"One to go," trumpeted the front page of the New Zealand Herald, while the Dominion Post's back page headline described victory over the Proteas at Eden Park as "The stuff that dreams are made of".
There was also relief at a four-wicket win achieved with just one ball to spare that propelled New Zealand into the final for the first time after a run of six losses in the semis.
"It looks at the moment like nothing daunts them," he told commercial radio.
"The bigger the expectation, the more that's asked, the bigger they stand up. I honestly don't think this World Cup final is going to daunt these guys."
Long-suffering Black Caps fans have endured many disappointments over the years but pundits said it was finally time to start believing the team could deliver against either Australia or India in Melbourne on Sunday.
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