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South Africa win the 2019 Rugby World Cup (England 12-32 South Africa)

Which side will win the 2019 Rugby World Cup?


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Credit where due, England have dominated and deserve to win.

I was never confident about this team winning the WC, they lack heart and never convinced me like the previous great teams.
 
That was some performance by England.

In the faces of the All Blacks throughout the match.

NZ performance littered with mistakes.
 
Weakest AB team in more than a decade.
Aside from Savea and Anton no one was really in form either.

Couple of odd selections as well. Never really understood the hype around Jordie or Hansen’s obsession with Tuipulotu.
 
We had no Carter or McCaw to lead the team, they were rattled and never composed themselves and responded.

A pathetic performance in a KO game. This is probably the worst ABs team I've seen in my time as a fan and something I knew was possible.
 
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Aside from Savea and Anton no one was really in form either.

Couple of odd selections as well. Never really understood the hype around Jordie or Hansen’s obsession with Tuipulotu.
The lack of leadership and heart was evident, were relying on their individual ability to blow teams off the park.
 
Zinzan Brooke! Sean Fitzpatrick! Jacenta Ardern! Edmund Hillary! Richard Hadlee! Kiri te Kanawa! Your boys took one hell of a beating!!!!!

Seriously, England played like the All Blacks today. The passing was so clinical and accurate, the pace was so high and the tackling ferocious.
 
Zinzan Brooke! Sean Fitzpatrick! Jacenta Ardern! Edmund Hillary! Richard Hadlee! Kiri te Kanawa! Your boys took one hell of a beating!!!!!

Seriously, England played like the All Blacks today. The passing was so clinical and accurate, the pace was so high and the tackling ferocious.
We sucked and got nothing going, this was still the best you could do.. 12 points.

You just wanted it more and it showed. Not sure why the intensity wasn't there from our players, a lot of them haven't won a WC.
 
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was it not for a screwed up line out england would have shut nz out, thats crazy, and barring a few scrappy bits england should have scored more. england's tackling was another level.
 
Still, New Zealand were the top favourites to win this world cup, even more than england
Not really, we were going to lose to someone. Could have been either of England, Ireland or SA.

This team conceded 50 to Aus 3-4 months back. It was then most knew it was going to be really tough and was anyones WC.
 
We sucked and got nothing going, this was still the best you could do.. 12 points.

I would be happy with one. NZ have such a massive psychological hold on other teams. Even with ten minutes left I thought you would get two tries and win.

Three matches in three I have called wrong. At this rate, Wales will beat SA.
 
Still, New Zealand were the top favourites to win this world cup, even more than england
Not really. Many pundits weren’t backing NZ to win. There was always the sense that this team lacked something; and England’s forward pack dominance exposed that.
 
I would be happy with one. NZ have such a massive psychological hold on other teams. Even with ten minutes left I thought you would get two tries and win.

Three matches in three I have called wrong. At this rate, Wales will beat SA.
This isn't the same ABs team who can fight their way back and put on the after burners after 60 mins. I knew it was over after the 60th minute.

Game plan was trash and we had no ideas how to score or put pressure on England.
 
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Not really. Many pundits weren’t backing NZ to win. There was always the sense that this team lacked something; and England’s forward pack dominance exposed that.
When was the last time an ABs team conceded 50? That too to Aus months before the WC :)))

This would of hurt if I wasn't realistic of this teams chances before the WC. The Aus thrashing was a wake up call.
 
Goes to show how special Carter and McCaw were, always felt at ease with those two there.

Beauden was disappointing, I thought he could really stake a claim to Carter's throne but he's going to fall well short.

This ABs team is living off the legacy of the previous greats.
 
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Jay White knowing the nation is hurting reminding the world he's ours

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cricket, now the Rugby.....<br>I’m all you’ve got left NZ.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RWC19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RWC19</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LastRocknRolla?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LastRocknRolla</a></p>— Switchblade (@JayWhiteNZ) <a href="https://twitter.com/JayWhiteNZ/status/1188039367018864645?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2019</a></blockquote>
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When was the last time an ABs team conceded 50? That too to Aus months before the WC :)))

This would of hurt if I wasn't realistic of this teams chances before the WC. The Aus thrashing was a wake up call.
That loss was embarrassing.

It’s beyond me how Australia still manage to go alright when I’ve yet to meet a single person who plays or follows union over here.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I think that just about covers it. <a href="https://t.co/IAetFuXk4W">pic.twitter.com/IAetFuXk4W</a></p>— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) <a href="https://twitter.com/JimmyNeesh/status/1188032982059061248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Congratulations to the <a href="https://twitter.com/EnglandRugby?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@englandrugby</a> team. Too good tonight lads, good luck at the big dance next week. ✊&#55356;&#57341;</p>— Sonny Bill Williams (@SonnyBWilliams) <a href="https://twitter.com/SonnyBWilliams/status/1188050394519203840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
That loss was embarrassing.

It’s beyond me how Australia still manage to go alright when I’ve yet to meet a single person who plays or follows union over here.
You obvioulsy don't live in the right area.....I know many who follow and even know a couple whole play
 
Captain Owen Farrell says England planned their response to the haka to show New Zealand they would not have things all their own way in the teams' Rugby World Cup semi-final.

