The second semi-final ended in controversial circumstances with the scores tied at 10 points each. Both South Africa and Wales had scored converted tries; but Wales were declared winners by tournament rules, which said that their other score, a penalty goal, was worth more on the countback system than South Africa's dropped goal.
As a result, Ireland will play South Africa in Sunday's third/fourth place play-off at Llanelli while Wales go forward to an historic first ever final against New Zealand.
NEW ZEALAND: S Paku; J Muliaina, S Mapasusa, A Mauger, G Fasaualu; R Flutey. D Gibson; C Dermody, J Ward, C Johnston, B Mika, D Quate, S Bates, J Collins, R McCaw. Replacements: T Woodcock for Dermody (70mins), R Evans for Quate (70 mins), S Kepu for Bates (25 mins).
IRELAND: M Meenan (Leicester); G Brady (Ballina), M O'Kelly (Dublin Univ), J Downey (Belvedere College), A Cahill (Blackrock College); J Staunton (Garryowen), D Spence (QUB); R Flanagan (Bruff/St Enda's), I McKee (old Wesley), N Treston (Blackrock College), N Breslin (Mullingar), D Danaher (London Irish), P Malone (Bruff/St Munchin's), D Dillon (UCD) capt, J O'Connor (Corinthians). Replacements: G Rossi for Downey (54 mins), D O'Kane for O'Connor 55 mins), J O'Sullivan for O'Kane (70 mins), R McGrath for Treston (55 mins).
Referee: J Fortuin (South Africa)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)