Player ratings: Oz fall into black hole

The All Blacks were at their dominant best and hammered the Wallabies into submission in an impressive 20-6 Rugby World Cup semifinal victory on Sunday.

New Zealand did everything right and were superb in the line-outs, scrums and under the high ball to outplay Australia in almost every facet of the game.

If they are able to carry this form and confidence into the final then it could be a very one-sided affair against France next weekend.

We rate the New Zealand players:

15 Israel Dagg:
Incredible running from the creative star, and his break and flip pass for Nonu's try was something special. He joined the line on attack and was used as a playmaker, at times, and very effectively.
9/10

14 Cory Jane:
Ran well and was acrobatic under the high ball in a top-class performance with a scar on his nose to prove it.
8/10

13 Conrad Smith:
Slightly quieter than some of the other backs, but made his tackles and kept a cool head.
6/10

12 Ma'a Nonu:
He was a strong running threat throughout and straightened the line well. He had the Wallaby centres in trouble on a few occasions.
7/10

11 Richard Kahui:
Fantastic crunching tackle on Cooper and wasdangerous out wide when given the opportunity.
7/10

10 Aaron Cruden:
Not afraid and unfazed by the pressure of being the All Blacks pivot. He was prepared to chance his arm and go himself with so much experience around him and landed a well struck drop-goal. Tackled well as Australia targeted his channel.
7/10

9 Piri Weepu:
Hot and cold with his goalkicking and his Jekyll and Hide tendencies carried through to the rest of his game. Some moments of brilliance and a few clumsy errors.
7/10

8 Kieran Read:
Running, tackling and linking with the backs brilliantly. Read the game beautifully and was exciting whenever he had his hands on the ball.
8/10

7 Richie McCaw (captain):
Swooped on every loose ball and was a terror at the breakdown. Had the better of David Pocock on the floor.
8/10

6 Jerome Kaino:
Try-saving tackle on Digby Ioane that was outstanding and his work in the rucks and mauls was incredible. He has been one of the stars of the World Cup.
9/10

5 Samuel Whitelock:
Solid and did his job well without really dominating.
6/10

4 Brad Thorn:
A number of line-out steals, coupled with some very physical play. The hardman in the ABs' team... doing the dirty unflattering work.
8/10

3 Owen Franks:
Mobile and strong making several tackles making him more than just a scrumming weapon. However, he was also powerful and dominant in the scrums and smashed him opposition.
9/10

2 Keven Mealamu:
Excellent in the line-outs and won some turnovers with very good lose play.
7/10

1 Tony Woodcock:
Guilty of being a butter-fingers a few times... knocking balls on and not as mobile as some props. He scrummed very well and had the Australians in trouble, but didn't offer much else.
6/10

Replacements:

16 Andrew Hore (On for Keven Mealamu 64 min):
Not enough time to be rated

17 Ben Franks (On for Owen Franks 79 min):
Not enough time to be rated.

18 Ali Williams (On for Sam Whitelock 57 min):
Charged into the defence well at first receiver and was a menace in the rucks.
6/10

19 Victor Vito (On for Jerome Kaino 79th min):
Not enough time to be rated.

20 Andy Ellis (On for Piri Weepu, 57th min):
Went off for blood and wasn't on the field long enough to make any real impact.

21 Stephen Donald:
Not used.

22 Sonny Bill Williams (On for Ma'a Nonu, 73rd min):
Shoulder charged Quade Cooper to get a yellow card after being on the field for just two minutes.
2/10