RWC Final: NEW ZEALAND v AUSTRALIA, 31 October

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NEW ZEALAND v AUSTRALIA

31 October 2015
16:00 BST (UTC+01)
Twickenham, London

Live on ITV1

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant Referees: Jérôme Garcès (France), Wayne Barnes (England)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

A. Head to Head

154 Played 154
105 Won 42
7 Drawn 7
42 Lost 105
3,126 Points 2,413

B. Recent Form

15 August 2015
Eden Park, Auckland
41 – 13 to New Zealand

8 August 2015
ANZ Stadium, Sydney
27 – 19 to Australia

18 October 2014
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
28 – 29 to New Zealand

23 August 2014
Eden Park, Auckland
51 – 20 to New Zealand

16 August 2014
ANZ Stadium, Sydney
12 – 12 draw

19 October 2013
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
41 – 33 to New Zealand

24 August 2013
Westpac Stadium, Wellington
27 – 16 to New Zealand

17 August 2013
ANZ Stadium, Sydney
29 – 47 to New Zealand

20 October 2012
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
18 – 18 draw

25 August 2012
Eden Park, Auckland
22 – 0 to New Zealand

18 August 2012
ANZ Stadium, Sydney
19 – 27 to New Zealand

16 October 2011
Eden Park, Auckland
20 – 6 to New Zealand

27 August 2011
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
25 – 20 to Australia

6 August 2011
Eden Park, Auckland
30 – 14 to New Zealand

30 October 2010
Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong
26 – 24 to Australia

C. TEAMS:

NEW ZEALAND

Ben Smith, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea, Dan Carter, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (c), Jerome Kaino, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Dane Coles, Joe Moody

Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Ben Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Victor Vito, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Beauden Barrett, Sonny Bill Williams

AUSTRALIA

Israel Folau; Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell; Bernard Foley, Will Genia; Scott Sio, Stephen Moore (captain), Sekope Kepu, Kane Douglas, Rob Simmons, Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper, David Pocock.

Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper, Greg Holmes, Dean Mumm, Ben McCalman, Nick Phipps, Matt Toomua, Kurtley Beale

Don't know who I want to win. Usually go for the underdog in these situations, which would be Australia, but then I'm not sure they are really such an outside bet. Might have to wait for the game to play out, and start supporting whoever seems to be on the backfoot, in the interests of a good game.

I suppose if Australia do win, then it will make England's summer tour next year interesting.

Oh come on Rugby Fan... you really need to make a stand before kick off! Be decisive!

The Loaded Dog wrote:Oh come on Rugby Fan... you really need to make a stand before kick off! Be decisive!

The petty, small-minded, sulky part of my brain - often more dominant than I'd care to admit - would rather neither side won. I've checked the World Rugby law book, though, and it seems that's not possible.

My more magnanimous side is still dangerously ambivalent, but I'm leaning towards Australia partly because Pocock has been so impressive.

Incidentally, unlike the last two World Cups, both finalists have gone through the tournament unbeaten, so the winner will once again have taken the title without dropping a game.

I hope we don't get a tiebreaker. 2003 was a near-run thing on that count.

Rugby Fan wrote:Don't know who I want to win. Usually go for the underdog in these situations, which would be Australia, but then I'm not sure they are really such an outside bet. Might have to wait for the game to play out, and start supporting whoever seems to be on the backfoot, in the interests of a good game.

I suppose if Australia do win, then it will make England's summer tour next year interesting.

Disagree, they haven't been good whatsoever, one performance versus an imploding England has masked a lot of their problems...

No open field tries v Fiji

2nd team played Uraguay

Tryless and outplayed by Wales

Beaten by Scotland

Outplayed an exhausted Argentina

Australia are this years France (2011), England (2007). Poor version of themself who have scraped thrugh to a final probably a tad undeservedly.

It should be a tight game, as the nerve factor will inhibit NZ slightly, but I don't see Aus winning, like at all!!!

Fanster, how can any side down two men be outplayed by an out-and-out attacking side that couldn't score a try against them?

Argentina were exhausted? How many tough games had they had before meeting Australia? New Zealand in the Pools weeks previously?
Em, I think the exhausted side is the one in the final - Australia.
England, Wales, Scotland, Argentina..... That's bound to have an impact on sheer resistance with each subsequent game they played. But they're the ones there. Another chance for an exhausted team to take the whole show. And I certainly wouldn't begrudge them it for the effort put in.

Much like Rugby fan, I really would like it if in a WWE-esque manner, the chairman of the IRB comes and declares this a no contest. Or if General Zod would pick today, and Twickenham to begin his plans for world domination. Failing that, think I'll support whoever plays the more pleasing rugby

Fanster wrote:

Rugby Fan wrote:Don't know who I want to win. Usually go for the underdog in these situations, which would be Australia, but then I'm not sure they are really such an outside bet. Might have to wait for the game to play out, and start supporting whoever seems to be on the backfoot, in the interests of a good game.

I suppose if Australia do win, then it will make England's summer tour next year interesting.

Disagree, they haven't been good whatsoever, one performance versus an imploding England has masked a lot of their problems...

No open field tries v Fiji

2nd team played Uraguay

Tryless and outplayed by Wales

Beaten by Scotland

Outplayed an exhausted Argentina

Australia are this years France (2011), England (2007). Poor version of themself who have scraped thrugh to a final probably a tad undeservedly.

