Australia 22; New Zealand 10:Australia became the first defending champions in history to reach the World Cup final as they shredded the form book with a scintillating performance to defeat New Zealand 22-10.
Stirling Mortlock's ninth-minute breakaway try, 17 points from the boot of Elton Flatley and a storming defensive performance sent the tournament favourites spiralling out.
For a side that has oozed ideas and instinctive attacking rugby, all New Zealand could muster was a first-half try from Reuben Thorne and five points from Leon MacDonald. Aware of how important the opening 20 minutes would be in setting a pattern for the game, Australia immediately spun the ball wide, running it clear from inside their own 22.
After five minutes of the game, New Zealand had not touched the ball, made 28 tackles and survived a missed drop-goal attempt from Stephen Larkham.
New Zealand were stung as Mortlock, who enjoyed a storming game, picked off one of his trademark floated, cut-out passes and sprinted 80 metres to give Australia the lead.
Mat Rogers, Stephen Larkham and Lote Tuqiri combined in one sweeping move that was only ended when Jerry Collins, one All Black who is certainly not backwards in coming forward, unleashed a shuddering hit on Nathan Sharpe. English referee Chris White ruled it to be dangerous and Flatley landed the penalty, extending the Australia lead to 10-0.
The All Blacks, though, are at their most dangerous with turnover ball and when Larkham was stripped of possession near the halfway line, instinct took over and finally, 35 minutes in, New Zealand were on their way.
Carlos Spencer feinted to pass, jinked, danced through the broken defence and then eventually handed on to Thorne who crashed over.
Even in defence Australia were going forward, quickly up on New Zealand they were lifting All Blacks off their feet and dumping them back the wrong side of the gain line.
After a six-minute delay for an injury to Ben Darwin, who was stretchered off, Larkham fed from a driving maul and spotted a gap, once again exploiting New Zealand's defensive indecision. Aaron Mauger was called offside, Flatley landed another penalty and though MacDonald replied in kind, Flatley added another penalty to end the scoring.