England's players lined up in a V formation to receive the challenge, with Farrell seemingly smiling during the All Blacks' performance.

"We didn't just want to stand in a flat line and let them come at us," he said.

England scored a try within two minutes, eventually winning 19-7.

They will play either Wales or South Africa, who contest the second semi-final on Sunday, in next Saturday's final.

The tone for a ferocious encounter was set when England broke from the customary shoulder-to-shoulder stance and instead lined up in a V shape, with two prongs projecting towards the New Zealanders, to receive the haka.

World Rugby rules stipulate teams must remain within their own half of the pitch to receive the challenge and referee Nigel Owens and his team had to usher several England players back as they strayed over halfway.

"Everyone wanted to show that we were ready and together. It was something different that I think Eddie [Jones] suggested," said centre Manu Tuilagi of the incident.

"We wanted to go at them early doors and that is the first part of the game, isn't it?" added flanker Tom Curry.

While New Zealand captain Kieran Read said England's haka reception had "no impact" on the match, All Black scrum-half Aaron Smith admitted the sight of Farrell spurred him on during the pre-match display.

"The All Blacks have been doing it for 110 years," he said. "It's about us; I didn't really notice them.

"I was looking at the guy straight opposite me and that was Owen Farrell. He was giving me a few winks so I was trying to scare him as much as I could."

It is not the first time that New Zealand's opponents have faced down the haka with a challenge of their own.

The last time that the three-time winners lost a World Cup match was in 2007 when France, wearing red, white and blue T-shirts to form their national flag, advanced as one to eyeball the All Blacks.

They won the quarter-final 20-18.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/50194966.
 
2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final: Wales v South Africa
Venue: International Stadium, Yokohama Date: Sun, 27 Oct Kick-off: 09:00 GMT

Wales stand on the brink of history as they prepare to face South Africa in Yokohama on Sunday, bidding to reach their first World Cup final with old rivals England lying in wait.

This will be Wales' third semi-final and the second under head coach Warren Gatland, who will step down at the end of the tournament.

That will bring to an end a glittering 12-year tenure which has yielded four Six Nations titles - including three Grand Slams - and a first stint as the world's number one-ranked side.

This is also likely to be a final World Cup for some Wales players such as captain Alun Wyn Jones, an inspirational leader who will join Italy's Sergio Parisse as the second-most capped international of all time with 142 appearances, including nine for the British and Irish Lions.

Wales have been building up to this moment for years and, with many believing this is their best chance yet to win a World Cup, Gatland is urging his players to seize the moment.

"I have got two games to go as the Wales coach and I want to enjoy these last two games, and there are probably nine or 10 players who won't be involved in another World Cup as well so they have got to relish that opportunity and be excited about this," he said.

"You have got a chance to do something special in your life and these chances come along very rarely and you have got to grab them with both hands.

"When you want something bad enough and you really, really want it then it can happen.

"We have a group of players that really want to do a good performance on Sunday and hopefully get to the World Cup final."

Standing in Wales' way are a resurgent South Africa side, who pummelled their way past hosts Japan in the quarter-final.

Having slipped down the rankings in recent years, the two-time world champions seem to be on their way to reviving past glories since Rassie Erasmus was appointed head coach in 2018.

The former Munster boss has the enormous Springboks forwards back to their muscular best, while the likes of scrum-half Faf de Klerk and wing Cheslin Kolbe have provided the stardust to help their side claim notable results such as last year's series win over England and a draw in New Zealand during this summer's Rugby Championship.

South Africa will be without the electric Kolbe against Wales because of an ankle injury, which Erasmus admits is a "big blow".

S'busiso Nkosi takes his place in the Springboks' only change from the victory over Japan.

Wales have multiple injury woes of their own, with full-back Liam Williams and back-rower Josh Navidi ruled out for the rest of the tournament with ankle and hamstring injuries respectively.

Leigh Halfpenny replaces Williams and Ross Moriarty comes in for Navidi, while centre Jonathan Davies returns having missed the quarter-final win over France with a knee problem.

The teams
Wales: Halfpenny; North, J Davies, Parkes, Adams; Biggar, G Davies; Wyn Jones, Owens, Francis, Ball, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Wainwright, Tipuric, Moriarty.

Replacements: Dee, R Carre, D Lewis, Beard, Shingler, T Williams, Patchell, Watkin.

South Africa: Le Roux; Nkosi, Am, De Allende, Mapimpi; Pollard, De Klerk; Mtawarira, Mbonambi, Malherbe, Etzebeth, De Jager, Kolisi (capt), Du Toit, Vermeulen.

Replacements: Marx, Kitschoff, Koch, Snyman, Mostert, Louw, H Jantjies, Steyn.

Officials: Referee, Jerome Garces (France); Assistant referees, Wayne Barnes (England), Ben O'Keefe (New Zealand); TMO Ben Skeen (New Zealand).

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/50194056
 
9-6 to South Africa at half-time.

Tight, defensive match so far.
 
Heartbreak for one of the sides who seem to be evenly matched!
 
19-16 South Africa.

Scrappy, tight game with Wales not at their best.
 
