The Wallabies are sweating on the fitness of prop Scott Sio and the stability of their scrum may depend on his dodgy elbow.
The Wallabies first‑choice loosehead sat out the World Cup semifinal win over Argentina and their much‑improved scrum went backwards as a result.
Pumas tighthead Ramiro Herrera had a field day with Sio's replacement, James Slipper.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika is making positive noises about Sio's recovery, expecting him to play through the pain.
But if his elbow does not allow him to bind on captain Stephen Moore, All Blacks Owen Franks and Charlie Faumuina will be privately licking their lips at the prospect of having a crack at Slipper, who conceded three penalties against the Pumas.
The All Blacks lost veteran loosehead Tony Woodcock to a tournament‑ending hamstring injury but Wyatt Crockett is expected to regain the starting role and push Joe Moody to the bench after recovering from a groin complaint that saw him miss the semifinal win over the Springboks.
The lineout will be another area the All Blacks will back themselves to get on top.
Dual opensides David Pocock and Michael Hooper offer the Wallabies a double‑pronged presence at the breakdown but leave them one jumper down at the lineout.
Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Kieran Read and Victor Vito are sure to try and exploit that potential vulnerability.
Meanwhile the tickets for final are selling for up to FJD$54,300 on online ticket markets in the UK.
The final between the All Blacks and the Wallabies will kick off at 5am Sunday.
Prince Harry will present the winners of the World Cup with the William Webb Ellis Cup.
If the All Blacks retain the title they won in New Zealand four years ago, Richie McCaw will become the first captain in history to lift the trophy twice.
