Rugby World Cup 2023 final: Dalton Papali'i on New Zealand's 'Easy Company' facing South Africa's 'Bomb Squad'

All Blacks flanker Dalton Papali'i says they must "give it hell" to overcome South Africa and their 'Bomb Squad' of replacements in the World Cup final.

The Springboks were struggling before their bench - who they refer to as the Bomb Squad - turned the tide and helped beat England 16-15 in their semi-final.

Papali'i acknowledged the South African bench's reputation, but says the All Blacks have their own "Easy Company".

The flanker says the Bomb Squad have proven themselves that they can come on and change the game like that.

He says whoever's on their bench will need to really be screwed on up top and give them hell.

Papali'i, 26, replaced All Blacks skipper Sam Cane in the knockout stage wins over Ireland and Argentina.

He explained that he is in a group of team-mates who are watching television series Band of Brothers, which is based on the World War Two activities of the US Army's 'Easy Company'.

Papali'i says he made a little joke, you know they've got the Bomb Squad, so we can have 'Easy Company’.

He says they want to go on and finish the job and be in the trenches.

Source: BBC