And once more, read Ben Ryan’s reasoning on why England will prevail in tomorrow’s re-run of the 2007 Rugby World Cup final:

Jason Burke sums up feelings on South African soil ahead of tomorrow’s final against England. Could victory prove even more significant than the iconic victory in 1995, when Nelson Mandela famously wore a Boks shirt as he presented the Webb Ellis Cup to Francois Pienaar?

Gerard Meagher wonders why the likes of England’s Owen Farrell and Maro Itoje have not found their way on to the list of nominees for World Rugby’s player of the year award:

Here’s some more pre-World Cup final reading for you ...

Band of brothers: World Cup final words of wisdom from England siblings - Claire Tolley and Sean Ingle speak to the proud brothers of England’s World Cup final stars:

That will be all from me today. Thanks as always for reading - and for getting in touch with your thoughts via email and Twitter.

The dream sign-off for Gatland wasn’t to be - but as I wrote all the way back in August, before the Wales v Ireland warm-up match in Cardiff, he did not need a successful Rugby World Cup to ensure his legacy. A semi-final exit against South Africa certainly counts as a success, anyway, even if Wales can’t escape the feeling that they let a golden opportunity slip in those decisive dying minutes against the Boks.

Congratulations to Steve Hansen, to Gatland, to Kieran Read and Alun Wyn Jones on being such wonderful servants to their teams and to the sport.

Let’s hope the England v South Africa final proves a fitting end to the tournament. See you next time - bye for now.

Here’s a piece by Paul Rees with Siya Kolisi, the first black captain of the Springboks, who will lead his team into the fray against England in tomorrow’s final:

Mark Pougatch asks Gareth Thomas what this tournament has done for inclusivity and diversity: “I went Pride House [in Tokyo] last night and you know what, I went back to my room and I cried. I was so emotional...

“World Rugby has a big part to play. This game is new here, you have 120 million people here, you have to open it out to everybody. Rugby has a big part to play in this conversation [about diversity]. Through sport, and through accepting diversity within sport, we’re starting conversations that children might have with their parents, to have with their brothers, to have with their sisters ... allowing them to have a life that they never thought they could have. Sport has the power to ignite conversations with the power to change.”

“Don’t you love this man?” says Sean Fitzpatrick, sitting next to the Welshman.

Thomas adds: “If this was on television 15 years ago when I was contemplating suicide, I’m telling you now, I’d have sat down with my dad and had the conversation [about his sexuality].”

“A changing of the old guard.”

Read Paul Rees’ report of tonight’s match right here:

If you missed it, ITV’s feature on Alun Wyn Jones from before the semi-final, made by Gabriel Clarke and team, is an absolute must-watch.

Your challenge is to watch it and not get a lump in your throat when Jones looks back to his early days at Bonymaen RFC in Swansea:

Alun Wyn Jones walks away from the World Cup. But not from Wales, of course. He is not finished yet.

All Blacks winger Rieko Ioane has just swapped his boots in return for a Wales fan’s shirt. That’s not something you see every day. Will that lucky fan wear Ioane’s boots in the pub later?

Well done to my occasional colleague Rhodri Williams for capturing this inside the stadium!

All Blacks captain Kieran Read talks to Gabriel Clarke, who is interviewing people like a man possessed: “You’ve got to enjoy the moment. It’s a special time, something I’ll remember for a long time, having my family here to celebrate that last one. There’ll be plenty of time to reflect, and I guess we’ll have that feeling of not quite making what we wanted for a long time. But hey, it’s sport, and if the better team goes out there and wins, they win. I will look back fondly on my career, I’ve given it my all. There’s a few of us moving on ...it’s just a pleasure to put on this jersey and play for my country.”

Paul Pritchard has been in touch on Twitter, looking ahead to tomorrow:

“I’m an Englishman living in South Africa, married to a South African. So I can’t lose! But my money is on England. They destroyed NZ and if they play like that again ...”

