Holmes bags 6 tries as Australia ends Fiji's World Cup dreams

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Australia Men v Fiji Men

Australia showed no remorse as they put away Fiji 54-6 in a commanding display, highlighted by 6 tries to winger Valentine Holmes, ensuring they would feature in yet another Rugby League World Cup Final.

Fiji started the game in a very spirited mood, getting very aggressive in defence early on. In the sixth minute they opted to take a shot at a penalty goal and Koroisau got the Fijians on the board and an early 2-0 lead.

Billy Slater scored this first of several soft tries in the first half, when he received the ball out wide and Vunivalu slipped over in defence. Slater waltzed over for a try. Smith converts from out wide.

Three minutes later and Michael Morgan put in a kick for Dugan, but it missed him and landed in the arms of Valentine Holmes who scores a simple try. Smith was again successful with the conversion.

Holmes scored again 6 minutes later after a Cameron Smith grubber attempt was retained by Smith, who sent the play left to Holmes. Smith failed to convert and Australia were starting to look like they were about to shift up a gear.

Ten minutes later Gagai crossed for another soft try which Smith converted to give the Kangaroos a 22-2 lead at the break.

The second half saw Australia continuing the onslaught. Holmes took an intercept inside the first 90 seconds and ran 90 metres to score his third try of the game. Smith converted.

Five minutes later and Billy Slater scored a great solo try where he drifted left, threw a few dummies and then slipped through the defence to run away for a try which Smith again converted.

It was just 5 minutes later that Holmes found his way over the line running down a very narrow corridor to bag his fourth try of the game. Smith again converted to bring up 40 points for Australia.

Fiji got themselves a try thanks to some great hands by Vunivalu, picking up a poor pass off his bootlaces and then stumbling his way over the line. Koroisau was unable to convert from touch.

With 15 minutes remaining, Dugan stood in a tackle and sent a pass to Holmes who was unmarked and ran in for his fifth try of the match, equalling his record from last week. Smith converted a good goal from out wide.

Gagai crossed for his second try after stepping inside Milne close to the line to score and five minutes later, Michael Morgan sent Valentine Holmes away down the touchline on a 70 metre run to score in the corner, his sixth try of the game. Australia far too good for Fiji, taking the match out 54-6.

The 'Roos face the winner of tomorrow's Tonga v England semi final, back at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane next Saturday.