Brad Thorn will be playing for his All Blacks teammates when they take on France in Sunday's Rugby World Cup final. Photo / Richard Robinson
The All Blacks have avoided any serious injuries in their Rugby World Cup semi-final win against Australia, but they say they are not taking France lightly.
In a media conference held this afternoon, All Blacks coach Graham Henry confirmed there were no serious injuries in the squad.
He said midfield back Ma'a Nonu had a sting in his shoulder, but will be fine for the final.
While the All Blacks are heavily favoured to overcome a French side that just got past a 14-man Welsh team on Saturday, Henry said nobody in the All Blacks camp was counting them out yet.
He said the French did not play well in their semi but will play better in the final, and can still be the best team in the world on their day.
The loss against the French team in the 2007 quarter-final is still on Henry's mind, who said that match was "the most bizarre game I've ever been involved in".
Henry said the French were more difficult to prepare for than Australia.
"We don't underestimate them."
Brad Thorn said the support received during the World Cup has helped lift the team to victory.
Sunday's final will be the 36-year-old lock's last run with the All Blacks.
Thorn said he will try to ignore the favourites tag applied to the All Blacks, and play for his teammates. When he enjoyed success in the National Rugby League with the Brisbane Broncos, "we played for each other."
He said nobody cared about the 2007 Rugby World Cup semi-final - lost to France in controversial fashion - any more, and the 2011 final is now on the All Blacks' minds.
"It's all about this weekend."
Henry has not spoken to Sonny Bill Williams about his tackling technique. The star utility back was yellow-carded with only five minutes left in the game for shoulder-charging an Australian ball carrier.
- NZHERALD ONLINE
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