Brad Thorn, who was immense in the semifinal win over the Wallabies, said he was dealing in reality when it came to facing the French in the final and would leave the hype to others.
When Thorn was asked how the side would handle being favourite going into the final on Sunday night, the veteran lock said the team would not be thinking like that.
"The best way to deal with it is not to read too much media. There is the hype but then there is the reality," Thorn said.
"At the Broncos, most of the grand finals we played in we were favourites by the media. But we did the hard work right throughout the week and got a bit of momentum going into the games. And we played for each other and cared for each other.
"A raging hot favourite? Look at the French. As soon as that player went off at the weekend, I knew they would struggle. But they'll probably have a blinder this weekend.
"They have got an outstanding tight five, a loose trio which is up there with ours as the best in the world, dangerous backs, great scrum and good lineout. It will be a battle from the first minute to the 80th."
Thorn, who has played every game of this World Cup, showed some real emotion on Sunday night, celebrating as his side won a scrum penalty late in the game with a fist pump. The normally reserved player was not backing away from it yesterday.
"It is a semifinal of a World Cup, going into a World Cup final. No apologies for that. Wayne Bennett used to say once you get to the final, what will happen, will happen. But one of the hardest things is getting to the final.
"I was excited last night. We pushed them off the ball. It doesn't just happen. A lot goes on in there. When you come out of that you've had a real big effort there. It is a real big moment.
"You work together, especially the tight five. To go up against another pack, in the 70th minute of a test, with the opportunity to go to a World Cup final, that is a pretty cool time in my opinion."
Thorn said the side enjoyed the win on Sunday night, having worked really hard, but knew there was a job to come.
"Come tomorrow, it is back to business. Do you think anyone is going to care who won the semifinal in 2011? No-one is going to care. It is about what happens this weekend. We've got world-class opposition coming against us."
He was thriving on the expectation put upon the team by an eager public and did not consider it pressure.
"The New Zealand public have been huge for us. On the way to the game we have people outside here waiting for us to leave.
People on the streets waving at us. People singing the anthem and cheering us on.
"From Stewart Island up to the top of the North Island people are cheering for us. People say it is pressure but I think it is a lift. People are just loving it and want us to do well.
"For me, growing up in Australia, I always cheered on the All Blacks in World Cups and stuff. I can really remember being a fan and for me, in those moments I gave a big fist up to the crowd, I was enjoying the moment with them. It's pretty special and it is a nice place for me to be out there."
It will be Thorn's last game in the All Black jersey on Sunday before he leaves to take up a two-year contract in Japan.
