New Zealand 5 USA 15

It was the day that David slew Goliath.

Okay, Goliath is packing a few excess pounds these days and may have been recovering from the night before's activities. But nevertheless, the USA's triumph over seven times World Rugby Classic Champions, New Zealand at National Sports Centre yesterday was undoubtedly the biggest shock the tournament has ever seen.

"It's a huge win for our programme," said an ecstatic Craig Hartley after a penalty, two tries and a conversion saw the USA clinch a semi-final berth against South Africa.

"There was commitment everywhere and I can't ask for a better effort from any of those guys."

Indeed he could not. The best teams are always built from the back forwards and the USA showed that, while not always attractive, they could stick to a gameplan which, for long periods, allowed the All Blacks to puts hands on the ball but stifled them midway in opposition territory.

When opportunities fell the USA's way they made the most of them, their quick wingers able to open up the opposition and put points on the board before their rivals had a chance to establish themselves.

That New Zealand opted in traditional manner not to kick penalties or conversions was, really, neither here nor there as they never seemed like putting themselves in the frame anyway until it was too late. And if you are talking about handicapping yourself, then surely the sin-binning of two USA players in separate incidents negated any advantage that practice may have afforded them.

The Americans went 3-0 up in the 16th minute thanks to a penalty conversion by John Hinkin. It stayed that way until half-time despite the USA's Tony Flay being sin-binned for some afters.

Four minutes into the second half the Americans stretched their lead when Hartley found Mike Skahan who dived over in dramatic style to put his side 8-0 up. Hinkin missed the conversion.

For ten minutes the All Blacks, who had been playing inventive rugby without finding the reward, pinned the USA back but the gaps in the rearguard were just not there.

With the pressure soaked up, Jason Wood found himself with the ball after a powerful run by his team-mates down the right hand side midway through the half and with Hinkin's successful conversion the score jumped to 15-0.

Talk of a major upset was now rumbling through the crowd, but when the USA's Brad Hughes was sin-binned after another mini-brawl thoughts of a comeback began to creep in. Blair Larsen narrowed the scoreline by five points immediately after but there was to be no late heroics with the referee's whistle greeted with whoops and cries of joy from the American bench.

"We came knowing we were going to be competitive," said captain Hartley. "We knew if we stuck to our gameplan, which we haven't done in the past, played a patient game, we would have a very good chance and we did exactly what we wanted to do."

Buck Shelford, the legendary All Black No.8, denied his side had underestimated their opponents.

"I don't think we took them too lightly," he said. "The guys (All Blacks) are ten or 15 years down the line from playing international football, overweight, a lot of them, (and had had) a few too many beers a couple of nights beforehand . . .

"It was a good, tough battle and they deserved their win today."

Hartley and his compatriots will now turn their sights to the Springboks and their clash on Wednesday night.

He said he did not believe their efforts yesterday would have any kind of sapping effect.

"They are young guys and I looked at them on the sidelines and they were wanting to get back in," he said.

"We had good rotation, guys stayed healthy and we will see how the bangs and bruises go," he continued before adding with a smile. "I am looking forward to it."

Iberian Classics 7 S.Africa 26

After a dismal opening half in which they were dominated by their lesser-ranked rivals, the Springboks finally got into gear after the break to secure a semi-final berth.

The Iberians took just seven minutes to get points on the board and should have added to the 7-0 scoreline right on half-time, but a penalty opportunity struck the upright.

With their coach's words clearly ringing in their ears the South Africans came out fired-up for the second half and were back in the game within five minutes when Mark Wood went over for the try.

Eric Herbert missed the conversion but his side were within two points of their opponents and their momentum was building.

They took the lead in the 43rd minute when Brendan Venter passed to Johan le Roux and his speed and bulk carried him over for the try. Herbert converted and the score moved to 12-7.

Seven minutes later the game was totally transformed when Charl Marais profited from an overlap. Herbert's kick made it 19-7 and their was no way back for the Iberians.

A final score just served to rub salt into the wound.

"We decided we were going to take it up front, have more urgency and tackle better," said South Africa's Martin Mostert about the half-time team talk. "The team we played today were very fit, very committed and they gave us a hard time, especially in the first 30 minutes.

"They are known as a team that throws the ball around and they have good skills. We expected that but they came out a bit harder than what we thought."

The second-half fightback broke the Iberians' spirit, he said.

"Especially after our prop forward Johan le Roux scored the try," he said. "I could see there was a difference and that gave us more confidence."