Josh Adams speaks to ITV’s Gabriel Clarke: “It was a funny one really. Credit to New Zealand, they played with a great tempo and speed and didn’t let us set in defence. A little bit poor on our part at times, some sloppy tackles, but we had a never-say-die attitude and played with a bit more ball in hand this week, and the boys enjoyed that too. We’ve got to look at the positives and start moving forward. The new era begins now, everyone is looking forward to that, but everyone has to pay respects to “Gats” for what he’s achieved for the team and what he’s done for us as a country for the past 12 years. I can’t thank him enough for giving me the opportunity two years ago.”

You’ve got to wonder what might have happened if Wales had played with more ball in hand against South Africa in the semi-final. But is that too simplistic? Maybe South Africa just didn’t let them play. Certainly the counter-rucking of players like Du Toit is something that will worry England in the final when they look to put attacking phases together.

Fitzpatrick on Hansen: “He’s a good man manager. Everyone’s saying - ‘What’s New Zealand doing, they must be so depressed, and calling for resignations and all this.’ No, they’re not, and why aren’t they? Because that man and this team have done everything they could to achieve their goal of winning the World Cup. And unfortunately they came up against a very good English side who beat them.”

So, who is your money on for tomorrow’s final?

Ben Ryan thinks England have the variation in their attacking game to get the better of the Boks:

Hansen and his captain Read have a hug -

And here is World Rugby’s interview with Gatland:

Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones greets his children after his final outing at a Rugby World Cup:

“We’ve played pretty good footy all tournament. But one bad day, you lose a game, and you miss out.”

Steve Hansen speaks - and gets a rousing cheer from the stadium:

Hansen collects his medal now, and waves to the crowd. Meanwhile the Welsh players take time to bow to each side of the stadium.

Gatland speaks to ITV: “I was a bit disappointed at the end of the first half, to only be 21-10 down at half-time wouldn’t have been too bad, but for them to score a try right on half-time was disappointing. But look, the boys gave as much as they could. I thought for three or four players it was a game too far for them, you could see they were pretty tired...

“But the guys who came off the bench gave us energy and we played a lot better second half. Defensively we were a little bit soft tonight. I think we can enjoy tonight and celebrate what we’ve achieved...I just want to say thank you to everyone back in Wales, and the support I’ve had, I’ve loved my time, and hopefully I’ll be welcome back at some stage.”

It was an admirable showing by Wales, and although they didn’t win, they showed a lot of the qualities that Gatland has instilled in this team during his 12 years in charge. Josh Adams grabbed a seventh try of the tournament and he was outstanding throughout. Only Bryan Habana, Julian Savea and Jonah Lomu have scored more tries in a single tournament.

Wales’s challenge is to keep improving in Gatland’s absence - he is off back to New Zealand to coach the Chiefs in Super Rugby.

As for the All Blacks, they played some lovely stuff as you’d expect and signed off from Japan in style. Hansen and captain Read will be heartened to sign off with such a stylish win, even if their dream of a World Cup hat-trick was not to be.

Gareth Thomas on Wales: “They were really brave. There were times they could have given up, but they dug in.”

Sean Fitzpatrick on the All Blacks: “I take my hat off to them, they played very well tonight.”

Meanwhile, there are huge cheers for Hansen and Gatland in the stadium.

Here’s our on-the-whistle match report:

It would have been great to see Nigel Owens get the final. He’s a top-class referee, needless to say, but he’s also endlessly entertaining.

Wales fan Suzie Wilde praises today’s display from referee Wayne Barnes:

73 min: New Zealand put it through the hands as they move into the Wales half, including a couple of sumptuous off-loads by their captain Kieran Read. Then Mo’unga chips into space behind the Wales defence and Owen Lane is forced to touch down in-goal under pressure from the All Blacks fly-half. Now it’s a five-metre scrum for New Zealand as we approach the final five minutes.

72 min: Now there is fine work in defence from Welsh winger Adams, as he tidies up a kick towards the corner and then smashes through a double tackle to relieve the pressure on his team.

