It's a second consecutive World Cup final for New Zealand, who become the only third team in World Cup history to do so after Australia in 1999 and 2003, and England in 2003 and 2007. They will be aiming to be the first side to win back to back tournaments. They could be without their inspirational captain Richie McCaw though if this incident is picked up on by the citing commissioner.
McCaw takes an interesting running line on a steal from Sprinbok Francois Louw. The angle isn't great, but it would appear to suggest that McCaw's elbow makes contact with Louw:
20 minutes in, McCaw takes a tight line and clips the famous Louw corner.https://t.co/OGRyrBDB25
— Andy McGeady (@andymcgeady) October 24, 2015
Opinion on the incident is completely split online. McCaw's participation in the final could be relying on an alternate angle that shows what part of his body makes contact with Louw, and where. To his credit, Louw doesn't make much of the incident, getting up and protecting the next ruck for South Africa.
Clearly differing views on that McCaw incident. pic.twitter.com/xj9FzLfjcn
— Brian Moore (@brianmoore666) October 24, 2015
Francois Louw did need 16 stitches for a cut to his head from an incident at the ruck, but it appears that came from a separate incident:
@andymcgeady @brianmoore666 happens at about 21 first pic is clearly at 26mins no blood or cut 2nd pic 28mins pic.twitter.com/GUCfsFezYF
— Michael Chronican (@mikechron) October 24, 2015
See Also: The All Blacks Hit Back At Richie McCaw Haters With This Zinger Of A Tweet
Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
