Ali Williams was, for once, lost for words.
The All Black lock and chief larrikin struggled yesterday to describe what the support from around the country meant to the team.
"I don't think you can put it into words, to be honest. I have never seen the country like this in my life," Williams said.
"I was here in 1995 when we had the America's Cup and that was pretty phenomenal. But this is just another world. I have not had to pay for one breakfast at my local cafe yet and that is pretty brilliant.
"The flags on the cars, the way people are getting into it... The reality is they [the public] have not focused too much on the result and more on the event.
And for Kiwis that is pretty special. We can walk away and learn from that as well, getting behind a team that does what it does but loves the country more than anything and plays for the country they love."
Williams (30) said the atmosphere last Sunday during the win over the Wallabies was the best he had experienced in an All Black jersey.
"I think the reality is, when people roar like that you do not miss a tackle. You have got that extra half centimetre in a stride.
It's just mind-blowing the noise that is generated and the reality is it does things when you are playing that you can't explain. It is the excitement level that gets to you... sometimes you need a kick in the back or a roar of excitement to get going."
He was confident the crowd for the final would continue to back the All Blacks and enjoy the game.
Williams, who started from the bench last week, said it was vital to have a good mix of relaxation and concentration in the next few days.
"If you are too relaxed you overlook the intricacies of the game but if you get too tense then you do not enjoy the moment." Training loads would be relatively light this week, with little physical work.
Williams is likely to come off the bench again at Eden Park on Sunday and feels the All Blacks will have to go up another notch against a French side which would be up for the final.
"I know you guys [media] do not want to hear this but we have got still got a job to do. Most people thrive when something is put in front of them. But we can't get ahead of ourselves.
"I think in terms of a pack we all know them [France], what they bring as a scrum and a lineout. For us it is about stepping up another level. Last week's performance won't be good enough.
"I don't care what the French have played like in the past couple of weeks. The French will be a completely different side.""For us this means everything and we've got to give everything."
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