Man, I wanted wales to win but well played to south Africa, was a great game to watch
 
Hopefully south africa wins this world cup, seeing Englnad sports teams win world cups is triggering and annoying for some reason
 
[MENTION=132954]Aman[/MENTION] ABs are bottlejobs have all this win percentage but only 3 WCs. England absolutely bullied n destroyed them. NZ are a nation of chokers.
 
[MENTION=141390]Ellipsism[/MENTION] in Aus Union is only popular in two states and it is largely kept alive by the school system in these states which are very good and keep the aussies fairly competitive despite a small resource pool
 
[MENTION=132954]Aman[/MENTION] shows how pathetic NZ are when this joke is claiming to be their sporting hero.
 
That loss was embarrassing.

It’s beyond me how Australia still manage to go alright when I’ve yet to meet a single person who plays or follows union over here.

so the order of popularity is aussie rule -> league -> union? for games of the funky ball shape variety
 
[MENTION=132954]Aman[/MENTION] ABs are bottlejobs have all this win percentage but only 3 WCs. England absolutely bullied n destroyed them. NZ are a nation of chokers.

Unprecedented this choke, it makes all the SA chokes minuscule in comparison LOL to add to their woes, Joesph Parker jobbed to a friggin SPIDER as well :))) he pulled out of a fight with Chisora (a journeyman) due to a spider bite, Kiwis just can't hack it when the pressure is on
 
I don’t follow rugby but I am elated to see England in yet another World Cup final. What a sporting year for the greatest nation on earth.
 
[MENTION=132954]Aman[/MENTION] ABs are bottlejobs have all this win percentage but only 3 WCs. England absolutely bullied n destroyed them. NZ are a nation of chokers.
That's taking credit away from England. They had an excellent game plan and wanted it more. It's simple as that.

Eddie Jones himself said he was preparing for this game for 2.5 years.
 
[MENTION=141390]Ellipsism[/MENTION] in Aus Union is only popular in two states and it is largely kept alive by the school system in these states which are very good and keep the aussies fairly competitive despite a small resource pool
Union isn't very popular in Aus, its behind cricket, AFL and league.
 
Unprecedented this choke, it makes all the SA chokes minuscule in comparison LOL to add to their woes, Joesph Parker jobbed to a friggin SPIDER as well :))) he pulled out of a fight with Chisora (a journeyman) due to a spider bite, Kiwis just can't hack it when the pressure is on
It wasn't a choke, England were just better.

The all blacks have not really adjusted well to this change in the game to rush defence. Basically have to kick the ball away with box kicks and lose possession when trying to counter it.

It's time for fresh ideas on how to counter it because we haven't been able to effectively counter it.
 
[MENTION=132954]Aman[/MENTION] shows how pathetic NZ are when this joke is claiming to be their sporting hero.
3 world cups is a joke? :))

Carter and McCaw are the GOATs of this game and the two best first fives in the world are both Kiwis, have some respect.
 
It wasn't a choke, England were just better.

The all blacks have not really adjusted well to this change in the game to rush defence. Basically have to kick the ball away with box kicks and lose possession when trying to counter it.

It's time for fresh ideas on how to counter it because we haven't been able to effectively counter it.

How is it not a choke, I don't even watch this but everyone says black caps are immortal, invincible etc so they choked :yk3
 
How is it not a choke, I don't even watch this but everyone says black caps are immortal, invincible etc so they choked :yk3
The ABs have a great legacy, but this team is not as good as previous years.

They had conceded 50 to Aus a few months ago (which is something unheard of for the ABs) and were experimenting too much instead of playing the best XV and getting in form.

We had the best five eighth in the world playing out of position.
 
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[MENTION=141390]Ellipsism[/MENTION] in Aus Union is only popular in two states and it is largely kept alive by the school system in these states which are very good and keep the aussies fairly competitive despite a small resource pool
It’s hardly popular in Queensland either where the bulk of the players come from, and it’s the same 2-3 private schools in Queensland that churn out the players.

Rugby union is dead in this country and has been for a while.
 
[MENTION=132954]Aman[/MENTION] I thought the All Blacks were the greatest sports team of all time LOOOOOL.
 
England head coach Eddie Jones has responded to Wales counterpart Warren Gatland suggesting they had already played their "World Cup final" in the win over New Zealand.

Gatland was speaking after his side lost to South Africa 19-16, a day after England beat the All Blacks 19-7 in the Rugby World Cup's first semi-final.

"You just send my best wishes to Warren to make sure he enjoys the third and fourth place play-off," said Jones in a tongue-in-cheek comment at England's news conference.

At the weekend, Gatland had added: "We have seen in previous World Cups that teams sometimes play their final in semi-finals and don't always turn up for a final.

"So it will be interesting to see how England are next week and it could be a good game."

'Farrell will be fine'
Meanwhile, Jones said Leicester wing Jonny May was recovering well from the dead leg he suffered in the 45th minute during Saturday's victory and would be fit to face South Africa at the weekend.

"We had a walk through this [Monday] morning and we had to tell Jonny to slow down a bit," the England coach said.

But May is in "immeasurably better" condition than when he was recovering from a hamstring problem at the same stage last week, Jones said.

