While there was criticism in some quarters regarding Michael Cheika’s elevation to the Wallabies top job back In October last year, by and large, he has silenced his critics.
Even if Australia’s performances at this World Cup haven’t been entirely convincing.
As has been well documented, the Wallabies’ quarterfinal against Scotland was much harder than many expected, following “that” controversial last minute penalty.
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What shouldn’t be discounted is how much the injured pairing of David Pocock and Israel Folau were missed.
Their expected inclusion for the Wallabies’ semi-final on Monday morning against Argentina can’t come soon enough.
The Pumas are anything but lightweights and have a history in recent times of upsetting the game’s traditional superpowers.
In October last year they defeated the Wallabies in Mendoza, While in August this year they managed to get the better of South Africa in Durban.
Make no mistake about it. They will prove to be a worthy opponent.
Most, if not all of the Argentina squad have had experience playing in Europe.
The likes of flanker Juan Martin' Fernandez Lobbe, will not be afraid to take the initiative against the Wallabies.
While the Puma scrum got the better of Ireland last weekend. It’s an area of the game which they will seek to exploit in order to put the Wallabies on the back foot.
Other key plays for Argentina will be scintillating backs, Juan Imhoff, winger Santiago Cordero, fullback Joaquín Tuculet and shaep shooter fiveeighth Nicolas Sanchez who is the tournament’s top points scorer with 74 points, kicking 9 out of 10 against Ireland.
While in the other semi on Sunday morning, it’s hard to go past the All Blacks against the Springboks.
New Zealand went through this World Cup campaign with little drama, playing against second tier sides in Pool C, apart from struggling to defeat Argentina in the first match.
From there, they have largely kept under the radar.
That was until last week of course when they humiliated France in Cardiff.
Man of the Match, winger Julian Savea is being hailed as the next Jonah Lomu. On his performance on the weekend, it’s hard to ignore that claim.
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Savea has crossed the line for New Zealand an amazing 38 times in 39 Test matches and at the tender age of 25, will soon become the All Blacks greatest try scorer.
It's hard to pick out individuals when they play against the Springboks, such is the amount of firepower at their disposal.
Every single player in the New Zealand squad lifted their game to demolish a poor French team.
Veteran Number10 Dan Carter played his best game in years, injury free and running the football with determination.
This All Blacks team will only get better.
The Springboks have certainly recovered from their shock first match failure to Japan.
They are now are starting to play with more composure, but in my opinion, are still carrying too many ageing and injured players to worry the All Blacks too much.
The Wallabies will defeat Argentina and the All Blacks will be successful against South Africa.
Australia to face New Zealand in the final.
Just don’t ask me who will lift Bill.
