Rugby World Cup 2015: Key Battles in Australia vs. Argentina

Australia versus Argentina is the second semi-final at Rugby World Cup 2015. The game Sunday pits a Wallabies side who were very impressive in Pool A but shaky in their quarter-final with Scotland, against a Pumas team who have been consistently excellent throughout the tournament.

The key battles in this encounter can be divided into two parts of the team: the front row and the midfield.

Unusually, this article on key battles will not be analysing the breakdown. The reason is that, at the moment, it is unclear whether Australia’s David Pocock, easily the most effective fetcher at the World Cup, will be fit enough to play. If he does, it will be advantage to Australia. If he misses out, the odds on Argentina reaching a first final will reduce rapidly.

Stephen Moore vs. Agustin Creevy

Stephen Moore versus Agustin Creevy is a battle of hookers and skippers.

Ahead of the tournament, former Australia captain Nathan Sharpe saw Moore and his understudy Tatafu Polota-Nau as key men for the Wallabies. As per the Sydney Morning Herald, Sharpe noted: “Look at the way the Wallabies scrum with them in the team, it's a hell of a lot different to anyone else, not just in terms of experience, but in sheer width, strength and size as well.”

If Moore has been a central on-field reason for Australia’s scrum renaissance, then Creevy has been the more impressive at the World Cup; not just in the tight, but in the loose, too. The Pumas hooker has made an astonishing eight turnovers, which is fourth in the 2015 Rugby World Cup chart.

The link between the two men? Mario Ledesma. Argentina’s hooker at the 2007 World Cup, Ledesma kept Creevy out of the team. Now he’s the Australian scrum doctor.

Verdict: Level.

Marcos Ayerza vs. Sekope Kepu

Marcos Ayerza, the Argentina loosehead, is up against Sekope Kepu, Australia’s tighthead, in the semi-final. Kepu is the more dynamic in the loose (witness his one-handed offload for Bernard Foley’s first try against England, above) and is the best scrummaging No. 3 the Wallabies have had for decades.

Ayerza has long been a world-class scrummager and edges Kepu in that department. Given that the set piece is the cornerstone of Ayerza’s game, whereas Kepu is more rounded, the two are difficult to compare.

Expect Ayerza to get the upper hand in the engage, but look forward to seeing more skills from Kepu.

Verdict: Level.

Bernard Foley vs. Nicolas Sanchez

Bernard Foley is having a World Cup of brilliance, mixed with the occasional moment of mediocrity. The star man against England when Australia triumphed 33-13, fly-half Foley scored two superb tries (see video above for Foley’s second) in a personal total of 28 points. However, misses from the tee against Scotland almost cost Australia their place in the last four and would have led to an ignominious exit.

Nicolas Sanchez, on the other hand, is coolness personified off the tee. As per World Rugby Stats Hub, only Greig Laidlaw of Scotland has more 2015 Rugby World Cup points than the Argentine 10. Sanchez is also exhibiting quiet but very accomplished creativity from fly-half, bringing the Pumas’ dangerous back three into the game.

Foley has a bit more X-factor and can usually be relied upon to kick goals, but Sanchez is unflappable and a motor for his team.

Verdict: Level.

Matt Giteau vs. Juan Martin Hernandez

Matt Giteau and Juan Martin Hernandez will line up against each other at inside centre and know each other from their time together at Toulon. Both excellent, versatile and experienced footballers, they are the eyes for their fly-halves. However, neither has had a major influence on the World Cup.

Giteau shone against England and finished with a late try (see video above), but he didn’t stamp his authority against Wales or Scotland.

Hernandez showed some mesmerising touches against New Zealand, was out of the team due to a hamstring tear against Georgia and has yet to find his feet since facing Namibia in the final pool game.

Verdict: Level. Neither 12 is in enough form to outplay the other.

Tevita Kuridrani vs. Marcelo Bosch/Matias Moroni

Tevita Kuridrani’s importance to Australia will be magnified should Israel Folau not be fit enough to face the Pumas. As the Wallabies’ main physical threat in the backs alongside Folau, Kuridrani will have a crucial role to play against the powerful and well-organised Pumas defence.

Marcelo Bosch, if he can get back into the team after missing the Ireland quarter-final for a dangerous tackle, will have to stop Kuridrani at source. If Kuridrani frequently gets Australia over the gain line, Will Genia and Co. will lick their lips. The same goes for Moroni, the scorer of Argentina’s first try against Ireland, should he start at 13.

Bosch may also have another role as a long-distance kicker. The Saracens centre’s range exceeds 50 metres (see video above), so he could be called upon to slot crucial penalties.

Verdict: Kuridrani will give Australia a crucial edge.