Australia book showdown with Kiwis

Full-back Billy Slater scored his second hat-trick of the World Cup and scrum-half Johnathan Thurston contributed 24 points as Australia eased through to a final showdown against New Zealand with a 52-0 win over minnows Fiji.

The deeply religious Fijiians sang a hymn on the pitch before kick-off but they were quickly looking for some divine intervention after the Kangaroos raced into a 16-0 lead after only eight minutes.

Fiji quickly overcame their hesitant start and shook Australia with some crunching defence, before the holders pulled away in the final quarter when Thurston scored a 10-minute hat-trick of tries and took his goal tally to six.

The Fijians appeared overawed in the opening stages, and the signs were not good when they failed to complete their first set.

Right winger Brent Tate touched down twice, including a 70-metre effort, after loose forward Paul Gallen had opened the scoring - and with Slater also getting in on the scoring act, the Aussies were in complete control leading 22-0 after 16 minutes.

Hooker Waisale Suka got to the line only to be turned on his back - before the Kangaroos pulled away in the final quarter, with Thurston scoring a 10-minute hat-trick of tries and taking his goal tally to six.

Centre Greg Inglis provided a spectacular finish with a dive at the corner for his side's 10th try, and the only disappointment for Australia was the loss of Tate with a hip injury that makes him doubtful for the final.