Australia's Billy Slater, centre, is tackled by Fiji's Semi Tadulala, left, and Daryl Millard during the 2008 Rugby League World Cup semifinal in Sydney. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)

Billy Slater and Johnathan Thurston scored three tries apiece as Australia thrashed Fiji 52-0  to reach its 10th successive rugby league World Cup final.

Halfback Thurston scored his three tries in 10 minutes and also landed six goals in a 24-point haul.

Australia, which has won the last six World Cups and nine of the 12 tournaments contested so far, scored 26 points in each half against the Fijians.

Australia, which has amassed 180 points and conceded 16 in its four matches of the tournament, will meet New Zealand in the final next Saturday at Brisbane in a rematch of the 2000 decider.

The Australians won that match 40-12.

Australia was a hot favorite to overwhelm Fiji and it took less than two minutes for the Kangaroos to post their first points.

Prop Ilisoni Vonomateiratu dropped the ball on the second tackle of the match on his own 20-meter line and Fiji did not get possession again until the score was 16-0.

Backrower Paul Gallen crossed after 63 seconds for the Australians, followed by Brent Tate and Billy Slater.

New Zealand advanced after a 32-22 win over England in the other semifinal on Saturday night, the Kiwis' second win over the English in a week.

New Zealand has lost its last eight matches against Australia, including a 30-6 defeat in the Cup opener.

Australia coach Ricky Stuart was expecting a tougher match in the final, particularly after four lopsided wins.

"The last two weeks is probably not the ideal preparation in regards to playing a final against New Zealand, how we handle that is going to be the most important issue now," Stuart said.

Kangaroos captain Darren Lockyer said the scoreline was not the only barometer against Fiji.

"It was a physical game and we're going to have some bruises tomorrow," Lockyer said. "The scoreboard didn't reflect the intensity of the tackles out there.

"Our defense is great at the moment and we are going to need to keep that standard next in the final against the Kiwis."

Fiji coach Joe Dakuitoga said reaching the semifinals for the first time was a milestone for his team.

"We learned a lot of things from this game," Dakuitoga said. "Maybe you give us another 10 years and we can compete with all these big nations."