This superb Rugby World Cup has the final it deserves, between the two best sides in the tournament, New Zealand and Australia.
World Cup semi-finals are unique, emotionally wrenching experiences. A case of ‘so near yet so far’ for the losers, and almost unbearable expectation for the winners, like a climber about to conquer Everest who hopefully peers skyward only to find the summit is still an excruciating few hours climb away.
Post-mortems are notably shorter, as attention quickly shifts to the build-up for the final. After the unseemly public flogging of Craig Joubert last week, that can only be a good thing.
While both semi-finals were always in the balance, on reflection both results are easily understood.
In what may be dubbed the ‘battle of the blood noses’, the Wallabies’ intensity and execution proved far more suited to the occasion than the Pumas, a direct outcome of last week’s contrasting quarter-finals.
The Wallabies needed to lift their speed and aggression in defence and duly started with a purpose that the Pumas couldn’t accommodate.
Argentina meanwhile were seemingly still playing Ireland, but without the time and space afforded to them in that match. Too often they were caught out bumbling behind the advantage line, their ambition seemingly ahead of their capability, when a more realistic premise would have been to play more field position.
Similarly, the speed of the Wallabies recycle and passing accuracy left them exposed on the outside, the early tries providing a critical buffer for when the inevitable fightback came.
The key difference however was in the loose forwards, with David Pocock, Michael Hooper and Scott Fardy monumental. Their tackling and breakdown pressure never relented, and ultimately proved the difference.
It isn’t too much of a stretch to suggest that the pivotal moment of this match came two days earlier, with confirmation of Pocock’s selection. As much as this Wallabies side has matured, there is a yawning difference between ‘Pocock in’ and ‘Pocock out’.
And as if there was any credibility left, the maligned ‘man of the match’ selection took another hit, by ignoring the claims of Pocock, clearly the dominant player on the field.
The structure went from the game in the second half, and with it the Wallabies looked more vulnerable, but although the Pumas created numerous half chances, the quality of the scrambling defence was admirable.
Argentina were also unable to cash in on their scrum dominance, the final 15 minutes notable for the lack of scrums. Ultimately it was a nice pass from replacement half-back Nick Phipps which put Drew Mitchell away on the left, to expertly set up the winning score.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen’s public declaration that he “couldn’t care less” who his side plays in the final is another sign that this tournament has, for them, always been about the All Blacks being masters of their own destiny.
Such a strategy borders on arrogance, but only to the point where it is understandable that a side that loses so infrequently needs to set its own standards to play to, to ensure continuation of high-level performance.
Thus we see different game plans rolled out from week to week, adjusted for each specific opponent, location and occasion. Arch rival South Africa in a cut-throat, elimination semi-final is as tough a test as there is, yet, despite cutting it fine on the scoreboard, the All Blacks got their tactics and execution right.
After early success getting Jerome Kaino free on the touchline, the All Blacks were confused by South Africa borrowing Muhammad Ali’s ‘rope-a-dope’ defence, where they might reasonably have expected a typical high-octane midfield rush.
While the Springbok defensive line may have been surprisingly passive, the intensity and technique in the tackle certainly wasn’t, and the All Blacks spent the rest of the first half bashing their heads up against a brick wall.
Consensus has it that, Wayne Barnes aside, the All Blacks signed their own death warrant at the 2007 World Cup, by either refusing to, or being incapable of, adjusting their tactics, to counter an immovable defensive wall.
This time around, Richie McCaw and Dan Carter showed that age and old legs are no impediment to on-field leadership and rugby nous, and with the London weather finally reverting to type, plan B was enacted, the ball being kept ahead of them, and trust in their own defense called upon.
There were quibbles and frustrations about the amount of attacking ball kicked away which, among other things, denied opportunities to build pressure to force penalties. Indeed, it was astonishing that despite dominating territory by a massive 2 to 1 (67 per cent to 33 per cent), the All Blacks received only two kickable penalties.
This is no reflection on referee Jerome Garces, who was calm and largely accurate.
The trade-off for the All Blacks was that South Africa was pinned in it’s own quarter for long periods, for the most part seemingly without sufficient options or inspiration to exit effectively.
