1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
Live TV
Latest audioLatest videos
In focus
Russia's war in UkraineIsrael-Hamas warIndia elections

Australia, New Zealand in rugby final

Jefferson ChaseOctober 25, 2015

Australia and New Zealand will face off for the first time in the Rugby World Cup final. That's after the Wallabies beat Argentina 29-15 in their semi-final clash. It was a match with a wide-open beginning.

https://p.dw.com/p/1Gu2l
Image: Reuters/H. Browne

Australia got out to a galloping start with a try after only two minutes. But any thoughts that the fancied Australians would run rampant over their South American opponents were equally quickly given the lie.

Although Australia scored three tries in the first half, Argentina countered the Wallabies' attacking approach with five penalties by Nicholas Sanchez. With 26 minutes to go, the South Americans only trailed by seven points.

But Adam Ashley-Cooper came through with his third try of the match to seal the win for Australia. They now advance to face arch-rivals New Zealand in next Sunday's final.

"It was a tough game and we knew it would be," Australia's captain Stephen Moore said after the Argentina match. "We had to defend a lot. We have an opportunity in a final now. That took a fair bit out of the tank. We know the task next week is huge, we have to recover well."

New Zealand overcame South Africa 20-18 in London on Saturday to advance to a record fourth World Cup final.

The All Blacks and Wallabies have each won two world titles, but strangely enough the two sides have never contested a World Cup final against each other since the competition began in 1987.

South Africa and Argentin are to square off for third place this coming Friday. But rugby fans the world round will be anticipating Saturday's title clash between neighbors, fierce rivals and the two best teams in the game right now.