It was scarcely believable that a day before the final, the Wallabies had much of their pre-match thinking exposed.

Julian Savea and Dan Carter are among six players nominated for the prestigious World Rugby Player of the Year award.

To many opposition teams over the course of his 13 years of test rugby, Dan Carter has been a phantom-like character pulling the strings in the black No10 jersey.

We have always wondered whether the very words All Blacks put terror into the hearts of other rugby nations. Now we know.

At the end of the day I think the majority of New Zealanders are pretty relaxed about the result of the Rugby World Cup Final this weekend.

There are three things that all major international sports teams have to manage. The All Blacks do all three better than anybody else.

The clearest indication that ABs are not obsessing about Wallabies came yesterday when Jerome Kaino momentarily forgot Pocock's first name.

From time to time rugby in New Zealand is referred to as a religion.

A World Cup final against our closest rivals has been a long time coming and is as much a clash of sporting cultures as it is skills

Gregor Paul lists 10 things the All Blacks must do to win tomorrow's rugby World Cup final against Australia.

Six All Black greats will play their last test in Sunday's World Cup final. Wynne Gray gives his impression of the leavers

Australia coach forced to explain attempts by the Australia Rugby Union to undermine opponents.

The first Englishman to win the Rugby World Cup final did so in an All Blacks jersey.

While there will be fascinating clashes across the pitch in the World Cup final, one battle will prove the most influential.

The All Black mystique casts the kind of spell Stuart Lancaster's banished England tried and failed to copy.

One of the All Blacks' secrets remains a mystery and unquantifiable to even them.

If the ABs find themselves in a hole on Sunday, one man off the field will play a pivotal role in any revival.

Richie McCaw was at risk of missing the RWC final through being suspended for foul play. Paul writes how media could be the blame for this situation

Brian Moore urges English rugby fans to join the rest of the world in farewelling one of its greatest players.

The pocock is not alone, for now the egg is clutched firmly, jealously between the clawed feet of the black-hooded macaw, writes Brian.

An Auckland rugby fan has penned a version of the Lord's Prayer in ode to the All Blacks.

When Keven Mealamu's penultimate battle with the ABs finished with a narrow semifinal win, the old warrior made his way back to the dressing room.

With two days to go, Massey University answers the hot questions on performance, featuring specialist opinion from across the university

Hefty costs for screens, security and "other services" are reasons why the Super City's refuse to set up a fanzone for Aucklanders to watch the RWCF.

All Blacks captain won't say if final will be his last but he does think the game will be a hard one.