New Zealand vs South Africa Betting Tips: Predictions for epic World Cup Final
For the first time since 1995, the two most successful Rugby World Cup nations in New Zealand and South Africa will collide in a final. This tournament was supposed to be different; the Northern Hemisphere had two nations at the peak of their powers in France and Ireland while the Southern Hemisphere nations were supposedly on a downward slide. Nevertheless, hosts France and world Number One side Ireland were both punted out at the quarter finals and now the two best rugby nations on earth are here, ready to do battle for the biggest prize in the sport.
Billy Grimshaw wraps up his RWC coverage with a bumper preview of the huge contest and has a couple of recommended punts to hopefully bookend this unforgettable tournament in profitable fashion...
There would've been raised eyebrows aplenty if after the first round of games at the Rugby World Cup, one had told supporters of the game that this would be the final pairing. Granted, neither team were written off in any quarters, but particularly for New Zealand the manner in which France just bullied them in their opening game match sent shockwaves around the world of rugby. Maybe this really was the World Cup in which the Northern Hemisphere sides would finally bite back?
After Ireland saw off the Springboks in their group stage clash, many predicted we could for the first time ever see an all Northern Hemisphere final between those two great nations, but when push came to shove it was the battle hardened warriors of these three time champion nations that prevailed.
While the All Blacks bounced back almost immediately from their opening night shellacking, the Springboks have simply done what they always do. keep things tight, keep them simple, and find a way to win when it matters. Yes they lost to Ireland in the groups, but in a close fought quarter final against host nation France, their pack of mighty forwards broke the Parisian hearts. Next up came a turgid but stubborn England and although the underdogs led for much of the match, the feeling was South Africa would always find a way. Find a way they did and after two victories in succession by a solitary point, they arrive at the World Cup Final once more.
New Zealand have had a smoother passage, although they had to put in arguably the performance of the tournament so far in an epic game to see off Ireland in the quarter finals. Something that could be crucial for this match is that the All Blacks cruised through their semi against an outclassed Argentina, while South Africa went life or death with England. Additionally, the ABs have had an extra day's rest, but with the depth of the Springboks squad it remains to be seen how much this will impact the match.
Rugby World Cup Final Tips
This game really is as tight as a drum, and despite the despondency on this side of the world that it is familiar faces clashing once again, for the rugby purists we cannot ask for much more in a World Cup final. Both nations have won three trophies so far and therefore the winner will be out alone as the greatest rugby playing national side. The styles are both ferocious but very different. There is history aplenty between the nations and even some of the players facing off. All the signs point to this game being one for the ages and most will be glued to their television sets come Saturday night in Paris.
Checking back over the head to head record, things could not be tighter. South Africa lead 3-2 from the last five, but the Kiwis lead 5-4 over the last ten, with a draw in the mix. The most recent meeting between the two sides saw the Springboks run out convincing winners, however there is no rugby team, indeed there are few teams in sport, who have demonstrated their propensity to learn from their mistakes and defeats quite like the All Blacks. There are countless examples throughout history, but we need not look far into the past to see this in action. Ireland last winter of course went to New Zealand and recorded a historic series win. This was a seismic achievement, no doubt, but when it was all on the line on the grandest stage of all, what happened? The All Blacks got the job done.
With the memory of that August 35-7 drubbing still etched into the minds of the All Blacks, expect them to be a completely different proposition for the robotic Springboks here. The way South Africa win, and have always won, rugby games and tournaments is by forward dominance. Their pack and bench (final mention of the bomb squad of the tournament right here) are the best in the business, but New Zealand's side have shown they can match it with them in the scrum on their day and with the aforementioned extra day of rest and an easier semi in the lead up to this match, I think that could prove crucial.
If New Zealand can go toe-to-toe with the Boks at the scrum and breakdown, they will win the game as they undoubtedly have the upper hand in the backs. I am backing them to do just that and think in a game for the ages, the All Blacks will emerge victorious and lift their record setting fourth World Cup.
There is arguably no jersey in World Rugby that weighs heavier than the iconic number 10 of the All Blacks. The last great to don the jersey was of course the legend Dan Carter, and coming into this Rugby World Cup there were few who thought Richie Mo'unga could live up to the pressure of being the All Blacks fly half in a World Cup winning side. Mo'unga has proven his critics wrong and turned doubters into believers with his instrumental performances so far this tournament, and coming in on the crest of a wave in terms of form I am backing him to be the Man Of The Match.
The Springboks have once again gone with a 7/1 split on the bench which is always a risk, and this means they are banking on dominating at the scrum as they have done all tournament and particularly against England last time out in the nail-biting semi. I am sticking my neck out in backing the ABs to be able to deal with what the Springboks forwards throw at them in all aspects of the game and if they can keep squeaky clean at the scrums, this could see the South Africans run out of ideas and frustrations grow.
As mentioned earlier, the All Blacks have the advantage in terms of personnel in the backs and it will be Mo'unga who is pulling all the strings. Will Jordan and Mark Telea have been try scoring phenomena out wide and with Mo'unga certainly bringing his kicking boots to the party over in France, he could bring out a game-breaking play with a cross field kick to either of those wing wizards, or if the game descends into a kicking match then Mo'unga is a trusted source of points. Double figures looks too big for him to be the Man Of The Match.
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