The Rugby World Cup final on Sunday is more than just a game for New Zealanders, it represents a chance to end 24 years of sporting pain and lift the spirits of a nation reeling from disasters.
Psychologist Marc Wilson said rugby was like a religion for New Zealanders and that when their All Blacks face World Cup nemesis France at Auckland's Eden Park the self-esteem of the entire nation would hinge on the outcome.
While France might accept losing with a disappointed Gallic shrug then move on, the game was so crucial to Kiwis that defeat would plunge the country into a collective sense of mourning, he said.
"We care more about the rugby than other countries because it's one of relatively few areas where a small nation like New Zealand can excel on the world stage," the Victoria University academic said.
"That's why it's got disproportionate importance."
Massey University rugby historian Malcolm Mulholland said the importance of the game to the national psyche was heightened by it taking place on home soil.
It was also an opportunity to shed the "choker" tag dogging the All Blacks, who have fallen victim to a series of World Cup upsets since beating France, also at Eden Park, to win the inaugural tournament in 1987.
"Over the last 24 years, we've been the most consistent side in international rugby," Mulholland said.
"But we've never been able to knock off the World Cup hoodoo (jinx) that's been with us every four years now since 1987. So there's going to be one heck of a reaction, whichever way it goes."
New Zealand has also endured a spate of disasters in the 12 months leading up to the tournament, foremost among them the Christchurch earthquake in February, which killed 181 people.
"Trying times can bring people together and sport can also bond the community in a positive way," Canterbury University sports sociologist Camilla Obel said.
"It's been a difficult period in New Zealand and even non-fans have got behind the All Blacks because there's a feeling they deserve this and a win would cheer people up."
NZN