Fly-half Owen Farrell also picked up a dead leg in the first-half against New Zealand, leaving George Ford to take over the kicking duties.

Jones added: "Owen's a bit sore but he'll be fine. We've got a few others carrying bumps and bruises because it was a tough old game."

'Great opportunity' for Spencer
Saracens scrum-half Ben Spencer is due to join up with the England squad on Monday as replacement for Willi Heinz, who suffered a hamstring injury against New Zealand.

"It is tough for Willi. He's been a great contributor and a very well liked member of the squad and was in tears in the dressing room," said Jones.

"He has collected himself and knows he has another role to do for us and will fulfil it well this week."

Spencer, 27, has won three England caps and is set to be named on the bench for Saturday's final.

"Ben has been in and around the squad for the last couple of years and knows the game and knows the players and is a fit guy and fits in quickly," added Jones. "We said to the guys outside the 31 that they need to be ready to go.

"It is a great opportunity ahead of him and he has to learn a few new things and Willi and Ben [Youngs] will help him with that.

"The task in hand is no different from any other player and he has to learn a bit more and get himself physically and mentally ready."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/50205293
 
The way their media has been carrying on about the All Blacks im glad we pummeled them into the ground. On the whole they do have very gracious fans though.



Singing in response to the Haka is fine but laughing at an important cultural display is very insulting and he was rightly told to tone it down.

Im sure professional rugby players are not intimidated but thats not the intent at all it should be received as respectful challenge.



Every time the All Blacks play at Twickenham the fans sing Swing low, sweet Chariot over the Haka and its great.

It shouldnt even be allowed. Sure it's an important cultural aspect for the Kiwi nation but this is sport where fairness is a top priority. Im not suggesting any team would be disadvantaged but they need to sing the anthems and get on with game. An opponent can smile, laugh or even move around if he wants to.
 
[MENTION=132954]Aman[/MENTION] I thought the All Blacks were the greatest sports team of all time LOOOOOL.
We have a 80% overall win percentage across a century, have produced the greatest rugby players of all time and play globetrotter rugby. Of course we're the greatest. One loss doesn't undo decades of greatness.
 
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The way their media has been carrying on about the All Blacks im glad we pummeled them into the ground. On the whole they do have very gracious fans though.

.

If it means anything the vast majority of Irish people agree with you. The way the media fawn and mollycoddle this team is extraordinary. Win a few friendlies, the hype starts and every single world cup they collapse in the most pathetic fashion. Its really quite a sight to behold.

The funniest thing is any criticism makes you a begrudger or bitter, debate shut down, fast forward three years of zero succession planning, maybe a six nations or Grand Slam thrown in and it starts again, then when the NZ's and SA's who'd spent the last year or so preparing gather momentum we're not even in the frame.

As for the Haka I see absolutely nothing wrong in responding to it with singing or formations and stuff. It can be respected and responded to also. It is a war cry if I'm not mistaken, no harm in the "enemy" responding in a respectful fashion.
 
England have been reprimanded and fined for their V-shaped formation when facing the haka before their World Cup semi-final victory over New Zealand last Saturday, the Guardian understands.

World Rugby regulations state opponents must not cross the halfway line while the pre-match Maori war dance is being performed and six England players could be seen in breach of the ruling last Saturday. Eddie Jones was behind the idea to combat the haka and his captain, Owen Farrell, stood at the apex of the formation grinning while it was being performed. After the match, Farrell said: “We wanted not to just stand there and let them come at us.” Mako Vunipola added: “We knew it would rile them up”.

New Zealand dismissed the significance of the incident afterwards with their scrum-half Aaron Smith also revealing Farrell was winking at him during the performance. But England dominated the early exchanges of the match with Manu Tuilagi opening the scoring with a try after 96 seconds.

It is believed England have been fined a four-figure sum, but less than the £2,500 that France had to pay when they adopted a similar formation before the 2011 World Cup final. On that occasion, almost all of the French squad advanced beyond the halfway line. World Rugby said on Tuesday “the matter had been dealt with”.

England’s response has been well received – including by World Rugby, which posted an official video of the incident on YouTube, entitled “England’s incredible response to intense New Zealand haka.” But the governing body was under pressure to act having introduced its “cultural ritual protocol” after France’s response to New Zealand’s haka in 2007. On that occasion the players ended up almost nose to nose with each other with the France squad forming a tricolour with red, white and blue T-shirts.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2...d-new-zealand-haka-world-cup?CMP=share_btn_tw
 
2019 Rugby World Cup bronze final
Venue: Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo Date: Friday, 1 November Time: 09:00 GMT

Wales wing Owen Lane will make his World Cup debut in the bronze match against New Zealand on Friday.

Cardiff Blues player Lane, 21, was a late call-up to the squad last week to replace the injured Josh Navidi.

Warren Gatland has made nine changes to the side beaten by South Africa in the semi-final for his last game in charge.

Tomas Francis (shoulder), George North (hamstring), Aaron Wainwright (hamstring) and Leigh Halfpenny (concussion) are all unavailable.

New Zealand have made seven changes to the team that lost to England in the last four in what will be captain Kieran Read and head coach Steve Hansen's last international match.

