The Rugby World Cup semi-finals were meant to be blowouts, with New Zealand and South Africa cruising into the final. And while those heavy favourites did ultimately make it, these were two dramatically different matches that could have big implications for next weekend’s title clash.
At the Stade de France in Paris on Friday night New Zealand crushed Argentina 44-6 in a ruthless display of power, discipline and cracking counterattacks that spoke of a team tuned to something close to perfection. For Argentina, there would be no 2020 or 2022-style upset as they were comprehensively outclassed seven tries to nothing.
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Simon Poidevin played 59 Test Matches for the Wallabies between 1980 and 1991, captaining the team on four occasions. Simon is one of only four Australians to have won rugby union's World Cup, Grand Slam, Bledisloe Cup and Hong Kong Sevens.
