Rugby World Cup final: The soundtrack

When any high ball goes up the chorus of 'Sweet Jane' by The Velvet Underground should be cued up and ready to be played as Cory Jane leaps in the air, knee poised, and taking it cleanly. Photo / APN

Why Does Love Do This To Me should be red carded and given a lifetime ban. It was one of the many predictable and dire songs that blared out of Eden Park's sound system in the breaks during Sunday's big game. And while Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline is a rousing sing-along, what has it got to do with 15 hard men bashing into each other and showing the occasional bit of man love? Nothing at all, although TimeOut's resident fountain of knowledge reckons it might have something to do with it being the theme song for the fans of the Boston Red Sox - and perhaps the Eden Park DJ has the Best Stadium Anthems In The World Ever CD?

But really, no wonder the players get off the bus wearing headphones because the stadium's music is - mostly - awful. So here are 10 songs - five for the French and five for the All Blacks - for game day this Sunday.

FRANCE

The Can-Can

While traditionally performed by a chorus line of ladies in petticoats, it could just be the antidote to the haka that the French team need. And besides, the high kicks would stretch those hamstrings.

Harder Better Faster Stronger - Daft Punk

This mantra by Les Bleus' robotic musical brothers is exactly what they will be aspiring for come kick-off.

Flying Whales - Gojira

You can never write the French off, or underestimate their mettle - and this Moby Dick-sized song by France's premier metal band could be played if Les Bleus' own heavy metal titans, Dusautoir and Harinordoquy, get a roll on.

Oxygene (Pt. II) - Jean-Michel Jarre

Then again, since most of the French team will be buried at the bottom of rucks with big bad Brad lying all over them, they will be gasping for air when they finally get back to their feet. Not that I'm totally biased. I chose the second part of Jarre's 1976 ambient classic because it is where it gets its oonst on, and that's something the fleet-footed Frenchies will have to do if they have any chance against our boys. Plus, the more new age moments of the album also double as an after-game come-down. Before they hit the town, of course.

Sweat - David Guetta

And what better way to get the party started - win or lose - than with some banging French house music. The superstar Parisian disc jockey's Where Them Girls At might get an airing in the early hours too.

NEW ZEALAND

Welcome to the Jungle - Guns N' Roses

Not to scare Les Bleus but "you know where you are, you're in the jungle baby ..." and big bad Brad and man-handler Kaino are on the prowl. This song was the fourth biggest song back in the year when the All Blacks last won the Cup, so what better theme song for Eden Park to adopt for the occasion.

Sweet Jane - Velvet Underground

When any high ball goes up the chorus of this song should be cued up and ready to be played as Cory Jane leaps in the air, knee poised, and taking it cleanly. If there's a few sweet Jane moments, then it should be sweet as.

Poi E - Patea Maori Club

The only song of those played at the moment that deserves to stay. You can't really go wrong with Dalvanius' 1984 classic (aka the Te Reo song that every Pakeha can sing along to). Best saved for try time.

Ten Guitars

The only danger with playing this song during the game is Piri Weepu is liable to down tools and start playing along. So perhaps it's one for the changing sheds after the match with a few beers. Although there's no smoking allowed inside, okay Cory?

Let's Go Crazy - Prince

Whereas some of the songs we don't want to hear are Pet Shop Boys' Always On My Mind (as in the horrors of 2007, 2003, 1999, 1995, and 1991) and Loser by Beck.

- TimeOut