For Wales, Hallam Amos replaces Halfpenny at full-back, while tournament top try-scorer Josh Adams completes the back three as he starts his seventh World Cup match.

Jonathan Davies starts again after returning to the side against South Africa and is partnered in the midfield by Owen Watkin, with Hadleigh Parkes dropping to the replacements.

Parkes will be joined on the bench by Gareth Davies and Dan Biggar, with half-backs Rhys Patchell and Tomas Williams handed starts.

Ken Owens stays at hooker with Elliot Dee handed a seventh replacement role in the tournament, while props Nicky Smith and Dillon Lewis start with regular loose-head Wyn Jones covering the tight-head.

Francis suffered a partial dislocation of his shoulder in the first half against the Springboks.

Adam Beard is handed a start alongside captain Alun Wyn Jones, while James Davies replaces Wainwright in the back-row, where he will play alongside Justin Tipuric and Ross Moriarty.

Dee will play his 16th Test of 2019 if he comes on from the bench. No other player has been selected as much in Test matches by any nation this year.

New Zealand changes
For New Zealand there are seven personnel changes with an extra positional alteration as Scott Barrett moves from flanker to lock with Shannon Frizzell and Sam Cane back in the back-row.

Dane Coles gets the start at hooker. Rieko Ioane and Ben Smith are on the wings, with Sonny Bill Williams and Ryan Crotty coming in at centre.

Wales boss Gatland hopes players overlooked earlier in the tournament will want to make their mark.

"There are a few guys who hopefully want to go out and prove a point that perhaps they should have had more rugby in this tournament," said the New Zealander.

"It's a good position for them to be in. It's a position for us to hopefully be positive about the changes in giving players a chance."

Gatland admitted he had few options in the backline.

"It (selection) wasn't really difficult at all," said Gatland.

He added: "We wanted to give some players a chance. We feel like Tomos Williams deserves a chance, to see Rhys Patchell at 10 because, going forward, there is Gareth Anscombe's injury and Dan Biggar is not always available to Wales given his commitments [with Northampton] in England.

"Owen Watkin deserves a chance and then the back three were really the last three standing.

"It's great to see Owen Lane get a chance to play. He was very unlucky not to be in the squad in the first place.

"Hallam gets a chance at full-back, a position where we potentially see his future."

Last World Cup game for over-30s?
The Wales coach says some players might be playing their last World Cup match, with captain Alun Wyn Jones, Owens, Tipuric, Biggar, Jonathan Davies and replacements Parkes and Aaron Shingler all 30 or over.

"We realise that this will probably be the last World Cup game for some of the guys. We recognise that and we've just made a couple of changes to freshen the legs as well."

New Zealand boss and former Wales coach Steve Hansen said: "This was a tough team to select because, as always, everyone wanted to play.

"But with a short turnaround and the nature of the tournament, we feel that this is the right team for this occasion."

Wales: Amos; Lane, Jonathan Davies, Watkin, Adams; Patchell, T Williams; N Smith, Owens, D Lewis, Beard, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Tipuric, James Davies, Moriarty.

Replacements: E Dee, Carre, W Jones, Ball, Shingler, G Davies, Biggar, Parkes.

New Zealand: B Barrett; B Smith, Crotty, SB Williams, Ioane; Mo'unga, A Smith; Moody, Coles, Laulala, Retallick, S Barrett, Frizell, Cane, Read (capt).

Replacements: Coltman, Moli, Ta'avao, Tuipulotu, Todd, Webber, Lienert-Brown, J Barrett.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/50230586
 
Rugby World Cup final: England v South Africa
Venue: Yokohama International Stadium Date: Saturday, 2 November Kick-off: 09:00 GMT

England have named an unchanged team as they look to win their first World Cup in 16 years.

Captain Owen Farrell, leading try-scorer Jonny May and prop Kyle Sinckler have all been passed fit after carrying knocks from the semi-final win over New Zealand.

Ben Spencer is on the replacements' bench after flying out last weekend as emergency scrum-half cover.

Farrell stays at inside centre with George Ford again picked at fly-half.

Coach Eddie Jones said: "We will go and play with no fear.

"South Africa are a difficult opponent and we are going to have to fight really hard to win.

"We know the physical part of the game is going to be important and the players will go into this game well prepared knowing how we want to play.

"South Africa will probably play a similar type of game they have played all tournament, so we need be good in the arm wrestle and when we have the opportunities to break the game up, we are then confident and composed enough to take them."

It is an experienced England side, with a total of 731 caps in the starting XV.

England team to play South Africa: Elliot Daly; Anthony Watson, Manu Tuilagi, Owen Farrell, Jonny May, George Ford, Ben Youngs; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler, Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes, Tom Curry, Sam Underhill, Billy Vunipola

Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Joe Marler, Dan Cole, George Kruis, Mark Wilson, Ben Spencer, Henry Slade, Jonathan Joseph

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/50232791
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Can anyone make sense of this plate final tomorrow between Wales & All Blacks? <br>As a sportsman(ex), I couldn’t think of anything worse than a token game after being knocked out of the main comp.</p>— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) <a href="https://twitter.com/KP24/status/1189830845160398848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Third-place play-off match at Tokyo Stadium - kick-off at 09:00 GMT
 
Wales 0-14 New Zealand

Looks pretty one-sided at the moment
 
The hopes of a nation will be decided on Saturday as England take on South Africa in the Rugby World Cup final.