71 min: Skills from Beauden Barrett:

67 min: Now Wales attack - No 7 James Davies makes a strong burst on the left but he knocks on - however, Wayne Barnes takes it back for an earlier penalty. Wales kick for the corner as Gatland shares a joke up in the stands with his attack coach Stephen Jones. Wales don’t get the line-out quite right, at they try a training ground move, but keep possession through more phases with the All Blacks’ defence under considerable pressure. Jonathan Davies then tries a grubber kick, which doesn’t come off, and the All Blacks have the put-in at a defensive scrum.

65 min: Front-foot ball for New Zealand now. They win a penalty for Hadleigh Parkes not rolling away, and kick for the corner. The All Blacks want to sign off from this tournament with a few more tries ...

That amazing ovation for Alun Wyn Jones - he has two years left on his contract but surely he won’t be seen at the next World Cup?

58 min: Now Wales come again. A blacks wall of defenders is lined up on their try line. Davies tries, unsuccessfully, to dummy his way over ... then it’s a try for Josh Adams!

55 min: Wales stream into the All Blacks 22! It’s their best attack of the second half so far, but an Elliot Dee pass goes astray just as they are building momentum on the left wing. Now, Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones comes off to a gigantic ovation from the entire stadium. What a shift he has put in at this tournament - and throughout his career. Miles Harrison, on commentary, says broadcasters in the media section are on their feet to applaud Jones, too. Jake Ball comes on. Sonny Bill Williams and Ryan Crotty off for New Zealand, too, as Hansen makes five changes in one hit.

52 min: Let’s hope this final half an hour sees Wales fight back and avoid a real thrashing at the hands of the All Blacks, who are increasingly warming to their task. Gatland and his players don’t deserve that. They just need to find a bit of continuity and perhaps the odd gap in New Zealand’s defence. Which is easier said than done, of course.

50 min: A few photos from World Rugby’s Twitter? Go on then:

47 min: Aaron Shingler, Gareth Davies and Dan Biggar are on for Wales now. Moriarty, Williams, Patchell are off.

45 min: B. Barrett continues to look razor-sharp in possession. Now the All Blacks flood down the left wing, and Ben Smith is over for his hat-trick! Wayne Barnes wants the TMO to check first ... and it’s no try! Ioane patted an off load from Sonny Bill Williams to his left, which ended up in the hands of the onrushing Ben Smith. It’s ruled forward off Ioane’s hand. Those replays didn’t look conclusive to me - seems a touch harsh to rule it out and deny Smith a farewell treble.

Graeme Simpson emails from the land of the long white cloud:

“Watching live on Spark TV in NZ. There’s a one hour delay on free-to-air on TVONE, here.”

43 min: Rhys Carre and Elliot Dee on for Wales.

Half-time reading for you.

Paul Rees on how South Africa want a war of attrition in tomorrow’s final:

Andy Bull on England, defying stereotypes on their march to the final:

Jonny Wilkinson, who knows a thing or two about playing a World Cup final, dropped in on England training this week. Here is Gerard Meagher:

And last but by no means least - Robert Kitson spoke to today’s referee Wayne Barnes back in August:

See you in five minutes.

We wanted flowing, running rugby and that’s certainly what we’ve had from both sides. Wales have seen a couple of errors punished in the usual style by New Zealand, but if they can get the first score after the break, there is no question they can get back in this.

39 min: As we approach half-time, Wales move the ball into the All Blacks’ half, but then hooker Ken Owens coughs up a penalty for going off his feet at a ruck. Wales are making mistakes here and there, which is of course a sign of the pressure they’re being put under by their opponents.

Mary K Dearsley emails:

“Once again NZers have no free to air live coverage, so following you again. (Have had a week in Cook Islands where all RWC games were free to air live).”

All Blacks fans unable to watch their team on TV yet again! Shocking, it really is.

29 min: Scrum penalty for Wales from referee Wayne Barnes. Patchell finds touch in the right-hand corner. Another good platform for Wales but the line-out is spoiled by those pesky All Blacks, there is a knock-on, and New Zealand get the put-in at a defensive scrum. Aaron Smith claps excitedly at the decision. This is a good contest and none of these players look to be ‘on the beach’ just yet, so to speak.

