By Nicky Styris
They're our best friends and our fiercest rivals, and on Sunday New Zealand will face Australia in a World Cup final for the third time this year.
The Black Caps and the Silver Ferns faltered at the final hurdle, so will it be a case of third time lucky?
"The All Black brand is just so strong, such a professional such an efficient team that I think it is just another game and a lot of those guys have been in that position before," Grant Elliott said.
The Black Caps though were contesting their first World Cup final on enemy soil as underdogs.
But all-rounder Elliott believes the Wallabies will be relishing the tag of the dark horse.
"That's going to be the thing the Aussies go in with, 'oh, that they've got nothing to lose' which does make a team pretty dangerous."
Like the Black Caps, the Silver Ferns went through pool play undefeated, but when the cup was on the line, centre Laura Langman admits their game plan execution was poor.
"My advice would be know your strengths, know your opponent, but play your own game," Langman said.
It's a sentiment shared by Stephen Kearney who coached the Kiwis league team to a formidable Four Nations title last year, the first time they'd beaten the Kangaroos twice in a row in more than 100 Tests.
"For me that has to be first and foremost, an unbreakable self-belief and unbreakable belief in the team's processes and that it's going to work for you," Kearney said.
In reality, it doesn't matter how we analyse it. It all comes down to the performance on the day.
"I think if the guys play for the legacy of the jersey, and for everyone back here at home and make sure they enjoy the final, I can see it falling in our hands and being pretty favourable," Elliott said.
"They'll be walking home with the trophy which will make New Zealand very proud," Langman added.
Kearney predicted the All Blacks to win 28 to 14. Let's hope they're right.
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