IT’S hard to believe this is the first time in Rugby World Cup history that the All Blacks will play the Wallabies in the final.
The first trans-Tasman final features the two best teams in the world and, after two very tough semi-finals, New Zealand and Australia will square off this Sunday morning at Twickenham.
New Zealand played the first semi-final on Sunday against South Africa and many punters expected them to win comfortably. The All Blacks opened at $1.35 at Sportsbet.com.au, but they firmed into $1.28 come kick-off time.
The game wasn’t all smooth sailing as South Africa stayed in the game by kicking penalties, but ultimately New Zealand scored two tries and held off a fighting South Africa, 20-18.
Australia played against Argentina on Monday and even though the game got close at one point, Australia always looked to be comfortable and came away with a 29-15 win.
Wallaby winger Adam Ashley-Cooper hasn’t been a noted try-scoring threat in recent history, but the former fullback scored three tries, which put a stake in the heart of the Argentinians.
That has set up a classic final between two sides with plenty of history. These two teams have played each other a whopping 154 times – New Zealand winning 105, and the claws have already come out in the media, with the Daily Telegraph describing All Black captain Richie McCaw as a “grub”.
Telegraph writer causes stir by calling McCaw a grub
An Australian Daily Telegraph writer has caused a massive stir by calling All Blacks captain Richie McCaw a grub.
Jamie Pandaram, who covers rugby for the Daily Telegraph, described McCaw as the “The Richetty grub” and someone who is “known for his dubious breakdown tactics, electrical tape around its large head and smug grin on his face.
“Adept at using its knees and elbows freely on the rugby field, it has been officially registered as a pest in Australia,” Pandaram stated.
The extremely bias and personal article has been slammed by world media outlets.
Pandaram didn’t just fire shots at McCaw, he also labeled Grand Final referee Nigel Owens as a “connoisseur” to McCaw.
“New Zealand win nearly 90 per cent of their games under him while the Wallabies win just 33 per cent,” Pandaram added.
Considering the All Blacks had a winning percentage of 82 per cent from 2000-2009 and a historical winning percentage of 76.9 per cent, it’s fair to say Nigel Owens isn’t the difference in New Zealand’s great record with him at the helm.
Five reasons why New Zealand won’t lose the World Cup
David Lim, writing for Stuff.co.nz in New Zealand has listed five reasons as to why New Zealand can’t lose the Rugby World Cup final this Sunday morning.
1. Experience
“If all are passed fit, the All Blacks should be able to name seven players who have played in a World Cup final last time – Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Kieran Read, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith and of course, Richie McCaw,” Lim said.
“It’s not often that a side can call on one or two players with World Cup final experience, let alone eight – only England and Australia have been afforded that luxury, but even then, apart from Jonny Wilkinson, George Gregan and Stephen Larkham, many of their World Cup winning heroes were on the bench.”
The All Blacks have plenty of experience and this final will be the last game played by many in the team. It doesn’t seem right that the likes of McCaw and Carter would end their All Black career with a loss to Australia, but both teams deserve to be there and a win either way would not surprise many.
2. David Pocock a non-factor
We’re not entirely sure this is accurate as David Pocock is a quality player, but as Lim writes, his record against the All Blacks isn’t flash.
“David Pocock has been hyped up as the Wallabies’ breakdown machine and one that who will invoke fear in the All Blacks’ backrow,” Lim said. “However, having seen Pocock’s stats against the All Blacks, I can say that the hype around Pocock is just that – hype.
“While there is no doubting his abilities in defence and attack, in 15 tests against the All Blacks, Pocock has only been on the winning side three times. Two of those games were deciders for the Rugby Championship/Tri Nations.”
That record aside, Australia are a much better side with Pocock playing. His work alongside Michael Hooper at the breakdown is world class.
Pocock is $17 to score the first try at CrownBet.com.au. Those odds look short for a forward, but he has good try-scoring ability.
3. Game fitness
The All Blacks are the fittest team in the world, but whilst we don’t agree, we’re looking at this issue a different way.
Time and time again, the All Blacks have proven to be the fittest team in world rugby by a mile,” Lim said.
“While games have turned on substitutions made in the second half, those fresh legs are a bonus to a starting XV that could play beyond the full 80 minutes even as the intensity of the World Cup has increased with each game before the final.”
The All Blacks, like other teams, have a fair amount of 80-minute players, but their best displays of rugby have come when the substitutes have made an appearance.
There aren’t many teams that would have the likes of Sonny Bill Williams on the bench, but that pays credit to the depth of the All Blacks.
Fitness? Sure, but the All Blacks depth is the reason why they don’t get tired towards the end of the game.
4. History
This is an obvious one, but the All Blacks have dominated Australia through the course of the sport’s history.
Having played 154 tests, the All Blacks have won 105 and drawn seven. The have scored almost 1000 points more than Australia and over 165 tries.
Australia did notch a win over the All Blacks in Sydney this year, but New Zealand rebounded with a 41-13 thrashing at Eden Park to win the Bledisloe Cup.
Australia are capable of the win, especially in a final, which is why bookmakers have them safe in the market at $3.
5. Coaches
“Steve Hansen might very well be the world’s best rugby coach, and one of the best coaches in world sport. Indeed, he could be one of New Zealand rugby’s greatest coaches, up there with the great late Sir Fred Allen,” Lim said.
“Hansen is a true leader in every sense. His calmness and composure is a complete contrast to his contemporary, Michael Cheika, who is a volcano on the verge of a pyroclastic flow.”
Cheika has calmed down a touch in recent times, so we’re not underestimating his ability to coach. He has taken a team that was in big trouble a few years ago to a side contesting the World Cup final, respect.
Time of kickoff in Australia
The game kicks off at 3:00am AEST on Sunday morning, November 1.
In Perth, the came will play at 12:00am.
Time of Rugby World Cup final kickoff in New Zealand
The match is scheduled to start at 5am, November 1.
Where can I watch the game in Australia?
The game will be shown on both Fox Sports 2 and on Gem for free-to-air viewers. Channel 9 may also broadcast the final live.
Where can I watch the final in New Zealand?
Sky Sports have broadcast every Rugby World Cup game to date and they will show the final. For free-to-air viewers, Prime TV will also be broadcasting live, but short ad-breaks will occur.
