Couch Critic previews Saturday's Rugby World Cup final a between New Zealand and South Africa including best bets and price boosts
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WHO HOWLS LAST HOWLS LOUDEST
From my preview two months ago this final clash in Paris is a show-down between the tricky border collie and the tough rottweiler. To be fair though, the border collie has at times looked like one who transforms into a different beast during full moon. And the South Africans, especially during the semi-finals, showed glimpses of being a service dog ready for the simple life enjoying left-over Sunday lunch and preferring the couch to the backyard.
TALE OF THE TAPE – NEW ZEALAND
I honestly wasn’t expecting much from the Kiwis but after a first-fixture loss to the French they’ve been able to right the ship. Of course, the one side of the argument is that it was only really the quarter-final against the Irish that was a true measure of where the All Blacks were at. That being said, they were able to gain confidence from comfortable beatings handed out to the Italians and Argentines.
TALE OF THE TAPE – SOUT AFRICA
The best Springbok performance was comfortably the one that transpired before they even reached France – the hiding dished out to the All Blacks at Twickenham. During the World Cup itself the Boks have hardly reached fourth gear. At times against the French the defending champs looked near their best but apart from those patches of quality they’ve actually been stuttering somewhat for the most part.
CRYSTAL BALL PREDICTION
For the one furry friend this outing in France has been a walk in the park (after picking up some scrapes and scars in jumping the fence surrounding the park) filled with fancy frisbee tricks and never faltering on the “fetch”. For the other it’s been a forced walk that’s proven a few kilometres to long when a comfy snooze on the couch would have been preferable. Yet, when the DHL delivery guy rings the bell the I’m backing the rottweiler to find new life and fetch that parcel (from the shaking hands of the poor delivery man) before the collie has even registered that any action is needed.
I’m backing the green and gold to deliver the trophy back to Mzansi.
WHERE MY MONEY IS GOING
South Africa to win @ 2.20
They might not play “pretty” rugby and there have been some question marks around whether Rassie’s 7-1 bench split is even within the spirit of the game. I have that feeling that we will see a very spirited effort from the Springboks who are firstly suited to knockout rugby and secondly well experienced in the big occasion.
Man of the Match – Handré Pollard was 8.00 now @ 11.00 at BoyleSports
It promises to be a tight affair and the General is ready to steer the Boks to victory with his boot.
Boyle’s Pie Shop: Last Tryscorer – Deon Fourie was @ 19.00 now 23.00 with BoyleSports
I’m going to the well one last time and hoping for Fourie to make it a fairy tale ending. Playing in his last match for the Springboks and having been an unlikely inclusion in the squad in the first place the bull terrier will take to the field with energy and aggression. He came up a foot or two short last week – this time I expect the entire team to grow an arm and a leg and that touch of growth sees Fourie getting a late score!
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Couch Critic
Couch is first and foremost a Bok fan and a long-suffering Sharks fan. He loves the occasional bet and often plays in the exotic markets where his penchant for well-priced Hookers* became his trademark
You can follow him on Twitter @HDiemont
