New Zealand and Australia through to Rugby World Cup Final as South Africa and Argentina fall

The Rugby World Cup Final is set for Saturday October 31, and after two ferocious semi finals this weekend it will be New Zealand and Australia coming out of the tunnels to compete for the sport’s biggest trophy at Twickenham.

On Saturday New Zealand overcame South Africa 20-18 to seal their place in the final. The All Blacks showed their class when they were five points down with a man in the sin bin at the start of the second half. Dan Carter stepped into well-won space in the South African half and kicked a drop goal to bring New Zealand only two points behind.

The momentum fully turned in the next 20 minutes as the All Blacks went five points up and Bryan Habana for the Springboks was sent to the bin. In the end it was New Zealand who did what was needed. Ex-England scrum half Matt Dawson summed up the result on twitter:

“Proper performance from the ABs. Winning ugly is a wonderful trait in rugby.”

On Sunday Australia managed to hold on after a resurging Argentina comeback to take a hard-fought 29-15 victory.

Adam Ashley Cooper was in flying form and scored two of Australia´s three first half tries. The Pumas stayed in the game thanks to Nicolas Sanchez´s boot and the margin went from 13 to seven in the last quarter.

Cooper made it a hat trick and his third try was the difference for the Wallabies. Once more David Pocock was inspirational for Australia and may well be the player of the tournament.

This is the first time that New Zealand and Australia will meet in a World Cup Final and both rugby nations will be rested and ready for the clash at Twickenham on Saturday.