The Kangaroos have set up a shot at World Cup redemption but insist their 2008 failure won't be a motivating factor when they face New Zealand in the tournament final.
A ruthless Australia thumped Fiji 64-0 in their semi-final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday to book a showdown with the Kiwis at Old Trafford next Saturday - the final most predicted when the tournament began five weeks ago.
It came after reigning champions New Zealand won a dramatic first semi-final of a double header played in front of 67,545 fans, with Stephen Kearney's men claiming a last-gasp 20-18 win over England in a World Cup classic.
Australia and New Zealand will meet in the final for the third straight tournament, with the Kangaroos looking to avenge their shock loss in the 2008 decider.
But Kangaroos skipper Cameron Smith claims that loss will not be a driving force behind the quest to claim a 10th World Cup crown.
"2008 was a long time ago and I know we're not going to be using that as motivation," Smith said.
"I am sure it will be in a few of the guys' back of their minds but we have got a totally different team and different coach so our motivation is trying to go out and be the best Australian team we can be."
Australia piled on eleven tries, including a Jarryd Hayne hat-trick, and didn't concede a point for the third straight match.
While the Kiwis were pushed to the limit by England, Tim Sheens' side has strolled through to a 13th straight World Cup final, scoring 210 points in their past four games and without conceding a try.
Hayne continued his remarkable form in the centres on Saturday, taking his tournament try-scoring tally to nine, while winger Darius Boyd had a double.
Man of the match Johnathan Thurston and fellow playmaker Cooper Cronk ran riot while Greg Inglis, starting at fullback in place of the injured Billy Slater, was his usual dangerous self.
"We won the game and stopped them from scoring and that was our main plan," Sheens said.
"But we've got some bumps and bruises on us. It might look easy from the sideline but the guys can tell you it wasn't."
Sheens admitted it would be hard to make changes to a winning side but revealed Slater was back running and a good chance of returning from his knee injury for the decider.
"We are going to give Billy every chance to play," Sheens said.
The Kangaroos stormed to a 34-0 lead at halftime, running in six first-half tries including two to Hayne and others to Thurston, Boyd and rising forward Josh Papalii.
After a slow start to the second half, James Tamou kept things ticking over when he stretched out to score in the 54th minute before Boyd crossed for his second.
Hayne scored his third in the 68th minute and could have had a fourth soon after but he unselfishly set up winger Brett Morris.
Rookie prop Andrew Fifita completed the rout with a late try under the posts.
Saturday's match brought an end to the illustrious rugby league career of Fiji captain Petero Civoniceva, who played 35 Tests for the Kangaroos.
Fiji coach Rick Stone said it was a disappointing way to finish the World Cup for the Bati, who had reached the semis for the second straight tournament.
"But we had a good tournament overall," he said.
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