By DAVID LEGGATT at the World Cup
STORY SO FAR: Walked through their first three games against Italy, Tonga and Canada before getting a big surprise from spirited Wales. Overcame their first big hurdle with a classy display against the lacklustre Springboks in their quarter-final.
STRENGTHS: Brilliant, swift, enterprising back three, a
quality goalkicker in Leon MacDonald, a gifted first five-eighths in Carlos Spencer, who provides the inspiration and has a terrific eye for an opening. Solid group of forwards who had their wake-up call against the Welsh. Chris Jack and Richie McCaw are the high calibre acts in the pack.
WEAKNESSES: Defence, on the strength of what the Welsh achieved; first up tackling not rock solid; a suspicion that when they have the chance they don't really kill off the opposition; and Spencer if he is not on song.
KEY PLAYER: Australia play two virtual openside flankers, good ones too, so McCaw's role becomes critical. A below par McCaw gives Australia a field day at the breakdown. It's rare he has an off game. Tomorrow would be a really bad day to have one.
WINNERS OR LOSERS?
Winners. John Mitchell's much-hyped journey is 160 minutes away. The players know their jobs and the Wallabies have been so far off their game only a monumental improvement will give them a hope.
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