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| Sunday, 16 November 2003 |
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Aussies stun All Blacks to reach World Cup final by ROB WOOLLARD, Sydney, Nov. 15 (AFP) - Australia powered into their third World Cup final here Saturday with a stunning upset 22-10 victory over favourites New Zealand at the Olympic Stadium. A try from centre Stirling Mortlock and 17 points from the boot of Elton Flatley handed the 1999 defending champions a famous victory against an All Blacks side repeatedly rocked backwards by ferocious Australian tackling. The win puts Australia into a final next Saturday - becoming the first defending champions to reach the next final - against either England or France, who play their semi-final here Sunday. New Zealand, whose points came from a converted captain Reuben Thorne try, now face a third place play-off on Thursday. It was another nightmare result for All Blacks, who have been branded the 'chokers' of international rugby after successive flops in the 1995 and 1999 World Cups that they had been favoured to win. Aussie captain George Gregan said it was a wonderful achievement as the Australians triumphed over the All Blacks for the second time in a semi-final having beaten them in 1991 on their way to seeing off England in the final.. "New Zealand have been the world's best team this year, so it was a great effort," said Gregan, who had been heavily criticised during the tournament. "It has given us the opportunity to play for the ultimate prize and that's next week, so we don't want to get too carried away. "The way it is these days against top teams, you have got to make them work defensively. "Although it didn't pay off initially, it paid off later in the game (when) they started to tire." A shellshocked Thorne - one of the few survivors from the 1999 catastrophe - said the Wallabies heroic defence had been the source of their downfall. "They (Australia) defended with their lives ... they put on a lot of pressure.... we lost our composure." "We just couldn't hold the ball enough tonight," said Thorne. Australia had played poorly going into the match and their chances of retaining the William Webb Ellis Cup had been written off by former players and media earlier in the tournament. But roared on by a World Cup record crowd of 82,444, the Australians led from start to finish. New Zealand's star flyhalf Carlos Spencer was outshone by Australia counterpart Stephen Larkham, whose ghosting breaks through the All Blacks defence were a constant menace. Spencer, who failed to live up to the mantle of 'King Carlos', said it was a desperate feeling in the dressingroom but said there had been little he could do about the defeat. "They shut us down and didn't let us play. "Fair credit to them. It's frustrating for me but its hard to play without the ball," said the 28-year-old. And New Zealand's vaunted back three of Joe Rokocoko, Doug Howlett and Mils Muliaina were never given room to manoeuvre. In fact, it was the much-maligned Australian former rugby league stars, Lote Tuqiri, Mat Rogers, and Wendell Sailor who profited most. Australia started boldly, running the ball from inside their own 22 on the kick-off and recycling through several phases. The All Blacks twice went close to scoring in the opening minutes, with Rokocoko tackled into touch by Sailor yards from the line and Muliaina seeing a try disallowed by the video referee for a knock-on. But just as New Zealand looked to be getting into their stride, Australia scored. A long cut-out pass from Spencer was anticipated brilliantly by Mortlock, who plucked the intercept and raced 80 metres to score under the posts. New Zealand centre Leon MacDonald missed a long-range penalty attempt that would have reduced the deficit as the All Blacks struggled to generate any momentum. Instead it was Australia who scored next. A reckless high tackle by No.8 Jerry Collins flattened Australia second row Nathan Sharpe, and English referee Chris White didn't hesitate to award the penalty, duly kicked by Flatley. MacDonald's goalkicking problems continued when he saw a penalty attempt bounce off the post for his second miss. Every New Zealand mistake sent adrenalin coursing through the Wallaby ranks, and they swept forward ceaselessly in search of a further score. Mortlock and Larkham were both outstanding, making several half-breaks and keeping the New Zealand line on its toes. Tuqiri launched one lightning attack after an aimless kick deep by Spencer, an attack that ultimately led to another Flatley penalty to put Australia 13-0 up. But just as the Wallabies looked set to reach half-time with a handy buffer, New Zealand scored. Larkham was dispossessed in the tackle just outside his 22 and Spencer was unleashed on a brilliant jinking run. The fly-half's pass found Thorne, who dived athletically to dot down. MacDonald converted and New Zealand were back in the game 13-7 down at half-time. Australia started the second half as they had the first and soon won another penalty after Collins had failed to roll away from a tackle inside the 22, Flatley potting his third penalty to make it 16-7. A worrying seven-minute halt in play with Wallabies prop Ben Darwin lying stricken on the turf ended with the tighthead being ferried away and he was taken to hospital for tests, though he was able to move his hands and feet. Flatley and MacDonald swapped penalties but Australia restored a 12-point lead going into the final quarter when New Zealand were caught offside. Flatley converted and Australia finished strongly. |
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