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| Sunday, 9 November 2003 |
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Wallabies and All Blacks into showdown in Sydney by ALLAN KELLY SYDNEY, Nov. 8 (AFP) - Australia and New Zealand set up only their second-ever meeting in the World Cup with quarter-final wins over Scotland and South Africa on Saturday. The one and only time they have met previously was in 1991 when Australia won 16-6 in the semi-finals in Dublin with tries from David Campese and Tim Horan making the difference. The Australians went on to win the World Cup for the first time after that defeating England in the final. But if the quarter-final performances were anything to go by, it will be the All Blacks who will start as favourites to win the honour of representing the southern hemisphere against the victor of the two remaining all northern hemisphere quarter-finals. The Kiwis, driven on by a powerhouse pack and with speed and inventiveness behind the scrum, defeated South Africa 29-9 under the closed roof of the Docklands stadium in Melbourne. It was a masterful performance that saw the Cup co-favourites potent in attack and, when needed, resilient in defence in contrast to the gaps that Wales exploited in their midfield. The Wallabies struggled to a 9-9 half-time score against unfancied Scotland at Lang Park Brisbane before cutting loose in the second half for a 33-16 win. But the result did little to dispel home doubts over their ability to defend the world title that first emerged in the hard-fought 17-16 Pool win over Ireland. The Australian pack was outclassed by the Scots in the line-outs and they once again misfired in the backs giving coach Eddie Jones a selection headache for the semis. Notably his gamble of playing the three big rugby league converts failed to work. Winger Lote Tuqiri played well enough but full-back Mat Rogers lacked composure and winger Wendell Sailor had a nightmare. Jones will likely face calls to bring back veteran Joe Roff who was relegated to the bench for the Scotland game with Sailor likely paying the price. Australian skipper George Gregan, whose form has also been subject to criticism, said the semi-final meeting against the All Blacks at Sydney's Olympic Stadium was what they had been waiting for. "I guess it's the match both teams probably knew that at some stage we were going to have," he said. "We haven't been talking about it, but it's on and we can't wait to be back home in Sydney playing against the All Blacks. "They're always great games and there's a massive, massive prize at the end of this." New Zealand coach John Mitchell was less forthcoming about the semi-final match-up, when asked after the win over South Africa but before the Australian game had finished. The two remaining quarter-finals on Sunday oppose France and Ireland in Melbourne and England and Wales in Brisbane. The winners of those will meet in the other semi-final. |
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