Accusations of "boring" facets of play will no doubt emerge. So will allegations of "illegal" tactics because, let's face it, a lot will be at stake as one team will - to put it in George Gregan's cutting words to Byron Kelleher in the 2003 cup semifinal - have to exorcise their demons for "four more years".
But fan and media posturing aside, it'll be pointless for coaches to lose sleep now although it goes without saying they will.
Hansen will reflect on how he spat out stagnant aspects of play within his troops, as one would mouthwatering watermelon seeds, in the quest for the ABs juggernaut which must undergo a final AA appraisal one more time.
For argument's sake, Argentina must be on his Christmas card list for exposing a porous membrane - the Pumas circumnavigated the lineout rules last winter to push over for two tries.
Until Sunday morning at least, scribes will have post-match plaudits on the likes of Daniel Carter and Sonny Bill Williams roll out with the efficiency of drive-by fast-food outlets with some fries and fizzles, please, if the ABs live up to their favouritism.
Stumble and the knives will be out to question the logic of overlooking players such as Charles Piutau and Lima Sopoaga.
Conversely, Cheika and his underdogs must relish wearing the flea collar of spontaneity.
Sure, they'll be inconsolable if they don't wrench the Webb Ellis Trophy from the mitts of the holders but their countrymen will not bay for their blood.
The high-octane match ups between skippers McCaw and Moore, kickers Carter and Foley or centres Conrad and Kuridrani will give way to the X factor. So will versatility on the field and depth on the bench.
Blokes in the mould of Julian Savea and Israel Folau can redeem themselves because achievements against minnows will scarcely matter.
Will Savea score in the mother of all rugby matches? Will Folau assert himself in what has so far been cup matches of mediocrity for the Wallabies fullback?
As erratic as Quade Cooper can be, it seems a shame that is one card Cheika has kept close to his chest.
Bringing Cooper off the bench in the dying minutes when all hell breaks loose can be priceless.
Twitching referees will be reluctant to play too heavy a hand for fear of getting sent to the naughty corner, as Craig Joubert became scapegoat, but, I reiterate, any team serious about winning the big one shouldn't leave their fate in the hands of a game minder.
