A slew of New Zealand greats will don the All Blacks jersey for the last time in the Rugby World Cup final against South Africa this weekend and the players left to carry on are determined they will bow out with the trophy, hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho said.
Locks Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick, scrum-half Aaron Smith and hooker Dane Coles are set to retire from Test rugby after the decider in Paris on Saturday, while playmaker Beauden Barrett will head to Japan.
"There are a few legends of this team, it's their last week being All Blacks," Taukei'aho said. "We'll be trying to send them off the way they deserve, which is with a victory."
Having signed a contract extension to play in New Zealand until 2027, Taukei'aho will continue on, likely to be a big part of Scott Robertson's plans when the new coach succeeds All Blacks boss Ian Foster after the World Cup.
Taukei'aho's immediate focus will be on retaining his place in the matchday squad for the final. The 26-year-old ran off the bench in the 44-6 defeat of Argentina in the semi-finals, replacing starting hooker Codie Taylor.
Coles, who already has a World Cup gold medal as part of the championship-winning All Blacks in England in 2015, could yet deny Taukei'aho a maiden World Cup final appearance. However, Taukei'aho had only kind words for the 36-year-old who took him under his wing when he made his first All Blacks squad.
