{"id":294647,"date":"2023-10-29T08:12:52","date_gmt":"2023-10-29T08:12:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportslifetale.com\/?p=294647"},"modified":"2023-10-29T08:12:52","modified_gmt":"2023-10-29T08:12:52","slug":"i-fear-new-zealand-will-do-an-england-in-rugby-world-cup-final-vs-south-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportslifetale.com\/rugby-league\/i-fear-new-zealand-will-do-an-england-in-rugby-world-cup-final-vs-south-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"‘I fear New Zealand will do an England in Rugby World Cup final vs South Africa’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rugby World Cup to be expanded to 24 teams in 2027<\/h3>\n

It is such a shame England aren\u2019t there but this Rugby World Cup final – a re-enactment of the sport\u2019s greatest rivalry – could be one for the ages. The All Blacks can play rugby of the gods and they have done so at this tournament but for me this is South Africa\u2019s final to lose.\u00a0<\/p>\n

I just think they are in a much better position psychologically. New Zealand\u2019s performance against Argentina last weekend in the most one-sided semi-final I can remember was outstanding. That was the best the All Blacks have played for at least 12 months.<\/p>\n

My concern for them is they may have played their World Cup final a game too early like England did in 2019. South Africa were well under par against England and they will get a reaction from that tonight. They will be better for sure. Will New Zealand? I can\u2019t see it.<\/p>\n

New Zealand\u2019s first priority has to be to match South Africa in the physical battle – that\u2019s what England did in the semifinal and look how close it got them. The Springboks have more in their locker these days than just brute force – if the conditions are right they are able to move the ball a lot more – but that power is in their DNA.<\/p>\n

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When these two sides met at Twickenham just before the World Cup in a warm-up game, the Boks got on top physically and smashed New Zealand. That hammering will be in the backs of Kiwi minds.<\/p>\n

The 7-1 bench split South Africa have gone for is a clue that they can expect more of the same in Paris. World Cup finals are always tight. They don\u2019t tend to be try-fests.\u00a0<\/p>\n

When South Africa beat my England side in the 2007 final they didn\u2019t score one. When they beat New Zealand in the 1995 final they didn\u2019t score one either. So if they have to, South Africa will be happy to rely on the boot of Handre Pollard.<\/p>\n