Three questions: Can anyone stop the ABs?

Ma'a Nonu was one of the pick of the performers in the All Blacks' win over South Africa. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Herald rugby experts Dylan Cleaver and Wynne Gray answer three pressing questions after the All Blacks' victory over the Springboks.

Q: Based on the video evidence and potential judicial charge does Richie McCaw play in the final?

DC:

This is one of those occasions when Vines lie. Richie McCaw was clearly looking to cut corners, as he is (in)famous for at the tackle area, but look at his head. He never glances down at Francois Louw; his eyes remain fixed in where the ball has moved to. If McCaw misses an RWC final for an accidental collision it will be the worst case of the punishment not fitting the crime since, oh, Alesana Tuilagi a few weeks ago.

WG:

McCaw leads the All Blacks out at Twickenham next Sunday. Even if he is called to front a judicial hearing, he will be cleared of any intent or accidental mischief when his elbow clocked Francois Louw. If any case if called, Hansen's and the All Blacks strong relationship with the Boks will encourage strong character witness testimony from them and Louw in particular.

Q: Who impressed you most for the All Blacks today?

DC: I'm going to go with the strikingly obvious here. Ben From Accounts was brilliant at fullback. His surety under the high ball and thrust in counterattack was fantastic to watch. Ma'a Nonu was mostly excellent. The locks, Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick were towers of power. Aside from Sam Cane, who had one of those days in an otherwise excellent tournament, the bench was pivotal and offered so much more than their Bok counterparts.

WG: Ben Smith was imperious at fullback, Ma'a Nonu not far behind with his powerful impact while Jerome Kaino and Sam Whitelock brought an A+ quality about their performances.

Q: Can either Australia or Argentina beat the All Blacks based on what you've seen in the tournament so far?

DC: Australia can, undoubtedly. The last time they played their proper team against New Zealand, they swept aside the All Blacks in Sydney. If anyone thinks an RWC final against the Wallabies is a done deal, they've got rocks in their head. Argentina? If they're in the final it would mean they've been magnificent twice in a row - based on nothing other than lazy generalisations, I'd be surprised if they could maintain that form for a week.

WG: Have to pinch the sort of stance Hansen and his crew will adopt about this one. Playoff games are 50-50 contests and the Wallabies and Pumas are rising to their best standards. The Aussies have an improved scrum and hard defence while the Pumas are flexing all parts of their arsenal after a stuttering pool game loss to the All Blacks.