job off.
"It's just a credit to himself how he's held himself and all the boys respect him and the man he is and the coach he is."
Papali'i believes the All Blacks have got one more big performance in them and he's confident they won't be overawed by playing in a World Cup final and the size of the occasion.
"You play rugby for these moments and this is the pinnacle, this is the moment on top of the mountain where everyone chases and wants to be. So many players play their whole career and don't get an opportunity to play in this game so this is it, it's do or die."
- RNZ