But what is the background of the players in the so-far successful squad?

Facing the Springboks in Yokohama is a group mostly born in the south but which includes players from five other nations.

England's number eight, Billy Vunipola, and his brother, Mako, were born in New Zealand and Australia respectively. They first moved to the UK in 1998 when their father, Fe'ao, played for Pontypool in Wales. They later moved to England.

Joe Cokanasiga was born in Fiji and moved to England when he was three, while his father served in the British Army.

Other players with overseas birthplaces include Sam Underhill, who was born in Ohio in the USA, Willi Heinz, who is from New Zealand, and Manu Tuilagi, who was born in Samoa and came to England as a child to be with his older brothers who were Samoa internationals playing for club sides in the UK.

To qualify to play in the England squad, team members must have been born in or have a parent or grandparent who was born in the country. They would also qualify if they have lived in England for at least three consecutive years.

Overall, 16 of the English-born team members were from either the South East, South West or London, with the remaining 10 from the East Midlands, North West or east of England.

Yorkshire and the Humber, the West Midlands and the North East were the only unrepresented regions.

John Williams, Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Leicester, said the representation of players across the country was a result of the traditional geography of rugby union and rugby league.

Whether they were born in London, Truro or Samoa, the England players have carried the nations' hopes through the tournament so far
"In the south, rugby was shaped by ex-public school boys who valued amateurism," he said. "The north of England is where they have professional rugby league."

Before 1995, rugby union players were not allowed to be paid. Prof Williams said this was a throw-back to when union was considered a middle and upper class game, with players being affluent enough not to need an income from the sport.

"People in the north started to play rugby league and saw no reason why players shouldn't be paid," he added, saying this was influenced by the working class backgrounds of league players at the time.

"There are few union clubs in the north that have been able to establish themselves in the recent elite level of the game but clubs have continued to thrive in some of those original southern heartlands."

Although born in different areas, four of the team members, Owen Farrell, George Ford, Maro Itoje and Jack Singleton all attended the same school in Hertfordshire.

St George's School, in Harpenden, is a comprehensive school for students aged 11 to 18.

Current head of rugby, Neil Harris, said students would be "incredibly proud" of the players "no matter what happens on Saturday".

"The manner in which they've conducted themselves makes them exceptional role models for our current boys," he added.

'They'll give everything'
Mr Harris said St George's plays rugby during two terms of the year while many independent schools only played it for one.

But it was "just one piece of the jigsaw" that allowed Farrell, Ford, Itoje and Singleton to flourish, he added.

"We do Saturday fixtures from September through to Easter," he said. "For a state school to play so many fixtures, it makes us unique".

Wishing the former students luck in the world cup final, Mr Harris said: "We know they'll work exceptionally hard, they'll give everything."

The full England squad has a combined weight of 520 stone - about the weight of two adult male hippos
The average (median) age of the full 32-man England squad is 27-and-a-half.

Willi Heinz and Dan Cole are the joint oldest members, at 32, while Tom Curry and Joe Cokanasiga are the joint youngest, aged 21.

The squad has an average of 36 caps per player, with Dan Cole boasting the most - with 94 appearances.

Unsurprisingly, the team isn't small, with an average height of six feet and one inch (186 cm) and an average weight of about 16 stone (103 kg).

Courtney Lawes is the tallest player, standing about five inches above the average at 6ft 6ins (200 cm), while Billy Vunipola brings nearly 20 stone (127 kg) to the field as the heaviest player.

Venue: Yokohama International Stadium

Date: Saturday, 2 November

Kick-off: 09:00 GMT


England team to play South Africa: Elliot Daly; Anthony Watson, Manu Tuilagi, Owen Farrell, Jonny May, George Ford, Ben Youngs; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler, Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes, Tom Curry, Sam Underhill, Billy Vunipola

Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Joe Marler, Dan Cole, George Kruis, Mark Wilson, Ben Spencer, Henry Slade, Jonathan Joseph

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-50240391
 
Wales 10-14 New Zealand - So Wales catching up now
 
England head coach Eddie Jones has challenged his players to "inspire the whole country" by beating South Africa in the World Cup final on Saturday.

England face the Springboks in Yokohama (09:00 GMT) and Jones says he knows from his time in charge of Japan how performances can alter a nation's mood.

"There's a bit of a rugby fever going on [back in England]," he said.

"For a period of time it changes how people feel about themselves, and that's the greatest joy."

England go into Saturday's final having dominated Australia in the quarter-finals and then produced a superb display to beat three-time winners New Zealand in the last four.

At the 2015 tournament, Jones masterminded arguably the biggest upset in rugby union history as his Japan side beat South Africa - champions in 1995 and 2007 - in the pool stage.

"If I look back at Japan and look at the growth of rugby in Japan from what we did in 2015, it's spectacular.

"People in Japan love rugby now, they didn't before. You've got this opportunity to change people's lives through the ability to play rugby, and that's a gift.

"Mums are telling kids: 'Play rugby. Be the next [England props] Kyle Sinckler or Ellis Genge.'"

