Richie McCaw, the All Blacks captain, hasn't trained all week but he's leading his side out tonight for the biggest match of his Test career - this is, let's face it, the real World Cup finalPhotograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty ImagesThe All Blacks and their supporters are in vocal mood during the pre-match rendition of God Defend New Zealand. Quade Cooper - the Kiwi born Australian fly-half - was one of the most enthusiastic singers of Advance Australia Fair moment agoPhotograph: Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty ImagesMcCaw may be heavily strapped, but that's not stopping him from getting right into the hakaPhotograph: Phil Walter/Getty ImagesMcCaw is leading from the front as the All Blacks dominate the opening minutes. Australia, meanwhile, are being pinned in their own 22 as the ABs cycle menacingly through phase after phase ...Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty ImagesIsrael Dagg soon severs the Australian defence with a jinking run on the right flank ...Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images... before making a wonderful one-handed off-load to Ma'a Nonu, who puts the ball down. It's 5-0 to the All Blacks and boy has that been comingPhotograph: Hannah Johnston/Getty ImagesCongratulations all round for that tryPhotograph: Franck Fife/AFP/Getty ImagesBut scrum-half Piri Weepu - the fulcrum of this side since Dan carter's withdrawal through injury - misses the conversion and a couple of subsequent penalty attempts as the ABs fail to extend their leadPhotograph: William West/AFP/Getty ImagesDavid Pocock, whose tactics at the breakdown have been so effective yet so controversial in this World Cup, vies for a loose ball with Conrad SmithPhotograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty ImagesThere are some big hits going in ... this one by Digby Ioane looks particularly painful for fullback Israel DaggPhotograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty ImagesCory Jane is one of several players left bloodied - the Hurricanes player has a gash on the bridge of his nosePhotograph: Phil Walter/Getty ImagesThe Aussies aren't getting off lightly either. Here, Cooper is smashed by a driving tackle from Aaron Cruden - much to the delight of the home crowdPhotograph: Dave Hunt/EPA... while Sekope Kepu is crushed amid a predictably fierce contest between the packsPhotograph: David Gray/ReutersCooper's looking shaky today. His handling has been iffy all tournament and after dropping a bomber early in this match he narrowly escapes this charge down from Nonu ... Still, the game is wide open at half-time. It's 14-6 to the ABs - the Aussies have scored a penalty from James O'Connor and a drop-goal from Cooper, while Weepu has slotted two pens and Cruden a drop-goal to add to Nonu's tryPhotograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty ImagesWallabies flanker Rocky Elsom is tackled by All Black No8 Kieran Read as the home side look to clamp down on their opponents' chances in the second halfPhotograph: Franck Fife/AFP/Getty ImagesRead again proves his worth, bringing scrum-half Will Genia to ground with a critical tackle as the Aussies near the try-linePhotograph: William West/AFP/Getty ImagesThis match has become a fascinating battle between the forwards. No sign of the expansive rugby the All Blacks are capable of in this half - instead they're priding themselves on the quality and tenacity of the front fivePhotograph: William West/AFP/Getty ImagesMcCaw is the engine of the All Blacks machine, as ever. His men are overpowering their opponents at every scrum and every breakdown, keeping a healthy two-score advantage over the Wallabies going into the dying stagesPhotograph: David Davies/PAAnd there it is ... a huge roar goes up as Cooper is driven unceremoniously into touch in the 81st minute, ending the match and sealing New Zealand's place in the World Cup finalPhotograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty ImagesJoy unconfined for the Kiwis. They've won 20-6 and laid to rest the memories of their two previous semi-final defeats to AustraliaPhotograph: Christophe Ena/APThe Australians are distraught, but they've been well beaten today. The All Blacks were far superior and it's they who can now look forward to the final against FrancePhotograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
