New Zealand overcame an early hiccup to trounce Australia and set up a rematch of last year's final against England.

Despite the scoreline, this was one of the most physical, competitive and skillful matches in World Rugby Classic history.

Indeed, Australia were leading 7-0 at half-time and looked about to pull off a shock by inflicting New Zealand's first-ever Classic defeat.

The Aussies came out from the start determined to fight fire with fire and launched into the All Blacks with a series of hard-hitting tackles.

Former All Black Grant Batty, who now plays for Australia, was especially keen to make his presence felt among his former team-mates.

The smallish back put in several crunching tackles as Australia piled on the pressure in a bruising first half.

But they found it difficult to penetrate New Zealand's solid defence.

Winger Fred Woodman, in particular, was in fine form, saving his team time and again with try-stopping tackles out on the wing.

Just when it seemed all Australia's attacking would amount to nothing, they finally managed to find a way through.

After a move, which changed ends three times and twice looked as if it had broken down, Rod Crerar burst through to score between the posts.

In an interesting development, Australia decided to take the conversion, which they safely slotted over, even though the All Blacks have a policy not to take them.

For a spell in the second half when the match was hanging in the balance, it looked as if these extra two points might be the difference between the two sides.

But New Zealand prevented a controversial outcome by taking control. They scored quickly after the break when Woodman took a pass from Murray Watts and went over in the right corner.

The flying winger went over again in the very next attack but he was called back for a penalty given away when one of his team needlessly put in an American Football-style block on an Australian to prevent him tackling Woodman.

However, New Zealand were not to be denied.

The fitter and stronger All Blacks went into overdrive and the match quickly turned into a one-sided affair.

Their huge captain Andy Haden put them ahead when he threw himself over the try line, taking with him several Aussies who were trying to tackle him.

Murray Reid scored a try minutes later following a quickly-taken All Black penalty a few yards from Australia's try line in front of their posts.

The ball was swiftly flipped out to Reid, who took advantage of an overlap on the left wing.

Two more tries quickly followed and there was nothing the tiring Aussies could do to stop the onslaught.