Cricket fever was alive and well down at The Strand and while some patrons admitted to being a bit nervous, Hamish McIntosh and his mates were with the Black Caps "all the way".
Mr McIntosh, 24, from Otumoetai, who coaches junior cricket, and his mates were watching the final on a big TV screen at the Cornerstone Pub last night, and said he was keeping the faith that the Black Caps can make it over the line.
"Although it's not looking good with three wickets down, it's early days yet. I'm a huge cricket fan, and it is a bit early to call the match. It's still a 50-50 outcome as far as I'm concerned. We still have Ross Taylor at the crease and I would get on my knees and bow down to him.
"We've always got a chance and until the last ball is bowled it's going to be the Black Caps all the way," he said.
New immigrant to Tauranga, Noman Ikram, 35, also watching the final at the Cornerstone, agreed.
Pakistan-born Mr Ikram said he was not worried.
"I very much hope the Black Caps win, and I'm sure they can do the business."
Across the Ditch in the midst of the action is Tauranga's Tony Wellington, his son Kale, 7, and Kale's poppa Stu Wellington.
Tony Wellington said it had been an awesome weekend, and they had been staying at the same Melbourne hotel as TVNZ One News reporter Andrew Saville and Royden Christie from Breakfast.
Mr Wellington said on Saturday night they had ended up socialising with Sir Graham Henry at a social event at a local hotel attended by 1500-2000 people.
"There was about 500 or so people waiting outside to get in. It was awesome," he said.
Mr Wellington, who turned 35 the day after the Black Caps beat South Africa in the semi-final, said being at the MCG to watch New Zealand play Australia was the "best birthday present" he had ever had.
"It's very exciting but I think Kale has been even more excited than we are. He has been jumping around and skipped all the way from our hotel to the ground. Kale is absolutely loving it."
Kale's 7th birthday present was a trip to the Cup final.
Mr Wellington said there was a sea of black or beige shirts everywhere, and the Aussies definitely knew New Zealand supporters were in the house, and that the noise was "incredible".
"Even the India supporters are wearing black and cheering for the Black Caps. The atmosphere is absolutely fantastic."