23 min: This is breathless, brilliant stuff. Both teams running it from all over the place. A massive looping pass by Patchell finds Welsh numbers waiting on the left wing and All Blacks full-back Barrett, one-on-one with Adams, pulls off an excellent tackle to stop another Welsh score.

21 min: New Zealand look very dangerous every time they get the ball in hand. They are enjoying the kind of space that was impossible to find in the semi-final against England last week. But Wales aren’t short of attacking threat themselves and after another All Blacks raid, they try to run it back from out of their own 22 through scrum-half Tomos Williams.

16 min: Wales so nearly over for the try! Josh Adams is fed by Williams after an attacking line-out and he superbly bounces and twists out of a couple of tackles and is stopped just a metre short. Then the ball is carried over the try line but it’s held up, and taken back for a penalty to Wales. They kick to the corner and go through some more phases near the New Zealand line.

11 min: The New Zealand scrum is under huge pressure at the first engagement, around halfway. But their No 9 Aaron Smith collects the ball and charges down the left wing ...

8 min: Wales now have a bash at the other end. Tomos Williams has a dart on the right, before the ball is moved back left, and James Davies does brilliantly to mop up a loose pass and keep the move going. But the All Blacks eventually repel the danger.

4 min: New Zealand win a very kickable penalty through their first attack, but Richie Mo’unga misses it from a centre-right position.

1 min: New Zealand kick their first possession back to their opponents, and Wales immediately cause them problems when they run the ball back, Patchell with a beautiful reverse off-load to Adams, who storms into space on the right behind the defensive line when a big gap opens up. But New Zealand win a penalty at the resulting breakdown and the danger is cleared.

A few pre-match thoughts from Don E, in Sydney, on email: “Great to see the stadium full. Two proud rugby nations are going to play their hearts out. I think the NZ nation is hurting more and their team will seek to give them hope.”

Before the anthems, a moment of silence for the victims of typhoon Hagibis.

Well, this is sweet. A letter to Wales from Tomoko, a Japanese fan who has followed the team around Japan with her two sons since they arrived in Kitakyushu. “Thank you for giving me a dream ... please not be injured.”

The teams are walking out on to the pitch, so the anthems and the haka are just moments away ... Don’t forget, you can email me or tweet any thoughts on the match - see above for details!

A pre-match chinwag for Hansen and Gatland:

A few words from Steve Hansen before kick-off, speaking to ITV:

“There’s a focus on wanting to go out and play well. It’s been a tough week, it’s been different…For us we’re excited by this match, they’ve trained well and I’m proud of the lads. My job this week is to make sure we perform.”

Sonny Bill Williams is another player set to sign off from All Blacks duty today.

“The enigmatic but highly influential talisman, who will almost certainly leave New Zealand rugby after Friday night’s bronze medal match in Tokyo, will depart as he started – dividing opinion like no All Black ever has before.”

Here’s Matt McILraith:

After England’s response to the haka last weekend, will Wales do something different today?

Here’s Eleanor Ainge Roy reporting from New Zealand on the response to how England met the challenge last week:

Gatland talks to ITV: “It’s not the game we want to be in, but it’s against the All Blacks, so it’s something to get motivated about. The boys have trained well in the last couple of days…it’s a chance for some youngsters to go out there and impress…there’s a lot at stake and we want to go out and give a good performance. Steve Hansen will be a big loss to New Zealand rugby.”

Is this a meaningless match? Ex-All Black and ITV pundit Sean Fitzpatrick isn’t having any of that: “It’s easy to have good character when you win all the time. When you don’t win, you’ve got to take it on the chin, you’ve got to pull together. This is a massive game for New Zealand rugby, they need to finish this tournament on a high.”

Gareth Thomas speaking on ITV: “I’ve played in teams that I felt, ‘We’ve beaten New Zealand’. But you switch off for 10 seconds, and you look at the scoreboard, and suddenly you’re behind. If a Welsh team can beat New Zealand in this era it will push us forward, because that psychological barrier will be gone.”

Kick-off is coming up in less than 30 minutes.

Take some time to read Paul Rees’ preview, in which he mentions that current Japan coach Jamie Joseph is now regarded as in the running to be the next New Zealand coach: