Rugby League World Cup 2013: Robbie Hunter-Paul"s expert guide to the final

Sonny Bill Williams and Greg Inglis are not in direct opposition but they are

both players with that X-factor who can win a game in the glimpse of an eye

with a stroke of sheer brilliance. New Zealand’s Sonny Bill is an absolute

freak and there is no doubt he is the most gifted rugby player on the

planet, in either league or union. We have seen how he can destroy teams,

but Australia’s Inglis can be just as dangerous if he is not stopped. I

expect him to start at full-back instead of Billy Slater and New Zealand

need to stop him finding space to run.

The one per cent Factor

England are still licking their wounds and wondering how they didn’t beat New

Zealand in last week’s semi-final, after leading with just 20 seconds to go.

Losing like that hurts badly but winning in that manner does not happen by

accident. New Zealand and Australia both have that determination and

patience to come up with those big plays at the right time. This final is so

tight to call that it is likely to be decided by which team controls the one

per centers the better. Any slight mistake will be seized upon – as England

discovered to their cost.

Finding the extra spark

Australia have not conceded a try in their last four games. They have also

scored the most points of any team, hitting the 50-plus mark in three games

and racking up a total of 238 points with just 22 conceded. New Zealand

therefore have a battle on their hands to breach the Kangaroos line, but

they 206 points for and 52 against. Both teams have shown they desperately

defend, so it depends on who can find the magic close to the try line.

Robbie Hunter-Paul is a former New Zealand international. He is also part of

BBC TV’s World Cup team.

Article source: http://www.express.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/444968/Wasps-5-Bath-28-Dai-Young-apologises-for-sorry-display

Rugby League World Cup 2013: Robbie Hunter-Paul"s expert guide to the final