They had three simple questions to answer: 1) Who will win? 2) Why? and 3) What's the score?

STIRLING MORTLOCK, former Wallabies back

1. Wallabies

2. To win the Wallabies need to dominate or at least get  parity at scrum time, need to improve in the lineout and need to tighten up our defensive structures. I can't wait for the battle of the breakdown in this decider as Michael Hooper, Scott Fardy and David Pocock have combined so well in this tournament and been so dominant. If the Wallabies are dominant in this area of the game – which I expect us to be - we are a decent chance!

3. 27-24

BRENDON McCULLUM, Black Caps captain

1. All Blacks

2. Best horse in the race

3. 29-14

OWEN FINEGAN, former Wallabies flanker

1. Wallabies

2. These teams are very evenly matched at the moment. Since the 2011 World Cup the All Blacks have been streaks ahead of their opponents. I think Michael Cheika and his three assistants Nathan Grey, Stephen Larkham and Mario Ledesma have instilled a wonderful belief, physical intensity and tenacity in this group of proud Wallabies. The challenge for the Wallabies is to take their opportunities when the momentum of the game is in their favour.

3. 29-27

TANA UMAGA, Blues coach and former All Blacks captain

1. New Zealand

2. The tough thing for the All Blacks is the expectation and how they deal with that against a Wallabies side that has nothing to lose. The All Blacks can't afford to go insular and must keep doing what got them to the final.

3. We'll still win the World Cup if we win by one point as we've done before!

JEREMY PAUL, former Wallabies hooker

1. Australia

2. Our back row! Pocock, Hooper and Fardy's combination has been the difference. If we played the Pumas without Pocock we could be talking about a different final. All great teams have the right mix when it comes to the back row the battle between Richie McCaw, Jerome Kaino and Kieran Read will determine the outcome.

3. 21-20 (Wallabies will lead by 8 with 10 minutes to go and the All Blacks will score at the death)

LAURIE MAINS, former All Blacks coach and player

1. All Blacks

2. It will be a really competitive game but across the board our players are a bit better than Australia and we've definitely got more strike power in our backs and that could be the difference. We'll score one or two more tries than them in what should be a really entertaining game.

3. All Blacks to win by somewhere between 7 and 11 points.

MATT BURKE, former Wallabies fullback

1. Wallabies

2. Because of their reinvigorated scrum that allows them to play flatter in the backs. You can actually get the ball to the line. Rather than play them on back foot ball, they are able to get that front foot ball. That has been the key to their victories so far, the scrum has been able to get parity.

3. 19-17

JOHN HART, former All Blacks coach

1. All Blacks

2. They've had the better preparation. Australia are starting to take the toll of a very difficult, physical pool round and quarter and semis. They're also losing a bit of their edge compared with where I see the All Blacks who are in pretty good shape and don't seem to have any major injury worries.

3. I think it will be closer than some people think. I think it will be a 9-point game.

DANNY GREEN, boxer

1. Australia

2. I love the way David Pocock and Michael Hooper put everything on the line when they play. The way they play has to lift their team-mates and inspire them to give their all, like that big bearded bloke [Scott Fardy] the other night. He was sensational and what [Fardy] Hooper and Pocock have proven is the Wallabies have the grit and guts that's needed to win the World Cup.

3. 24-12

MIKE HESSON, Black Caps coach

1. All Blacks

2. Not just their overall consistency, but also their form leading into tournament. They make good decisions under pressure and have a superb group of leaders on the field.

3. 23-19

ANTHONY MINICHIELLO, former Kangaroo

1. Australia

2. I think Michael Cheika has done a great job and it's inspiring to see the passion the Wallabies are playing with and the cameraderie within the team. They can do it but they'll need to play at their absolute best as the All Blacks are a sensational team. I can't wait to see it.

3. It will be very close.

JOHN KEY, Prime Minister of New Zealand

1. All Blacks

2. The All Blacks are one of only a few teams that have played in the Rugby World Cup and won. They have a huge depth of experience and that makes them formidable opponents.

3. 27-12

LOTE TUQIRI, former Wallaby and Kangaroo

1. Wallabies

2. I just think it's our time. We've timed our run in this campaign well and we have a great mix in the squad that is hungry and Michael Cheika has created confidence in depth now. Seems as though Cheika's confidence in players backing themselves has instilled calmness, accountability and clarity within the squad.

3. 22-17

PETER BURLING, Team New Zealand helmsman

1. All Blacks

2. Because they are the All Blacks and their winning record speaks for itself. They make a habit of winning under pressure.

3. 20-12

ANNA MEARES, Australian 11 times world track cycling champion

1. Wallabies

2. I can't not back the Aussies! I think it's going to be a hard fought, tight tussle. Wouldn't expect anything less with the history of these two teams.

3. 21-18

LAURA LANGMAN, Silver Ferns vice-captain

1. Silly question, really. Definitely the ABs.

2. They're the complete package across the field. By the sounds everyone's fit and player loads have been monitored well and they've got that X-factor.

3. 32-26. I'm hoping for a try-fest.

​GLEN ELLA, former Wallaby

1. Wallabies

2. They have got the belief. They actually believe it. I have said from the start, whatever side Australia puts in every competition - whether it is tiddlywinks, chess or rugby league or rugby union - they are going to compete. Sure, they might have had a couple of lucky breaks, but that is the way it goes. They believe in themselves. You are halfway there if that happens.

3. 22-16

VALERIE ADAMS, two-time Olympic and four-time world shot put champion

1 The All Blacks of course!!!

2. You can see that they have prepared so well, the environment looks like it's just humming and they all seem so comfortable as a team and as individuals. They are world class in sport and it will shine through.

3. I'm going to go with 29-14. A final flourish.

DEAN VICKERMAN, Australian coach of the New Zealand Breakers in the National Basketball League

1. All Blacks

2. From what I've I've read the clarity of purpose and the role definition of the All Blacks is outstanding. Their experienced leadership and ability to keep a clear head when the game gets tight will be the difference. Strong defence and some individual attacking brilliance are required in big games and I believe the ABs have these areas more than covered. As an Aussie it is never easy to pick against the Wallabies. I love the job Michael Cheika has done and look forward to a great battle. Being a stat man, I also note it's 2-2 on neutral grounds. We'll have the stands full at Atlas Place watching it unfold on Sunday morning.

3. 18-13.

BEN MATULINO, Kiwis league player

1. All Blacks for sure

2. They've been in that situation a lot of times. The All Blacks forwards are a lot different to how they used to be when they were one dimensional, you've got hookers on the wings scoring tries and there are threats across the park. The same team has stuck together for a number of years and built up their combinations.

3. 27-14

KODI NIKORIMA, Kiwis league player

1. All Blacks

2. They've got experience on their side. I think there are seven players who'll be putting on the jersey for the last time I believe. They've been at the top for years and I'm hoping that gets them over the top of the Wallabies.

3 23-17