New Zealand All Black prop John Afoa (left) kicks a ball as his teammates take a break during a training session, in Auckland on Friday. The All Blacks are preparing for the 2011 Rugby World Cup final to be played against France on Sunday. William West / Agence France-Presse

New Zealand has been the dominant rugby union nation for decades, but that has not been reflected on the game's greatest stage. The team has a chance to set the record straight on Sunday, writes Tym Glaser.

Teams don't choke, they just lose.

Unless of course that team is the South African cricket side or the New Zealand All Blacks, and the tournament has either the words "world" or "cup" - or a combination of both - in its title.

While the Saffers will have to wait another four years for potential Cup redemption on a cricket field, New Zealand has a chance to cast that unwanted label aside on Sunday when it takes on France at the Kiwi fortress known as Eden Park in the final of the Rugby World Cup; an event that seems to have started about the same time Methuselah was wearing short pants.

During the arduous, long-winded process in New Zealand, the host was the only team to emerge unbeaten and, in the run of things, looked well nigh invincible.

The All Blacks swept all before them, including Sunday's rival Les Bleus in a 37-17 hiding back on Sept 24 in the pool stage of the competition.

Last week, the home side crushed Australia, 20-6, in the semis - a young team that was expected to be NZ's greatest threat before the tournament began - in an awesome display of intense rugby.

The All Blacks have named an unchanged team for the final, so everything is on their side except history.

Without a doubt the most consistent and best rugby nation on this little orb of ours, New Zealand only has one World Cup to show off, and that was the first one, way back in 1987, in those Shaky Isles.

Yes, they say "fush and chups" and everybody is their "bro", but the other antipodeans do know how to play the game - just not on the biggest stage.

They have flattered to deceive at the other World Cups, which they have always been the favorite, or close to it, so even the most ardent fans from Auckland to Dunedin must be looking at this clash with some trepidation.

The French have rocked the All Black boat before; just remembering the quarterfinal loss to the Europeans in 2007 still sends shivers down Kiwi spines, and the men in blue were also the last team to breach Eden Park when they won a Test way back in 1994.

The French lost two games at this Cup, to New Zealand and a shocker to Tonga, but are gritty and resilient when they do show up to play.

"I don't care what you think of how the French have played in the last few weeks," said All Black second rower Ali Williams, who was on deck for the 20-18 quarterfinal defeat four years ago.

"They'll be a completely different side. They'll be a team possessed and if we're not at that level or better we'll walk away with nothing."

Coach Graham Henry added, "This French team, we're not sure who's going to turn up. They are enjoying the underdog tag.

"But we think they're a pretty good rugby team with some outstanding players.

"Their forward pack is probably as good as any we'll play in this World Cup," the former Wales coach said. "They've got a world class loose trio and backs that can bite you."

The French team relies on strong defense and accurate kicking from Dimitri Yachvili and Morgan Parra. It's not aesthetically pleasing but, hey, they are in the Cup final.

The Kiwis, on the other hand, can beat you in every facet of the game - and generally do.

They lost fly halves Dan Carter and Colin Slade to injury, but have hardly missed a beat with Piri Weepu, captain Richie McCaw and Israel Dagg leading the charge.

This, simply put, is New Zealand's Cup to win or lose or, to say it another way, have the noose tighten or simply disappear.

(China Daily 10/23/2011 page8)