International Rugby Events
Rugby World Cup 2011
New Zealand open the door to fate on Sunday night in Auckland, where France are out to spoil the hosts' party in the Rugby World Cup Final.
It's 24 years since David Kirk's men won the inaugural showpiece - also at Eden Park and also against Les Bleus - and the intervening tournaments have not been kind to the All Blacks.
Dumped out by Australia in 1991 and 2003 and undone by South Africa in 1995, the World Cup defeats that hurt most both came against France. In 1999 it was a miracle of French flair and four years ago Bernard Laporte's side pulled through thanks to sheer bloody-mindedness and a missed forward pass.
New Zealand vs France
Match schedule:
Date: October 2011,Sun 23
Kick-off: 21:00 local, 08:00 GMT, 14:00 BDT
Venue:Eden Park, Auckland
Final