Hah, that was an interesting link. They forgot Fiji though!
I’m killing myself here, a week between matches, c’mon!
WOO and furthermore HOO! Straya 22, Kiwis 10
Australia’s suggestion that they had left something left in the bag for tonight proves true. Outstanding defence. Mortlock straight ahead. Sailor playing more as a centre than a winger. Larkham’s ability to create doubt by carrying the ball as well as passing and kicking created much uncertainty.
NZ just looked cramped, they never had time to get their backline moving. Their lineout was abominable.
The game seemed gone to NZ from the moment Bill Young snaffled up that loose ball when the All Blacks were attacking.
Can you WOO HOO quietly? We are in mourning.
Well done Aussies.
Missed the game but just heard the result. Bad luck All-Blacks. Well done Aussies.
Cross your fingers for England tomorrow.
Sorry calm kiwi. I’m sure it hurts down south. I thought you guys really missed Umunga, and just couldn’t get it out to your three deep backs. Spencer was unlucky - he’s a great player who just had a couple of things not go his way. I hope the NZ press don’t blame him for this, he certaintly doesn’t deserve it.
The other semi-final is a fascinating prospect.
Oh the NZ press will blame them ALL. If I were them I wouldn’t come home for about 6mths.
Seems the Kiwi press has nothing better to talk about then the All Blacks and they slaughter them when they lose.
We were out played pure and simple.
and now for the traditional “bloody Aussies mutter, mutter, grumble, grumble” 
You don’t win football games - you lose them.
In 1999 Australia had only one try scored against them in the whole tournament.
This time, they’re a little more sloppy - 6 have been scored against them - including the New Zealand try this evening. Still, that’s amazingly thrifty and ultimately, it’s why New Zealand couldn’t crack it tonight. New Zealand is in a class of their own when it comes to attacking “free form” rugby. No side on earth possesses the virtuoso brilliance of that side - and tonight, they weren’t lacking in any way whatsoever - their best players were on the park and they had the same talent they had all year - and most importantly, there were no instant catastrophic losses of form.
Nonetheless, I’ve been pointing this out for quite some time however, that is, in the 2nd Bledisloe Test this year, Australia lost the match, but they actually out pointed the New Zealanders in the 2nd half. In short, they were getting their defensive patterns together - that is, minimal numbers at the breakdown and lots of lateral sliding defense very much in the vein of the best Rugby League sides. No coincidence considering the Wallabies defensive coach - former Rugby League star John Muggleton.
So what happened was this - the magnificent virtuosity of New Zealand came up against a near impregnable wall - and an extremely structured one at that. In desperation New Zealand then fell deeper and deeper into virtuoso mode and made the job for Australia even easier in terms of defense. Passes were pushed, discipline lapsed, penalties were awarded, things became more desperate as the clock ticked down.
A load of people have been writing the Wallabies off all year - in fact since John Eales retired actually. But where it counts, that is, the World Cup, the Wallabies proved that impregnable defense is paramout. Everything springs from that. And it has to be perfectly fair defense too. No indiscretions. Indiscretions equals penalties.
It was only a matter of time before the Wallabies finally clicked and played to their potential. I honestly believe they’ll be even 25% better next week in the final.
When England beat Australia in June, Australia was a very mixed up side. Lots of injuries, key play makers out with injury. Neither Larkham nor Flatley were on the park, nor Mortlock. The balance of the side was in massive state of flux. The side which will run out onto the park next week will be like a jet figher leaving the deck of an aircraft carrier. Fully armed, and full of fuel. And an ominous sense of purpose.
The signal they sent to both England and France this evening is this - you don’t win football games - you lose them. And Australia doesn’t look like a side which intends to lose.
Wow, it was like trying to penetrate a bloody brick wall. Well done Australia. Right from the start it seemed like the Wallabies were more intense and wanted it more. NZ were unable to play to their strengths; Rokocoko and Muliaina couldn’t get going; they gave up too many penalties and lost too many lineouts. Better luck in four years and I hope to see more of Carlos Spencer!
Finally, if there’s one chap I wouldn’t want to tackle or be tackled by, it’s Wendell Sailor. Yeesh.
Any predictions for tomorrow?
It’s going to be very very tight. England’s on fighting form, and will have tightened up its attitude after the scare against Wales. Alas, I still think France have it, by a couple of points.
Well, that’s something to play for, the Aussie’s in the World Cup Final, in Sydney 
Well done to the hosts and commiserations All Blacks.
If England screws it up tactically tomorrow, the gap closes and it’ll be in the lap of the Gods. If they don’t they’ll win. Fwiw, I suspect a fully fit, fully balanced, tactically clear England team are relishing the prospect.
I’m so pleased Hill and Loosey are fit and Catt will start alongside Wilco.
Finally, she feels just right. I’m looking forward to this one.
I certainly hope the final won’t be as boring as this semi-final. It’s the Jonny Wilkinson show.
Well I hate to say it…cause they are our “over-the-Tassie-cuzzies” but I will be cheering for the Poms in the final. The Aussies have had there go.
C’Mon Pommies, show us whay you are made of! Oh and in return can you hope we beat the frogs lol
I hasten to add I have nothing more then the token usual against the Aussies.
Just time to share the cup around. Imagine how much we will want it back if a NH lot get it this time!
Gee the English scored some epic tries against the French in their semi-final. Such awesome attacking power. I bet the Wallabies are scared shitless.
Kiwi’s loose…hahahaha
Aussies win!!! Woo hoo
Nothing against our cuzzie bros from NZ, the land of the long face.
Can i get an…
AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE
OI! OI! OI!
AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE
OI! OI! OI!
AUSSIE
OI!
AUSSIE
OI!
AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE
OI! OI! OI!
BBF: …and the winners were?
Result!
France foiled parce-qu’il pleut.
F**King Aussies! 
GOOOOOOOOOOOO the POMS.
Can we get some Pommie love? C’mon we would look much better in third…we are already wearing black!
True enough Spogga - and the conditions were shitty I’ll gladly concede. Nonetheless, any side with top flight discipline tonight would NOT have given away 6 shootable penalties to the English. 16-6 to the Australians in the final I’m predicting.
Maybe 22-6. I haven’t seen one sign from the English this tournament that they can beat a disciplined side with great attacking prowess. If they play a side which gives away silly penalties - sure they’ll inexorably pile on the points - but when it comes to what really counts? And I mean the very soul defining essence of Rugby? I’m not impressed with the English side’s ability to score tries I’m afraid. And when push comes to shove, that’s what it’s all about.
England’s progress into the semi-finals tonight was on a par with Argentina beating England in the 1998 Football World Cup on penalties after extra time. Nothing to write home about.