Rugby World Cup 2015 final Australia vs. New Zealand: Preview, TV schedule, match time and latest odds
Australia and New Zealand are now set for an all-out battle in the 2015 Rugby World Cup (RWC) after naming their team lineup for the final round of the tournament at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday (Sunday AEDT).
The Wallabies have recalled Scott Sio as Australia’s only change to the side that defeated Argentina 29-15 last week. Sio, who was missing in action against the Pumas with a damaged elbow, will replace James Slipper, while Israel Folau, who has struggling to play due to an ankle injury, has been cleared to run the field. Inside centre Matt Giteau will also take his spot in Michael Cheika’s starting XV after hurting his groin against Argentina.
Cheika said his side has a strong focus in improving certain areas in their game despite taking a light practice session to keep the Wallabies fresh in their bid for a third Webb Ellis Cup.
"We want to be proud of what we do on Saturday and make Australians even more proud of us, by giving everything we've got on Saturday,” Cheika said, reports the ABC. "Obviously you can never guarantee what's going to happen, but by making sure we play in a way that they wake up in the middle of the night or if they're over here, they can nod their head and say I'm proud to be a part of that team."
However, unlike Australia, New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has kept faith on his side as they toppled South Africa 20-18 in their semifinal RWC fixture last week. Hansen named an unchanged team for Saturday and retained captain Richie McCaw, who will most likely call time on his record-breaking Test career after the weekend.
“We knew we would have to earn the right to progress through the tournament so being in the final is very satisfying in its own right,” Hansen said, reports The Guardian. “The ultimate goal has always been to win it, so we are exactly where we need to be to try and achieve that.”
Australia will head into their clash with New Zealand as the less favourite to win the Webb Ellis Cup, having beaten the Kiwis just once since the Rugby World Cup 2011. The RWC fixture between Australia and New Zealand will be their 155th meeting. The All Blacks have won 105 of the 154 games, while the Wallabies has 42 wins with seven draws.
The Australians have not won an RWC championship for 16 years, while the All Blacks are looking for a rare back-to-back championship, having won the Rugby World Cup four years ago.
Team lineup
Australia: Israel Folau; Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell; Bernard Foley, Will Genia; Scott Sio, Stephen Moore (captain), Sekope Kepu, Kane Douglas, Rob Simmons, Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper, David Pocock. Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper, Greg Holmes, Dean Mumm, Ben McCalman, Nick Phipps, Matt Toomua, Kurtley Beale.
New Zealand: B Smith; Milner-Skudder, C Smith, Nonu, Savea; Carter, A Smith; Moody, Coles, O Franks, Retallick, Whitelock, Kaino, McCaw (capt), Read. Replacements: Mealamu, Franks, Faumuina, Vito, Cane, Kerr-Barlow, Barrett, Williams.
TV Schedule
The Rugby World Cup 2015 Australia vs New Zealand final match will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 2 and Fox Sports 2 HD on Foxtel, and Channel Nine’s GEM.
Match date and time
The match kicks off on Sunday, Nov. 1 at 3:00 a.m. AEDT.
Latest odds (courtesy of Sky Bet)
Australia win: 5/2
New Zealand win: 2/5
Draw: 28/1
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