New Zealand: State of the Nation

The All Blacks were favourites coming in to the tournament, rebuffed doubts suggested during their first three pool games with superb performances in their final pool match and the quarter-final demolition of France, and in their semi-final scored two tries to none to survive the fiercest physical onslaught the Springboks could muster.

They are favourites to win the Final, but Australia have shown this year they can beat the All Blacks and Saturday could perhaps provide one of the all-time great matches in Rugby Union history.

Exemplary Ben Smith
While most pundits would opt for David Pocock as the most influential forward of RWC 2015 thus far, a strong candidate for best back at the tournament would be Ben Smith. His exceptional skills level has been consistently on display, a model for every aspiring fullback, and his workrate exemplary for every rugby player. Playing in a team with a few all-time rugby superstars among his teammates, he doesn’t always get the recognition he deserves, but his contribution to the success of this team is huge.

Richie McCaw hysteria
The sensationalism in sections of mainstream media, and hysteria in social media, about Richie McCaw’s alleged elbow hitting Francois Louw in the face, would have been humorous had it not been so sadly inaccurate and devoid of truth. Watch the video slow-mo.

Dan Carter masterclass
After missing out in 2003 and 2007, and with injury keeping him out of the 2011 triumph, Dan Carter is about to play in his first World Cup Final, and happily, he is approaching top form as he does so. There were moments of consummate Carter brilliance in the semi-final and on Saturday he could end his iconic All Black Test career in glory.

Loosehead dilemma
Those who over the years have questioned the great scrummager Tony Woodcock’s contribution away from set piece will have gained new-found respect for the All Black loosehead maestro now with him injured, Wyatt Crockett and Joe Moody’s scrummaging under scrutiny, and playing tighthead Ben Franks at loosehead not ideal. There will be huge pressure on whomever plays loosehead in the Final to scrum both powerfully and legally.

Infringement indiscipline
Having allowed the Springboks to stay in touch with the All Blacks on the scoreboard despite failing to threaten their goal-line, by goaling six penalties from All Black misdemeanours, is an issue for the All Blacks. Such infringement indiscipline could be similarly punished by Bernard Foley’s boot.