The Wallabies are through to the semi-final. In a gripping quarter-final, where there was inches between Australia and South Africa, Australia showed that they really and truly have the ability to face those big moments and grasp them with both hands.
Sitting with close friends gathered around the TV, as James O’Connor took the kick that sent the Wallabies into the lead, it became apparent that this was not a one-time thing.
Both O’Connor and Beale have now kicked us to success at a crucial time of a match, multiple times in the last few international seasons.
Criticism has rung out that the Springboks played the better game, but possession does not equate to the better game.
The monumental defensive effort of the Australian team won them the semi-final spot and as Toby Flood aptly put it, “The scoreboard does not lie.”
The two magic numbers being thrown out are 76% territory and 56% possession. That means that 61 minutes of the game were played inside the Wallabies half.
Nevertheless, while the South Africans dominated the possession and territory, the Australians held them tryless with 147 tackles.
Kurtley Beale has had an outstanding World Cup so far and is now in doubt. Hopefully, Beale will be found fit as Anthony Fainga’a has not had a strong tournament.
One of the possibilities to cover for Beale’s absence would be to place Fainga’a in the starting side at outside centre.
This poses problems as Ioane, McCabe and Ashley Cooper have formed a strong defensive trio in the centre of the field.
Berrick’s inclusion would be a popular decision for the public with a lot of criticism currently centered around Quade Cooper’s current form.
Should Beale find himself unfit to play, AAC could well find himself unchanged and McCabe shifted to fullback, a position he coveted at the Brumbies, until injuries forced his centre transition this year. This would see Barnes take up the inside centre mantle.
Barnes can defend well, he spent time matching up to much larger opponents during his stint at the Brisbane Broncos before he played at the Queensland Reds.
The difference is the impact that Barnes’ defence has on the game that shall not be as evident as the influential defence we have seen from McCabe and AAC.
The way the Wallaby backs organise themselves for Sunday’s match could well decide the result of the match.
In the forwards, Pocock is showing that he is more than a match for Richie McCaw. Now with confirmation last week that McCaw is not in full health, David Pocock will be the clear front leader to win the breakdown battle this weekend.
The rest of the Wallaby forwards must prove that they are capable of playing a near-faultless game. The All Blacks forward pack are sure to play to their usual brilliance and without the Australians matching them up front, the result is almost a foregone conclusion.
Should the Australian forwards meet the challenge that the All Blacks offer and provide a platform for the Australian backs, the Wallabies could find themselves in that favourites position for next week’s final.
In that case, if you are wearing yellow and in Auckland, leave quickly. Preferably before the end of the match.
bob
Guest
hopefully justice will prevail and the wallabies will get thrashed, bryce will have a fatal accident and god willing the IRB will get their act together for the next WC. Oh and Pocock runs away with a Transvestite to thailand never to be heard of again.
mace22
Guest
No way all blacks to win easily. No nation crushing going on this sunday. Predict all blacks to win by 15+. Cruden to win player of the match. Also when blacks win the cup people will be saying dan who.
Shaun
Guest
Great article mate, definitely a game of inches on the weekend! Huge point of difference over your suggestion of Pat Mcabe at fullback. Although he may be up to scratch for Super Rugby, for mine he is the starting no. 12 or not in the 22. Much better would be Quade named at 15, Barnes at 10. In defense the only difference would be where to put Barnes, with Quade at the back whilst in attack they would both be potential playmakers.
Krasnoff of Noosa
Guest
ok, here is a thought: because the 'brat pack' can do as it pleases, Deans has no handle on the likely performance for Sunday. Either Cooper plays WITH the team or he should be left out because he is the wild card that could cost the match
Strayan
Guest
Joubert will penalise the Wallabies for hands inthe ruck and not rolling away. He'll get Samo for flopping down on the ground behind the tackled player. Weepu will steadily score the three-pointers. Canny McCaw will use a cloak of invisibility. Behind on penalties, a dull defensive game will creak along until Cooper starts trying ever more outlandish moves . . . suddently Genia darts through a gap! At this point the crystal ball broke.
Simon Moore
Guest
90% Rain, that is a massive spanner in the works, hope against hope for that 10% dry wallabies fans!
jumpers
Guest
The ABs have had a good workout with the Argies and kept their composure to win. Kahui and Dagg will return to the fold and this will give the ABs further attacking options. The forwards had a tough grind up front battle and performed well under pressure. So the ABs are well prepared for the difficult battle ahead. As to the Wannabes they were battered and smashed But the question is can they put 2 performances together with the same comittment for 80mins? Their bench warmers will be exposed for wat it is a lack of depth. The weather forecast is for 90% rain. May the best prepared team win!
Uncle Argyle
Guest
I enjoyed your article. Like all Wallaby fans I am hoping that Kurtley Beale is fit to play come sunday. Although I like Berrick Barnes I would not want him to start at 12 as that is where I anticipate the All Blacks through Nonu, Williams and co will concentrate on getting over the gain line. With McCaw not at full fitness and having the impressive David Pocock on his heels I am not sure if the All Blacks will look to be too expansive early on as they need Richie to be there to secure the ball and the best chances of that is playing in a closer chanel. Barnes is a stout defender but I think his true qualities are in his ability to manage the game. It would be a shame to use him as a tackling machine like McCabe, Horne or Fainga'a who in my mind are much more suited in the 12 role for this match against the All Blacks. Barnes will play his part in the 22 and come on later in the game. If KB is not fit I would move JOC to 15 and bring Turner onto the wing.
Ivan Nel
Roar Rookie
interesting. Defense does win matches, The Boks showed it in 07, and again in this cup with the best defensive record of all the teams. 61 minutes in wallas half, was negated by the ref not giving any penalties (i wont say he was more unfair to one than the other, even though i believe it, thats another debate). The point is that the boks game has for a long time been based on kicking penalties that result from applying pressure in the opposition half. When you dont get the penalties because the ref decides to let the game flow, then their gameplan is stifled. They didnt have what the wallabies usually have, and kiwis almost always do - the attacking flair to score the tries (even though they could have had two were it not for marginal calls). So in the end, the Boks lost because they couldnt get the kicks to tick the scoreboard over - you speak of fantastic wallaby defense, yet they couldnt get out of there 22 -id say, the boks defended the half way line like it was their tryline. So their defense was just as good then wasnt it. Wallabies were outplayed, and if they dont lift themselves 100% - they will lose to the kiwis. i dont really care who wins anymore, i just hope the better team does and the ref doesnt have any influence on the outcome. Good luck all the teams left, we are hoping to see some hard rugby - the bone crunching type.
Ivan Nel
Roar Rookie