Canada survived a late barrage of All Blacks pressure to reach their first World Rugby Classic final in a ferociously competitive clash at National Sports Club yesterday.

Forward Kevin Wirachowski forced his way over to score the game's only try after 23 minutes, but it took a massive collective effort by the Canadians to hang onto their lead.

Canada tried to run the ball in the manner of their five-try, first-round demolition of France, but they were unable to find similar gaps against the solid All Blacks in a match which became a tale of two virtually impenetrable defences.

Twice in the second half a New Zealand try looked inevitable as the two packs battled it out just a stride away from the Canadian line.

After 42 minutes, the Kiwi forwards set off on a driving maul which forced the Canadians back 10 yards, but just as it seemed the All Blacks' momentum would carry them over, the Canadians mustered the strength to hold them up.

The All Blacks fielded much the older of the two sides, but there was no sign of them tiring late in the game, as they put the Canadians under siege in the last five minutes.

Another massive drive to within yards of the try-line by the New Zealand pack ended with referee Gordon Black awarding a scrum with a Canadian put-in just two minutes from time.

The large Canadian contingent cheered loudly, but still the All Blacks threatened as Canadian flyhalf Peter Atkinson's clearing kick from behind his own line was charged down, but yet again a Canadian hand got to the ball first.

This was a clash of unrelenting commitment from both sides and made a mockery of the theory that players don't take the Classic seriously.

The All Blacks were defending a proud record at the annual tournament -- the seven-time winners had reached the final nine times in 10 attempts before yesterday -- and they looked deflated as they trooped off.

But the Canadian celebrations at the final whistle made clear just what victory meant to them.

Victorious skipper Tom Woods said: "Ask any Canadian rugby player and he'll tell you that to beat any All Blacks team is as good as it gets.

"I grew up in Canada watching these guys playing for New Zealand and it was an honour to take the field with them, never mind to beat them.

"They are guys who play the game in the right spirit and although some of them are getting on a bit, they are still tough to beat and our boys showed a lot of heart today to win the match.'' Woods added: "This is a fun tournament and we've formed a bond with players from other countries, but all that stops when you get onto the field and it is very competitive.'' Canada will meet Argentina in tomorrow's final (kick-off 8.30 p.m.), following the Plate final between South Africa and the United States, who blitzed France 40-20 in a wide open game yesterday.

The US opened the scoring with a try after just 25 seconds and scored a second through Gary Giepert soon after, but by half-time the French had scored two fine tries to level the score at 10-10.

In the second half, the US ran riot, with Ray Nelson scoring twice, to add to tries from Mike Englebrecht, Frank Kennedy and Fine Puloka.

Tongan-born centre Puloka was the American star, scoring the try of the match after a jinking run which took him past four attempted tackles.

"I thought we were a little bit sloppy today, but the French are very good spoilers,'' said Puloka, who now lives in Seattle.