After a tournament filled with many an upset and more than a spot of controversy, the eve of the grand finale is now upon us. I believe England 2015, has been by far the best World Cup edition to date, for many reasons.
Firstly, I believe the quality and prowess of the second tier nations have improved significantly over the last four years. Japan beating South Africa, playing superlative all-round rugby was undoubtedly a main highlight, which will be talked about for generations to come. Though the Brave Blossoms could consider themselves unlucky not to progress out of the group, though winning three out of four games, I also believe that the best sides, as in, teams that had a genuine chance of making it to a semifinal, went through. And now, we have the best two teams, ranked 1 & 2 contesting the final.
In the lead up to the tournament, most if not all, expected the All Blacks to be the hot favourites to be the only team to successfully defend their crown. Those expectations were tempered a bit, with somewhat erratic performances during the group stage, where they were severely tested against a dynamic and unrelenting Argentina team, and provided with stern opposition by Georgia. Still, I felt that Steve Hansen was holding his trump cards close to his chest. You see, the difference with this All Blacks team, as well as their management is that they have learnt and taken on board the bitter lessons of the past. They were too arrogant in 1999, too loose in 2003, which cost them in that semifinal loss against the Aussies. They were unlucky to lose to a Wayne Barns inspired French team in 2007, though it has to be said, that they were not at their best. I for one do not think that they got the right side on the park that fateful evening. Playing in their home WC in 2011, only a fool would’ve betted against them winning. This time around, I believe Steve Hansen has got his tactics spot on. And most importantly, he has a side that can adapt and feel equally comfortable in any game situation. They are the best attacking team in the World, having the quality to pile on the points, as seen against the demolition of France. And when luck and conditions are against them, they know how to win ugly.
This Saturday’s game also marks a bittersweet occasion in that it will bring the curtain down on the International careers on some great stalwarts of the game. Richie McCaw is widely regarded as the greatest ever All Black and will win his 147th cap. Dan Carter, Test rugby’s highest point scorer, will finally play a WC final. Centre pairing of Ma’a Nonu, and Conrad Smith, as well as veteran Hooker Keven Mealamu will all take their final bow. They could dream of nothing better than to do so with another WC victory, and what better way to do that, than beating the old trans-Tasman foe. Steve Hansen has named an unchanged side from the one that upstaged the Boks last week. The team is a perfectly balanced one, though Sonny Bill Williams really made a case for run on selection. Williams will still have a big part to play I feel, especially as the game reaches the 50 minute mark. You have two class wingers in Savea and Milner-Skudder, with both having contrasting styles. Savea is more in the mold of the great man Jonah Lomu, and will shrug you off or mow you down. Milner-Skudder has a jaw-dropping side step in addition more all-round handling and kicking skills which are invaluable, especially in tight games. There are many mini-battles that will go on. McCaw vs the Pooper twins is key amongst them. This is where I believe the game will be won or lost. McCaw is not the fastest around the park, but is still a wily customer, and just reads the game so well. He will hope his ball carriers commit Michael Hooper and David Pocock to the tackle, or stay on their feet till support players are on hand to clear them out fast. If the Aussie loose forwards set up over the ball, there is no winning that battle. Dan Carter is close to his old form and the decisions he makes on the park will be key.
In terms of the Wallabies, mid-way through the tournament, I felt they were the best side. The decision to relax the band on exiled players such as Matt Giteau, Kane Douglas, and Drew Mitchell is proving to be a master stroke. Over the years, Australia have always had quality sides, in terms of running the ball out wide. It is their inability to scrum against the leading sides that undid them time, and time again. Not this Wallaby side. Under the tutelage of Mario Ledesma, the Argentine legend, this team has turned that weakness into a weapon that decimated even the fancied English eight. Like the All Blacks, Stephen Moore’s class of 2015 boast of a side that can hurt you from all angles. The biggest concern is the fitness of Israel Folau. The cross-code flyer was clearly not himself against the Pumas, and struggling with his ankle. However, if he had to play the final on a single leg he would.
Make no mistake, Australia is here to play. They have already beaten the All Blacks this year. So fear will definitely not be a factor. New Zealand, whilst arguably being the best team across word sport, they are not unbeatable. They will have a bad day from time to time, and you have to be geared to capitalize on that occasion. This Wallaby team has that steel. Adam Ashley-Cooper is in fine form, and Scott Fardy has shown us how important he is in that star-studded back row. They will hope that Bernard Foley holds his nerve. Foley was poor against Scotland, though I thought he bounced back well against the Pumas. If and when Hoper and Pocock come up on top at the breakdown you would expect some penalties to come their way. It would be imperative that Foley knocks them over, if the Wallabies are going to pull the rug on the All Blacks. It may well come down to how many points each of them leave out on the park.
Early last year, Michael Cheika was on top of the world having masterminded the Warratah’s first ever Super 15 triumph, beating the Crusaders that boasted the likes of McCaw, Kieran Read, and Colin Slade. Fast forwarding to a year and a half later, the pragmatic Aussie has brought the Wallabies to within a win from WC glory. By his own admission, to defeat this All Black team would take something special. However, he knows full well that his charges have what it takes. For Steve Hansen, this is now familiar territory having been assistant to Graham Henry last time around. Seemingly, Riche McCaw’s team have covered all bases. Further, another modern game factor is the bench. This is where I believe New Zealand really takes the game away. Williams, Beauden Barrett, and Sam Cane come in and get stuck in straight away against tiring opposition.
This is set to be the tensest couple of hours spent in front of a TV set in quite a while. Which way will it go? I would have go with the All Blacks. I feel they will just have too much in the last quarter of the game for the Wallabies to contend with. Anything else would be a calamity. For what Riche McCaw and Dan Carter have given the game, they derive no less than signing off in style.
