MELBOURNE - The four previous World Cup tournaments have not always produced memorable finals. It has been the semifinal stage that has often provided the defining moments.
New Zealand are the only team with a perfect record of reaching the semifinals.
They have won half their semifinals, along with one of
their finals and half their appearances in the play-off for third.
The All Blacks' match with Australia will be the first time the two teams have clashed in 10 cup semifinals.
New Zealand supporters will hope their trend of winning their semifinal at every second tournament will continue.
Semifinals so far 1987 The all-conquering New Zealand team led by David Kirk walloped Wales 49-6 at Brisbane in easily the most one-sided semifinal in tournament history. John Kirwan and Wayne Shelford scored two each in a total of eight tries against the Welsh.
This was possibly the only World Cup where the All Blacks were not in the most-talked-about semifinal, that honour belonging to France and Australia, who fought out a classic in Sydney. It was won 30-24 by the French when fullback Serge Blanco scored in the dying minutes.
1991
An ageing All Blacks team met their maker at Dublin, falling 6-16 to an Australian team who would go on to win the final a week later.
Wallabies winger David Campese was at his genius best, scoring the first try with an angled run across the New Zealand defence to the corner, and creating the second for Tim Horan with a weaving run and over-the-shoulder pass.
The loss heralded the end of a dominant era for All Black rugby.
The other semifinal saw England down Scotland 9-6 at Edinburgh in a tense contest.
1995
Newlands hosted the match that knighted All Black winger Jonah Lomu as a global phenomenon. His four tries against England, including the famous trampling of Mike Catt, will live long in the memory of those who witnessed the 45-29 win.
This was the best performance of the tournament by an All Black team playing an exciting brand of rugby that came unstuck a week later against South Africa.
The Springboks were lucky to beat France 19-15 in a waterlogged semifinal at Durban. What appeared to be a late try by French lock Abdel Benazzi was disallowed by Welsh referee Derek Bevan.
1999
One of New Zealand rugby's darkest days. Heavily favoured to beat France, the All Blacks capitulated at Twickenham after leading 24-10 early in the second half.
The recriminations continued in New Zealand long after the tournament and represented a turning point in attitude for those who believe the All Blacks have a divine right to win every test.
The tryless test at Twickenham a day earlier was also a classic, a 50m spiralling dropped goal by Australian first five-eighths Stephen Larkham in extra time helping them to a 27-21 win over South Africa.
- NZPA
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MELBOURNE - The four previous World Cup tournaments have not always produced memorable finals. It has been the semifinal stage that has often provided the defining moments.
New Zealand are the only team with a perfect record of reaching the semifinals.
They have won half their semifinals, along with one of
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