Australia played pretty well so credit to them. Pocock was a machine at the breakdown again. But the thing that stood out to me the most was that Argentina jsut werent ready for this level of contest. They were like deers in headlights in that first half. I dont know if the coaching was poor, or if they just didnt execute the strategy that the coach had asked for. Either way that first half was pretty bad from them and they had effectively lost the game by half time. It will be good experience for them, but it is perhaps one that got away. If they had played with a bit more control, more filed position, and committed more players to the breakdown then I think they could have been in with a shot to win that one.
Also I need to watch it again, but there were a heck of a lot of loopy passes from the base of the ruck going back about 5 meters to flat footed forwards. It was very strange to watch. I presume it wasnt the half back throwing them, but either way it was really average.
With all that said we have definately got the final that has the best two teams. It will be really interesting to see that strategy that comes into play. Unilke the ABs v SA where both teams knew exactly what the other was going to bring, in this game I think there is far less certainty. Under Cheika these teams have I think only met twice with OZ fielding very different teams on each occassion. I think the ABs will have a fair idea of what OZ will bring, but I dont think anyone is very sure how the ABs will counter it. In particular the breakdown will be interesting. I assume the ABs will committ more players than they did the first game when the Ozzies won. Either way I am looking forward to how it will unfold but certainly the most deserving teams are there!!