New Zealand vowed to keep their feet firmly on the ground after reaching next weekend's World Cup final against France with a masterful display of power rugby in their last-four clash with Australia.
New Zealand vowed to keep their feet firmly on the ground after reaching next weekend's World Cup final against France with a masterful display of power rugby in their last-four clash with Australia.
Australian Wallabies' Quade Cooper (right) is tackled by New Zealand
All Black's Richard Kahui during the Rugby World Cup semis yesterday.
Pic/AFP
The All Blacks beat the Wallabies 20-6, outplaying their trans-Tasman rivals in every aspect as they hassled the Australians into a catalogue of errors.
New Zealand will be overwhelming favourites when they return here next Sunday to play in a rematch of the inaugural 1987 World Cup final against France, also at Eden Park, which the All Blacks won 29-9.
And New Zealand have already beaten France once at this World Cup, winning their pool match 37-17. "It was an outstanding performance. I'm very proud of them. We just need to regroup next week and do the same thing," said New Zealand coach Graham Henry.
"The guys' character was superb and you can't ask for more than that. Everyone on the field gave 100 per cent, so it's a good feeling to have the job done."
But Henry, who was also in charge when the All Blacks crashed out of the 2007 World Cup following a quarter-final defeat by France said the most important match was yet to be played.
"The job hasn't been done yet and it's very important we understand that and get our feet back on the ground over the next two days," he said.
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