All the latest news from the Rugby World Cup ahead of the final between the All Blacks and South Africa in Paris.
Final farewells in the All Blacks camp, it's like the last week of term four as the number of the team are readying for their last match in black.
All Blacks v South Africa, World Cup final
8am, Sunday
Follow live updates: nzherald.co.nz
Listen to commentary: Join Elliott Smith on Newstalk ZB, Gold Sport and iHeartRadio, or catch the ACC on iHeartRadio or Hauraki
You could say the script is already written for the Rugby World Cup final... or you could say the All Blacks played well in their semi and the Springboks didn't.
Tamaiti Williams, the biggest All Black, talking about the size of the Springboks.
“They are massive,” Williams said overnight. “And they are clinical – if you give them a chance, they’ll take it.
“It’s been a great learning playing against them – I had a good win against them and we got a hiding against them as well.
“For us, it’s all about being clean. You’ve got to match the physicality they are going to bring. Everyone knows what they are going to bring, it is up to us to stop it.”
Rugby’s environmental impact has been put under scrutiny after the tournament organisers pronounced it would be the greenest World Cup in history writes Gregor Paul.
The Black Sheep Society, owned by Wellignton-born Duncan Paterson, offers Kiwis a taste of home, from feijoa vodka cocktails to steak and cheese pies to just some good old New Zealand banter behind the bar.
NZ athlete Sam Harvey is competing in the Big Dog’s Backyard Ultra Run event and they are up to hour 81! He has already clocked a staggering 526 km. Only 12 runners remain in the event. They just keep running until they have a winner.
Will Jordan 390
Richie Mo'unga 387
Ardie Savea 384
Beauden Barret 373
The All Blacks team for the final will be named Friday morning NZT. We could see one change, with the chance Brodie Retallick will get a start at lock over Sam Whitelock. Unlikely to be in other changes to the starting side with Tele'a keeping his spot in the wing after an impressive outing in the semifinal. Any other likely changes could see the bench whether the experience of Dane Coles or the impact of Samisoni Taukei'aho. Scrums late in the match could be vital.
It's referred to as the game no one wants to play. The bronze final is a dreaded match for both sides and is only on the schedule to sell more tickets. The Cricket World Cup doesn't have one, which is great. But what can World Rugby do to make it more worthwhile:
Pool advantage at next World Cup:
How about the bronze final winner gets to decide whether or not to change their pools once the draw is made for 2027? So say England win on Saturday, then when World Rugby make the 2027 draw and England are drawn in the same pool as South Africa - they have the choice to pick another one.
A point:
The winner of the bronze game gets to take one competition point into the next World Cup. Easy.
Money:
In a glass box, on halfway. Better than medals.
In which I try to explain what this whole global competition means.
