The Argies came out without their game head on and start the game throwing silly passes across the backline that gave Rob Simmons a 5 pointer under the posts.
Then they failed to cover properly on 'first phase ball' a short while later and a simple cut out pass saw AAC touch down without a hand on him, glaring defensive errors in the first 15 minutes and that was the game right there.
The Aussies looked a bit shocked that it had been so easy. They were not expecting to score on first phase ball. The Aussie plan is to work opposition teams through the phases left to right until they get close enough to strike and by that time many teams are out of step and cough up penalties for offside or leave a door open for a scuttle to the line.
To score on the first phase like that showed a schoolboy defensive rushing error, similar to the one that Brad Barritt instigated against Wales that allowed the Welsh to get around the English defensive screen and rush up field to score their only try of the game.
14 nil and Argentina hadn't even fired a shot in earnest.
Thats the way to lose RWC semi finals right there.
Aussie can put 14 points on any team but to 'gift' it to them is incomprehensible if you harbour any thoughts or desire to get to the final.
The Pumas looked like they didn't have a plan and then the sin binning from another pointless error. The RWC has shown us that you must use your arms when you tackle and this big lump ran forward and simply threw himself at Folau's legs about knee height. That is dangerous and it was always going to catch the eye of the pedant Mr Barnes.
I thought a penalty would be enough but he carded him and that was the shutting of the door because in that time the Puma forwards had to do a lot of defensive tackling which meant by the 60th minute when they were hoping to get back into the game the puma forwards were fading and the last 20 is when you need to be accelerating your intensity. Sadly the Pumas were out on their feet trying one out runs like a northern hemisphere team.
The Argie scrum purchased them some penalties and they pinched some Aussie line out ball and they kicked their way up the scoreboard and made it look mildly interesting for a while but one always had the feeling that Aussie were going to wake up and collar the Puma and so they did in a strange manner where a brilliant run by Mitchell ended in a wobbly bobbly old pass to AAC for yet another unhindered try.
The Aussies did make a lot of tackles Alan, but against easily readable one out hit ups that lacked support or imagination or enough raw aggression to break the line.
That kind of tackling is a training run.
The Pumas were woeful and it looked like they had not organised their mental set to go to the next level after having achieved a Finals spot.
They also lack the experience to be found in a Wallaby team that carries so many caps.
Sadly the Pumas fans have to stand up and accept that their team under performed on the big stage.
However, they are young and their time will come in 4 years when they mature and become more dangerous and experienced.
