Deans Hails Pocock for Wallaby Win

Australia coach Robbie Deans hailed an "immense" performance from David Pocock as the Wallabies reached the World Cup semi-finals.

Pocock produced an inspired display from flanker to help dethrone defending champions South Africa and set up a last four meeting against Deans' native New Zealand in Auckland next Sunday.

"He was immense," Deans said.

"David Pocock's game was remarkable, and it was bigger than he got credit for.

"The world is blessed with some very good snafflers at the moment, and no doubt people will be looking forward to next week, to that end.

"What you saw out there was the most experienced World Cup side in the world (South Africa) really turn the screws on the youngest. So, our boys came of age in terms of the way they accepted that challenge and stood up to it.

Massive

"We saw an epic World Cup encounter. Different, but that's what makes this game what it is."

And looking ahead to the remainder of the tournament, which sees Wales meeting France in next Saturday's opening semi-final, Deans added: "I have got no doubt that the next couple of weeks will be the best World Cup rugby that we've ever seen.

"The bar just keeps going up in terms of the capability of the sides."

Skipper James Horwill admitted Australia had been under the cosh for long periods of their 11-9 win over the world champions, but he praised his team's character and resilience.

"Not everything went our way and we put ourselves under a lot of pressure," he said.

"But one thing you can't teach or train is effort and commitment from the group. Every member of our team showed a hell of a lot of both of those.

"We feel we got the result we deserved on the back of a massive effort from the whole group. Moving forward that is what it's going to take."

Wallabies Waltz Around USA

Australia returned to winning ways with a mixed display against the USA in Wellington.

On paper the scoreline of 67-5 will have pleased coach Robbie Deans, with the Wallabies running in tries through Rob Horne, Rocky Elsom, Kurtley Beale, Anthony Faingaa (2), Drew Mitchell, Pat McCabe, Adam Ashley Cooper (3) and Radike Samo.

And Australia certainly looked dangerous in attack against the minnows, while their defence was able to keep the Americans at arm's length.

However there is still plenty for them to work on as they conceded too many turnovers (13 compared to America's 12), missed the place-kicking of James O'Connor - before the introduction of Berrick Barnes - and looked vulnerable when Quade Cooper was put under pressure.

As it was the Eagles couldn't take full advantage, with them lack the cutting edge and dynamism in attack.

The USA did deservedly score a first-half try through JJ Gagiano but they tired badly after the break as Australia swarmed forward.

However they can be proud of their defensive display in the opening 40 minutes, while they were able to disrupt their more illustrious rivals at the breakdown.

Cooper scythed through to set Australia on their way after eight minutes with his mazy counter-attack run finished off by Horne in the corner.

Elsom crossed for try No.2 within three minutes as the Wallabies stretched the Eagles defence to create the overlap for the flanker.

Unperturbed, the USA took the fight to the Australians - with Usasz pulling the strings. A 20-phase spell appeared to come to nothing when Malifa tried chipping through but Cooper was caught by the Eagles defence over his own line.

And from the resulting 5m scrum, No.8 JJ Gagiano picked up the ball and charged down the blindside unopposed to score.

The Eagles pushed hard for a second but when Kevin Swiryn spilled the ball in the tackle in the Aussie 22, Elsom launched a counterattack, with Ashley Cooper able to print free before sending Beale in. Cooper converted.

And Australia wrapped up the bonus point before the interval after Faingaa was on hand to finish off after Horne cut through.

Mitchell marked his return to the Wallabies starting XV with a powerful finish, with the winger crashing through two tackles to dive over. Cooper converted.

McCabe then made an immediate impact after coming on as he took the pass from Ashley Cooper before stepping inside to score.

The seventh, eighth and ninth tries deservedly came through Ashley Cooper in a devastating six-minute spell. Firstly the winger showed his pace to score on the outside, he then made the most of turnover ball to stroll in before completing his hat-trick as he supported a superb breakaway.

With the Americans fading badly Faingaa added to his tally as he slid over in the corner - and things got worse for the minnows as Blaine Scully was sin-binned.

And the Wallabies finished on a high as Samo was put clear on the overlap with two minutes left.