It's always important to learn from history so what can we learn from past World Cups?
The team who beats the defending champions wins the World Cup:
In 1991 the Wallabies sent the All Blacks packing. In '95 the Springboks shocked the Wallabies in the tournament opener. In '99 the Wallabies dismissed the Springboks in a thrilling semi-final. Four years later the English finsihed the Wallabies in extra time and finally in 2007 the Boks finished the English hopes of a double.
Good Omen for: Wallabies; sent the defending champions packing in the quarterfinals.
Every World Cup winner has never lost in pool play:
Look back and you'll find every champion has gone through the tournament unbeaten. Look at the 2011 edition and the only unbeaten team that remains is the All Blacks. The Welsh were outlasted by the Boks. The Wallabies were shocked by the Irish and the French have staggeringly lost twice - to NZ and Tonga - and are still just two matches from the World Cup crown.
Good Omen for: All Blacks
Every World Cup winner has fielded a stable and well-established first-five eighth:
The point has been raised, from Cup winning skipper Nick Farr-Jones in particular that every winning team's fly-half has enjoyed a long and successful career. We start with the great All Black Grant Fox, then Wallaby legend Michael Lynagh, South Africa's Joel Stransky, Stephen Larkham, Jonny Wilkinson and finally Butch James. The two South Africans, although no slouches, didn't enjoy the longevity of their peers on this list.
Good Omen for: Wallabies. It's hard to split with all the remaining fly-halves relatively young and still finding their feet at the top. With Dan Carter out of action; Quade Cooper is the premier pivot left standing. Will he be great? Time will tell.
The Wallabies have never lost a semi final to the All Blacks:
Nick Farr-Jones, Michael Lynagh and David Campese masterminded a 16-6 semi final triumph at Landsdowne Rd over the then defending champion All Blacks. In 2003 the All Blacks ran up 50 points while beating the Wallabies by 29 in Sydney. Fast forward three months and the Wallabies had them capitulating in a game they seemed very unlikely to lose. This also gave George Gregan a chance to coin the great, 'Four more years' sledge.
Good omen for: Wallabies
Nobody has defeated the All Blacks at Eden Park in 17 years.
On July 3 1994, a big lad by the name of Jonah Lomu was playing his second Test on the wing for the All Blacks. That day the French also defeated the All Blacks 23-20. Just over a month later the Springboks recently re-admitted to world rugby managed to draw 18-all at the same venue. Since then every visiting team has met the same fate - defeat.
The Wallabies last tasted success on the hallowed turf in 1986 but seem to be approaching it with the only attitude possible in a World Cup semi final.
Dan Vickerman on how to win at Eden Park:
Well you have to. The All Blacks are hard to beat there but we've never played [or lost] a World Cup semi final there.
The All Blacks have played a semi final there however and they won.
Good omen for: All Blacks
The All Blacks haven't won the World Cup in 24 years.
Every time the All Blacks fall behind on the scoreboard at the World Cup you can see a lot of New Zealanders reaching for their tightening throats and beating hearts. The nation is nervous, the team; despite cool exteriors must be feeling the pressure. When the chips are down will the past become to heavy a burden to bear?
Good omen for: Wallabies
Final: Wallabies by one omen
