Cheika’s wily Wallabies will be All Blacks’ toughest test

Two contrasting semi-finals, both equally captivating in their own way. The debate about how Ireland should play the game will rumble on long after this tournament is over but as the weekend’s absorbing action proved, you have to play to your strengths.

What we know now is that the two best sides in the tournament have made it through to what promises to be a great decider back here in Twickenham on Saturday. If New Zealand were required to dig deeper than many thought necessary to subdue a Springbok side on a mission for redemption since their opening pool shock defeat to Japan, Australia were that little bit smarter from the outset than Argentina, and that proved the big difference.

After sprinting out of the blocks from the kick-off against Ireland last weekend, this time Argentina met a side who knew exactly what to expect. Rather than ease their way into the contest, the Pumas continued from where they left off against us with an addiction to the wide game but the Wallabies were lying in wait. When a second row plucks an intercept and sprints in unopposed from 30 metres for a try — as Rob Simmons did less than two minutes into the game — you know you are in trouble.