Final Match Previews & Predictions – 2021 Rugby World Cup

After five weeks of intense Rugby World Cup action we’re on eve of finding out who is the best in the world. This includes determining the top 4 as we will see Canada take on France before the hosts New Zealand battle England.

Keep reading for our match previews and predictions for the finals. To see the entire 2021 RWC schedule, how to watch and see results, go here.

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Final Preview and Predictions - 2021 Rugby World Cup RWC2021@

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Canada vs France – Nov 11 9:30 PM CST / Nov 12 4:30 PM NZST

Preview

3rd ranked Canada will see 4th ranked France in the Bronze Medal match. Most recently these teams met in the 2019 Pacific Four Series where Canada edged France 36-19. However, France has the historical advantage winning 8 of their 15 meetings. 

The battle for dominance in the lineout will be interesting as Canada boasted a 95 percent success until their meeting with England last week where they struggled. Similarly, France have won 91 percent of their own throws and lead the tournament in steals. 

Les Bleus defense has been outstanding all tournament long only allowing 5 tries the entire tournament. However, Canada is averaging 4.6 tries per game at this RWC with 26 cleanbreaks (3rd overall) and 694 runs (2nd overall) throughout the tournament.

Prediction

The Maples Leafs have defeated France in their last four meetings but France have the most third-place finishes of any team in the history of the Rugby World Cup. This will be a close one and we predict that France will win by 7 points.

England vs New Zealand – Nov 12 12:30 AM CST / Nov 12 7:30 PM NZST

Preview

1st ranked England will face 2nd ranked New Zealand in the Gold Medal final match. These teams saw each other in 2021 where New Zealand suffered their heaviest defeat in test history losing 56-15. However, New Zealand have beaten England in every Rugby World Cup match. The stats keep going though as England is on a world record 30-test winning streak, but New Zealand have never lost a test at Eden Park (they’ve played 11).

Looking at these two teams there couldn’t be more of a contrast in approach. The Red Roses rely on their set pieces with their forwards scoring 25 of their 38 tries at the RWC and 24 of those tries have come from lineouts. The Black Ferns prefer a more open flowing game plan with 24 percent of their total tries coming from turnover or counter-attacks and 33 of their 38 tries at this RWC come from an assist of a team-mate.

Prediction

History would have us lean towards a win by the Black Ferns and this is further bolstered by the fact that they are playing a RWC final at home while it’s sold out for the first time. BUT, we feel that momentum is with England, they’ve spent the last five years investing, preparing and envisioning this moment. We predict England will win by 5 points.