SEMI-FINAL RESULT:
Australia 52-0 Fiji Match report
LATEST ACTION (all times GMT)
606: DEBATE
1100: That's your lot from me. The inevitable happened but plenty of big hits from Fiji ensured Australia knew they were in a game. Thanks for reading.
1057: Plenty of experts down under have been insistent that Australia cannot be beaten at the World Cup. On the evidence so far who is going to argue with them?
New Zealand have a chance to upset the form book next weekend. They lost 30-6 in their group game but have improved since then. Even so, it would be a major shock if they won in Brisbane.
1053: "Well as expected Fiji got trounced. But did they do any worse than England? I'd fear for us if we played Fiji in a third place play-off." Mikee on 606
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1050: The attendance for the semi-final was just 15,855 and I reckon a fair few of them were supporting Fiji. It was a one-sided encounter but Fiji exit this tournament with great credit. They did so well to reach the last four and put some massive hits on the Australians. Darren Lockyer left the field sporting a shiner.
1047: Full-time Australia 52-0 Fiji
So the crushingly inevitable happens. Australia scored 10 tries and will play New Zealand in the final next weekend.
78 min: Waisele Sukanaveita is held up inches from the Australia line. It may have been their last chance to score as they knock-on shortly afterwards.
77 min: TRY - AUSTRALIA 52-0 FIJI
Darren Lockyer rides a couple of tackles and passes to Greg Inglis, who charges towards the corner. Inglis touches down under immense pressure from Jarryd Hayne. The video ref decides Inglis gets the ball down before touching the corner post. Or at least gives him the benefit of the doubt. Johnathan Thurston misses from the touchline with conversion.
75 min: The Australians run the ball on the final tackle but Billy Slater is held up short of the line. Slater passes anyway and is penalised for doing so.
72 min: TRY - AUSTRALIA 48-0 FIJI
Jarryd Hayne tries to off-load but loses the ball. Johnathan Thurston collects and runs 30 yards before crossing unopposed for his hat-trick. The half-back adds the extras.
70 min: The Fijians go close - with Semi Tadulala only a couple of yards short - but the Australian defence is again magnificent.
68 min: A scrum 40 yards from the Aussie line. I think that Fiji deserve to score a try.
66 min: TRY - AUSTRALIA 42-0 FIJI
A massive hit on Ashton Sims by Anthony Laffranchi sees possession handed to the Kangaroos. The Australians soon break and having just scored his first international try Johnathan Thurston collects an inside pass from Karmichael Hunt to score his second. Thurston adds the extras.
62 min: TRY - AUSTRALIA 36-0 FIJI
The monster hit don't work this time. Several Fijians try to bring Johnathan Thurston down but the half-back shows good upper body strength to ride the tackles and cross the whitewash. Thurston misses with the conversion attempt.
60 min: This game is getting very feisty. I'm not sure the Aussies like it. The Aussies have scored six points in the first 20 minutes of this half.
58 min: A touch of the tasty stuff, Jarryd Hayne and Israel Folau squaring up. Australia. Rattled. Surely not?
55 min: Fiji attacking the Aussie line again but Billy Slater catches the kick from James Storer sets the Kangaroos on the attack. Jarryd Hayne totally monsters Darren Lockyer with a huge hit. The Fiji contingent in the crowd go wild.
54 min: Waisele Sukanaveita is close to the first try of the night for Fiji but he is held up on the line by several Australia defenders.
52 min: More crunching hits from Fiji forces another error. Australia's pace and skill factor might be way above Fiji's but when it comes to big hits in the tackle there is little between them. Darren Lockyer, for example, has shiner.
50 min: Aussie winger Brent Tate has a hip injury and is a doubt for the final. Akuila Uate has an ankle injury and his match is over.
48 min: TRY - AUSTRALIA 32-0 FIJI
Australia are awarded a penalty and work the ball first to one side of the field and then back to the other. The smooth passing stretches the Fiji defence and Billy Slater collects a long pass from Darren Lockyer and jogs to the line from 20 yards to touch down for his hat-trick. Johnathan Thurston adds the extras.
