Rugby World Cup Final 2015: Bold Predictions for New Zealand vs. Australia
Rugby World Cup 2015 will be won by either New Zealand or Australia on Saturday at Twickenham. But what sort of a final will it be?
The two teams have never met in the final of a Rugby World Cup, and this final will also prove to be a departure from history in terms of the style of rugby on show.
Where will New Zealand destroy Australia? Which Australian may be about to find form at the right time? And whose bench will prove decisive?
Here are Bleacher Report’s five bold predictions for the 2015 World Cup final, including a score prediction for New Zealand versus Australia.
New Zealand to Destroy Australia’s Line-out
1 of 5
New Zealand’s defensive line-out was one of the most important factors in the defeat of South Africa in the semi-final, wounding the Springboks where they hurt the most: in the set piece. New Zealand stole four line-outs (as per Opta, via the BBC). They lost none.
South Africa’s De Jager, Etzebeth and Matfield could not cope. Australia’s Kane Douglas and Rob Simmons will simply not be able to deal with the disruption Sam Whitelock and company will wreck at the line-out.
Australia’s Israel Folau to Find Top Form in the Rugby World Cup Final
2 of 5Australia’s full-back Israel Folau has stuttered through the World Cup so far, injuries preventing him from consistent game time and finding his best form.
But there were a few signs against Argentina that Folau might be getting a bit closer. He wasn’t caught out of position as he was against Wales in the pool match and offered more of a threat running onto the ball.
Another week of training and Folau may be ready to fire.
New Zealand’s Bench to Prove Decisive over Australia
3 of 5New Zealand and Australia both possess potent benches. The key men the All Blacks can call upon are flanker Sam Cane, versatile back Beauden Barrett and an array of options in the centres, most likely Sonny Bill Williams.
Australia are also strong in the reserve backs. Matt Toomua adds further intelligence to the Australian midfield, while Kurtley Beale provides the spark.
New Zealand will get the upper hand from the bench because the Kiwis know how to make better use of their interchange men. They add something different for the opposition to worry about, rather than just slotting into the patterns of the contest.
Take the cases of Cane and Barrett: New Zealand finish the match with two opensides: Cane and Richie McCaw. They also add an extra footballer in Barrett, a distributor, runner and tactical kicking option.
As if to further emphasise the point, in their two tight matches so far (against Argentina and South Africa respectively), replacements Cane and Barrett have scored crucial tries at pivotal moments.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
The Highest-Scoring World Cup Final Ever
4 of 5Rugby World Cup finals are usually low-point encounters. Never have the combined points for both teams exceeded 50.
| 2011 | New Zealand 8-7 France |
| 2007 | South Africa 15-6 England |
| 2003 | England 20-17 Australia |
| 1999 | Australia 35-12 France |
| 1995 | South Africa 15-12 New Zealand |
| 1991 | Australia 12-6 England |
| 1987 | New Zealand 29-9 France |
Moreover, with two teams on show who have gone beyond 50 total points in three of their last four meetings, this promises to be the highest-scoring World Cup final ever.
| 2015 | New Zealand 41-13 Australia | 54 points |
| 2015 | Australia 27-19 New Zealand | 46 points |
| 2014 | Australia 28-29 New Zealand | 57 points |
| 2014 | New Zealand 51-20 Australia | 71 points |
Rugby World Cup Final 2015 to Be Settled by a Single Score
5 of 5
Rugby World Cup finals are often decided by a solitary score (see previous slide). Three points were the difference in 1995 and 2003, six in 1991 and just one point separated New Zealand from France in the 2011 final.
Having stated in the previous slide that total scoring will exceed 50 points, I am predicting a 30-25 win for New Zealand.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
