The two best teams in the tournament. Nos. 1 and 2 in the world. Archrivals. Neighbors. Records at stake. The Rugby World Cup may just have its perfect final.
At the end of a tournament dominated by the southern hemisphere, New Zealand and Australia have proved the most durable and incisive over the six weeks, and the trans-Tasman rivals head to Twickenham on Saturday bidding to win rugby’s grandest prize for a record third time.
It’s fourth time they have each reached the final but they have never met there, adding to the sense of occasion for one of the biggest events in sports.
The All Blacks have proved they can counter any style, any weather condition, and almost every opponent by losing just three of their 53 games since lifting the Webb Ellis Cup four years ago on home soil. They are in the conversation for the best team in the professional era (since 1996) and rightly start as favorites, as they seek to become the first team to retain the title, and win the World Cup abroad for the first time.
The final will be the Wallabies' fifth straight match at Twickenham and the neutrals may just be on their side, hoping for a close match.