45 min: Karmichael Hunt has three goes at Jarryd Hayne but each time the slippery Fiji full-back bounces off him or eludes him. Top stuff.
44 min: Fiji complete their set and Alipate Noilea puts a low kick through. More good play from Fiji.
42 min: A penalty for Fiji after Johnathan Thurston has one too many goes in the tackle.
41 min: Fiji winger Akuila Uate bends his knee awkwardly as he is tackled by two Kangaroo players. The groans tell their own story. Nobody is to blame but a sad end for a man who has really entertained.
41 min: We are back under way - and Fiji are on the attack after another error from the Aussies, it is their sixth of the game.
1000: Richard Lewis has told Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek programme that the World Cup format has been a success, citing Fiji's progression to the semi-finals.
"It was clearly contrived, with Australia, England, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea all in one group, but it has been a success and laid the foundations for the future."
Do you agree?
1000: The Aussies are making their way out of the sheds. They don't look concerned, just focused.
0958: I reckon the most worried man inside the stadium in Sydney is Aussie winger Brent Tate. Two tries so far in the match but an injury that just might rule him out of the final next weekend.
0950: "The general feeling in Fiji is that a top-four berth itself is a cup triumph for us given we were only introduced to rugby league in 1992 - remember Noa Nadruku of the Canberra Raiders."
manoj4rmFiji on 606
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Mate, I'm with you all the way. Whatever the final score today, Fiji have given plenty to this tournament.
0947: Five first-half tries for the Kangaroos. There is no arguing with their brilliance, both in defence and attack. However, Fiji had their moments close to the Aussie line and kept their opponents at bay for a lengthy period after the early avalanche of points.
0946: Half-time Australia 26-0 Fiji
39 min: TRY - AUSTRALIA 26-0 FIJI
Australia have a penalty and start their set close to the Fiji line. The ball is worked out towards the right and the extraordinary Billy Slater throws a dummy and runs towards the line, eventually touching down under pressure from several Fiji tacklers. It is his sixth try and makes him the leading scorer in the competition.Johnathan Thurston misses with the conversion.
36 min: Predictions of a cricket score looked very much on the cards in the opening 10 minutes but Fiji have done superbly over the last 15 minutes. They are arguably winning the battle for territory.
34 min: James Storer puts another grubber through and the Fijians get the ball back via an Australian leg. Their sizeable support are absolutely loving it. And so am I.
32 min: The Aussies lose the ball - Darren Lockyer of all people - and a good attacking chance opens for Fiji. The Fijians force a repeat set.
29 min: The Aussies break but Cameron Smith loses the ball in the tackle. Great stuff from Fiji. But can they get on the board?
27 min: Fiji defending their line - they have not conceded for more than 10 minutes. Australia are penalised for offside - a much-needed penalty.
24 min: A clean break down the right from Fiji's Wes Naiqama but his kick is poor and Johnathan Thurston collects, not without the suspicion of a knock-on.
23 min: They are human - Australia's Anthony Laffranchi knocks on.
22 min: Aaron Groom is penalised for lifting on Greg Inglis. I would not recommend handing the Kangaroos easy field position.
21 min: Brent Tate tries to stay on the field but his injury is too serious and he is withdrawn. It looks like some kind of hip problem.
20 mins: Brent Tate is in possession. There is nobody near him but he the winger goes down in a heap. He has cleared picked up some kind of injury.
18 min: A cheeky restart from Fiji, who get the ball back from a short kick. Australian muscle up in defence and close out the set.
17 min: TRY - AUSTRALIA 22-0 FIJI
Fiji have two sets close to the Aussie line. Both finish with grubber kicks, one eventually scooped up by Darren Lockyer and the second by Billy Slater. Within seconds Brent Tate is steaming down the right wing before cutting inside and scoring under the posts. Johnathan Thurston converts. Lockyer was winded during the move, taking a heavy tackle, but he is OK.
