Rugby World Cup 2023: All the team news for the bronze medal match, Final

Thu, Oct 26, 2023, 4:00 PM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
All the team news for the bronze medal match and the Final. Photo: Getty Images
All the team news for the bronze medal match and the Final. Photo: Getty Images

The Final is here as New Zealand and South Africa battle it out as they look to become the first four-time Rugby World Cup champion.

The All Blacks cruised through their semi-final against Argentina whilst South Africa secured a one-point win over England.

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Both teams hold victories over each other in 2023, with New Zealand claiming the honours in Auckland before a thumping defeat in Twickenham.

Argentina and England will battle it out for third, before the Final will be held at the Stade de France on October 28.

Check out all the details for every Rugby World Cup team for the bronze medal and Final as they drop

Saturday, October 28:  Argentina v England, Stade de France, Paris (6:00 AM)

Argentina head coach Michael Cheika has made three changes to his starting XV from last week’s loss to New Zealand.

Scrumhalf Tomás Cubelli returns to the starting side after missing the semi-final, partnering Santiago Carreras.

20-year-old Pedro Rubiolo will start in the second-row, joining Guido Petti.

Centre Jeronimo de la Fuente will play in his second game of the tournament, partnering Lucio Cinti 

Meanwhile, England coach Steve Borthwick has freshened up his side for the bronze medal match, naming a new look front row.

Vice captain Ellis Genge returns to the starting side, joined by Theo Dan and Will Stuart.

Ollie Chessum joins Maro Itoje in the second row, whilst flanker Sam Underhill will play his first test for England since July 2022.

Ben Youngs starts at scrumhalf alongside Owen Farrell, with Marcus Smith returning to fullback after his concussion.

This sees Freddie Steward shift to the wing, joined by five-try sensation Henry Arundell

Argentina (15-1): Juan Cruz Mallia; Emiliano Boffelli, Lucio Cinti, Jeronimo de la Fuente, Mateo Carreras; Santiago Carreras, Tomas Cubelli; Facundo Isa, Marcos Kremer, Juan Martin Gonzalez; Pedro Rubiolo, Guido Petti; Francisco Gomez Kodela, Julian Montoya (capt), Thomas Gallo

Replacements: Agustin Creevy, Joel Sclavi, Eduardo Bello, Matias Alemanno, Rodrigo Bruni, Lautaro Bazan Velez, Nicolas Sanchez, Matias Moroni

ENGLAND (15-1): Marcus Smith; Freddie Steward, Joe Marchant, Manu Tuilagi, Henry Arundell; Owen Farrell (capt), Ben Youngs; Ben Earl, Sam Underhill, Tom Curry; Ollie Chessum, Maro Itoje; Will Stuart, Theo Dan, Ellis Genge

Replacements: Jamie George, Bevan Rodd, Dan Cole, Dave Ribbans, Lewis Ludlam, Danny Care, George Ford, Ollie Lawrence

Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)

Assistant Referee 1: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)

Assistant Referee 2: Andrew Brace (Ireland)

TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)

Sunday, October 29: New Zealand v South Africa, Stade de France, Paris (6:00 AM)

The Springboks have named Faf de Klerk and Handre Pollard to start in the halves in the final.

Both came off the bench in the semi-final, with Pollard kicking the winning penalty in the final minutes.

The pair start together for the 25th time, two of ten players who started in the 2019 Final.

Trevor Nyakane replaces Vincent Koch on the bench, who has been ruled out with a knee injury.

Jasper Wiese and Jean Kleyn have been added to the bench as part of a 7-1 split

As for the Kiwis, coach Ian Foster has named a settled side after their convincing win over Argentina.

Brodie Retallick is the lone change to the starting side, swapping with Sam Whitelock, who returns to the bench.

Nepo Laulala has been added to the bench in place of Fletcher Newell.

With 1387 Test caps, this is the All Blacks’ most experienced team to play a Rugby World Cup final.

New Zealand (15-1): Beauden Barrett; Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Mark Telea; Richie Mo'unga, Aaron Smith; Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (capt), Shannon Frizell; Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick; Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot

Replacements: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams, Nepo Laulala, Sam Whitelock, Dalton Papali’i, Finlay Christie, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown

South Africa (15-1): Damian Willemse; Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian De Allende, Cheslin Kolbe; Handre Pollard, Faf de Klerk; Duane Vermeulen, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (capt); Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth; Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff

Replacements: Deon Fourie, Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane, Jean Kleyn, RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith, Jasper Wiese, Willie le Roux

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