NEW ZEALAND COACH Graham Henry has picked the exact same side that beat Australia for Sunday’s final showdown with France.
Henry said it was not a difficult decision, given that the team had played so well previously.
Winning the World Cup would represent a milestone for the coach, following a series of near-misses that have meant that the All Blacks have not won the tournament since the inaugural event in 1987.
And when asked what a World Cup win would mean to him, Henry told reporters:
“Peace. Internal peace. My mum’s still alive – she’s 95 now – and she’ll be delighted when it finishes, because she thinks I’m under pressure. She doesn’t understand I don’t do much.“My wife will be rejoicing. When you’re close to people doing the job but not involved yourself, it can be a very difficult situation to be in.”
New Zealand go into Sunday’s game in excellent form, having won each of their World Cup matches thus far in a convincing fashion.
New Zealand: Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Richard Kahui, Aaron Cruden, Piri Weepu; Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Owen Franks, Sam Whitelock, Brad Thorn, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (capt), Kieran Read.
Replacements: Andrew Hore, Ben Franks, Ali Williams, Adam Thomson, Andy Ellis, Stephen Donald, Sonny Bill Williams.
