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Right then, time to get serious. World rugby supremacy will be awarded within the next three weekends, but before that, some dreams will be dashed and early flights will be required.
The Springboks have named their most experienced side in their history, with some 836 Test caps among their number. Interestingly, coach Peter de Villiers has retained Captain John Smit at hooker, and left one of the form players of the pool stage, Bismarck du Plessis, on the bench.
Likewise, there’s no room for “the Beast”, Tendai Mtawarira, in the South African 22 at all, and Bakkies Botha has now been ruled out of the tournament.
But none of that is likely to upset the ‘Boks very obvious game plan, and with Morne Steyn among the tournaments very best kickers of the flash new Gilbert, the Wallabies will know what they’re up against.
But knowing is one thing. Acting accordingly is something very different again. Already, much has been made of the appointment of referee Bryce Lawrence. The critics will point to all sort of stats that suggest Lawrence is hard on the Wallabies, but that cannot be a factor going into this game.
In fact, the equation is simple, as Roarer Snobby Deans so beautifully put it yesterday: “Adapt to the whistle or pack your bags.”
The Wallabies name their side at 11:30am AEDT today, and all eyes will be heading straight down the list to No.12, to see which inside centre Robbie Deans has named. Berrick Barnes can’t have done any more than he has in his Australian comeback to earn the Quarter Final start, yet all the mail around still points to Pat McCabe getting the nod.
I can’t fault McCabe’s performances at 12 so far this year, and I think he’s done exactly the job asked of him with so much creativity around him. But Barnes has just been irresistible in the 121 minutes he’s played so far in RWC2011. Moreover, his presence has had an obvious calming effect on those around him, particularly Quade Cooper.
Calmness in high pressure situations is like gold, and I hope too much isn’t been made of both the Wallabies wins over the ‘Boks this year.
I guess the other big question will be whether Nathan Sharpe or Dan Vickerman partners skipper James Horwill in the second row. South Africa are expecting Sharpe, but it remains to be seen if the Wallaby selectors are accommodating.
In the other Quarters:
• Just how fit is Richie McCaw?
• Is Martin Johnson having the classic bit each way, with Jonny Wilkinson at 10, and Toby Flood at 12? and..
• Has there been a more mouth-watering prospect this tournament than Ireland-Wales tomorrow afternoon?
Anyway, join me today for an hour from 12:30, and we’ll see if we can’t tackle the big issues leading into the sudden death clashes.