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All Blacks lead at Eden Park

Herman Mostert

Cape Town - The All Blacks were leading the Wallabies by 14-6 at half-time in their Rugby World Cup semi-final at Eden Park in Auckland.

The New Zealanders started like a house on fire, constantly pressurising the Wallaby line, and were duly rewarded when centre Ma'a Nonu crashed over inside the first five minutes.

Scrumhalf Piri Weepu kicked a further penalty to put the All Blacks 8-0 up.

Australia responded via a penalty from winger James O'Connor (8-3) before a drop-goal from flyhalf Aaron Cruden stretched the All Blacks' lead to eight points again (11-3).

Aussie flyhalf, Quade Cooper, responded with a drop-goal of his own to put the Wallabies back within striking distance.

However, Weepu kicked another penalty just before the break to put the New Zealanders 14-6 up.

New Zealand will rue some missed opportunities though, most notably Weepu missing three kicks at goal.

Teams:


New Zealand:
15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Richard Kahui, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Brad Thorn, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock

Substitutes: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Ali Williams, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Sonny Bill Williams

Australia:
15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 James O'Connor, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper/Anthony Fainga'a, 12 Pat McCabe, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Radike Samo, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom; 5 James Horwill (captain), 4 Dan Vickerman, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Sekope Kepu

Subsitutes: 16 Tatafu Polota Nau, 17 James Slipper, 18 Rob Simmons, 19 Ben McCalman, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Berrick Barnes, 22 Anthony Fainga'a/Rob Horne

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