Standing in their path are a rejuvenated Australia side who have gone from a team in chaos and racked by infighting to World Cup finalists since Michael Cheika was appointed last October after Ewen McKenzie’s shock resignation. The Wallabies are the only team to have beaten the All Blacks this year.
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They have been one of the most attractive features of this World Cup but a little less beauty and a little more old fashioned Argentine beef would have been their best hope of making the final.
Scott Fardy has been the unsung hero of the Wallabies during this World Cup.
Out-half Dan Carter will join Mealamu, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu and Richie McCaw in retiring from Test rugby after Saturday’s showpiece clash.
“David Pocock is really unsafe”.
Argentina played the major part in their team’s downfall by playing too much rugby too deep but it took a deadly lesson in the art of turnovers to seal Australia’s fourth final.
This is just one area Australia must dominate to lift the trophy on Saturday, but it’s hard to disagree with Lomu’s observations when looking at the quality of Australia’s back-row pair. The All Blacks – New Zealand as a whole – will want to send him out as a victor.
Twenty years ago I saw the Kiwis collapse under the pressure of expectation in South Africa and eight years ago I watched them forget to think and drop a goal to take them into the semi-final at the expense of France. He’ll be pinching it from the All Blacks side of the ruck, if you will. With his tackles, his turnovers (at 14, easily the tournament-high), his ball-carrying and his work rate, Pocock is among the favorites for player of the tournament.
Expect to see Hansen’s flood bodies in when required, to blast right through Pocock whenever they have a chance, and also to seek out Pocock when they carry the ball in phase play. We have not seen the best of Kieran Read, as noted by my ESPN colleague Craig Dowd, but the grand stage on the weekend is made for him to showcase his unique talents.
Laidlaw was the leading points scorer with 79 when Scotland bowed out of the World Cup in the quarter-finals against Australia. He is believed by many people, including ESPN colleague Greg Growden, to be Australia’s key performer, and he has proven his worth with man-of-the-match performances marked by his willingness always to put his body on the line for his team-mates. The most recent of them had Pocock’s imprint all over it.
Former Wallaby coach Eddie Jones mentioned Will Genia as a player who would have to produce for the Wallabies on Saturday if they are to win, but in saying that he was probably assuming a good performance from Pocock.
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The Australia forward’s latest nomination comes after impressing throughout the Rugby World Cup as the Wallabies have marched their way to the final, and he is expected to be a contender for player of the tournament.
