Rugby Classic final today and few will bet on anything other than another resounding triumph for the boys from down under.

The feature match-up at Nationals gets underway at 3.30 p.m. and will follow what promises to be a competitive -- if not ironic -- plate final between Bermuda/France and Argentina at 2.15 p.m.

The All Blacks will be making their eighth appearance in the final, and will be going for their seventh win. The match will also be a repeat of the finals of the past three years -- the All Blacks thrashing their opponents by a convincing 50-10 margin last year.

with player-coach Bryce Robbins, veteran Andy Haden and Terry Wright playing significant roles in the destruction.

While the chances that the Barbarians can pull off another stunning 10-5 victory like they did in 1983 remains a possibility, the All Blacks have proven to be invincible in the competition this year.

The Kiwis have dominated their opponents in the finals dating back to when they beat the US 20-8 in 1989. Since then they have beaten Wales 14-8 in 1990, England 12-4 in 1991 and 20-125 in 1992, Barbarians 30-0 in 1994 and 50-10 in 1995. All Blacks have overpowered their opponents by a margin of 151-55 in the combined finals over that period.

The earlier final will the bulk of the Bermuda national team members join rank with France in an attempt to dislodge Argentina. The team's manager Patrick McHugh promises his team will be offering a spirited challenge.

"The Argentinians are old friends of ours as some of their players have played on the Bermuda team in past Classics.'' "But on the field, on the day, we'll be out to win.'' Bermuda/France advanced with a 19-17 victory over England, rallying from a 17-7 deficit on Mike Gorrie's try and Ross Webber's convert.

Team-mates Noel Capewell and Peter Shillingford -- who are among 16 players from the national team which won the Caribbean Championship now helping make up the French side -- were positively beaming after the team's win.

Capewell said: "It's a once in a lifetime chance to get to play against these guys.'' Added Shillingford, "It's obviously quite a thrill to beat England but it's also great to be able to put your own skills up against these better players.'' He praised the team and the supporters. "The boys did themselves proud and the response of the crowd, the local support, was just excellent.'' In a battle of pride for third and fourth place at 1 p.m., South Africa go up against Canada, who sparkled in their opening encounter against England, winning 33-5, but left it too late against the Barbarians and lost 38-19.

South Africa, meanwhile, trounced the US 79-19 before falling just short in against the New Zealanders, 25-15.

After the loss to the Barbarians on Thursday night, Canadian captain Hans DeGoede was decidedly optimistic.

"It was a damn good game but we didn't have the bench strength to keep up with their substitutions. But we are quaranteed a finishing place of third or fourth which is better than seventh or eighth like last year.