A video has gained popularity on Facebook of a surfer riding the waves of a 75-foot launcher near Waiheke Island over the Labour Weekend. Supplied/Jesse James Cassrels

Mike Hosking on the Rugby World Cup final.

Video Slideshow of a selection of - "The 50 Best Photos" by NZ Herald chief photographer Brett Phibbs, who has been covering the Rugby World Cup.

Former policeman, international rugby player, actor, and columnist Martin Bayfield picks the All Blacks as his favourite to win the Rugby World Cup because he sees the forwards as better 'ball players' and feels that maybe the vital difference between the sides for an All Blacks victory.

The days to the Rugby World Cup final are counting down, the All Blacks are at Pennyhill which is the the home of English Rugby as they quietly prepare for the match that carries the hopes of a nation.

The All Blacks say that to combat Pocock and Hooper they have to do things better, not change their ways to nullify the twin breakdown threats. Also Dane Coles has dreamed of this moment since a boy and Sam Cane says the AB's will 'walk towards the challenge'.

It truly is the final week for the All Blacks in the Rugby World Cup, Gregor Paul and Patrick McKendry are following the All Blacks and give their opinion on the question all New Zealand is asking... What to do about Pocock and Hooper?

Australia coach Michael Cheika says Australia must “do something special” to beat New Zealand in next Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final.

As far as All Blacks coach Steve Hansen is concerned, Richie McCaw's off-the-ball contact with South Africa's Francois Louw in New Zealand's 20-18 Rugby World Cup semifinal win is a non-issue. Video of the first-half incident spread quickly on social media on Saturday night, with McCaw appearing to run into Louw, who was kneeling, as he ran around a ruck. "Nothing in it, so there's nothing to talk about," Hansen told a Sunday news conference. "Everyone's got a bit excited, so move on."

Gregor Paul and Patrick McKendry are at Twickenham were Steve Hansen's men are now in the final and with a show of defending their title after an unbelievably tense match. The Springboks, who got to this point with their narrow win over Wales in the quarter-final, put in a typically defiant performance and almost, almost, got home.

Hear from the All Blacks players as they react to abrilliant show of composure which allowed them to hold off the Springboks in a gripping World Cup semifinal in which either team could have won in the final seconds.

A brilliant show of composure from the All Blacks has allowed them to hold off the Springboks in a gripping World Cup semifinal in which either team could have won in the final seconds.

It was a nervy watch for All Blacks fans as the side booked a spot in the 2015 Rugby World Cup final.

Victoria Cross recipient Willie Apiata was watching the final training run from the stands in Twickenham ahead of the semifinal against the Springboks on Sunday morning (NZT), a match predicted to be "brutal" by Richie McCaw. Hear from the All Blacks skipper on the eve of the knockout match against South Africa.

Gregor Paul and Patrick McKendry are pitch side with the All Blacks at the captains run before the knockout semifinal against the Springboks, and they expect big things from Aaron Smith and the All Blacks kicking game.

Kiwis winger Curtis Rona on his breakthrough NRL season, life on tour, the Kiwis brotherhood and being maybe the biggest winger in the world.

Nigel Yalden's Rugby World Cup update

WARNING: Contains sexual references. Viewer discretion is advised. Flour bombs dropped on Browns Bay by low flying Cessna in this week’s ACC match prediction.

Heyneke Meyer's lavish praise heaped on the All Blacks this week has been described as mind games by his opposite Steve Hansen, who has told his team to take no notice. Springboks coach Meyer has called the All Blacks the best team to ever play the game, adding his players would have to play the match of their lives if they were to be successful in Sunday's World Cup semifinal at Twickenham.

Joseph Parker at the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum. Rising heavyweight boxing star's plan to fight in Samoa will be confirmed at a press conference in Apia today. Supplied: Duco

Photos/Brett Phibbs

A selection of the best images of the All Blacks 2015 Rugby World Cup run to the semifinals by Herald photographer Brett Phibbs.

Effusive praise form the Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer towards an All Black team that has been beaten only three times in the last four years. He knows the challenge ahead of his team, and they welcome it.

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer wants to buy his All Blacks opposite Steve Hansen a beer, that's because it would mean he has knocked the AB's out of the Rugby World Cup. Meyer revealed today in a packed media conference the tradition the two coaches have started of the winning coach buying the post match beers.

All Blacks supporters from all around the world say why they are behind the 'Men in Black' and how they love what the All Blacks do and represent.

The All Blacks have supporters from all around the world and New Zealand and at the Rugby World Cup, see where are they from?.

The All Black midfield general Conrad Smith talks about the mutual respect between the AB's and the Springboks and how “They are a special opponent and it’s a very special rivalry. I grew up during the apartheid era, when Australia were the traditional foes, but now South Africa have come back into it and I think it’s got back to where it was and they are our ultimate rival."

The All Blacks are back in London with their feet firmly back on the ground after thrashing France, they know what is needed to defeat the Springboks and say they will 'rise to the occasion' on Sunday ( NZ time).

Gregor Paul and Patrick McKendry give their opinions on refereeing at the Rugby World Cup and of course the Scottish debacle, and look ahead to what the Springbok team will throw at the All Blacks in the 'do or die' semi-final Sunday morning.

Watch the All Balcks tackle the 'standing jump' in the gym, Sonny Bill, Julian Savea and Ma'a Nonu along with Beauden Barrett and Ben Smith all complete this vertical leap. Footage: allblacks.com