Consistency at last

It may have taken eight years, but at least we have consistency in All Black selection; here's the team for Sunday night's RWC final:

Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Richard Kahui, Aaron Cruden, Piri Weepu, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (capt), Jerome Kaino, Sam Whitelock, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Andrew Hore, Ben Franks, Ali Williams, Adam Thomson, Andy Ellis, Stephen Donald, Sonny Bill Williams

There's just one change in the 22, where Adam Thompson predictably replaces Victor Vito on the bench. Other than that, it's a very settled looking team, especially in the forwards where the first-choice eight will play their third successive match together after Kieran Read's return from an ankle injury. And this week, there's been no mention of The Foot; we guess that Richie McCaw proved a point last Sunday.

This is a very, very good team. Around 11pm and Sunday night, we'll know if the 2011 All Blacks are a World Champion side.