It doesn’t seem like six weeks ago that the team at AUIP were eagerly anticipating the Rugby World Cup opening ceremony and the beginning of the biggest competition ever to be held in New Zealand. Now here we are approaching finals weekend and our very own All Blacks are in the final against our old rugby foes, France!

Since securing the spot in the final by beating Australia 20 – 6 in the semi final last Sunday the nation has been gripped with excitement and anticipation of this week’s game. There are All Blacks and New Zealand flags on cars, houses, shops and lampposts. AUIP’s Sheena even spotted one on a tree deep within Arthurs Pass National Park! BBQ’s (cook outs) and parties are being planned, big screens are going up in bars and pubs all over the country for fans to watch the game and black face paint and All Blacks apparel have been selling out in shops this week. Check out the video below of a Flash Mob performing the Haka as a good-luck gesture to the All Blacks from the dizzying height of the 192-metre high Sky Tower in Auckland.

The game starts at 9:00 p.m. on Sunday night New Zealand time but rugby fans in America can watch it live on Universal Sports at 3:45 a.m. ET Sunday morning. If you can’t bring yourself to get out of bed that early, NBC have delayed coverage at 3:00 p.m. ET Sunday afternoon. Are you planning an All Blacks/New Zealand themed party?

Go the All Blacks!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMRGk0W4vVY]