New Zealand will have several star performers running out for the last time when they compete in Sunday’s Rugby World Cup final but it is not the time to get dewy-eyed and sentimental, insists coach Ian Foster.
Foster, along with veterans Dane Coles, Brodie Retallick, Aaron Smith and Sam Whitelock, will mark the end of an era with their final involvement with the All Blacks when they take on South Africa but in preparing for the Stade de France showdown they have swept aside any temptation for nostalgic reflection.
Foster says they know that it’s the last game for some pretty iconic players but, quite frankly, they don't really want to talk too much about that.
He says there will be time afterwards for that, but right now, the occasion in front of them is so exciting that they don't want to waste a day thinking about post game.
Retallick and Smith will be going to play in Japan after the World Cup, Whitelock joins Pau in the French Top 14 and 36-year-old Coles retires.
The All Blacks will take on the Springboks in the RWC final at 7am Sunday.
Reuters
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