Wallabies coach Robbie Deans wished the All Blacks good luck and tipped them to finally end their Rugby World Cup drought after dishing out a bitter lesson in Sunday night's one-sided semifinal.
New Zealand will now meet France, in a rematch of the tournament's inaugural finalists in 1987, in next Sunday's decider after overpowering Australia 20-6 at Eden Park.
The All Blacks took control with a sixth-minute try to Ma'a Nonu and Deans labelled it one of the best opposition performances he's coached against in his four-year reign as Wallabies coach.
While the world's No 1 team smashed the second-ranked Australians, France eked out a lucky 9-8 win over a gutsy 14-man Wales, who missed four of their five goal kicks.
France also enter the Eden Park final as the only team to have made a tournament decider after losing two pool matches - including an embarrassing 19-12 defeat to lowly Tonga.
Les Bleus, who have overcome internal divisions to upset both England and the Welsh in the past nine days, were also hammered 37-17 in the pool stages by New Zealand.
"I think the All Blacks showed tonight that they are more than capable of winning it," Deans said.
"They are intense, they are an experienced group and they are well versed. They are hungry and they have a lot of support around them."
"Good luck to the All Blacks in the final. They worked hard for this opportunity.
"There is a core of blokes who are having their third crack and you can see that by how they approach their work."
Senior among the core is skipper Richie McCaw, who produced an inspirational display as the home side dominated the breakdown contest.
Even though he's been plagued by a foot injury, McCaw played his best game of the year as Wallabies ball scavenger David Pocock was nullified at the breakdown contest.
The All Black captain and flanker also pulled off a brilliant tackle and turnover on dangerous halfback Will Genia in the second half when the Wallabies had a rare opportunity to break the line.
Genia admitted that for the first time in his life he'll support the All Blacks in the decider following their semifinal dominance.
"We were outplayed by them so good luck to them," he said. "They dominated us pretty much in a lot of areas of the game.
"When they get on the front foot their hard to stick with.
"You have to start well against them, stick with them for the first 20 otherwise they will blow you off the park."
No comments:
Post a Comment