When the All Blacks step onto the revered grounds of Stade de France this Saturday, they won’t merely be representing themselves, each other, or the coaching staff in the stands. They will be competing for something much larger.
Not too many people had high hopes for the All Blacks to win the Rugby World Cup after their significant 35-7 defeat to the Springboks at Twickenham in August. At that point, it seemed that the All Blacks had lost some of their allure and mystique.
Before their World Cup opener against the French, former French international Olivier Magne labeled this All Blacks squad as the “weakest” in history, and New Zealand lost that match 27-13 on September 8.
Nevertheless, the All Blacks have persistently improved, away from even the most ardent fans’ watchful eyes. Gradually, more and more New Zealanders began to believe in the possibility of another World Cup victory.
As they take the field at Stade de France this Saturday, the All Blacks will be playing for the honor of the jersey and the pride of a rugby-loving nation at the southern end of the globe.
“All part of the challenge is to discover that within yourself. We draw strength from the history and legacy of the jersey, which is of immense importance to us. Those who have tread the same path we’re on are truly special,” Foster mentioned on Friday.
“The All Blacks have always held a special place in the hearts of New Zealanders. The level of support we’ve received from our country has been overwhelming.
“We, as a group, tend to be somewhat conservative and at times, even cynical. We express our love and support while offering criticism. However, things have taken a turn recently, and there’s a lot of excitement in our country.
“Our motivation comes from the people we represent, our families, and our heritage. When we close the door and gather in a circle, it’s that very group of individuals who are highly motivated to meet the standards we’ve set for ourselves.”
This marks the end of an era for the All Blacks, with many key players from New Zealand’s victorious 2015 campaign wearing the iconic black jersey for the last time in Saturday’s final, including Sam Whitelock.
With over 150 Test caps to his name, Whitelock, the most experienced All Black in history, aims to exit the international stage with a historic third World Cup title. If he accomplishes this, it could be a record that may never be equaled or broken.
However, Whitelock is not alone in this. Aaron Smith, Brodie Retallick, and Dane Coles are also retiring from the All Blacks after this run, and it appears to be the end of the road for Beauden Barrett, Nepo Laulala, and potentially Richie Mo’unga.
These players are determined to exit the world of rugby at the pinnacle of their careers. With 1387 caps collectively, this is the most experienced All Blacks team ever to participate in a World Cup final.
“We have a perfect blend of individuals who have World Cup experience and those who are new to it. When you ask the group who among them is in their first World Cup final or their first World Cup, more than half of the team raises their hand, including some members of the coaching staff,” Foster added.
“We have an excellent mix, and the ability of the experienced players to pass on their knowledge has been remarkable. The message from players like Sam and Dane Coles is not just spoken; it’s demonstrated through their actions. It’s about showing how to prepare and how to handle the pressure.
“These individuals have done an outstanding job, and Sam is a prime example of that. His achievements over the past five or six weeks have been nothing short of spectacular.
I recall being asked at a media conference a few weeks ago about what more he could achieve, and being the first person to win three Rugby World Cups would be truly remarkable. We would feel incredibly honored if that were to happen.
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