New Zealand's relentless pressure and masterly forwards overwhelmed Australia in a brutal 20-6 semi-final win at Eden Park on Sunday to put the All Blacks in sight of a first World Cup triumph in 24 years.
The All Blacks will be overwhelming favourites when they return next weekend to play in a rematch of the inaugural 1987 World Cup final against France, also at Eden Park, which New Zealand won 29-9.
The Wallabies came off second best in the physical and tactical exchanges in the intimidating atmosphere of the All Blacks' Eden Park fortress, where they have not won since 1986.
The Tri Nations champions were bloodied and beaten in every aspect by a ferocious New Zealand onslaught, that saw the hosts dominate from the opening kick-off and fluster the Wallabies into a multitude of errors.
The dynamic New Zealanders ended a tense week of concerns over the fitness of captain Richie McCaw as they proved far too good for the Australians.
"It was awesome," McCaw said.
"We realised we were going to have to front up and be on the job for 80 minutes.
"The intensity was there. Every single man out there did their bit tonight and that's what you've got to do in knock-out rugby."
The Wallabies now have to console themselves with a bronze final with Wales on Friday - a repeat of the 1987 third place play-off.
"We didn't have enough possession," Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said.
"The All Blacks are a very good defensive side.
"Most sides would have leaked one or two (tries) but they didn't."
Not only did Australia lose on the scoreboard, but it had a lengthy injury toll with prop Sekope Kepu coming off with a facial injury after 21 minutes and Dan Vickerman and Pat McCabe going to the blood bin for running repairs.
It was another shaky night for Australia's scattergun playmaker Quade Cooper, who was guilty of many poor options much to the roaring approval of the 60,000 capacity Kiwi crowd.
The Wallabies' last win in New Zealand was 10 years ago and they have never beaten a Graham Henry-coached All Blacks side now in 11 encounters in the Shaky Isles.
The win was especially sweet for Henry after he survived calls to be sacked and replaced by Kiwi Deans following the All Blacks' quarter-final defeat by France four years ago - their worst World Cup showing.
"They were fabulous, weren't they?" Henry said of his side.
"They showed huge character. From minute to minute they gave 100 (per cent), they gave everything, they were just outstanding."
Henry, asked what was behind the victory, replied: "Four years of planning, I suppose. Four years of guys being frustrated and wanting to do the job, four years of trying to get things right."
Early try
It all went horribly wrong from kick-off, Cooper sending his kick sailing over the sideline to put the Wallabies under immediate pressure as the All Blacks ripped in.
New Zealand had all the ball in the opening six minutes before Israel Dagg sliced past Anthony Fainga'a and Rocky Elsom to send Ma'a Nonu storming over for the only try of the game to a mighty roar.
Wallabies flanker David Pocock was penalised for two ruck infringements in as many minutes, with scrum half Piri Weepu kicking the All Blacks eight points ahead.
But Australia, which saw star full-back Kurtley Beale ruled out on Saturday with a hamstring injury, gradually clawed its way back and winger Digby Ioane was held up near the try-line before McCaw conceded a penalty kicked by James O'Connor.
Cooper spilled a high kick before novice fly half Aaron Cruden settled his nerves with a 22nd minute drop-goal to extend the All Blacks' lead to 11-3.
The crowd roared their approval as Cooper continued to misfire and after 28 minutes of pressure the Wallabies had missed 15 tackles compared to the home side's eight.
Cooper tried to get back on track with a calmly-taken drop goal to have the Australians trailing 11-6 after 32 minutes.
But Adam Ashley-Cooper was caught in an offside position from an All Blacks high kick, giving Weepu the chance to kick the penalty for a 14-6 half-time lead.
Australia again began the restart poorly and McCabe was penalised for not releasing, giving Weepu an easy penalty for a 17-6 lead.
Weepu sealed victory with his fourth penalty eight minutes from time for a 14-point lead.
New Zealand's Sonny Bill Williams only lasted three minutes after coming on as a replacement before he was yellow carded for a shoulder charge on Cooper.
New Zealand: 20 (M Nonu try; P Weepu 4 penalty goals, A Cruden drop goal)
Australia: 6 (J O'Connor penalty goal, Q Cooper drop goal)
AFP
Tags: rugby-union-world-cup, rugby-union, sport, new-zealand, australia First posted October 16, 2011 20:49:57