Well…I was half right with my predictions. Argentina did indeed win by magicking a couple of tries from thin air and taking Wales by surprise; Ireland and the All Blacks was one of three finals we deserved; England against Fiji was touch and go but I did predict English discipline would see them through; and the French gallantry just about got them within touching distance of a first World Cup, only for the Springboks defence to hold up and force an error at the death.

The quarter finals went largely as I expected then. We had two games with four teams that really shouldn’t have been there and two games with four teams that really did but, ideally, should have progressed to the semi-finals to give us two serious, heavyweight matches before the final.

So, a quick summary of each of the four quarter finals:

Wales v Argentina

I said in the previous post this was the only actual quarter final. Upon watching it, we got two sides whose past forms were capable of something befitting a World Cup battel but whose current forms just aren’t up to the standard required at this stage in the tournament. I did think both sides would step up and give something more but, instead, we got more of the same. Neither side were particularly disciplined and the flow of play wasn’t really there. Essentially, the game was one by the side that made the least fumbles and could hold on to the ball the longest. That happened to be the Pumas. Even their breakaway try at the end seemed little more that Wales not paying attention enough. High-scoring, yes, but not high entertainment.

Ireland v New Zealand

Jesus.

If World Rugby was watching this match, I hope they took notes on how to not mess up for 2027. The first of two gladiatorial battles last weekend and there was so little between the two sides. There really isn’t much more to say other both sides gave it over 100% which was deeply impressive that they could dig in deep and still bring more out. The difference being, I think the All Blacks gave it 135% to Ireland’s 130%.

That 5% difference?

Why, dear God, did Johnny Sexton kick those two penalties to the corner when he could have given Ireland 6 guaranteed points instead of, maybe, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14 or none? As it turned out, Ireland got the latter and I think that showed poor judgement and a lack of respect for the opponent on Sexton’s part. If he’d kicked the six, Ireland would have likely won by two and not lost by four. The man retired, hailed a hero and legend, yet no one’s called him out for costing his country a place in their first ever semi-final. Shameful.

England v Fiji

It was good to see Fiji get this far and really bring it to England who remained largely unchanged in their approach. Where Fiji tried to be blistering, powerful and fluid, England remained solid. That was it. Nothing fancy. They were there, they moved the ball around and Fiji’s lack of discipline cost them once again. Like the other quarter-final that shouldn’t have been, high scoring but not the battle worthy of this stage in a World Cup.

France v South Africa

Repeat the first paragraph of Ireland v New Zealand to yourself and add the monstrous French attack. Right from kick-off, France had the Springboks on the back foot. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a side spring such a violent and bold amount of attacking play right from the start. And it wasn’t the only time. France kept at it but, like the All Blacks, the Springboks defence is that bit more capable of holding out against even the strongest of attacks. And, like Ireland, France were forced into an error at the death which cost them a final chance. Unlike Ireland, Les Bleus took their point scoring opportunities however they came hence there was one point in it. Truly spectacular to watch and should have been semi-final number two. Maybe next time.

The Semi-Finals

Argentina v New Zealand

This one went as I expected. I’m just surprised the All Blacks didn’t put over 50 points past Los Pumas. Argentina were nowhere and were made look third-rate. Their defence was strong, at one point withstanding 17 phases of All Black attack before crumbling, really their defence and attack were merely delaying the inevitable. They lacked any real strategy on how to tackle this monumental match and were put to the sword over and over. This was a pool game not a semi-final.

England v South Africa

Bloody Hell! As a Scot, I was rooting for South Africa, and, like Scotland of old, they made it very difficult to watch. But, I doth my cap to England. They didn’t impress in the pool stage or the quarter-final but they turned up last night and gave the Springboks Hell. The rain helped too and I found myself asking several times throughout the match, why-oh-why don’t the Springboks train in the wet? They were made to look very amateur whilst England look clinical and intent on putting South Africa out the tournament just to spite their critics.

But whilst England maintained their discipline and solidity, they severely lacked ambition instead choosing to kick points and try and hold a lead rather than attack and attempt to score tries to gain a bigger lead whilst simultaneously suppressing Springbok hope and ambition. And it was precisely this conservative approach that cost them. Being eight points ahead is nothing when you’re against a side like South Africa who did indeed got a very well deserved try after several muscular attempts to force their way over the English line. It took to the 68th minute but South Africa put themselves in touching distance.

And Pollard. Unlike Sexton, this man should be hailed a hero and legend for keeping absolutely cool in order to drive that penalty well beyond the posts and giving South Africa that one-point lead with two minutes left. England swapping Farrell for Ford in the hope of a drop-goal was confounding. The Springboks had possession and did Steve Borthwick really think bringing another kicker on was going to help when the first task was to get the ball off the Springboks who’d just stolen the lead. It baffled me and, ultimately, proved fruitless since the Springboks did hold on to kick the ball out the park and claim a place in the final.

But that was a semi-final. England pushed South Africa and yet, despite not being their best, the Springboks held on to their belief in themselves and forced a win to meet the All Blacks next weekend and for only the second time at a World Cup final.

The Final

I have nothing much to say. Both sides are the only triple World Champions and both are more than capable of beating the other. This was the third and final permutation of a worthy final for 2023. The other two would have been historic in their own right regardless of who won. If it was Ireland or France, they’d be only the second northern hemisphere sides to win the cup whilst being the first time for themselves. For New Zealand and South Africa, it would the first time one nation has won the cup four times. Either match would have been not only one for the books but a sight to behold. We have the latter to look forward to and I sense it will be beyond special.

Best of luck to both teams and future congratulations and commiserations to victor and loser.

As a footnote, England have proven themselves worthy of third best. Argentina should be sent home to rethink their entire way of playing rugby.