Rugby World Cup final 2015 – New Zealand name unchanged team to face Australia

New Zealand have named an unchanged team to face Australia in Saturday's Rugby World Cup final.

Coach Steve Hansen has kept faith with the men who beat South Africa last weekend as he prepares for the Twickenham finale, the first time the All Blacks have met the Wallabies at this stage of a tournament.

As many as five All Blacks stalwarts could end their Test careers in style by becoming the first nation to retain the Webb Wllis Cup.

Captain Richie McCaw will most likely call his record-breaking Test career quits after the weekend, while Dan Carter, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith and Keven Mealamu have already confirmed the World Cup showpiece as their last outing in New Zealand colours.

"We came here as contenders for the World Cup, just like everyone else," said Hansen. "In our minds we have never been defenders.

"We knew we would have to earn the right to progress through the tournament so being in the final is very satisfying in its own right.

"The ultimate goal has always been to win it, so we are exactly where we need to be to try and achieve that.

Both teams have arrived at the final by different pathways," said Hansen.

"We've had the luxury of building game by game throughout the whole tournament, whilst Australia have had to be at their very best right from day one.

"Mental fortitude and physical endurance, together with skill, execution and sheer desire, will be the key ingredients come Saturday."

New Zealand team to play Australia in the Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham on Saturday: B Smith; N Milner-Skudder, C Smith, M Nonu, J Savea; D Carter, A Smith; J Moody, D Coles, O Franks, B Retallick, S Whitelock, J Kaino, R McCaw (capt), K Read. Replacements: K Mealamu, B Franks, C Faumuina, V Vito, S Cane, T Kerr-Barlow, B Barrett, S B Williams.