RTÉ Rugby World Cup podcast: Where will the RWC final be won and lost?

Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and former All Black hooker James Parsons to look ahead at the Rugby World Cup final between New Zealand and South Africa.
The panel give their instant reactions on South Africa's 7:1 bench split, which was confirmed minutes before we started recording.
We also break down the key battlegrounds where the game will be won and lost including the kicking game (11:14), the lineout (20:20), the scrum (23:27), and the maul (27:25).
We also talk about the form of New Zealand's back row of Sam Cane, Shannon Frizell and Ardie Savea (31:40), and whether they could have the edge over the Springboks.
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[@dartholemewspaceinvader6333]

Parsons is such good pundit. Knowledgeable, passionate and articulate.

[@robcousins231]

He's excellent; if you're not doing it already, you should follow the Aotearoa podcast he does with Bryn Hall and Ross Karl. It's on KZbin every week. I started following it before the Ireland -NZ series last summer. I think Parsons is the best pundit in the game imho.

[@redhowell7856]

@@robcousins231 Totally agree.

[@Quilty2]

Agree 100%. I've been watching him on the NZ rugby show. His top class and fair in his analysis.

[@Pltjr33]

Can just imagine poor old Matt Williams (double heat attack ) and John Kirwin (the Oracle of Rugby) moaning about the 7-1 split.

[@johannblignaut1966]

7/1 Split involves carefully considered trade offs.Not just an aberration.Coaches have the buy-in of the team and that is extremely important.Adds a lot of spice to the game.Just privileged to live through the biggest rivalry in rugby.Springboks v All Blacks.Long may it continue.

[@Clipper_Damez]

definitely a huge but calculated risk factor involved on the Boks end, but they've proven that it works more than once, especially in the blowout at Twickenham. I personally hope all their backs are able to play the entirety of the match without injuries so we can have the full pack on pack battle and see whose strategy comes out on top. May the best team win. Up the ABs!

[@RikiLouw69]

7-1 split has tipped it towards South Africa. Saturday, you will see why.

[@benkay1390]

Blah blah blah

[@PB22559]

Not if Faf takes a knock and has to go off, especially in the 1st half.

[@Blackhand1042]

Big mistake

[@DieKnoop]

Is that why the big teams also now play 6 - 2? Heard this argument before... oh it was in 2019... @@PB22559

[@RikiLouw69]

@@Blackhand1042 Yeah, I think it will be a big mistake for All Black supporters to watch until the end. Backs will be non-existent in this weather.

[@EvanKeogh]

good to see Parsons on the pod

[@kevinewert8546]

I think it's funny how everyone assumes that the 7-1 is the aberration, rather than the 5-3. SA needed a 5-3 against the French, because they wanted to be able to play two style. They played the same 5-3 against the English, not because it was the best tactic for the opponent and conditions (it really and obviously wasn't), but because they already knew they wanted to go 7-1 in the final and they wanted everyone looking the other way.

[@daggaboom]

If that was the case then we would’ve announced the team at the last minute.

[@kevinewert8546]

@@daggaboom they've never announced a team any later than this, so that argument doesn't hold. For all we know, there is a reason that they want their press conference at 8am.

[@kapoea3147]

Totally agree - This was planned way before the RWC with the exception of the ENG game which surprised the SB - Big risk big reward

[@daggaboom]

@@kevinewert8546 the France or England game they announced the team later than this. If the point of leaving it this late is for confusion then max confusion is leaving it till the AB’s announce their team.

[@daggaboom]

@@kapoea3147 This team is influenced by the weather conditions and last weeks game. Which aren’t known before World Cup.

[@tarutso]

Parsons top pundit. Always brings the goods

[@Sunflower-dt6ev]

Can't wait to see The Big Dogs of Rugby going head to head. Due respect to all other rugby loving nations, but this is the ultimate. Good luck, both teams, especially the ABs (by 1pt will do lol).🖤

[@soulrestoration5486]

LoL you were right by 1 point just the other way around. Sorry guys and well done springboks

[@leroythompson1084]

My favourite pundits/analysts from across the pods this RWC, in one place. Sensational.

[@markcasey5465]

Bokke tactics are built around expected weather, key strengths and likely 10-man rugby. Different situation against (say) France and therefore different team composition. This team selection for me isn’t surprising

[@cobusbrits2]

7-1 split is perfect. Only reason why it did not work against Ireland was Pollard's absence. I was hoping for at least 6-2 but 7-1 is the real number with Faf and Pollard starting. Perfect!

