Australia continue to conjure test match victory in Rugby World Cup 2003, advancing to the semi final stage with a combination of ruthless attack and sheer bloody mindedness.
The All Blacks by contrast have cruised through RWC 2003 like a shark in a tuna school, gorging themselves on points, while still nonetheless experiencing moments of disorientation and concern.
Tonight represents test match number 119 between the two countries, New Zealand leading the head to head 78-35 with five draws. But all that counts for nothing as the two teams await the 20:00 kick off.
Here we trace the paths of the two teams to semi final 1 of Rugby World Cup 2003 at Telstra Stadium in Sydney.
Pool Matches
Australia opened Rugby World Cup 2003 with a 24-8 win over a gallant but ultimately out muscled Argentine XV in Pool A, rugby league convert Wendell Sailor scoring the first try of the Tournament in the 20th minute.
New Zealand were more convincing, setting the tone for the Pool D matches with an 11 try 70-7 disposal of the John Kirwan-coached Italy.
Injuries to star backs, vice-captain Tana Umaga, left-wing Joe Rokocoko and fly half Carlos Spencer threatened to take the gloss off the win.
The Wallabies then easily beat Romania 90-8 in game two of Pool A at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, and New Zealand beat Canada 68-6 in their second game of the Pool , a dominance that continued in game three, Tonga the recipient of a 91-7 hiding at a rain-soaked Suncorp Stadium.
Australia then set a new RWC winning margin record in beating Namibia 142-0 in the first ever Test at the Adelaide Oval. Fullback Chris Latham scored five tries to set an Australian try scoring record and equal the RWC record, the first coming after just two minutes.
The All Blacks confirmed first position in Pool D with a 53-37 result, but Wales made them work all the way in the eight tries to four result at the Telstra Stadium in Sydney, the match of the tournament thus far, which reignited Welsh belief and gave the All Blacks a much needed dose of reality.
Australia finished their pool matches in Melbourne, where they managed to hold on 17-16 against the Irish to take top place in Pool A, the victory setting up a quarter final against Scotland.
Quarter finals
The All Blacks confronted and outclassed South Africa to win the first quarter final 29-9 in Melbourne to advance to the semi final against Australia tonight.
The All Blacks needed the brilliance of fly half Carlos Spencer and could so easily have won by 50 points if the rest of the cast were operating at his level.
While the Boks saw more of the ball in the second period, with the possession stakes ending at about 62-38 in favour of New Zealand, the South Africans could not use any of the opportunities presented to them.
Behind a dominant pack Justin Marshall and Spencer created space and time for the three tries to one result, the best moment coming near the end, a telepathic through the legs pass from Spencer putting left wing Joe Rokocoko over for the final try.
Australia v Scotland
Australia not so much marched as stuttered into the semi final stage with a less than convincing 33-16 win over Scotland at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
The Wallabies waited until ten minutes into the second half before fully cutting loose, having gone in at half time locked at 9-9.
The Australians scored early in the second half, Phil Waugh winning a turnover to release lock Justin Harrison, who found Stirling Mortlock on his left, the big outside centre celebrating the try with a customary Swan Dive to score under the posts. 16-9 with 35 minutes to play. A try for captain Gregan put the game beyond the Scots.
Stay tuned to rugbyworldcup.com to follow the first of the Rugby World Cup 2003 semi finals live on the match tracker, from 20:00 (09:00 GMT).