When New Zealand were thumped 35-7 by South Africa at Twickenham at the end of August, few if any people were tipping the All Blacks for a record fifth World Cup final.
When the All Blacks were then turned over 27-13 by France in Paris on September 8 to open this tournament, neutral observers politely diverted attention elsewhere.
Lose one game and it is a national inquiry in New Zealand — lose two so quickly and it is panic stations. That Springboks battering at Twickenham was New Zealand’s heaviest-ever international defeat. France swatted the All Blacks aside just weeks later, too.
But ever since, the All Blacks have quietly pounced on the misdirection of sending people scuttling off to examine other contenders — and built towards yet another final showdown.
All Blacks boss Ian Foster will be replaced by Scott Robertson after the tournament in a long-term arrangement, that probably owes much to New Zealand’s tricky years since the last World Cup.
New Zealand are also aiming to atone for being blown away by England in the semi-finals four years ago in Japan.
All Blacks bosses do not mess around when it comes to bolstering or altering their coaching teams, however, and Joe Schmidt’s addition to the backroom staff has paid big dividend.
The ex-Ireland boss has clearly had an effect on the All Blacks, but do not discount Foster and his coaching intelligence quota, either.
All the New Zealand coaches deserve credit for making the changes behind the scenes work on the pitch. If New Zealand can turn their summer malaise into a fourth World Cup title, then the All Blacks will be fully deserving winners of another compelling competition.
South Africa have proved themselves the brutal opponents everyone remembers from that 2019 final, when they swatted England aside 32-12.
The Springboks have built a squad of intimidating physicality and impressive obduracy, and they know they can flex their muscles against anyone.
South Africa have had to play Ireland, France, England and now the All Blacks in this competition — as well as Scotland along the way. That is a serious test of quality and depth. And although they lost to Ireland in the pool stages, if they now scoop the top prize, they will have done it the hard way.
The world’s two greatest rugby nations in a ding-dong battle for the ultimate bragging rights — this will be some occasion, and an even better battle.
