New Zealand
15 Ben Smith 8/10
Before the World Cup, there were lots of full-backs with a claim to being the world’s best. Only one left now. Floats above the carnage
14 Nehe Milner-Skudder 7/10
Erupted into the firmament this summer and continues to burn brightly, even as the stakes rise. Couple of wobbles in the wet last week but we’re quibbling
13 Conrad Smith 7/10
If we’re talking career, he gets an eight at least but is he quite at his best? Probably saving himself for the final, as the wisest players do. And he’s one of those
12 Ma’a Nonu 8/10
Nearly 17 stone, 33 years old and still as explosive as a hand grenade. Ridiculous really. And he’s taught himself skills you’re not supposed to be able to
11 Julian Savea 7/10
There we were, wondering whether he’d lost his mojo. Then he did his thing against France. That said, France really were woeful. So only a seven for now
10 Dan Carter 9/10
They say his captain’s the greatest ever but Carter’s far better over the ball than McCaw is at nailing a touchline conversion, flicking an off-load ripping a team apart
9 Aaron Smith 7/10
Deadly sharp, and the key man when New Zealand beat Argentina on the opening weekend, which looks a much better win now than it did at the time
1 Joe Moody 6/10
New Zealand lose their second-choice loosehead in the quarters and on comes this bloke, off-loading with the best of them. But this will be a new level for him
2 Dane Coles 7/10
He’s succeeded Schalk Brits as the world’s most fleet-footed hooker. His lineout’s sound and he tackles relentlessly. Scrummaging’s the only lingering doubt
3 Owen Franks 6/10
Comfortable with ball in hand as much as he is with head in darkness. Not sure he’s been at his best this World Cup. Still, a big final will sort that out
4 Brodie Retallick 8/10
World player of the year last year and returning to those heights now that it matters. Remind yourself that he’s only 24. Runs like a stallion, works like a dog
5 Sam Whitelock 7/10
As does this bloke but he’s confined himself to the latter lately. Up there with the Kainos and McCaws on the tackle count at this World Cup
6 Jerome Kaino 8/10
If there’s one thing this generation of All Blacks is light on it is cold-eyed nastiness. Kaino is the one to supply it. Gives you that shiver
7 Richie McCaw (capt) 8/10
He may have been more of a force in his past but when that past is 147 caps it sweeps the team along. If New Zealand are losing on Saturday he will do something
8 Kieran Read 9/10
Seems too nice a fella for all this. Nastier ones tear into him for 80 minutes. He takes it all and shows them there’s another, better way, if only they were good enough
Total 112/150
Australia
15 Israel Folau 7/10
He has struggled with injury at this World Cup, which may be why he hasn’t quite torn up the place as we’d hoped. If he finds his form, though …
14 Adam Ashley-Cooper 7/10
One of those complete players with a hundred-odd caps who you simply find a place for in your team. A hat-trick in the semi-final proved the edge is still there
13 Tevita Kuridrani 6/10
His burly ball carrying is an important focus of the Australian attack. If you let him, he’ll smash you open. If you don’t, he’ll just hurt your shoulder
12 Matt Giteau 8/10
They rewrote the rules to get him back – and how it’s worked. Australia have been energised by his return. To win the World Cup would complete a remarkable career
11 Drew Mitchell 7/10
Poised one try behind the World Cup’s most prolific finishers. In the Giteau/Ashley-Cooper mould of bright-eyed Aussie wits who find a way
10 Bernard Foley 7/10
When he’s good, he’s devastating. His 28-point masterclass v England will never be forgotten. Had to pull himself together against Scotland, though. But that he did
9 Will Genia 6/10
It looked as if the title of world’s best scrum-half was his to keep. Then he drifted, then was surprisingly recalled. Good decision but former glories remain elusive
1 Scott Sio 7/10
Was missed in the semi-final. Has done as much as anyone to stiffen the Wallaby scrum. Also puts in a mean shift around the field, particularly in defence
2 Stephen Moore (capt) 7/10
Not been quite at his barnstorming best round the field but he’s played more minutes than any other hooker. That’s because they miss him horribly when he’s not there
3 Sekope Kepu 6/10
Anchors the scrum dependably, having started out as a loosehead. Explosive with ball in hand – see his try against New Zealand in August. More of that would be good
4 Kane Douglas 7/10
Another surprise selection, he has defied those sceptics who saw him struggle to make the Leinster team. Australia’s top tackler at this World Cup
5 Rob Simmons 6/10
A fine lineout operator who is not afraid when the ball comes his way in the open. But not quite the edge to his game that would elevate him to the very top bracket
6 Scott Fardy 8/10
The other two win the plaudits with their blond, swashbuckling ways but this guy is as driven and athletic as Hooper or Pocock. Extraordinary performance in semi-final
7 Michael Hooper 8/10
The pace and skills of a centre, the appetite for the fray of a tight-five forward. Makes him a hell of a flanker. Needs to watch his discipline, though. That’s flankers for you
8 David Pocock 9/10
The most turnovers at this World Cup and second’s daylight. And he’s missed two games. No one has done more to transform Australia over the past year
Total 106/150
This article was amended on 2.11.15 to correct the spelling of the name of New Zealand’s hooker Dane Coles
