The Clash: Who deserves to win X Factor?

Who should win X Factor NZ?

The X Factor finale is nigh. Duncan Greive, Joanna Hunkin and Russell Baillie evaluate the chances of the final three acts.

Duncan Greive is #teamnyssa

When this season started, Nyssa Collins didn't immediately look a contender. She didn't have the demon yowl or tortured posture of a Stevie "Hatbeard" Tonks. Nor did she have the too-friendly sibling bond of Fare Thee Well, or Steve Broad's gross "sexy teacher" hook.

Judge Stan Walker with Nyssa Collins.

She has always, always looked spectacular, like a Polynesian Betty Davis, and had enough sass to put her boobs on Ed Sheeran's back, for reasons that still remain unclear. But it is her singing that should carry her to victory. Rather than delivering a signature performance and then slowly wilting, like most of her competition, she built methodically, precisely, determinedly. Most importantly, of the three remaining contenders, she is the only one without deep flaws: The Vibes are a boomer-baiting, pub-ready 60s covers band; Beau is a beatboxer. This coming Sunday she will come out, sing a simple song with power and grace. And then she will win. Because it is the right result, and because otherwise John Oliver will make fun of us all over again.

Joanna Hunkin is #teambeau

I called it the first time I saw him. Beau Monga stood out from the crowd of hopeful and delusional as someone with the genuine X factor. It's been a bumpy road for the beat-boxing, break dancing, loop pedal master since then but my faith has never wavered. And in recent weeks the reluctant star has pulled it together to win over the judges and the crowd.

Beau Monga.

But perhaps what I like most about Beau is the fact he's never fully bought into The X Factor format. He's always slightly uncomfortable standing in front of the judges and doesn't play up to Bowden's fake bonhomie. He knows there's a long road after the show if he wants to make it in the industry. There's no such thing as an instant ticket to fame and of all the remaining contestants - and those already gone - you get the sense Beau is the one who really understands how it is out there. Back in the real world.

Unlike others who have hammed it up on stage, Beau is at his best behind-the-scenes. When he's relaxed and mischievous, just being himself. And that guy is a star.

Russell Baillie is #teambt&thevibes

Brendon Thomas and The Vibes.

Brendon Thomas and the Vibes should win the X Factor NZ. Mainly because they've made it a whole lot more fun by crashing the party in this first year that instrument-playing bands have been allowed.

Week after mostly tedious week, out have come the solo singers to faux emote - or in Beau Monga's case, beatbox - as if their lives depended on it. But that tsunami of chart treacle has been regularly diverted by fleet-fingered wee Brendon and his tall goofy, groovy mates making yet another unholy racket.

True, sometimes these young fogies milked it way past anyone's musical lactose tolerance levels. Last weekend's Imagine/ You Can't Always Get What You Want medley was bloody awful. They did a version of My Generation the other night that was more energy drink ad than the original's two-fingered salute. Ah well. That they've got this far feels like the whole show's been punked. Winning it would complete the prank - pop reality show won by music geek blues band. That would never happen anywhere else in the world. Other reason for a BT&V win? As as a group they have each other for support when those post-X Factor obscurity blues kick in.

- TimeOut