England's Billy Vunipola is perhaps close to fulfilling coach Eddie Jones’ prediction that he could become the best No.8 in the world but he has one more box to tick in Saturday’s World Cup final against the Springboks.
Vunipola was at his bullish best in England’s semifinal win over New Zealand last weekend and his head to head with South Africa’s Duane Vermeulen is likely to be one of the key duels in Saturday’s title match.
Vunipola needs no reminders of what Vermeulen brings, having lost to the South African on all three occasions he has faced him for England.
NEMESIS: Duane Vermeulen. Picture: Christiaan Kotze/AP.
The England No.8 explains: “He just played better. I’ve played against them a few times and he’s got up so I’m going to try my best to win that little battle.
“I played against him last June and he was monumental in terms of getting them those two victories.
“Not just me, but we’ve got to try and negate his influence.”
KICKING GAME: England will be ready for Faf's high balls. Picture: Issei Kato/Reuters.
Having seen how South Africa approached their game against Wales last Sunday, England are not expecting a radical change of tack in the final.
Faf de Klerk is likely to rain high balls down on England’s defence and send his big men crashing into them.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/RWCFinal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RWCFinal.
Our market gives England a 63.3% implied chance of winning with the Springboks rated at 33.3%. https://t.co/L6QaZr0G91 pic.twitter.com/WwlflgFVMA
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It will not be a place for bangbroeke, with England defence coach John Mitchell warning: “What we are going to witness are the two most powerful rugby teams in the world.
“They are both strong, well coached, the gain-line is going to be huge.”