SYDNEY, 16 November 2003 — Australia powered into their third World Cup final here yesterday with a stunning upset 22-10 victory over favorites New Zealand at the Olympic Stadium.

A try from center Stirling Mortlock and 17 points from the boot of Elton Flatley handed the 1999 defending champions a famous victory against an All Blacks side repeatedly rocked backward by ferocious Australian tackling.

The win puts Australia into a final next Saturday against either England or France, who play their semifinal here today.

New Zealand, whose points came from a converted captain Reuben Thorne try, now face a third place playoff on Thursday.

It was another nightmare result for New Zealand, who have been branded the ‘chokers’ of international rugby after successive flops in the 1995 and 1999 World Cups that they had been favored to win.

Australia had played poorly going into the match and their chances of retaining the William Webb Ellis Cup had been written off by former players and media earlier in the tournament.

But roared on by a World Cup record crowd of 82,444, the Australians led from start to finish.

New Zealand’s star fly-half Carlos Spencer was outshone by Australia counterpart Stephen Larkham, whose ghosting breaks through the All Blacks defense were a constant menace.

And New Zealand’s vaunted back three of Joe Rokocoko, Doug Howlett and Mils Muliaina were never given room to maneuver. In fact, it was the much-maligned Australian former rugby league stars, Lote Tuqiri, Mat Rogers, and Wendell Sailor who profited most.

Australia started boldly, running the ball from inside their own 22 on the kick-off and recycling through several phases.

The All Blacks twice went close to scoring in the opening minutes, with Rokocoko tackled into touch by Sailor yards from the line and fullback Muliaina seeing a try disallowed by the video referee for a knock-on.

But just as New Zealand looked to be getting into their stride, Australia scored. A long cutout pass from Spencer was anticipated brilliantly by Mortlock, who plucked the intercept and raced 80 meters to score under the posts.

New Zealand center Leon MacDonald missed a long-range penalty attempt that would have reduced the deficit as the All Blacks struggled to generate any momentum.

Instead it was Australia who scored next. A reckless high tackle by No. 8 Jerry Collins flattened Australia second row Nathan Sharpe, and English referee Chris White didn’t hesitate to award the penalty, duly kicked by Flatley.

MacDonald’s goalkicking problems continued when he saw a penalty attempt bounce off the post for his second miss.

Every New Zealand mistake sent adrenalin coursing through the Wallaby ranks, and they swept forward ceaselessly in search of a further score. Mortlock and Larkham were both outstanding, making several half-breaks and keeping the New Zealand line on its toes. Tuqiri launched one lightning attack after an aimless kick deep by Spencer, an attack that ultimately led to another Flatley penalty to put Australia 13-0 up.

But just as the Wallabies looked set to reach half-time with a handy buffer, New Zealand scored.