The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.
The greatest trick the All Blacks pulled this year was convincing the Rugby World Cup they were reduced to plain old New Zealand.
When the Kiwis hobbled out of Twickenham on August 25, licking the wounds of their heaviest-ever international defeat, no one was betting on Ian Foster’s men to reach a record fifth World Cup final.
New Zealand’s 35-7 humbling at the hands of South Africa in west London set alarm bells ringing right across the land of the long white cloud.
The All Blacks coaches hardly planned such a turnaround, but New Zealand’s march to the 2023 World Cup final represents a plot twist worthy of Hollywood classic The Usual Suspects.
Kevin Spacey’s character mutters that immortal line about the Devil in the acclaimed 1995 thriller, before walking away scot-free from police clutches.
The detective grilling Spacey’s Verbal Kint character let him limp out of the precinct, only for that impediment to disappear to reveal the film’s criminal mastermind Keyser Soze.
Neutrals watching New Zealand dismantle Argentina44-6 in Paris on Friday night, a week after dismissing tournament hotshots Ireland 28-24, can be forgiven for mimicking the panicked detective running into a deserted street, with Spacey’s bad guy nowhere to be found.
England and South Africa will meet at the Stade de France on Saturday night for the right to face the All Blacks in the October 28 final.
The All Blacks will fancy their chances against either team.
Records are ready to tumble should New Zealand become the first team to claim a fourth World Cup crown.
Will Jordan’s hat-trick against the Pumas took him to eight for the tournament – tying the all-time record with Jonah Lomu in 1995 and Bryan Habana from 2007.
Sam Whitelock will play in a record third final, to add to his triumphs of 2011 and 2015.
This match was over by half-time. Jordan and Jordie Barrett had both scored inside the first 20 minutes, then Shannon Frizzell powered home to signal the interval.
New Zealand led 20-6 and were ominously comfortable, defending with patience and accuracy, picking off Pumas raids almost at will.
When Aaron Smith strolled in straight after the break, the game was definitely done. Frizell then doubled his own tally seven minutes later, as the All Blacks rubbed salt into the wound.
Jordan added his second score of the night just past the hour, and the All Blacks’ fifth try moved the coaches to empty the bench.
The 25-year-old then chipped, chased, and scored again – to draw level with Lomu and Habana on eight tries for a single tournament, to tie that World Cup scoring record.
New Zealand sauntered to victory in Saint Denis. Whoever they meet in the final will have their work cut out.
