The New Zealand All Blacks forwards paved the way for a deserved 20-6 win over Australia's Wallabies to make their first Rugby World Cup final since 1995 and a repeat of the 1987 final against France at Eden Park next Sunday.
The host nation hit the ground running unlike Quade Cooper whose opening kick off drifted out on the full which set the scene for the opening quarter. The All Blacks were rewarded when an electric Israel Dagg bust through the defence and offloaded to Ma'a Nonu to dot down. An under the weather Piri Weepu missed the conversion.
The Wallabies were under the hammer from the All Blacks with the men in black starting inspired and Australia had no answer. David Pocock was twice penalised at the breakdown, but unfortunately for the All Blacks Piri Weepu had an off night with the boot which kept Australia in with a sniff only converting the second penalty to give them an 8-0 lead.
Australia finally got into the All Blacks territory when they were awarded a penalty and James O'Connor slotted the points to give Australia hope after 15 minutes with only a five point deficit given that they were under so much pressure.
New Zealand then missed another chance with another Piri Weepu penalty miss followed by an Aaron Cruden dropped goal in the first half. Cruden was slippery on attack, good on defence and his first dropped goal at test match level gave the All Blacks some breathing space.
The Wallabies continued their knack of getting into New Zealand's half and snatching points with a Quade Cooper dropped goal on a mixed night for the enigmatic pivot.
Piri Weepu slotted a 40 metre penalty kick just before half time for the home team to go into the sheds 14-6 up. Missed goal kicks kept Australia in with a sniff despite the impressive All Blacks domination.
Australia continued their tactics of kicking to the impressive All Blacks back three, which they kept employing until late in the game as they were torn between the possession and territory game. They missed Kurtley Beale's slippery running game.
The All Blacks got their third penalty early in the second half, before the game reached a stalemate with both teams keen to score next.
Eventually Weepu returned to the field to kick a late penalty to give the All Blacks a 14 point lead after his replacement Andy Ellis got one of several bleeding noses in this torrid battle.
In summary
David Pocock wasn't allowed his usual dominance at the breakdown as the All Blacks were fired up and relentless. Digby Ioane and Stephen Moore were my pick of the Wallabies, while the All Blacks forward pack were aggressive and the back three of Dagg, Kahui and Jane were dangerous. Why did the Wallabies keep kicking the ball to them?
If the All Blacks can show this much focus next week they must go into the final as hot favourites. Australia play Wales for bronze.
Man of the match
While there are plenty of candidates for Man of the Match, I would give it to Keven Mealamu. He always broke tackles with the ball in hand and was part of an All Blacks pack that really stood up tonight. It is difficult to pick one player in such a great performance.
Villain
Sonny Bill Williams didn't last long before he was sinbinned for a shoulder charge on Quade Cooper leaving his team down to 14 players for a handful of minutes.
All Blacks 20 (Ma'a Nonu try; Piri Weepu 4 pen; Aaron Cruden drop goal)
Australia 6(James O'Connor pen; Quade Cooper drop goal). HT: 14-6.
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