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What a relief for the All Blacks, and especially Richie McCaw, he wasn’t cited and suspended for what appeared to be an elbow to the head of Springbok backrower Duane Vermeulen in the World Cup semi-finals.
For McCaw to miss what will arguably be the biggest game of his stellar international career as the code’s most capped player with 147, would have been a tragedy.
So the men-in-black will be at full strength for the first All Blacks-Wallabies World Cup final, while the Wallabies will be sweating on the fitness of prop Scott Sio (elbow), and full-back Israel Folau with his ongoing ankle injury sustained in the pool clash with England.
Sio missed the Pumas semi-final, while Folau missed the Scotland quarter-final, and came off after 60 minutes in the semi. He was well below par when he was hooked.
Standing by will be James Slipper for Sio, and Kurtley Beale for Folau.
So who will win this fascinating and history-making decider?
One thing is for sure, no form or track record outside the confines of this tournament will mean a toss.
Front row
All Blacks – Joe Moody, Dane Coles and Owen Franks.
Wallabies – Scott Sio (Slipper), Stephen Moore (c) and Sekope Kepu.
Thanks to Argentine scrum coach Mario Ledesma, he will have the Wallabies front row up to speed by the weekend after falling off the pace in their last two games.
All Blacks 8 out of 10, Wallabies 7.
Locks
All Blacks – Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick.
Wallabies – Kane Douglas and Rob Simmons.
Not a struck match between them.
All Blacks 8, Wallabies 8.
Backrow
All Blacks – Richie McCaw (c), Jerome Kaino and Kieren Read.
Wallabies – David Pocock, Michael Hooper and Scott Fardy.
Pre-tournament the All Blacks trio were rightfully rated the best in the business, but as the weeks have unfolded, the Wallabies have taken over the mantle.
Wallabies 8, All Blacks 7.
Halves
All Blacks – Aaron Smith and Dan Carter.
Wallabies – Will Genia and Bernard Foley.
Smith is the best half-back in the world. Genia was that three years ago but not anymore. Genia has however lifted his game and confidence as the Wallabies keep winning. Carter and Foley could well decide the issue with their boots.
All Blacks 8, Wallabies 7.
Centres
All Blacks – Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith.
Wallabies – Matt Giteau and Tevita Kuirdrani.
The All Blacks pair have played over 60 Tests in combination, while Giteau and Kuridrani have only had this tournament together, but are learning quickly.
All Blacks 8, Wallabies 7.
Wingers
All Blacks – Julian Savea and Nehe Milner-Skudder.
Wallabies – Adam Ashley-Cooper and Drew Mitchell.
Savea and Milner-Skudder have the best strike rates in international rugby history – Savea with 38 tries from 40 games, Milner-Skudder 7 from 7. They are the best, but the Wallabies pair have been doing their finishing job well.
All Blacks 8, Wallabies 7.
Full-back
All Blacks – Ben Smith.
Wallabies – Israel Folau (Beale).
On their day, which you would expect in something as big as a World Cup final, there’s not much difference between them, all three excellent and exciting returning the ball at speed.
All Blacks 8, Wallabies 8.
Goal-kicking
All Blacks 8, Wallabies 8.
Attack
All Blacks 8, Wallabies 8.
Defence
Wallabies 9, All Blacks 7.
Discipline
All Blacks 7, Wallabies 7.
Scrums
All Blacks 8, Wallabies 8.
Lineouts
All Blacks 8, Wallabies 8.
Head coaches
All Blacks – Steve Hansen.
Wallabies – Michael Cheika.
Expect Cheika to pull something out of the hat for this special occasion.
Wallabies 8, All Blacks 7.
That’s a split decision with 108 points apiece, with the result hinging on the man who will be named player of the tournament – David Pocock. Therefore, it is likely to be a Wallabies win.