Holy Grail is within our grasp

ON Monday, for the first time in 16 years, New Zealanders woke up looking forward to a Rugby World Cup final.

As commuters arrived late and dishevelled for work, the final against France seemed a long way off in the distance. In time, anxiety will creep in — France have an uncanny habit of producing their dazzling best against Nouvelle Zelande — but the early part of the week has been dedicated to celebrating the All Blacks first win against Australia at a World Cup.

It was not so much the win, but the scale of same that was most impressive. True, 20-6 does not immediately scream epic triumph, but it felt closer to a 30-point thumping than 14.