Australia vs Argentina: 10 Talking Points

Australia scored four tries to none to beat Argentina 29-15 in their semi-final, but as coach Michael Cheika

said post-match, the Wallabies will need to improve if they are to beat the All Blacks in the final.

Talking Points:

1 Adam Ashley-Cooper scored a memorable hat-trick of tries, but he will be the first to acknowledge that

he was set up by the creative skills of Bernard Foley, then Matt Giteau, and then Drew Mitchell, each in turn

producing moments of skilful magic.

2 Cheika calling back Giteau and Mitchell from France to reignite their Test careers was a masterstroke.

Mitchell’s elusive run for the final Wallaby try was another highlight in a stellar rugby career.

3 Has there been a more consummately impressive player at RWC 2015 than David Pocock? He is more

than a breakdown ball poacher par excellence; his slowing down of opposition ball legally, and pressure on

ball-carriers, and tackling and continuity skills are extraordinary.

4 Israel Folau’s lack of form and finesse right now must be a concern for the Wallabies. Will they

consider starting Kurtley Beale ahead of him on Saturday, or will they back Folau rapidly regaining his

game-breaking skills?

5 Australia’s much improved scrummaging was an asset during the pool games but has become something

of a liability in the quarter-final and semi-final, with the forwards struggling to assert themselves and

penalties being conceded.

6 Argentina’s attacking play has improved so markedly since coach Daniel Hourcade moved them away

from a primarily forwards-oriented game to a more attacking strategy, but while they had numerous clean

breaks through the Wallaby defence, they created so much without finishing anything. However, with the

opportunity to play Super Rugby added next year to their Rugby Championship participation, they will be an

attacking force to watch in future.

7 Nicolas Sanchez showed again he is a superb flyhalf, his intercepted pass notwithstanding. His goal-

kicking is near perfect, he breaks the line, and his decision-making is astute.

8 Michael Cheika and Stephen Larkham came to the World Cup not knowing whom of Bernard Foley or

Quade Cooper was their first-choice 10, but now they have no doubts. Foley has grabbed his opportunities to

show he is top-class Test flyhalf/first-five.

9 Cheika and Stephen Moore said in post-match interviews they were happy with the Wallaby defence,

which was good for much of the game, but there must surely be concern as to how many times Los Pumas

cut through Australia’s first-line defence and they had to be rescued by scrambling defenders.

10 A priority for Australia in the lead-up to the final will be dissecting the penalties they conceded,

especially in the first half. There were too many, and a few of them from players just not thinking clearly.