Host New Zealand and twice champion Australia set up their third World Cup semifinal Sunday after the All Blacks defeated Argentina 33-10 and Australia scraped an 11-9 win over defending champion South Africa. Battle will resume at Auckland's Eden Park next weekend where Wales will play France Saturday followed by the All Blacks versus the Wallabies a day later. A final on Oct. 23 between the remaining two teams from each hemisphere was guaranteed once Ireland upset twice champion Australia in the pool stages to ensure a quarterfinal against Wales. New Zealand, seeking its first World Cup since the inaugural 1987 tournament, lost to the Wallabies in the 1991 and 2003 semifinals. It will, though, be boosted by the knowledge that no side has won the Webb Ellis trophy after losing in the group stages. “Positive sides did well (in the quarterfinals) and that's fantastic for the game,” Australia coach Robbie Deans said. “In the next couple of weeks, I have no doubt will be some of the best World Cup rugby we've ever seen because the bar just keeps going up in terms of the capability of all the sides.” Argentina, which finished third at the 2007 tournament after defeating host France in the opening match and the third place playoff, belied its first round form with a splendidly defiant performance against the All Blacks at Eden Park. It even took the lead briefly in the first half with the first try of the match, scored against the run of play by flanker Julio Fariaa Cabello. However, New Zealand kept its shape and late tries to forwards Kieran Read and Brad Thorn put the issue beyond doubt. In the absence of the injured Daniel Carter, man-of-the-match Piri Weepu calmed the fears of a nation willing their heroes to victory with seven penalties. New Zealand was also relieved by the display of Aaron Cruden, their third choice flyhalf behind Carter and Colin Slade, who left the field injured in the first half. Cruden grew in stature as the match progressed and Weepu's prowess with the boot settled any debate about the first All Blacks' halfback combination for the remainder of the tournament.
