5. WINGERS: WILL JORDAN VS CHESLIN KOLBE
Without a doubt, New Zealand wing Will Jordan has been one of the stars of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The Crusaders star has lit up the competition with scintillating line-breaks, and lifts the fans from their seats every time he sees half a gap. Jordan enters the Rugby World Cup Final as the leading try-scorer, with an impressive eight tries to his name.
A semi-final hat-trick saw him run riot on Argentina, with a quarter-final score against Ireland being his most important try so far. The 25-year-old had an entertaining pool stage, as he crossed over for two scores each against Italy and Uruguay. Jordan should be entering the competition one short of double-digits, yet Richie Mo’unga denied him a clear try-scoring opportunity, and decided to go alone in the latter stages against Los Pumas.
Jordan is second in clean breaks with 12, just one shy of the competition’s leader Damien Penaud. The Crusaders flyer is certainly one of the All Blacks’ danger-men heading into the Stade de France, with the Springboks out to nullify the exhilarating threat he brings along the touch-line. Opposing Jordan in the Rugby World Cup Final is South African sensation Cheslin Kolbe, who needs no introduction on the biggest stages.
Kolbe enters the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final with the goal of replicating his magic, that won the Springboks the Web Ellis trophy four years ago. Kolbe scored a stunning solo try against Eddie Jones’ England, and returns to the final with the goal of ruining the day for Ian Fosters men.
There is added weight on Kolbe’s shoulders, as the 29-year-old is without his 2019 RWC winning parter Makazole Mapimpi, after the winger’s untimely head injury in the pool stages. Kolbe has since partnered alongside Kurt-Lee Arundse, who is one of the few ‘Boks talents that was not in Japan four years ago.
Kolbe has made six clean breaks so far in France, and scored tries against the toughest of opponents. The winger crossed over in South Africa’s pool stage defeat to Ireland, and added a key score in his side’s quarter-final triumph over France. It is a real case of blink and you’ll miss it this Saturday, with the touch-lines set to be lit-up by some high octane sprinters.