Ashley-Cooper's treble sees Wallabies into World Cup final

Adam Ashley-Cooper scored a hat-trick of tries as Australia ended Argentina's hopes of a first World Cup final appearance with a 29-15 win at Twickenham on Sunday.

 The Wallabies will now face defending champions New Zealand, 20-18 winners over South Africa on Saturday, in next weekend's final.

 Australia and New Zealand, the only two unbeaten teams at this tournament, will be bidding to win the World Cup for a record third time.

 Australia led 19-9 at half-time after Rob Simmons' early try was followed by two from Ashley-Cooper.

 The valiant Pumas, who came from 14-0 down to beat Australia 21-17 last year for their first win in the southern hemisphere Rugby Championship, narrowed the gap.

 But Ashley-Cooper's third try, 10 minutes from time, sealed a win for Australia, the reigning Rugby Championship title holders who have undergone a revival since coach Michael Cheika took charge last year.

 Fly-half Nicolas Sanchez kicked all of the Pumas' points with five penalties, in front of an 80,025 crowd that included Argentina football great Diego Maradona.

 Defeat meant Argentina, also beaten semi-finalists in 2007, will now face South Africa in Friday's third-place play-off.

 Argentina recalled centre Marcelo Bosch, back from suspension, in their only change to the side that overwhelmed Ireland 43-20 in the quarter-finals.

 Australia made three changes with the fit-again full-back Israel Folau and No 8 David Pocock returning in place of Kurtley Beale and Ben McCalman respectively.

 Pocock, badly missed at the breakdown by Australia in their nailbiting 35-34 quarter-final win over Scotland forced several turnovers on Sunday.