History repeats itself with a vengeance. During the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987, New Zealand and France played the finals at the Eden Park in Auckland. After 24 years, the teams are back at the same venue to play out the Rugby World Cup 2011 on Sunday.

For New Zealand, it is the opportunity to end nearly a quarter-century of near-misses and unexpected slipups and join Australia and South Africa as two-time winners of the Webb Ellis Cup.

For France, it is the chance to finally get their hands on a trophy they have twice seen slip through their grasp with defeats in the finals of 1987 and 1999.

Following last Sunday's semifinal win, following the 20-6 defeat of Australia, the New Zealand All Blacks coach Graham Henry has named an unchanged side for the World Cup final match. However, France coach Marc Lievremont is adamant his side is more than capable of causing an upset in Sunday's final.

New Zealand All Blacks captain Richie McCaw leads his team onto the field before their Rugby World Cup final match against France at Eden Park in Auckland
New Zealand All Blacks captain Richie McCaw leads his team onto the field before their Rugby World Cup final match against France at Eden Park in Auckland Reuters
France players look on as New Zealand All Blacks039 Kahui perform the Haka before their Rugby World Cup final match at Eden Park in Auckland.
France players look on as New Zealand All Blacks' Kahui perform the "Haka" before their Rugby World Cup final match at Eden Park in Auckland. Reuters
New Zealand All Blacks039 fans pose before their Rugby World Cup final match against France at Eden Park in Auckland.
New Zealand All Blacks' fans pose before their Rugby World Cup final match against France at Eden Park in Auckland. Reuters
France supporters pose for a photo before the start of their Rugby World Cup final match against New Zealand All Blacks at Eden Park in Auckland.
France supporters pose for a photo before the start of their Rugby World Cup final match against New Zealand All Blacks at Eden Park in Auckland. Reuters
The New Zealand Army Band performs the Haka before the Rugby World Cup final match between New Zealand All Blacks and France at Eden Park in Auckland.
The New Zealand Army Band performs the Haka before the Rugby World Cup final match between New Zealand All Blacks and France at Eden Park in Auckland. Reuters
A France supporter waits for the start of their Rugby World Cup final match against New Zealand All Blacks at Eden Park in Auckland.
A France supporter waits for the start of their Rugby World Cup final match against New Zealand All Blacks at Eden Park in Auckland. Reuters
A New Zealand All Blacks039 fan takes a picture with his mobile phone before their Rugby World Cup final match against France at Eden Park in Auckland.
A New Zealand All Blacks' fan takes a picture with his mobile phone before their Rugby World Cup final match against France at Eden Park in Auckland. Reuters
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