Jack Rowell: Johnson's men master slippery conditions to set up enticing finale

What a final is now in prospect. The English mastered conditions to triumph in their 83rd meeting with France, while Australia seriously upset the odds in overcoming the New Zealand All Blacks.

England would have had their match against France in their minds going into the World Cup. No matter the importance of winning their way through to a predicted semi-final, France would always have been their focus. And that is precisely how England played, with an insistence on winning.

They were well led by Martin Johnson, backed by Lawrence Dallaglio and the returning Richard Hill, but the red rose pack as a unit made a Herculean effort to subdue the much-vaunted French forwards, and this allowed the England half-backs, Matt Dawson and Jonny Wilkinson, supported, as planned, by Mike Catt, to direct play.

The weather decreed a simple game plan, and this was well executed. The tension of a semi-final with both teams holding each other in mutual respect led to a vibrant and at times frenetic start. Errors abounded, and one in particular, by England, allowed Serge Betsen to score the game's only try. If France were going to win the match this was their opportunity, especially as several penalties allowing kicks at goal came their way. However, after the promise of an opening touchline conversion, Frédéric Michalak failed, and with those failures went the hopes of his team. Thereafter instead of being two scores ahead France increasingly came under pressure and gradually slipped behind.

Conditions were not user friendly; the French especially were hit hard. Their fluency in attack, which had been a feature of the tournament to date, suffered accordingly. One or two of their attacks threatened, but France became engulfed as wet conditions persisted, and, more importantly as England got on top. In this challenging environment, England were technically more efficient and direct in their play. As expected there were errors, but as the game progressed, England were increasingly able to go forward. There was space around rucks and Dawson sniped the yardage, although at this stage handling attacks foundered on a well-organised and fierce tackling French defence. It was either side of half-time when England's kicking for territory coupled with their forwards driving that the route to a well-earned place in the final was mapped out.

In today's rugby the team with territory, and pressing forward, will win the kickable penalties and drop goal opportunities. England did exactly this and yet again Wilkinson, who became the first English player to land a hat-trick of drop goals, took over the scoreboard, to ease England ahead.

The treacherous conditions were not right for catch-up rugby and the French floundered, their back three could not respond to their opponents' kicking game and it was not a day for running. As for the French forwards they just could not build any bridgehead, nothing was made of any hard-won possession and Fabien Galthié laboured behind his creaking forwards while his gifted young half-back partner, Michalak, found it all too much on the day and was eventually replaced, but far too late.

French mistakes conspired to compound their plight and with his increasingly unerring boot Wilkinson delivered the knock-out blows. England were home if not dry.

In the other semi-final, the Wallabies coach, Eddie Jones, was proved right, the result of this game was dependent on factors on the day, regardless of the All Blacks' recent track record. Form was turned on its head, when Australia suddenly unearthed a performance that lived up to the potential of their players. There had been no evidence of this for the last two years, let alone in this tournament as Australia have struggled to play with much authority or cohesion. But they hit the ground running in this match and did not stop until the final whistle, earning a convincing win.

Such was their organisation and desire, they established progressive patterns, both in attack and defence. The tactics were established from the kick-off as Australia switched play with sweeping handling movements from one side of the field to the other. They found no early score, but continued with high tempo rugby. Instead of the impact players Lote Tuqiri and Wendell Sailor waiting on the wings, they were integrated into a game plan which encouraged their insertion around the rucks to take the ball.

To this end their efforts were augmented by the ball-running of the youthful David Lyons, and a resurgent Stirling Mortlock, who ran down channels challenging Carlos Spencer to tackle him. Meanwhile, Stephen Larkham glided into space with grace to add to New Zealand's anxieties. However, for all their intensity in attack Australia scored but one try, and that an interception from a Spencer attacking pass. However, what they did get from their attacking was go-forward and field position. Inevitably, given the tackle laws and the lottery of interpretation that goes with them, penalties were accrued. With one try each, here again a game was decided on goal-kicking and Elton Flatley justified his selection out of position with an almost perfect scorecard.

The game also hinged on fine defending. With the expected challenge of the Aussie wing forwards Phil Waugh and George Smith in the loose, New Zealand were usually afforded only slow ball. As a result, the Wallaby defenders were able to retain their organisation and go forward into the tackle.

The All Blacks also defended well but found little room to attack as they were short of quick ball and their line-out spluttered in the damp. At half-back Spencer lost some direction, not helped by losing the reliability of the scrum-half Justin Marshall through injury. The power runners Jerry Collins and Keven Mealamu were well contained. Less was seen of the renowned wings Doug Howlett and Joe Rokocoko and full-back Mils Muliaina. Attacking threats were reduced to occasional, fruitless forays.

Australia had handled the pressure. They retired from the field to a rapturous reception, intermingling with their rediscovered fans. However, these premature celebrations, which indicated the intensity of the rivalry between these sides, might just rebound on them in the final.