The two best teams in the world contest the Rugby World Cup final this weekend, with New Zealand and Australia both seeking to lift the Webb Ellis Cup for the third time. The match more than likely will also be Richie McCaw's last in an All Blacks jumper so the Kiwis have the added motivation of wanting to send him, Dan Carter, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith and Keven Mealamu into their sunset years on a winning note.

New Zealand have been the title favourites since long before the tournament kicked off, and they have showed with their knockout victories over France and South Africa that they are still stepping things up a notch after unconvincing performances in the pool games had led some people to question their status.

The transformation of the Wallabies under Michael Cheika after he picked up the pieces from Ewen McKenzie has been phenomenal, with his ability to get the best out of each individual player amazing. Cheika has his players on deck to share one common goal, and that's noticeable in their dedication and determination to work for one another, and their belief in the team's structures and policies.

I am sure we will see an exhibition of running rugby, but I think the final first and foremost will be a physically brutal encounter that will test the players to the limits of their physical and mental capabilities. No aspect of the final will be as physical and brutal as the breakdown so I've assessed the merits of the back-rowers as they'll be key in deciding the outcome.

Jerome Kaino© Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

The Blindsides: Jerome Kaino and Scott Fardy

Jerome Kaino has been a solid performer for the New Zealand All Blacks over a number of years, known to bring bone-rattling hits in defence along with slick handling skills in attack. He is a damaging runner who has nailed down the No.6 position for the All Blacks and excelled in all games during the Rugby World Cup. The Aussies must control him if they are to win at Twickenham.

Scott Fardy has been the unsung hero of the Wallabies during this World Cup. He is a very humble person who does not receive the accolades like others, but his team-mates and ESPN colleague Sam Bruce know he is integral with his tireless work ethic and breakdown abilities. His pilfering partnership with David Pocock has been a key part of Australia's campaign in producing vital turnovers. He is also essential in the lineout, particularly when Australia play both Hooper and Pocock in the back-row, and I think we can expect another big performance from him this weekend.

Scott Fardy© Dan Mullan/Getty Images

The Opensides: Richie McCaw and Michael Hooper

Richie McCaw is a legend not only of New Zealand rugby but also world rugby. He is a player who has achieved everything in rugby, and has conducted himself both on the world stage and personally at the very highest level. The All Blacks - New Zealand as a whole - will want to send him out as a winner. He is one of the most respected rugby players to have played the game - he is a three-time World Player of the Year - and this game in front of a full house will bring out an enormous amount of emotions for him. I think we will see McCaw at his best this weekend testing the rules of the breakdown and playing the game right on the edge.

Michael Hooper is a tireless worker with a big engine who never takes a backward step; it is fair to say that he is not the biggest flanker to play Test football, but he battles well above his playing weight week in week out. He is very difficult to tackle due to his low running style and ability to swivel through players, and his determination to keep the legs pumping through the tackle will create attacking opportunities for the Wallabies.

Michael Hooper© Dan Mullan/Getty Images

Richie McCaw© Martin Bureau/AFP/Getty Images

The No.8s: Kieran Read and David Pocock

Kieran Read is a vital leader in the All Blacks hierarchy, alongside McCaw, and he will be doing everything in his power to send his captain and the other senior players out as winners. He is a vital component of the All Blacks lineout, winning ball at crucial moments, and a damaging ball carrier who consistently makes the advantage line. Read's work ethic is impeccable and he is always competing at the breakdown, looking for that turnover or looking to get that magic ball away to attacking players. We have not seen the best of Kieran Read, as noted by my ESPN colleague Craig Dowd, but the grand stage on the weekend is made for him to showcase his unique talents.

Kieran Read© Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

David Pocock© Dan Mullan/Getty Images

David Pocock has had an impressive World Cup campaign to date, topping the pilfering statistics despite missing the second pool match through rotation and the quarterfinal against Scotland with a calf injury. He is believed by many people, including ESPN colleague Greg Growden, to be Australia's key performer, and he has proven his worth with man-of-the-match performances marked by his willingness always to put his body on the line for his team-mates. No one sheds more blood for the Wallabies. It is players such as Pocock whom we, as spectators, love to watch because he never takes a backward step and always makes the most of every opportunity. Pocock is a warrior of the modern game whose ability to win turnover ball is incredible, and I believe Australia would not be in the World Cup final if not for his ability in this area.

The six starting back-rowers are all game changers, players we love to play alongside, players who never think about their body but are driven to gain the maximum outcome for their team. You look to them to step up at key moments throughout a game - to make that vital play to create the key result - and I will be watching them particularly closely in the final.