TWICKENHAM, London -- Australia have secured their spot against New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup final after a 29-15 semifinal victory over Argentina. Here's how the players rated:

AUSTRALIA

Israel Folau - 6 - A lot of running from the Australian fullback but not a lot to show for it -- pinged in the breakdown for not releasing, which could have been costly.

Australia's Adam Ashley-Cooper celebrates with teammates after scoring his third try © Getty Images

Enlarge

Adam Ashley-Cooper - 8 - Wonderful performance from the wing, scoring three easy tries thanks to a combination of fantastic passes and perfect positioning.

Tevita Kuridrani - 7 - Tireless performance from the outside centre, making big tackles to keep Argentina at bay and made plenty of ground on the run.

Matt Giteau - 7 - Typical showing from the centre, who's looping pass set up Ashley-Cooper for his second try.

Drew Mitchell - 7 - Got over an early drop with a couple of shunting tackles and chased everything down, his scything run in the last 10 minutes effectively ending Argentina's challenge.

Bernard Foley - 7 - A mixture of brilliance and frustration, superb pass set free Adam Ashley-Cooper to score and last-ditch tackle on Bosch prevented certain try - but kicking was once again suspect.

Will Genia - 7 - Pinged for a high tackle on Tuculet, but his incredibly quick ball from the breakdown worked wonders for the Wallabies.

James Slipper - 5 - Not his best night, particularly in the scrum - Scott Sio's absence was shown.

Stephen Moore - 7 - Impeccable tackling and solid lineout throwing made him vital cog in Australia's win.

Sekope Kepu - 6 - Struggled in the scrum and gave away a costly penalty for encroaching at the lineout in the first half.

Kane Douglas - 7 - A monster tackler, showed his best in preventing Argentina's backs from the show like they did against Ireland.

Rob Simmons - 6 - Scored Australia's first try in the opening minute when intercepting a poor Sanchesz pass, but wasn't at his best in the tackle.

Scott Fardy - 9 - Over 15 tackles and frustrated the Argentina attack all night. Part of a majestic Australia back row.

Michael Hooper - 8 - Unreal back row play on his 50th cap and more than deserves his place in the World Cup final.

David Pocock - 9 - Three turnovers and a near-perfect performance in the breakdown completed a superb showing from Australia's forwards. Scarily good.

A bloodied Scott Fardy © Getty Images

Enlarge

Replacements:

Tatafu Polota-Nau - 6 - continued where Moore left to give Wallabies 92% success in the lineout.

Toby Smith - 7 - summed up Australia's battling performance and performed when called upon with big tackles and a turnover.

Greg Holmes - 6 - Had less than half an hour to make an impact but did all he could to keep the Pumas attack at bay.

Dean Mumm - 6 - Showed presence with one run and four important tackles.

Ben McCalman - 7 - made a few good metres after replacing the colossal Fardy.

Nick Phipps - 6 - Seamless transition into the game and continued Genia's quick ball from the breakdown.

Matt Toomua - 6 - Five tackles and one big run after replacing Folau.

Kurtley Beale - 7 - Solid cameo in the centres, making good ground and landing two turnovers. Solid as ever in the tackle.

ARGENTINA

Joaquin Tuculet - 6 - Could have done more to support his fellow backs, was too slow to move alongside Bosch for what would have been an easy first half try.

Santiago Cordero - 7 - Has been a revelation in England and continued his fine World Cup debut with smart footwork both in attack and defence.

Marcelo Bosch - 6 -The only change to the Argentina XV that beat Ireland and repaid Hourcade's faith with a typically crafty performance around the breakdown, also unlucky not to score an early breakaway try.

Juan Martin Hernandez - 6 - Took a big hit while setting up Bosch for an early first half run and never really recovered - brought off after 44 minutes with anguish on his face.

Juan Imhoff - 5 - The winger was the first of several big losses for Argentina, taken off after 18 minutes with a head injury.

Nicolas Sanchez - 7 - Shocking start after intercepted pass led to Australia's first try in opening minute, but kicking was exemplary as usual.

Martin Landajo - 7 - Guilty of conceding silly knock on from over-enthusiastic tap penalty, which led to Australia's second try, but otherwise impressive.

Marcos Ayerza - 7 - Wonderful performance in the scrum, giving Australia big problems in the set piece and arguing his cause to be named the tournament's best prop.

Agustin Creevy - 6 - Had only 30 minutes to make an impact, but did not look fit. A calculated risk from Daniel Hourcade that did not pay off.

Ramiro Herrera - 7 - Linked up well with Ayerza and made James Slipper's evening very uncomfortable when packing down.

Guido Petti - 6 - Will be one of the stand-out southern hemisphere locks in the future. Great defensive work to prevent a try when Argentina down to 14 in the first half. .

Tomas Lavanini - 5 - Unlucky to be given a yellow card for a dangerous tackle with no arms on 25 minutes - but should not have given referee Wayne Barnes a decision to make. Costly.

Pablo Matera - 6 - Gave Slipper problems in the scrum, but caught cold a couple of times in the tackle and conceded several costly turnovers.

Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe - 7 - Battling, tackling performance from one of Argentina's 2007 vintage and kept his side in it with his never say die attitude.

Leonardo Senatore - 5 - Quiet night for the No.8 with a couple of missed tackles and some wayward kicking.

Nicolas Sanchez's kicking kept his side in the game, but it wasn't enough to avoid defeat. © Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Replacements:

Julian Montoya - 7 - Big shoes to fill when replacing the injured Creevy on the half hour mark but showed he is more than capable with a solid lineout and defence.

Lucas Noguera - 6 - Introduced on the hour mark but struggled to make his mark in the final quarter.

Juan Figallo - 6- Earned a quick turnover after coming on but not the gamechanger Argentina were looking for.

Matias Alemanno - 7 -Replaced Petti at lock and did not shy away in the tackle.

Facundo Isa - 6 - Could not contribute in the way he would have wanted due to Australia's superb back row.

Tomas Cubelli - 6 - Two missed tackles after coming on for Landajo, but glimpses of his talent showed Argentina have two class scrum-halves for the future.

Jeronimo de la Fuente - 6 - Mixed evening from the bench, with one turnover and three missed tackles.

Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino - 6 - on to replace Juan Imhoff on 18 minutes but did not take chance to shine on biggest of stages.