Rugby League World Cup: Australia 16-14 New Zealand

Australia coach Mal Meninga hailed "one of the best Test matches I have been involved in" as the defending champion snuck past New Zealand in a breathtaking semi-final to reach their 15th consecutive Rugby League World Cup final.

Meninga's men will face the winner of England and Samoa in the final of the Rugby World Cup next Saturday at Old Trafford.

In a tight and tense contest, New Zealand went ahead through Jahrome Hughes and although the lightning- quick Josh Addo-Carr and ValentineHolmes responded for Australia, Dylan Brown's try gave theKiwis a 14-10 half-time lead.

New Zealand were made to pay at the start of the second half after Peta Hiku's effort was ruled out for being in an area where he shouldn't have been.

It looked like Australia would lose the contest with seven minutes remaining when Hiku touched down in the corner, but he was ruled to have touched the ball.

Meninga, who won the World Cup as a player and as a coach, said he was happy for the boys. I'm happy with the effort, commitment and all the characteristics you want in your players, and we hadn't had that for a long time.

You have to hang in there to win a football game when you don't get what you want. It is one of the best Test matches I have been a part of.

Playing for your country means that we can be better. You have to get through it even though it doesn't look good.

Australia progress in familiar story

Australia is looking to win the trophy for the 12th time, and they have dominated the international game.

In a repeat of the 2013 final, when Australia ran out comfortable 34-2 winners at Old Manchester, it was green and gold that showed their mettle with a controlled, disciplined kicking game to edge through.

A loud Elland Road crowd roared their approval as both sides went toe-to-toe in an intense display of speed and skill.

The New Zealand's set the tone with an intense haka and took a shock early lead as scrum-half Hughes went over following JosephManu's brilliant tap back from Brown's high kick.

Addo-Carr showed why he is the fastest player in the league when he scored a try for Australia.

The winger, nicknamed The Foxx, sprinted from 35 metres out to catch Ben Hunt's kick and score in the corner.

It was Addo-Carr's 12th try of the tournament, tying him with his teammate for the most tries in a single tournament.

The New Zealanders were under the cosh but responded through Brown after he was put in by Mulitalo.

A dramatic start to the second half saw Hiku touch down from Addo-Carr's fumbled ball, but the try was ruled out by the video referee as the centre had deviated from his normal line.

Murray evaded the challenge of three defenders to stretch over in between the sticks, which Nathan Cleary converted for a two point lead.

With time running out, Jordan Rapana ripped through the opposition backline with a brilliant run and Hiku thought he had sealed victory for New Zealand by acrobatically touching down, but the video referee ruled against them once again.

New Zealand slumped down to the pitch at the final whistle, with a number of players in tears, being consoled by their jubilant opponents who will contest the showpiece once again.

The coach said he was proud of the players. The game could have gone either way, but for the boys it didn't. It would have been different if it happened.

I think we have closed the gap in a big way by coming together as a group.

Jesse Bromwich said that he was proud of the boys and their work. We were going to come here and win the tournament.

It's pretty sad to fall short like this. We worked so hard. At the moment, it is difficult to process. I am very sad.