[@abongilenonkelela7726]

High risk and high reward. Go big or go home baby. Love it

[@pj1471]

Great discussion. Sounds like we are going to have a classic technical forward game depending upon how many penalties and yellow cards are going to be given. If it rains it will be a huge battle, but not one for the casual viewer. South Africa taking a huge risk on injuries. Can New Zealand keep a full team on the pitch? Hope Barnes and team have a great game and provide the base for a classic. Too difficult to call and makes for a great final.

[@BallyAfrica]

Not a career altering. Rassie has already won and would walk into any job anywhere in the world. Wont surprise me if he gets appointed by USA rugby in two years time to build them for 2031 they write him a cheque he cant refuse when he finishes his contract with SA Rugby.

[@RenierKapp]

Love you our NZ brothers, respect and love! Also, can you please do us the Kama Te Haka, it would THE best! CANT WAIT!!!We have organized a massive viewing for Saturday, lets GO BOKKE! Hulle weet nie wat ons weet nie ❤

[@1477wales4]

THE BIG question Is why ireland are not in that final? surely ireland have to regret the over hyping of sexton for the last 4 years....... he cost ireland a place in that final......Farrell was afraid to take him off.....Richie Mo'unga was miles ahead of it.......With a better coach Ireland would be beat South Africa in that final....

[@nimanthanadunge4549]

great panel. both knows their rugby

[@JohnHirsch88]

Why do Kiwis assume we don't know what league is. SBW kept confirming the OTB panel knew what it was too

[@redhowell7856]

Not sure why pundits don't accept what RasNaber have said so many times being that they have trust in multiple position options in multiple players? They've cultivated this squad over 5 years and know what resources they have and trust them. It seems to me that Boks have moved past the traditional way of thinking of one player best for one position and hoping that that specialist player lasts and does the job and then, if something goes awry, bring on the "second choice" player to fill the hole. For me, it's less of a calculated risk gamble and more a final culmination and implementation of a 5 year-long personnel and game management strategy taking into account the occasion, the opponent analysis and the weather conditions on the day.

[@janniemeyer9951]

Scrumming is technical. Over 30+ props are generally regarded better than younger ones because of that.

[@leonardodavinci7425]

Is it just me but are referees letting loads of things go? Like head collisions etc

[@tvpc3194]

yes and knock ons

[@koiselectsa]

They were still messing about when they played Ireland. Also he fancied France

[@angeloabrahams8597]

James Parsons mentioned that the All Blacks were out of shape at Twickenham because they havent played for a month before that which s true but so the same applied to the Bok team that lost at Mt Smart. Some players like Jesse Kriel was playing after a 3 month layoff. Whats good for the goose should be good for the gander. Although on paper the Bok selection is a 7/1 split it should actully be seen as a defacto 6/2 split because Kwagga is a natural 7s player. The Match will definitely be won by the best onfield management by the coaches. Good luck to both teams!

[@dartholemewspaceinvader6333]

Mt Smart was for a trophy, Twickenham was as close to a friendly as you can get.

[@sbok9481]

​@@dartholemewspaceinvader6333There's no such thing as friendly 's between these two teams. Both selected their best respective teams and both played to win. The NZ coaches and players admitted that they were outplayed. They didn't expect a 7-1 split. Who are you to have a different view to the coaches and players? Fascinating how people want to make themselves feel better and not accept reality.

[@diyguru9677]

@@sbok9481 With the Twickenham warm up match AB's tried a few experiments both strategically and positional as quite a few big game players were still coming back from injury. They certainly didn't play to lose but with nothing on it and a high risk of injury it wasn't worth the ABs putting their bodies on the line... meanwhile a RWC Final is a whole different proposition.

[@rumplestillskin01]

@@dartholemewspaceinvader6333 you can have that trophy! we only value this one!

[@rumplestillskin01]

What people fail to see is if there are injuries in the backline and Kwagga is forced to cover in the backs-its a bad situation, but at the same time it does mean South Africa will effectively have 9 forwards on the field and in open play and in the rucks that could be an advantage!

[@davidpeters3857]

Brilliant analysis

[@kubensamiuel5176]

Loving the narrative where every potential weakness that the Boks can exploit is being turned into a positive for NZ. I hope they believe the hype and think that Saturday will be a walk in the park for the All Blacks. Us Boks thrive when people make us the underdogs.

[@JohnMichaels-fs7bi]

Why is everyone forgetting that most of the Boks players that under performance in NZ was unfit because they play in Japan and NZ didn't play for a month when the Boks dominated them. This time NZ had a earlier route to the final and are surely the favourite. The Boks are tired and the only thing that will keep them in the game is the 60 million people they playing for. May the best team win.

[@abongilenonkelela7726]

I know it difficult to understand the 7-1 split from the Irish but consider this thats why SA have won 3 World cup and are going for the 4th one. We think out the box.

