Relaxed Black Caps skipper says there's just one more hurdle in the way for his team that have cut a swathe through the tournament so far
Foolish to change things now: McCullum
New Zealand haven't changed their winning team and refuse to tinker with an all-conquering style for the Cricket World Cup final.
Captain Brendon McCullum confirmed the same Black Caps team who toppled South Africa in their semi-final will contest the decider against Australia on Sunday at the MCG.
They also won't change the aggressive tactics that have underpinned eight-from-eight tournament wins and extended their winning streak to a national record 10 one-day internationals.
McCullum was a simmering mix of calm and provocation on Saturday when he addressed a media conference attended by more than 80 journalists.
He says his team will stick rigidly to their attacking methodology.
The only way to beat four-time champions Australia, who have won their past 13 ODIs on home soil, is to impose themselves early on – whether through early wickets or a rapid run-rate with the bat.
"We'll still have a go. To play like anyone else would be foolish," McCullum said.
The Black Caps skipper's 328 tournament runs have come off just 171 balls faced.
There is no chance of him pulling up the handbrake just because the stakes have risen.
"To play like that, it develops a sense of fearlessness about you," he said.
"We're not afraid of losing. We only think about what we can achieve."
He was pleased with a relaxed final practice session on Saturday but conceded there would be teammates who woke up feeling nervous on Sunday.
Some of them went to a Moonee Valley race meeting on Friday night on Melbourne to take their minds off cricket while golf had also been on the agenda during the week.
The scale of the occasion was dawning on McCullum as the game neared.
He didn't necessarily agree with bookmakers installing Australia as firm favourites.
"It's been an amazing trip, we dreamed right at the start and to now give ourselves a 50-50 chance in the final is an amazing achievement.
"The brand of cricket that we've played has endeared ourselves to a lot of people who follow this game.
"We've got one more big hurdle tomorrow and we'll give it everything we've possibly got."