The irony of this match was that South Africa, via Handre Pollard taking full advantage of all kicking opportunities, came within one more kick of winning. Yet the real margin felt greater than what the scoreboard showed.
South Africa were strangled, or to use the new terminology, “neck-rolled”, by a combination of their own lack of adventure, and the All Blacks’ composure and efficiency under pressure.
Two points is a heartbreakingly narrow losing margin, but in this case, it is also a mirage. In a tight match of few opportunities in open field, the All Blacks found a way to score two tries. South Africa managed not even a sniff of one.
That’s 14 points right there, requiring five penalty goals to beat it. While the All Blacks generously provided opportunities for this, without South Africa threatening the try-line, or worse, without seemingly having any plan to do so, then the final outcome was no surprise.
In tennis the net is lower in the middle than it is on the sides, making it a safer play to stay in this channel. Doing so might keep you in the game for longer, but to win, at some point you have to step out of the central zone and make some plays down the line.
High kicking for Bryan Habana to chase is a useful tactic, but only if it is part of a suite, not the primary method of attack. And when Ben Smith not only matched this, but raised it in the second half, then the Springbok effort was shown up for what it really was – a rally back and forth up the middle.
Heyneke Meyer’s side has done well to regroup after a messy year and an unthinkable loss to Japan. But World Cups must be won, not just stumbled upon by accident, and this ultimately was the difference between the two sides.
And so the final awaits New Zealand and Australia. Copious amounts of rubbish will be written and discussed, as it has been already. McCaw to be cited for a vicious elbow, referee Nigel Owens to favour the All Blacks and Australia to potentially be illegitimate winners due to their last minute Scotland heist. Yeah, right.
Oblivious to this, both sides will go about their business quietly and efficiently, knowing that the scoreboard resets at 0-0 and that they are now within touching distance of the cup.
13th Man
Guest
Hopefully just like the CWC and NWC Australia will win the final!
Sam
Guest
Didn't say they would win, just thought these would get them into the contest.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Hi Allanthus, I've noticed from watching Australia from the England game onward that they've tended to get off to a strong start only to go through a lull where the opposition claws their way back into the game. In most cases, the lead they've built has been too big and they've been able to win the game by making the decisive score in the final quarter, but I'm sure Cheika would like to see a more sustained effort over the 80 minutes. Countless Bledisloe Cup tests have been won by the All Blacks because they dominated the second half or final quarter. I'm sure the Wallabies will come at the All Blacks hard from the kick off and try to put them under the same sort of scoreboard pressure that England and Argentina were in. The opening quarter is looming for me as rather pivotal. In recent losses/draws against the Wallabies, the All Blacks have often had the better of the opening quarter but not been able to put a lot of points on the board. If it's an edgy opening 20 minutes with penalty kicks to either side then it will be a tense arm wrestle, but I'm sure the Wallabies will go all out to stretch the All Blacks from the kick-off. Statistically, I think the All Blacks had the best tackle completion rate of any side in the semis, but Aussie will press hard. I don't know that it matters if Sio is injured. NZ won't attack the Aussie scrum the way Argentina did. The clean out is going to be the issue against Australia. The All Blacks showed at Eden Park and Cardiff that when they get that right the opposition end up bruised and battered and there will be some sore Aussie bodies out there. However, if they rush at us and funnel us into turnover positions then they'll frustrate the All Black attack. It really depends on the All Blacks' handling and whether they can expose the holes that have been present in the Australia defence these past five weeks. Australia have played a lot like they did in Sydney throughout this World Cup. It has pretty clearly become their playing style under Cheika. I'm sure the Wallabies will probably like to be better on attack, but they've adopted a turnover based attack where their defensive line rushes up on the opposition to force mistakes and then they rely on cover defense and turnovers when the opposition break the line .One area they've done well is making sure their trips to the opposition 22 count. They've been clinical at using width from set piece play in the 22. I think their play between 22s has been somewhat laboured, but they're very good when they get those attacking opportunities in the red zone. As far as predictions go, people who bring up the Sydney test will forget it was a scrappy old test where neither team played great and people who bring up the Eden Park test will forget that Australia started well, NZ scored a great breakout try and then the Cooper yellow happened. But we'll hear about both tests all week long. It's quite an interesting final, actually. NZ are shaping up as a team of destiny ala England in 2003, but have Australia in their way. Australia probably would have preferred the Boks to knock the All Blacks out of the tournament, but they'll see it as one more knockout game in a six week odyssey of knockout games. If the Wallabies do win it then it will go down as one of the great tournament victories considering the games they had to win week after week.
