The Classic Lions and Australia will do battle tomorrow for the right to be called this year’s World Rugby Classic champions after securing victory in semi-finals of vastly contrasting styles last night.

Producing fast-paced, flowing rugby of an extremely high calibre, the Lions annihilated the All Blacks in the first semi on yet another chilly and rainy night at the National Sports Centre, running out winners by 36-5 and dominating their southern hemisphere rivals in all departments of the game.

Meanwhile, defending champions South Africa were eliminated in a closely-contested scrap with Australia 12-7.

After ten minutes of the first half, the Lions were in front through a try from Irish winger Tarquil Matheson — a score which was followed up only seven minutes later by another from Irishman Mark Blair and soon after that by a third try by centre Brad Heppi to give the Lions a commanding 17-0 lead after only 24 minutes of play.

To their credit, however, New Zealand responded well to the onslaught, progressing up the field with some slick back-line play and pounding the Lions’ try line with their powerful forwards.

It took some Herculean defending to keep the All Blacks at bay — and after withstanding the onslaught for a good five minutes, the Lions’ try area was eventually breached by winger Paul Simonsson to take the score to 17-5 at the half.

But just when it appeared that the 1996 Classic champions were about to break free of their opponents’ previous stranglehold on the game, they had the wind knocked out of them by two rapid tries from John Dudley and Heppi — both of which were converted to take the score to 31-5 and the game totally beyond the All Blacks’ reach.

A further score with only five minutes left by former Irish international Tyrone Howe underlined the difference in class between the two teams and rubbed further salt into New Zealand’s already gaping wounds.

The Springbok-Wallaby clash could not have been more different, however, as two well-matched sides went at it with a fierceness that evoked memories of similar Tri-Nations battles between the full international sides of these two proud rugby nations.

South Africa took the lead early on in the first half through former Natal Shark Deon Kayser after the Boks took advantage of a massive overlap on the left wing, before Australia answered with ten minutes to go in the first 30 minutes as centre Andrew Leeds — who earned 12 caps from the Wallabies — touched down to bring the scores level.

The second half was again close and the quality of the rugby high, as both teams fought desperately to break the deadlock.

The telling blow eventually came through hooker Geoff Threlfo, who helped by a superb rolling maul from the Wallaby forwards tumbled over the line to score what proved to be the winning try.

“That was a very, very hard game,” said the long-haired Australian captain Geoff Didier afterwards.

“The South Africans are a very proud team and we knew coming into the game that it was going to be one heck of a battle. But the guys dug very deep and produced the goods when it was needed, because to be honest, it really could have gone either way.

“As a team I think we’re consistently underestimated a little bit and we’ve now got a couple of days rest and are looking forward to the final.

“I only saw the first half of the Lions game but obviously they looked very, very impressive so we know we’re going to have our work cut out to beat them.

“But we’re ready to give it a go. That’s what so wonderful about this tournament. Sure most of the guys have retired from rugby and before and after the game we enjoy ourselves. But for that 60 minutes it’s full on and we will be going all out for the win on Saturday.”

Canada and France will contest the final of the plate competition tomorrow night starting at 6.15 p.m.. after the former beat the US last night 17-10 in the second plate semi.

The Classic final is due to kick off at 8.00 p.m.