Host New Zealand overwhelmed Australia 20-6 in a dazzling display of pace, power and possession at Eden Park Sunday to set up a rugby World Cup final against France next weekend. The All Blacks threatened to engulf the Tri-Nations champion after Quade Cooper, the man New Zealanders love to hate, had lobbed the kickoff into touch on the full. Expatriate New Zealander Cooper made a series of unforced errors early in the match after a relentless wave of attacks on both flanks. However, the All Blacks' only reward, and the sole try of match, came when Ma'a Nonu drove over the line after the outstanding Israel Dagg had sliced through the defense and flung the ball infield before sliding into touch. Despite the All Blacks' dominance, based on a rock-solid scrum which frequently forced the Wallabies backwards, Australia was still in contention when the teams turned around with New Zealand leading 14-6. But, although Piri Weepu failed to replicate the place-kicking accuracy with the boot he had showed against Argentina in the quarterfinals, it became clear that the longer the match went on, the less likely the Wallabies were to snap a losing sequence at Eden Park stretching back to 1986. The outcome was the worst defeat Australia has endured at a tournament which it has won twice and also twice disposed of New Zealand in the semifinals. It also ensured a repeat of the inaugural 1987 final at Eden Park, the only other time New Zealand has hosted the tournament, and the one time it lifted the Webb Ellis trophy. France was comfortably beaten in 1987 but it has subsequently become New Zealand's bogey team in the World Cup with their upset semifinal win in 1999 and its quarterfinal victory in Cardiff four years ago. “The job hasn't been done yet. I think it's really important that we understand that and that we get our feet back on the ground over the next two days and build again for this test,” said New Zealand coach Graham Henry. France advanced to its third final after defeating Wales 9-8 on Saturday. Wales was forced to play 60 minutes after their captain Sam Warburton was shown a red card for a dangerous tackle. __
