Ashley-Cooper bags hat-trick as Australia set up Rugby World Cup final clash with New Zealand

Adam Ashley-Cooper scored a hat-trick as Australia set up a meeting with New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup final ©Getty Images

Adam Ashley-Cooper helped Australia set up a meeting with arch-rivals New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup final as he scored a hat-trick of tries to guide his side to a 29-15 victory over a battling Argentina in another superb encounter at Twickenham Stadium today.

The Wallabies, so often revered for their defensive prowess during the tournament, demonstrated their ruthlessness in attack as Rob Simmons touched down the opener before Ashley-Cooper crossed over twice in a dominant first-half display.

The 31-year-old then added another after the break, with Bernard Foley kicking one penalty and three conversions to help the Australian team to a total which proved insurmountable for the Argentinians, who were bidding to reach their first-ever World Cup final.

Nicolás Sánchez, who was instrumental in helping the Pumas secure a semi-final spot with a shock win over Ireland, scored all of Argentina’s points but his flawless kicking proved to be in vein as his side’s fairytale run in the competition came to an end.

Though they exhibited their usual flamboyance with the ball, Argentina, backed by the support of legendary footballer Diego Maradona in the stands, were unable to make a real impact on proceedings for large periods of the match, with Australia fully deserving of their place in Saturday’s (October 31) final.

“It was incredibly tough - as we knew it would be,” Australia’s David Pocock, whose excellent work at the breakdown was a key factor in his side’s success, said.

“Credit to Argentina, it was physical, but both teams looked to use the ball and both teams were working hard until the 80th minute.

"I thought there were a few pieces of finishing from our back line which was the difference but it was tough."

The crowd were once again treated to a thrilling, end-to-end affair between two teams who appeared keen to ditch their defensive duties, testament to the spirit and nature in which the majority of games at the tournament have been played.

Nicolás Sánchez's five penalties proved in vein as Argentina's fairytale Rugby World Cup run came to an end ©Getty Images

Simmons gave his side the perfect start when he went over underneath the posts with the match barely a minute old, which set the tone for a dominant opening period from the two-times champions.

Clearly rattled by that early setback, Argentina struggled to find their feet and although Sanchez reduced the deficit with a penalty, they then found themselves further behind when Ashley-Cooper scored in the corner following good work from Foley, whose conversion stretched Australia’s lead to 14-3.

Sanchez again reduced the arrears ever so slightly but Ashley-Cooper was able to bag his second try after he picked up a superb switch from Matt Giteau.

The Argentinian traded penalties with Foley in the second half and the Pumas started to find their way back into the match, beginning to oust their opponents in key areas, though they were unable to turn possession into tries.

But their spirited comeback was no match for the clinical finishing of Ashley-Cooper, who sealed his hat-trick late on to give the scoreline a resounding feel which their performance merited.

The first-ever final meeting between the two Southern Hemisphere powerhouses is sure to be a mouthwatering prospect, with New Zealand also gunning for a third Rugby World Cup title.