Rugby World Cup 2011: New Zealand v Australia - in pictures

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 final Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The 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 ago Photograph: Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images

McCaw may be heavily strapped, but that's not stopping him from getting right into the haka Photograph: Phil Walter/Getty Images

McCaw 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 Images

Israel 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 coming Photograph: Hannah Johnston/Getty Images

Congratulations all round for that try Photograph: Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images

But 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 lead Photograph: William West/AFP/Getty Images

David Pocock, whose tactics at the breakdown have been so effective yet so controversial in this World Cup, vies for a loose ball with Conrad Smith Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

There are some big hits going in ... this one by Digby Ioane looks particularly painful for fullback Israel Dagg Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Cory Jane is one of several players left bloodied - the Hurricanes player has a gash on the bridge of his nose Photograph: Phil Walter/Getty Images

The 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 crowd Photograph: Dave Hunt/EPA

... while Sekope Kepu is crushed amid a predictably fierce contest between the packs Photograph: David Gray/Reuters

Cooper'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 try Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Wallabies 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 half Photograph: Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images

Read again proves his worth, bringing scrum-half Will Genia to ground with a critical tackle as the Aussies near the try-line Photograph: William West/AFP/Getty Images

This 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 five Photograph: William West/AFP/Getty Images

McCaw 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 stages Photograph: David Davies/PA

And 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 final Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Joy unconfined for the Kiwis. They've won 20-6 and laid to rest the memories of their two previous semi-final defeats to Australia Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP

The 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 France Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images