[@Blackhand1042]

Just lucky nothing to do with out of the box

[@marnoux]

@@Blackhand1042 Check this salty poes

[@DieKnoop]

Doesn't look like skill, France and Ireland, was more successful @@Blackhand1042 Julle weet nie wat ons weet nie

[@jonathandavis8599]

@@Blackhand1042 you are a wyd kant

[@Darren_S]

​@@marnouxHy is 'n groot poes.

[@markshields5883]

Everyone saying if the boks get a few injuries in backs there in trouble , what happens if NZ gets an early injury in there props then there bench has to go the whole game which would be so hard with bomb squad coming on

[@janhenning4678]

You guys keep on talking about irland😮where are they, realy irland did not even got to the semi ,s

[@MRRBOKK]

Boks have a formidable maul but I think with Malcolm Marx not being there they’re gonna feel it.

[@surfsnow1371]

We will definitely see some maul variations...Go BOKS!! zazazazaza

[@MRRBOKK]

@@surfsnow1371 yeah no doubt, as a Kiwi I’ll be hoping the brains trust of our locks can put pressure on Bongi and seeing some of his throws against England I’ll be hoping that

[@2msystems740]

There is only 15 men on the field against you. If the AB's manage to stay yellow-free, the Boks have little to no answer for their 15 man opponents' game. The problem is that the 7-1 is actually the only available option, given that the Boks do not have any belief in their obvious quality out wide and haven't been able to select the best options there. The days of 10 man rugby success will die on Saturday. The risk is that the Boks have boxed (?) themselves into limited options, and you cannot afford this against a team like the AB's.

[@terrencepeters9203]

Wow! You really a joke

[@terrencepeters9203]

You sound like a jealous Irish. Ireland will never reach our heights

[@FrancoisMarais-Mardox]

England played the best they have played in a few years, that being said SA played the worst I have every seen them played...England still could make it...Kudos for the SA boys to go to a very dark place and pulled that rabbit kicking and screaming out of the hat. SA's tenacity will see them through again....SA by 8

[@markconacher1148]

Accuracy is vital, knock on , then scrum then penalty then lineout maul

[@dean571]

The South Africans are exhausted they played everyone in the top 6 they have no choice but to do this. Libbock doesnt have the legs. 6-2 split would have made more sense with maybe Moodie. But that 7-1 i reckon is because they poked.

[@RozWentworth]

Viva Amabokke Viva...as always respect to Allblacks as a South Africa...but this looks like war...Let's go Bokke

[@reubenpillsbury383]

Great analysis.

[@mutwa_0]

I have always said that this final will be won or lost by the coaches.

[@zebinmarais4697]

Hahaha 😝 “hulle weet nie wat ons weet nie” ! 👊😘

[@DieKnoop]

Se dit vir die comment section!

[@GROSTABUSSIATEric]

Go all blacks, you are the only team that deserves victory in this final!!

[@denisdaly1708]

Super cautious by SA trying to go with 2019 game plan.

[@philipbradley3659]

Pronunciation: Ox-in-chair

[@kerrysupporter]

Ox o Shea

[@AshCar-10]

Time will tell 😂, Rassssssssieeeee in you head 😂😂..... High Risk High Reward strategy. I love rugby 🏉

[@RikiLouw69]

The world cup will be won with the bench.

[@BarryHawk]

NZ to win. 7-1 is too far , was no use against Ireland.

[@surfsnow1371]

It wasn't raining against Ireland and we missed 4 kicks...Zazazaza BOKS!

[@bronchoped]

Its a great call. Wet weather rugby

[@SNOK1986]

Suggesting they will come together as a team and discuss faking an injury so someone else can come in to make it a 6/2 last second is highly disrespectful.

[@RikiLouw69]

Lol, it is actually so pathetic. You could see that Keith Wood chose NZ out of pure saltiness and sourness due to the 7-1 split. I'd say, the 7-1 is great. The 7-1 in the rain is what will make the Boks win this world cup. Many people say that they are tired. Bringing 7 forwards on 2nd half immediately eliminates that and it also elminates and counter NZ's high tempo.. We also saw in the semi, the backline won't see the ball in the rain.

[@gerrycallaghan5519]

First Irish international to reach a final?

[@surfsnow1371]

Jean Kleyn

[@gerrycallaghan5519]

Well done!

[@brianogai1086]

Man you guys are are supporting AB but Boks will surprise them .

[@queasybeetle]

They spent thos whole time figuring out how to beat the Boks. Just shows who are the favourites.

[@HeeniKeke]

All teams analyse their opponents

[@123kiwiboy]

the 7/1 split is dumb , the all blacks will target their back and if they get an injury game over!