Jones succeeded Stuart Lancaster after England's dismal performance at their home World Cup in 2015, and the coach says his side have "evolved their style" over the past four years.

He has named an unchanged team for the final against South Africa, who have received some criticism for their physical, confrontational style during this World Cup.

"I wanted to develop a power style as England have tough, big players," said the 59-year-old Australian.

"We will be tested on Saturday as we are playing against the other most powerful team in the world.

"[The players] have evolved the style of play they have evolved the tactics they play with and they own the game. So they are really proud of how they play.

"I said when I first took over the job - my job's to become redundant. And I'm almost redundant now. The team's running the team, which is how it should be."

Jones insists rugby is a 23-man game and expects the replacements' benches to have a big influence on Saturday's showpiece, including the Springboks' "6-2 split" allowing them to change almost their whole forwards line-up during the match.

"There is a massive emphasis on the finishing side," said Jones. "I see it as everyone has a role in that 23, like everyone does in the 31.

"We are confident in our bench, in our finishers.

"They have a good pack. We know what's coming and it's about manning up and dealing with it.

"If you look at the players who they can bring on, they have points at the end of the game."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/50259688
 
New Zealand win World Cup bronze-medal match at Tokyo Stadium

FT: Wales 17-40 New Zealand

Warren Gatland's last game in charge of Wales ends in defeat

All Blacks score four first-half tries and two in second half

Josh Adams scores his seventh try of the World Cup - top scorer

Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones comes off to standing ovation
 
The Duke of Sussex has sent a good luck message to the England rugby team ahead of their World Cup final against South Africa tomorrow.

Prince Harry wrote a card to the squad and included a picture of son Archie wearing an England shirt.

Harry will be among the 72,000 inside the International Stadium Yokohama as England bid to win the rugby World Cup for a second time.

Flanker Sam Underhill was seven when England beat Australia in Sydney to lift the Webb Ellis trophy in 2003. Now 23, he is part of the youngest ever team to start a World Cup final, in a line-up with an average age of 27.

England 'steely but relaxed' ahead of World Cup final

"It's definitely a positive having younger players in the side," Underhill said.

"There's a lot of energy and enthusiasm to be had from that. It's been good for the squad dynamic as well, as we can mix experience with guys who are keen to learn, which has been good."

He added: "You look at the younger players and they don't seem that young. You look at (21-year-old) Tom Curry; he's the youngest in the squad but he doesn't seem like a young player or a junior player - which fills you with a lot of confidence."

When asked if he has received any royal support, Underhill said: "Prince Harry sent us a message of support, which was nice to receive.

"He showed us his little lad in an England shirt, which was a nice touch. But I'm still waiting on my personal message," he joked.

England are aiming to cap off a remarkable Rugby World Cup campaign by beating South Africa to lift the trophy for the second time

England were joined by 2003 World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson for a drop goal clinic on Friday.

England haven't been in a World Cup final since 2007, when they were beaten by South Africa.

Coach Eddie Jones is confident they can avenge that defeat with a victory that has the power to lift a nation.

The stakes are arguably even higher for their opponents. South Africa's captain lifting the Webb Ellis trophy would potentially be iconic - a moment with social and cultural significance far beyond sport.

Siya Kolisi is the country's first black captain in rugby, a sport which was traditionally the preserve of the Afrikaners.

He was born in a township just outside Port Elizabeth and was so poor growing up that in his first provincial rugby trials he wore boxer shorts because he didn't own any kit.

When South Africa beat England to win the 2007 World Cup, Kolisi watched in a tavern in the township because he didn't have a TV.

An influx of fans from both countries has hit Tokyo, with many England supporters travelling on a spur of the moment decision following the semi-final victory against the All Blacks.

John Potter, a freelance cameraman from Preston, has been in Japan for two weeks and has been to two England games but is still searching for tickets for the final, turning down touts charging extortionate amounts.

"They're like gold dust," he said. "I've been quoted thousands upon thousands, and they can do because there's the demand for it.

"It's one of the biggest sporting events in the world. I don't think we'll get tickets - but fingers crossed."

https://news.sky.com/story/prince-h...-11850870?utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral
 
England fans will be glued to television screens up and down the country later as 15 men in white line up to face South Africa in the Rugby World Cup final.

The game, which kicks off at 09:00 GMT, is being played in Japan but almost 6,000 miles away back home excitement has already reached fever pitch.

It has been 12 years since England were in the final and 16 years since they won it, so fans are understandably excited at the prospect of captain Owen Farrell lifting the Webb Ellis Cup.

The Queen has also sent a letter of support via Prince Harry to England's head coach Eddie Jones calling for a "memorable and successful" final.

Skip Twitter post by @RoyalFamilyEnd of Twitter post by @RoyalFamily
As you would expect, a large number of rugby clubs are planning to show the match.

There will be extra excitement at Crewe and Nantwich Rugby Club as their former player Tom Curry will be lining up for England.

"We are really excited and are hoping Tom has a great game," said coach John Farr.

"He's had a great tournament so far."

Mr Farr said there would be "bacon butties and beer" and forecast some "sore heads on Sunday".

