England let themselves down after leading Wales for most of their pool match, and were very ordinary against the skill and speed of the Wallabies. Since then all we've heard is moaning about the wasted four years leading up to the 2015 Rugby World Cup and whether the coach Stuart Lancaster will remain after the tournament.
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Of course the Aussies in London are savouring this opportunity and giving it to every pom they meet. The Wallabies, of course, went on to defeat Wales in a try-less match, but it was enough to put them on top of the table, which was a remarkable effort from coach Michael Cheika and his team.
Although the quarters were all about the Northern Hemisphere up against the Southern Hemisphere, no one really expected how these four games would be played out.
Although the quarters were all about the Northern Hemisphere up against the Southern Hemisphere, no one really expected how these four games would be played out
South Africa overcame a desperate Wales team in the last five minutes of the game, the mighty All Blacks completely dismantled a once proud French team by about an amazing 50 points. Argentina did it easy to get Ireland out of the competition, and finally the Wallabies' Xmas came early due to a wrong call by the referee to get the result against Scotland.
The British tabloids are still scathing in their attack on South Africa referee Craig Joubert who made a blunder and gifted the Wallabies into the semis, but he will now have to live with his mistake.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika is of course playing the "I-support-the-referee-and-it-has-nothing-to-do-with-us" line, which is completely right. Luck went Australia's way and five eighth Bernard Foley didn't miss the shot at goal.
Up until last weekend the Wallabies were all the rage having defeated Wales and England. But the focus has now moved to New Zealand after their thrashing of France.
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The Wallabies stumbling against Scotland is a conundrum because they should have won without any of this drama. Playing without David Pocock and Israel Folau didn't help their cause but they had more than suitable replacements in Ben McCalman and Kurtley Beale.
Is this a sign of their vulnerability under pressure? Will they stumble once again against an Argentinian side who are very capable, particularly up front, and are aware of the Wallabies' strengths and weaknesses?
Is this a sign of their vulnerability under pressure?
The Argies will attack the Wallabies through their scrum and rely on their defensive strength out wide, but I can't help but think that the Wallabies have too much strike power out wide and as the game progresses these openings will become more apparent with the Wallabies taking every advantage.
It will be a typical Rugby World Cup semi, very tight, lots of kicking with defence playing a major role.
Still, if the Wallabies are on their game, they should win comfortably to secure victory, which will set them up for another Bledisloe Cup repeat next Saturday at Twickenham.
