Analysis: Dan Carter predicted his former side could make World Cup magic, but explaining their run to the final may be beyond even him, writes Patrick McKendry in Paris.
In June this year, All Blacks great Dan Carter was asked if his former side could win the World Cup.
Of course, he said.
"Obviously, the All Blacks won't go in as favourites, but I don't think that really matters," Carter replied. "Very rarely do the favourites win the Rugby World Cup anyway.
1News' Mei Heron and Andrew Saville report live from Paris on the eve of the match between the All Blacks and South Africa. (Source: 1News)
"That won't change any of the planning going into this World Cup.
"They'll have a really clear direction of how they want to play and grow their game throughout the World Cup and leave all of the external pressures out of the equation and focus on what they need to do as a team."
As predictions go, Carter's appears close to perfection ahead of Sunday morning's showdown against the world champion Springboks at the Stade de France.
The All Blacks, under Sam Cane's captaincy and the attention to detail of coaches Ian Foster, Joe Schmidt, Jason Ryan, Scott McLeod and Greg Feek, took only what they needed from that warm-up defeat to the Boks and tournament-opening loss to France.
Since then, they have grown in more ways than even their most fervent of supporters will have hoped.
One more try and Jordan will set a new tournament record for a player at a men's World Cup. (Source: 1News)
Logic dictates that the horribly inconsistent form of last year when they lost a home series to Ireland for the first time and followed their remarkable win over South Africa in Johannesburg with a first ever home defeat to the Pumas was not good preparation for this tournament, but it may have been the best thing to happen for the team, if not the coaches, most of whom have effectively lost their jobs as a result.
The Ireland loss taught them their defensive system wasn't fit for purpose and their defeats to the Boks in Mbombela and Argentines in Christchurch that their decision-making and mental application required work.
But rather than be broken by the setbacks and criticism, they have been toughened, but not in a callous way.
They now appear to possess a unity bound as much by a sense of protection for the previously under-fire Ian Foster as much as the wish to send some long-serving veterans out on a high that hasn't been present since 2015.
There were flickers of something special in their Rugby Championship victories this year, but, as Carter suggested they would need to, the All Blacks have continued to grow here in France to the extent where they now have a sense of purpose and belief which means it will take something special from the Springboks to beat them.
It's often said that making a final is enough motivation in itself but Foster last night touched on the growing sense of belief making its way across from New Zealand, too, which is another wind at their backs. There is a synergy happening here, an alchemy even, that probably not even the coaches and players can explain.
"Part of the challenge is to discover that yourself," he said when asked about the source of the players' motivation. "We get it from the history and the legacy of the jersey, which is massive for us. The people who have walked the journey we have walked are pretty special.
"The All Blacks have always had a special place in New Zealanders' hearts. The amount of support we have got from our country has been quite overwhelming. We are generally a conservative bunch - we are generally cynical at times. We show our love and support while criticising yet that has swung around a little bit. Suddenly there is a lot of excitement from our country.
In Auckland, rugby fans can enjoy the game on Eden Park's historic pitch where the All Blacks won two World Cups. (Source: 1News)
"We get it from the people we represent, our families and our past. Then when we shut the door and get in a circle it's also that group of people who are massively motivated to meet the standards we have set ourselves."
Men such as Carter, Richie McCaw, Keven Mealamu and Conrad Smith have been around this group before and during the World Cup – a conscious decision by Foster to remind the team of their legacy as well as having access to the advice the former World Cup winners can provide.
Eight years ago the All Blacks began their final victory over Australia at Twickenham with a sense of purpose from the kick-off that was palpable. Early tackles by Kieran Read and Jerome Kaino suggested a long and painful night was ahead for the Wallabies (after the agonising one-point victory of four years earlier) and the All Blacks will attempt something similar against the Boks.
In 2019 in Japan, the All Blacks second-guessed themselves in the week of their semifinal defeat to England, but here there is a sense that their utter determination to achieve personal and collective greatness is being concealed, or probably even enhanced, by a positivity that is heartfelt and meaningful.
"You always remember the people," said Richie Mo'unga ahead of what will be his final Test for the foreseeable future as he prepares for three seasons in Japanese club rugby.
"You're walking the same path and it's all how we react to it. Everyone goes through the emotional side of preparing and dealing with the pressure and the excitement and it's how we do it. It's a mixture of laughter and seriousness and that's the beauty of being part of a group.
"A lot of my energy and all my thoughts are on Saturday (local time), preparing for the best Springboks side we can face. We understand this is our last week together so just soaking all of that up. This week was just about putting everything into this week, leaving no stone unturned. Where the mind goes the body will follow. For me it's preparing mentally just as much as physically.
"And there are plenty of laughs - it's like being on camp sometimes with your friends - pranks, joking around, coffees. That stuff energises me and is a huge reason I want to try so hard for the person next to me. I'll miss that and I'll remember that the most, and hopefully looking back it will be the game of my life and the biggest achievement of my rugby career."
The All Blacks are as ready as they'll ever be.
Four years ago, Carter celebrated the All Blacks final win over the Wallabies in his final Test by converting Beauden Barrett's late try with his less strong right foot.
Mo'unga would probably settle for hoisting the Cup with both hands.
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