New Zealand rugby superhero Dan Carter could be inspired by an unusual costume collection when he aims to make World Cup history with the All Blacks today.

Carter will line up for his 112th and final Test appearance before embarking on a lucrative three-year contract with French club Racing 92.

The superstar fly-half features in a first World Cup final at the culmination of what is his fourth tournament and New Zealand will hope he can deliver another trademark inspired display.

And it has emerged that Carter is an avid collector of superhero costumes, with The Phantom — a fictional crime-fighter — being his favourite.

“There haven’t been many additions over the last couple of years,” he said, during New Zealand’s eve-of-final press conference at Twickenham.

“My wife made me get rid of them all once our first baby arrived and she realised they were taking up an entire wardrobe. She wanted that room as the nursery, so I had to pass them on to a close friend of mine.

“I know it sounds a bit weird but Ali Williams (former New Zealand lock) and I, we like to dress up, and so I started a collection of pretty much every superhero costume that there is.

“I am not sure of the original reasoning behind that, but yeah, I’ve still got a bit of a collection at my mate’s house.”

New Zealand will become the first nation to claim back-to-back world titles if they beat Australia and Carter is relishing the challenge that awaits.

“It’s a big occasion and one that this team and myself are pretty excited about but it’s just a matter of controlling those emotions and not thinking too much about the outcome,” he said.

“It’s not about me, it is not about guys playing their last game, it is about this 2015 All Blacks side that has been working extremely hard all year. My motivating factor is just wanting to go out there and play the best I possibly can for my teammates alongside me.”

Carter was injured during the 2011 pool stages — New Zealand went on to be crowned world champions without him — and England 2015 was on his mind when he signed a fresh four-year contract with the New Zealand Rugby Union shortly afterwards.

“In the back of my mind, after 2011, the reason I signed a four-year deal was to give myself another chance of a World Cup,” he said.

“I was looking that far ahead. It was in the back of my mind — to be here. I just wanted to be a part of this side for this World Cup.”

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen paid Carter a glowing tribute and believes his rugby career has already been defined, whatever happens today in a first World Cup final between New Zealand and Australia.

Hansen said: “I think a guy who has played over 100 Test matches, like Dan has, his career is not defined by one game. He has already defined his career as one of greatness.”