[@stevenhartzenberg7979]

Lukanya Am will be drafted in last minute

[@christoels6748]

Great content!

[@BarryHawk]

Forecastbis for rain. Favours the Boks.

[@Auth0R_M0RGaN]

Unlike SA, it rains most of the time in NZ so ABs and Kiwis in general play Rugby in wet weather & are used to muddy fields from a young age soon as they can hold a Rugby ball. Either way, should be a great game 👊🏽.

[@johnnieolivier1010]

New Zealand are shitting their pants now, say Lord not again 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@johnnieolivier1010]

@@nz.co_2332 I'm just fooling around bro, I have huge respect for the All Blacks, I think this going to be a history making match. Whichever way it goes, the winners will definitely deserve it.👊🏾👊🏾👊🏾

[@raykarena4595]

It's a gamble the 7 to 1 split go big or go home aye...

[@Blackhand1042]

As a kiwi im very happy with the selection 😋

[@daggaboom]

I suspect you are. For full effect we should’ve named team same time as yours. Wouldn’t be surprised if Faf and Handre get targeted out the game now. Massive risk in our part.

[@selfsummit]

@@daggaboom those guys are seasoned veterans boss

[@daggaboom]

@@selfsummit you think this the AB’s first day on the job?

[@pathanrahan488]

Go boks

[@South_Affy]

This is like watching a chess game.

[@atapene]

Go ireland!

[@getridofneocons]

come on bernard dutoit pronounced du(toy) Afrikaans not french

[@PB22559]

SA lost to Ire and were very lucky to get the win against France and England. I think this one is NZs to lose.

[@Frankabagnale33]

But ABs lost to France and were close against Ireland. It’s fine margins my friend. Wayne Barnes will favor the ABs

[@johannblignaut1966]

Sometimes you make your own luck.

[@queasybeetle]

Why do you bother commenting

[@PB22559]

@@Frankabagnale33 Crying about the ref before the game? That's a new level of bok whinging.

[@Frankabagnale33]

@@PB22559 I’m irish. Sadly we were not good enough this time. Impartial opinion. Type of rugby ABs play suits Wayne Barnes’s style of refereeing

[@DieKnoop]

Bernard is such a positive person. Sleeping in a bag of salt it seems...

[@MorrisdeSaucer]

Why ? Because he is questioning a questionable selection, grow up lad.

[@PB22559]

Jackman has a lot of head coach experience in the TOP 14 and he's one of the most balanced and least biased pundits out there. I didn't hear any crying or whinging from him when Ireland got knocked out. You boks just assume everyone has the same condition you have. As we say in Spanish 'el ladrón se cree que todos tienen su condición'- The thief believes everyone else shares his condition (being a thief).

[@DieKnoop]

Touchy much? He did not have one positive thing for the boks, not in this, nor semi or quarter finals. Never acknowledges that he was wrong. Grow up? seems like a grown up response. Well played @@MorrisdeSaucer

[@DieKnoop]

His records are not in question and his achievements are sound. His comments here are though. The Spanish does not translate well as I am not sure what you mean by our condition. Will go and look it up and study a bit to understand. @@PB22559

[@DieKnoop]

@@PB22559 weet jy nou wat ons weet?!

[@obi-nt8ed]

Pray for rain sa or abs will run rings around ya

[@abongilenonkelela7726]

Like they did in Twickenham right?😅

[@obi-nt8ed]

@@abongilenonkelela7726like we did in the rugby championship 🤣

[@andilentobekomadlala5227]

If it rains will play a 8 man game . You won't win an arm wrestle with that Saffa bench

[@queasybeetle]

So All Blacks went from shit under Fozzie to amazing 😂😂

[@queasybeetle]

​@@obi-nt8edwe are fucking around with selections

[@valmarsables3098]

SA SMOKES SOMETHING

[@alidamartin9798]

We smoke Rugby😂

[@garyoak-q7m]

Ireland rugby is the clowns 🤡 of every world cup never got into semi’s 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@stuarthanna-ih9lt]

Why are you watching an Irish podcast then? Just to troll I suppose right? Gracious winners as always.

[@CF-lg8jd]

Doesn't matter when you lose, the only goal is winning outright

[@garyoak-q7m]

@@stuarthanna-ih9ltcause i am here to let the Irish rugby fans know once again the Irish still can’t get into the Semi’s it’s embarrassing that the so call number 1 team never got into the semi’s never mind the final😂😂😂😂😂😂😂🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@garyoak-q7m]

@@CF-lg8jd Didn’t matter for South Africa and New Zealand losing in the pools it matters when u lose in the knockout rounds that’s why Ireland is out and New Zealand and South Africa are in the final win the games that matters.