"We are really, really proud that a player who has taken to the field in a Crewe and Nantwich shirt is gong to go out and hopefully lift the Webb Ellis trophy tomorrow," he said.

A crowded clubhouse is also expected at Manchester Rugby Club in Cheadle Hume where England's Ben Spencer used to play.

Bridgnorth Rugby Club in Shropshire is planning to show the game despite having its marquee wrecked and pitches submerged by flood water in recent days.

Meanwhile in Birmingham, newlyweds Rosie and Ken Marshall will face an early test of their marriage as they cheer for competing sides, having spent their honeymoon in Japan following the World Cup.

"Rosie and I will be happy for the other whatever the result - even if bragging rights will be decided for the next four years," said Mr Marshall, 37, originally from Johannesburg.

"It will be a great match and I just hope England win," said 31-year-old Mrs Marshall.

Both agreed that Mrs Marshall will be the loudest of the two during the big match but, as Mr Marshall confided, "it's her dad and brother that will be unbearable for the next four years".

England Rugby has been getting into the swing of things - much like a sweet chariot maybe - by tweeting videos of the team's previous victories over South Africa.

Skip Twitter post by @EnglandRugbyEnd of Twitter post by @EnglandRugby
Not that there's that many at the World Cup, the Springboks having won three of their four World Cup encounters with the English.

But don't be disheartened, New Zealand had won all three of their previous World Cup games against England before this year's semi-final, which Jones's side won 19-7.

Pupils at Moreton Hall Prep School in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, have also voiced their support for England ahead of the game (be warned, they are loud!)

Skip Twitter post by @MoretonHallPrepEnd of Twitter post by @MoretonHallPrep
Jack Crawford, 21, is planning to get up at 06:00 to start his preparations for watching the game at home in Knottingley, West Yorkshire, with his father Scott, who will have just finished a supermarket night shift.

"He won't be getting any sleep until after the match has finished," Jack said.

"My prediction is England 40-10 South Africa."

Not every fan will be watching though, as some can't bear the pressure.

"I recorded the semi-final and watched it only once I knew the result," said Mandi Allen from Darlington.

"I just couldn't stand the pressure. Because I did that at the semis, I'm worried about jinxing the final now if I watch it live.

"I'm so excited though, I reckon England will win 34-24."

The Evening Standard estimates some 2,000 pubs and bars will open early in London to show the game, while Boxparks in the capital will also be showing coverage from 08:00.

Thousands of pubs are opening across the rest of the country, from Manchester, Sheffield and Newcastle in the north to Gloucester and Cheltenham in the south west.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-50262597.
 
England coach Eddie Jones has warned South Africa that Saturday's Rugby World Cup final is the game he has been planning for since he took control of the team in January 2016.

England are attempting to land their second World Cup to repeat the 2003 success and avenge the Springboks' victory in the 2007 final.

"We've had four years to prepare for this game," said Jones.

"That's why the players can be relaxed because we know we've done the work."

Jones has had roles in the opposition camp in England's two previous Rugby World Cup finals, pushing England deep into extra time with his native Australia in 2003, before joining up with South Africa on a short-term stint for their 2007 campaign.

He has no doubt that South Africa will deliver the traditional power game promised by opposite number Rassie Erasmus, but believes England can eclipse even the heights they reached in a superb semi-final victory over defending champions New Zealand last weekend.

"South Africa aren't going to give us the game, they are going to come hard. We've got meet their physicality but we are looking forward to that and being able to impose our game on them," Jones added.

"We can definitely play better, there's no doubt about it.

"That's the great thing. We are like any team, we are a bit anxious, a bit nervous but also very excited about the prospect of playing even better."

The match at the 72,000-capacity Yokohama International Stadium is set to be the final match in charge for Erasmus, who took the Springbok coaching role in March 2018 after Allister Coetzee's departure.

They were ranked sixth in the world at the time, but Erasmus has overseen a rise to second, losing only eight of his 25 Tests in charge.

Another victory on Saturday would give Siya Kolisi - the team's first black Test captain - the trophy and his country another symbolic moment to follow predecessor Francois Pienaar and former president Nelson Mandela's famous meeting on the podium after their 1995 win.

Kolisi grew up in Zwide township of Port Elizabeth, raised by his grandmother and sleeping on the floor, before his rugby talent earned him a scholarship to an exclusive private school.

"What Siya has achieved has been remarkable. For a young kid to rise above his circumstances and become Springbok captain, and lead the way he has, it's been inspirational to all South Africans - from all walks of life," said team-mate Tendai Mtawarira.

"Rugby is one of the things that, for a few minutes and sometimes a few hours, days and months, if we win people seem to forget about their disagreements," added Erasmus.

"We are trying to win for South Africa, and not just for the supporters, but because our country needs a lot of things and we want to help fix that."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/50261748
 
England aiming for second World Cup triumph after 2003 success, South Africa seeking third title after wins in 1995 and 2007

All to play for!
 
EIWys6EWsAA5fTy
 
Good start by SA.

3-0 up with England a bit scrappy so far.
 
The SA defence up is brutal and England look nervy.
 
Half-time 12-6 to South Africa.

Quite a few mistakes from both teams.

The South African pack have been impressive in that first half.
 
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