The Final

[ripper868]

Saturday 28th October. 21:00 (Paris Local Time) - 19:00 GMT
New Zealand v South Africa
Referee: TBC

New Zealand Road to the Final Pools: L v France - 13-27 W v Namibia - 71-3 W v Italy - 96-17 W v Uruguay - 73-0 Knockouts: QF: W v Ireland 28-24 SF: W v Argentina 44-6

South Africa Road to the Final Pools: W v Scotland - 18-3 W v Romania - 76-0 L v Ireland - 8-13 W v Tonga - 49-18 Knockouts: QF: W v France 29-28 SF: W v England 16-15

History:
Times Played (overall): 105
New Zealand Win: 62
South Africa Win: 39
Draw: 4

RWC Previous Matches:
1995 Final: South Africa 15 v 12 New Zealand
1999 3rd Place Playoff: South Africa 22 - 18 New Zealand
2003 Quarter Final: New Zealand 29 - 9 South Africa
2015 Semi Final: New Zealand 20 - 18 South Africa
2019 Pool Phase: New Zealand 23 - 13 South Africa

 

[James]

Toss of the coin for who goes in as favourite for me. Not sure who to call but would obviously prefer NZ to win.

I do wonder whether the easier path for NZ and the freshness of their players compared to South Africa will count for something.

It could come down to goal-kicking, and if it does, Mo'unga will need to be on top of his game unlike the semi-final.

 

[Bahnz]

AB's by 15

 

[Quaggas]

Never lost a final. Just give us the trophy already.

 

[Smudge]

I believe this'll be the first time a team that has lost a game during a tournament will lift the trophy.

 

[Bahnz]

No SA lost their opener v the AB's in 2019. But this is the first final featuring 2 teams that have both lost a game

 

[ashley bach]

Hoping we'll be able taste some more of this...

 

[BoyBrumby]

NZ marginal favourites in the UK at least, which seems about right: extra day recovery and far easier time of it in their semi.

If one's looking for a value random punt though might be worth sticking a couple of quid on Arundell for top try scorer. He's three behind Jordan, but the 3rd place play off is exactly the kinda game where the more fringe squad members get a run out, so (assuming he's one of them) he'll have an Argentine second string to fill his boots in.

It's unlikely, but he's available at 25/1 up here, so I'm tempted as a throw away bet.

 

[Red_Ink_Squid]

NZ by 5.

 

[Molehill]

NZ marginal favourites in the UK at least, which seems about right: extra day recovery and far easier time of it in their semi.

If one's looking for a value random punt though might be worth sticking a couple of quid on Arundell for top try scorer. He's three behind Jordan, but the 3rd place play off is exactly the kinda game where the more fringe squad members get a run out, so (assuming he's one of them) he'll have an Argentine second string to fill his boots in.

It's unlikely, but he's available at 25/1 up here, so I'm tempted as a throw away bet.

There’s decent ranking points available for this game. Expect England to go in strong.

 

[Ali TT]

Hoping for a good match even if it doesn't live up to the QFs. The last two finals have been walkovers while the two before that were turgid affairs. Although WCFs have been pretty rubbish matches overall. Guess 2003 the best of the lot. I vaguely recall 1995 being a remarkable defensive effort by SA to nullify Lomu but not being a great game as a result.

 

[ripper868]

Wayne Barnes now confirmed as referee.

If mod could edit that into my opener I'd appreciate it.

Barnes probably the best for the job tbh.

 

[Ali TT]

Wayne Barnes now confirmed as referee.

If mod could edit that into my opener I'd appreciate it.

Barnes probably the best for the job tbh.

Fixing it for SA to win?

 

[Fuller Pilch]

I vaguely recall 1995 being a remarkable defensive effort by SA to nullify Lomu but not being a great game as a result.

Plus the ABs had food poisoning - Jeff Wilson went off the field vomiting.

 

[loterry1994]

I hope this final isn’t all about the 3 points and it’s more flowing. That 2019 final wasn’t great and England came in with big hype and were favourites and barely threw a punch

 

[Jumno]

The 2015 wc final could've been a classic, I recall Australia scoring two tries and almost got into the game after it looked bleak

And carter scored that drop goal

 

[Molehill]

I hope this final isn’t all about the 3 points and it’s more flowing. That 2019 final wasn’t great and England came in with big hype and were favourites and barely threw a punch

4 years ago England were better equipped to beat NZ than SA, this time it was the other way around (have a feeling NZ would’ve torn them apart).

This one will only be about 3 points if SA can nullify the NZ back line, I’m not sure they will and I hope they don’t.

 

[ripper868]

The 2015 wc final could've been a classic, I recall Australia scoring two tries and almost got into the game after it looked bleak

And carter scored that drop goal

Yeah pegged it back to 6 points when Kuridrani went over under then sticks, then Carter did Carter and Beauden killed it off.

Never thought I'd be wishing we had Bernard Foley back at #10!

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Tbf, it only got close after Ben Smith was yellow carded.

 

[BeeGee]

I didn't think much of SA or Eng in the semi. I expect NZ will win comfortably.

I think NZ v Ire decided the tournament.