It should be a tight game, as the nerve factor will inhibit NZ slightly, but I don't see Aus winning, like at all!!!

Those two in bold made me chuckle 

I think NZ will win quite comfortably, but those comments are just silly.

Personally I think Australia have looked really good all year.

there has been much to like about this wallaby campaign. Everyone usually talks up the wallaby attack but this tournament has been built on their defence.

Whatever the outcome, they deserve the plaudits for turning last year's drama around and getting people in Australia (not just those involved or supporters of he game) talking about rugby for the right reasons.

One thing we don`t want a soft yellow card after 4 minutes by either side,the only match
NZ have lost recently.When they didn't finish strongly was 3rd RC match and Aron Smiths
yellow card was crucial.
Dan Carters best 3 games recently Eden Park,v France,v SA both sides have great
attack and defence.
Always thought two RCs back to back was impossible,but thought SA v Aus final was most
likely.
Whatever the result nothing can devalue NZ`s stats since 2011 RWC,if AUS win they will
do well to equal them.

What do we make of the Australian plans caught on camera? Elaborate bluff or genuine blunder?

I wish the England plans had been photographed, to help us know what we were trying to do.

Good luck Ockers! Just don't think (hope?) you have enough gas in the tank 5th week in a row. However if your boys get up there'll be no denying they deserve it. No team would have had a tougher route to the trophy.

OP fully updated.

Good luck to both sides. Just hope that the game is dominated by great play and good decisions, not by controversy or refereeing mistakes.

And hopefully Hayley Westerna will be singing God Defend New Zealand. She's my little ray of sunshine.

Best of luck to both sets of fans on here

Hope the Aussies win though.

I always thought you were a problematic child billy.

Oh my word, that Japanese lady is gorgeous!!

Oh I am far from being a problematic child Kia

Best of luck mate

I'm amazed the ABs are kicking so much - when have they ever done an up and under in the opposition half? Strange to see them try a grubber on their line that wasn't really on either.

That looked nasty for AAC. What a shame to see him leave like that.

Ah poor Kane Douglas.

That looks like an ACL. Horrible way to leave a final.

New Zealand are brilliant at restarts

Agh, smith was totally looking for that

Was that a hair flick hehe

Is it just me who's already sick of Nigel Owens voice? I hate referee's trying to be the centre of attention.

If you're trying to judge how late a tackle is, it helps to watch it in real time first idiot

Harsh call I think - prop was committed

That is a bit unlucky that penalty. Was not so late in my mind and he looked committed.

monty junior wrote:Is it just me who's already sick of Nigel Owens voice? I hate referee's trying to be the centre of attention.

Just you, he's doing well so far

Poor decision. He was already committed to the tackle.

Duty281 wrote:Poor decision. He was already committed to the tackle.

Putting your head down isn't an excuse though

I think he saw it was Carter and thought he had a chance to put a lick on him and get away with it. Just a penalty the right call for me.

England's line out at a higher percentage than Australia's this World Cup

I think whoever said Aus' defence had got them this far already was correct. Fardy hasn't been mentioned as much as the two open-sides, but he's been just as good throughout the World Cup.

nathan wrote:

monty junior wrote:Is it just me who's already sick of Nigel Owens voice? I hate referee's trying to be the centre of attention.

Just you, he's doing well so far

I think he's a good ref just doesn't need to go on and on like he often does!

Kepu with a dodgy tackle!

monty junior wrote:

nathan wrote:

monty junior wrote:Is it just me who's already sick of Nigel Owens voice? I hate referee's trying to be the centre of attention.

Just you, he's doing well so far

I think he's a good ref just doesn't need to go on and on like he often does!

Kepu with a dodgy tackle!

I agree he often does, just don't think he has in this game yet. Still time though!

Aus very lucky there not to have their 3 yellow carded, second offence within minutes of eachother.

So apparently you aren't allowed to tackle Carter.

I really hope Giteau stays off - he was completely away with it and shouldn't be back on the pitch, irrespective of whether he passes the test!

RDW_Scotland wrote:I really hope Giteau stays off - he was completely away with it and shouldn't be back on the pitch, irrespective of whether he passes the test!

+1, he looked very wobbly.

Beale is poo

How did the assistant not see the forward pass?

Wayne Barnes, hang your head on that one.

Very obvious forward pass. Poor to miss it.

Aussie breakdown is a thing of beauty.

Couldn't go to the TMO for that pass - not foul play or a try scoring opportunity.

Scotland fans know that rule very well!

eirebilly wrote:How did the assistant not see the forward pass?

Wayne Barnes, hang your head on that one.

Or Owens, both in line

That is sooo poor.

eirebilly wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:I really hope Giteau stays off - he was completely away with it and shouldn't be back on the pitch, irrespective of whether he passes the test!

+1, he looked very wobbly.

Gutted for Giteau, but good to see common sense prevailed

nathan wrote:

eirebilly wrote:How did the assistant not see the forward pass?

Wayne Barnes, hang your head on that one.

Or Owens, both in line

Owens missed it and asked Barnes if it was ok. Barnes said yes

eirebilly wrote:

nathan wrote:

eirebilly wrote:How did the assistant not see the forward pass?

Wayne Barnes, hang your head on that one.

Or Owens, both in line

Owens missed it and asked Barnes if it was ok. Barnes said yes

Ah right, perhaps Barnes missed it too

Wonderful try

Maybe already too much for the Aussies to do.

Accidental offside in the build-up?