Australia had to survive an almighty scare from New Zealand but the defending champions booked their place in next weekend’s Rugby League World Cup final.
The Kangaroos have failed to reach the final only once and that was back at the tournament’s inaugural edition in 1954, but that record was under threat at various stages during an engrossing and high-quality semi‑final in Leeds.
However, the quality of Mal Meninga’s side ensured it was they, not the Kiwis, who progressed to next Saturday’s final at Old Trafford.
They await the winners of the second semi-final between England and Samoa, and do so knowing they had to deliver a quality performance here.
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