Jemainok
Guest
I can see were this week is heading another break from Roar for me. These are 2 really good teams the improvement under Cheika has been remarkable this year I for one didn't believe it was possible but they have really developed a grit that I haven't seen consistently from them for a good while, I think they are a huge chance of winning this coming weekend. Don't get me wrong I hope the AB's win it will be a nice farewell to some of the best rugby players I have ever had the pleasure to watch and I for one will be celebrating there careers win or loss, Here's hoping we have a great game good luck to you Aussie fans. The winner of the game will have deserved it. Kia kaha kia toa. And nice article Allanthus.
13th Man
Guest
Ypu weren't just hearing Argentinians. A lot of whinging poms probably booked tickets months back expecting to see their team playing into a Final and just joined in the chant to support anyone but Australia. It was obvious when Diego Maradona came on screen and the majority of the crowd were booing, not cheering. Looks like the Poms still haven't forgiven him for the 'Hand of God' goal in the Soccer world cup years ago! Guarantee every single pom will be supporting the All Blacks as well this week.
13th Man
Guest
Can we have Joubert come back?
Carvin
Guest
Trippy dude!
Yogi
Guest
Carvin harv??
Carvin
Guest
Yogi??
sheek
Roar Guru
Machooka, THAT should be the national anthem. Not that insipid Advance Australia Fair.
sheek
Roar Guru
70s Mo, Reminds of the Meatloaf song from the 70s, "Two out of three ain't bad".....
sheek
Roar Guru
RK, "Russian roulette inconsistency of the judiciary at the world cup". Ain't that the truth. Welcome to modern day sport. If it's not the citing officer missile heat-seeking someone, it's a member of the public with some personal grievance against someone or everyone. Clearly, more people each day are losing the art of understanding context. Modern technology is gradually making dills of us all.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Really? It's people like you that'll be death of me. For crying out loud... please pull yourselves together. And if in doubt at all just humming... "we are one, we are many..."
Dave
Guest
Of course you do- tough to see the true picture with only one eye open. Get a grip, and go back to bagging the best ref in the world
Red Kev
Roar Guru
62:18 shoulder, off the ball, definite yellow, some simulation sure, but a bone-headed thing to do with the russian roulette inconsistency of the judiciary at this RWC, might be nothing, might be watching the final from the stands
Machooka
Roar Guru
Thanks Allanthus... you say enjoy the ride but as I've been to the UK several times, I'd just like to say, in response, that this is the best god-damn road trip I've ever had :)
Dave
Guest
In your fantasy world anyway
M24Adrenaline
Roar Rookie
Aussies need to shout LOUDER! What a game yesterday! Argentina came to play and the Porteno crowd in the "Mar Del Plata" North Stand were blue and white, boisterous, bonkers and woke up the stewards wonderfully with chanting, synchronised waving and the odd till roll. It's been a joy to witness the 16th man Argentine, Scottish and Welsh passion first hand at these games and has really made this cup in a truly international city special. During the week tickets for yesterday were cheap than ones for NZ vs SA and I would think just about every Argentine in the UK with a pulse made it in to roar the team on. Many were socceroos and just wanted an excuse to yell "ole..PUMA! PUMA!". The week before when Laidlaw almost turned the game the roars for Scotland were overwhelming too. In my section the older grey travelling Australian contingent were too quiet!!!c'mon Aussie! We need a better, more visceral chant for Australia or for now we need to be louder with the ones we have got. There will be quite a few otherwise neutrals now shouting for NZ because we are the "bad boy" and because it will be cool to yell AB for the day. The superannuated grey beards and anyone who can get there need to be LOUD for Aus next week (I have a grey beard too!). We have to make more noise because the AB lot will drown us out.
DaniE
Roar Guru
You were not alone in being nervous before the Fiji game. All that talk of The Pool of Death was enough to make me an eternal pessimist for this whole tournament!
wardad
Guest
Owens is far and away the best ref . Barnes can go kiss my shiny metal butt !