While I’m sad England aren’t in the final, I’m happy that Wayne Barnes will almost certainly ref it, and as he has reffed over 100 tests, and been involved in the knockout stages of 5 world cups, he deserves the chance to do a final.
Perhaps even his last game in the middle, I wouldn’t be surprised, but he’s still one of the best - and fittest - refs so could easily go for another season or two.
Next Saturday, a repeat of the 1995 final, sees both teams have the chance to win their 4th World Cup - SA have never lost a final, the only time New Zealand did was in 1995. It’s probably the two most rugby obsessed nations so it feels right that it’s the final in a way.
Sam Whitelock, the sole survivor from the New Zealand team in 2011, has the chance to be the first man to win 3 rugby world cups.
I still want SA to win though because of Kolisi; because of props like Ox Nche (if your nickname is Ox you have to earn it and keep earning it) and for Kwagga Smith’s nose (a player I’ve followed since he played 7s)