Ian Foster has insisted he does not care who New Zealand will face in the Rugby World Cup final.
The All Blacks coach admitted he will crack open the popcorn and put his feet up to watch England square up to South Africa in Paris on Saturday night.
New Zealand have earned to right to have a rest, after dismissing Argentina with a peremptory 44-6 thrashing at the Stade de France on Friday night.
Will Jordan’s hat-trick sparked a seven-try romp past the sorry Pumas, who could not contain the classy All Blacks.
Shannon Frizell bagged a brace, with Jordie Barrett and Aaron Smith also crossing, as Jordan’s eight try tally for the tournament equalled the all-time record, from Jonah Lomu in 1995 and Bryan Habana in 2007.
New Zealand had to slug past Ireland 28-24 in a bruising, thrilling quarter-final, but were happy to coast through the last-four.
The All Blacks now have eight days until the final, one more day’s preparation than their opponents – and Foster’s men were largely untroubled against Argentina so will not need much recovery.
New Zealand have reached a record fifth final, and will now bid to lift the Webb Ellis Cup for the fourth time.
Asked who he would like to play in the final, Foster replied: “I’ll probably have some popcorn while I watch tomorrow night, and I don’t care who wins to be honest.
“We’re very much in a focus about ourselves stage.
“And one thing that extra day does give us is a chance to have a break mentally, and not to spend too much juice worrying about if it’s them, if it’s them.
“South Africa have been playing some brilliant rugby, but we have also seen an England team that has built away quietly.
“They understand how they want to play and are starting to get really good at how they want to play. And they believe in themselves.”
Argentina’s inability to live with New Zealand meant Foster’s men never had to get out of third gear in a victory as comfortable as it was consummate.
Foster insists the ease of the win and the extra day’s preparation will not tip the balance in the final – but he was also not about to give up either advantage.
“I don’t think they’ll make a massive difference,” Foster said, of the extra day’s prep and the comfortable win.
“Finals are finals. But it was an opportunity to make sure we look after our resources as well as we could.”
Argentina boss Michael Cheika insisted he was proud of his Pumas despite the hefty loss.
The Australian head coach also vowed that Argentina will now target victory in the third-fourth play-off.
“We are not finished yet, we have one more week at this World Cup,” said Cheika.
“Only four teams get to play seven matches at the World Cup, and we are extremely proud of that, and I am extremely proud of my players and staff.
“We will recover, and then we will prepare for Friday – we want to finish third.”
