New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen expects thrilling World Cup final

Image: All Blacks coach Steve Hansen hopes the World Cup final will be a game to remember

New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen feels Saturday's World Cup final with Australia has the potential to be a thriller.

Just two tries have been scored in the last two World Cup finals, but Hansen believes the 2015 showpiece will produce a greater spectacle.

"The pressure will be on both teams, but I don't think that will inhibit either one of them," Hansen said.

As Dan Carter prepares to make his final All Blacks appearance we thought we’d dig out a couple of old clips

"The Australian team will play to their strengths, and we will play to ours. Given the conditions are okay, I think we will see some running rugby.

"Whether that results in a lot of tries depends on how good the defences are.

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"We are looking forward to it immensely. I know, win or lose, we will put in a performance we will be proud of.

"If that's good enough to win, great. If not, we will look at ourselves and ask what we need to do better.

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"But we won't be inhibited by the occasion. This group is in a good place and excited about what's coming, and we've got a bit of talent, so if we play well, the result might come our way."

Dan Carter is included in an unchanged New Zealand side for the Rugby World Cup final against Australia

The All Blacks will become the first country to secure back-to-back world titles if they win at Twickenham and fly-half Dan Carter is ready for the challenge ahead.

"It's a big occasion and one that this team and myself are pretty excited about, but it's just a matter of controlling those emotions and not thinking too much about the outcome," said Carter, who makes his 112th and final Test appearance before joining French club Racing 92.

Image: New Zealand fly-half Dan Carter will play his final international game before joining Racing 92 in France

"It's not about me. It is not about guys playing their last game. It is about this 2015 All Blacks side that has been working extremely hard all year.

"My motivating factor is just wanting to go out there and play the best I possibly can for my team-mates alongside me."

Sean Fitzpatrick looks ahead to the Rugby World Cup final clash between New Zealand and Australia

Carter was injured during the pool stages of the 2011 World Cup and had to sit out the rest of the tournament, with the All Blacks going on defeat France 8-7 in the Auckland final.

The 33-year-old subsequently signed a new four-year contract with the New Zealand Rugby Union and Carter is keen to make up for lost time.

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former All Black Sean Fitzpatrick says the performance of Richie McCaw will be key

"In the back of my mind, after 2011, the reason I signed a four-year deal was to give myself another chance of a World Cup," he added.

"I was looking that far ahead. It was in the back of my mind - to be here. I just wanted to be a part of this side for this World Cup."

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