Australia finish on the top of Pool A and will face the loser of the Tonga-Samoa clash in the World Cup semis after thrashing the Cook Islands 66-6.
Reece Walsh was outstanding with five try assists while wingers Jack Bostock and Tom Trbojevic both recorded hat-tricks.
MATCH CENTRE: Australia Kangaroos vs Cook Islands scores, videos, highlights
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Walsh’s performance will give coach Kevin Walters something major to think about when it comes to picking his fullback for next Sunday’s knockout final in Sydney.
According to premiership winning halfback Luke Keary, it should be Walsh ahead of James Tedesco, who started in the win over Fiji.
Walsh meanwhile has been tremendous in his two games at fullback against the Kiwis and the Cook Islands.
“I think Walsh. His two performances have been outstanding,” Keary said on Channel 7 when asked who he thinks should wear the No. 1 next week.
“I think this should be the team they go with next week.”
Reece Walsh scores Kangaroo’s 5th | 00:41
Walsh picked up a knock to the leg late in the game and limped noticeably for a couple of minutes but he played out the full 80.
“It’s ok. Just a knock… It feels good now,” Walsh said post-game.
It was a shaky start for Australia. They scored first through Bostock but the Cook Islands would lead 6-4 after Rua Ngatikaura dived over from dummy-half.
While the Cook Islands were brave in the first half, Australia regained ascendency, leading 28-6 at the break.
The second half resembled a track meet as the Kangaroos were able to break through a brittle Cook Islands defence several times.
Australia put on six tries in the first 20 minutes of the second half before essentially shutting up shop late.
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