14 min: "This is going to be a cricket score! Australia have come out of the blocks firing and relentless!"
worldwaugh4 on 606
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12 min: Some territory at last for Fiji after the Kangaroos are penalised for a forward pass to Petero Civoniceva.
11 min: Fiji finally have the ball and work through their set before Jarryd Hayne kicks the ball into the Australia half. Some brief respite.
9 min: TRY - AUSTRALIA 16-0 FIJI
A clean break from Johnathan Thurston takes the Kangaroos up field from the re-start. Thurston later sends a kick towards the sticks and Billy Slater collects before touching down. The video referee has a look Australia have had to make two tackles so far. Thurston makes no mistake from in front.
6 min: TRY - AUSTRALIA 10-0 FIJI
Australia shift the ball out to the right wing and Brent Tate easily touches down. I might not be able to type fast enough during this match. Tricky conversion attempt from Johnathan Thurston out wide, who just misses.
3 min: Like a hot knife through butter. Johnathan Thurston breaks down the left and forces a goal-line drop-out.
1 min: TRY - AUSTRALIA 6-0 FIJI
Fiji are punished for losing the ball and a series of off-loads, not to mention an incisive run from Billy Slater, results in Paul Gallen crossing. Johnathan Thurston adds the extras.
1 min: Fiji lose possession of the ball straight away. Ominous.
0902: We are into the action. Not exactly packed at the stadium.
0901: Fiji - into a huddle and singing for all they are worth. Love it. Passion. Great to see.
0858: Or what about Rocky knocking out Ivan Drago in Moscow on Christmas Day for no money. Apollo Creed you have been avenged.
0857: And we have the anthems. Real passion from the Fiji boys.
0852: Finals words of wisdom for the respective teams are they will be making their way out to the stadium in Sydney.
James Buster Douglas knocking out Mike Tyson. Wimbledon beating Liverpool in the FA Cup. Boris Becker, 17, stunning Wimbledon (tennis this time). The US defeating Russia at Ice Hockey at the 1980 Winter Olympics. Escape to Victory. Cool Runnings. Is there any hope for Fiji?
0850: The curtain raiser to today's contest - Great Britain beat Australia 26-16 in the Defence Force World Cup final. I'm saying nothing.
0845: Australia coach Ricky Stuart took some time out from preparing his team for today's game to pass an assessment on the state of rugby league in England.
"Since the last World Cup, England have gone backwards," said Stuart.
"There's really no denying it and it's difficult to see any improvement at the elite level while clubs persist in raiding Australia and New Zealand for talent.
"The lack of focus on developing their youth is made clear by the fact that approximately 39% of the players in the English Super League are imports."
And can anyone really argue with that?
0839: The good news, ahem, for Fiji is that if they win today they can say they have taken on and beaten a full-strength Australian team. Kangaroos coach Ricky Stuart is taking no chances.
0835: I'll be honest, I'm still hurting from England's defeat at the hands of New Zealand on Saturday.
It was one of those painful defeats that we have seen so often. Never in front, not quite good enough, but always in the contest, in with a chance. They keep you believing and hoping but inevitably fall short. Painful.
Match report
0830: On to the second semi-final at the Rugby League World Cup - and can anybody seriously see anything other than a win for Australia?
Fiji have entertained with their unpredictable and exciting brand of rugby but they are being asked to climb a mountain that makes Everest look like a small mound created by a mole in your back garden.
0826: TEAMS
Australia: Slater; Monaghan, Inglis, Folau, Tate; Lockyer (capt), Thurston; Civoniceva, Smith, Price, Stewart, Laffranchi, Gallen. Replacements: Hunt, Fitzgibbon, Tupou, Kite.
Fiji: Hayne; Tadulala, Naiqama (captain), Millard, Uate; Noilea, Groom; Sadrau, Sukanaveita, Vonomateiratu, Sims, Koroi, Bukuya. Replacements (from): Storer, Bradley-Qalilawa, Macilai, Tora, Naqau, Wesele (two to be omitted).
0825 GMT: Gerrrumonside. It's time for Australia v Fiji.
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