New Zealand's path to the final
New Zealand's path to the Rugby World Cup final
against France at Eden Park here on Sunday:
Pool A matches
Sept 9, Auckland (Eden Park): NEW ZEALAND 41 TONGA 10
Richard Kahui and Israel Dagg scored two tries each as New Zealand
kicked off their campaign with a six tries to one romp over the Tongans.
The All Blacks had the match in their keeping with a 29-3 half-time
lead.
Sept 16, Hamilton: NEW ZEALAND 83 JAPAN 7
The All Blacks, missing Richie McCaw, Dan Carter and Mils Muliania,
ran in 13 tries against the hapless Brave Blossoms with Sonny Bill
Williams and Kahui each nabbing a brace of tries and fly-half Colin
Slade landing nine conversions.
Sept 24, Auckland (Eden Park): NEW ZEALAND 37 FRANCE 17
The two finalists met in this pool game where Les Bleus began
confidently but were ultimately no match for the All Blacks, who won
five tries to two with Dagg scoring a brace and Carter kicking three
conversions, a drop goal and a penalty. Skipper McCaw played his 100th
Test.
Oct 2, Wellington: NEW ZEALAND 79 CANADA 15
The unbeaten All Blacks topped their pool with a 12 tries to two romp
over the Canadians. Wing Zac Guildford ran in four tries in what has so
far been his only appearance at the tournament.
Knockout matches Quarter-final
Oct 9, Auckland (Eden Park): NEW ZEALAND 33 ARGENTINA 10
Scrum-half Piri Weepu, taking over the kicking in the absence of
sidelined Carter, landed seven penalties in a torrid contest. Argentina
restricted the home side to just two tries, both in the final quarter of
the game, while the Pumas crossed the line once to briefly lead in the
first half. Full-back Mils Muliaina played his 100th Test.
Semi-final
Oct 16, Auckland (Eden Park): NEW ZEALAND 20 AUSTRALIA 6
The All Blacks overwhelmed Australia in the physical and tactical
exchanges to remain unbeaten at their Eden Park fortress since 1994.
Centre Ma'a Nonu scored the only try of a brutal match in the sixth
minute and shut down the Wallaby threat with dominant work in the
set-pieces and in defence. |
