The Kangaroos will play off for a fourth straight Rugby League World Cup title, against New Zealand next weekend, after a dominant 44-12 semi-final win over Samoa on Sunday night.
After an uneven group stage with plenty of pressure on the forwards to improve, Australia faced up to the Siva Tau then responded to the challenge in a big way.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Pat Carrigan, who was moved to the bench in place of Keaon Koloamatangi, both ran for over 150m — and the backs took every opportunity.
Reece Walsh scored his first Kangaroos hat-trick while Tom Trbojevic, Bradman Best and Jack Bostock all scored a try each.
“It’s good fun. When the crowd’s really engaged and they show their passion, it’s an awesome atmosphere to be a part of,” Walsh said.
But it was Tom Dearden and Jacob Preston who opened proceedings as both continued to impress since securing a place in the run-on side.
Samoa let themselves down repeatedly with a performance that failed to live up to any great heights.
They made nine errors and gave up 12 set restarts or penalties while Spencer Leniu was sin-binned for dissent late in their disastrous first half.
“That’s been the story of the night for Samoa — just taking a little bit too far on discipline,” Trent Robinson said in commentary on Channel 7.
“They had such an opportunity tonight and they’ve ruined it with ill-discipline. They haven’t been able to play field position. Too many errors, too many penalties, too many opportunities for Australia.”
The Kangaroos will now battle the Kiwis in the Suncorp Stadium final next Sunday night, a rematch of the incredible tournament opener won by Australia.
“It’ll be a real tough one. We all saw the performance they put on last night (against Tonga),” Walsh said.
“But a lot to work on throughout the week, especially for myself. Really looking forward to the challenge, there’s been a lot of chat about them so I’m looking forward to getting into training, working really hard and connecting with this group of boys.”
Samoa were first on the board on Sunday night when Stephen Crichton kicked a fourth-minute penalty.
But it was all one-way traffic from then on as Australia asserted their dominance, starting when Dearden scythed through some feeble defence off a scrum play to put the home side on the board.
Preston pinballed his way over from close range before Trbojevic, Walsh and Best pushed the Kangaroos out to a 26-2 half-time lead.
Walsh, chosen ahead of James Tedesco for the starting No. 1 spot, was left red-faced soon after the break when he leapt and dropped a Samoa bomb, which Crichton scooped up to score.
The Aussie fullback soon made amends by slaloming his way through the Samoan defence and palming off Brian To’o to add his second.
Izack Tago barged his way over as Samoa showed something of a fightback.
But again, Walsh was the man in the right place at the right time.
The fullback backed up a Cameron Munster break to add his third before having a hand in Australia’s final try to winger Jack Bostock.
— with AAP
