IT WOULD be wrong to say Fiji never had a prayer against the Kangaroos last night.

The Fijians did that just before kick-off when they formed a huddle in the centre of the Sydney Football Stadium and sang a hymn in the most public tribute to Christianity seen in Sydney since the Pope was here for World Youth Day.

But, sadly for the World Cup's fairytale team, that was about all it had as Australia ran in 10 tries to nil to warm up for Saturday's tournament final against New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium.

When you turn the ball over near your own line — as Lautoka Crushers prop Ilisoni Vonomateiratu did in just the second tackle of the match — against the best team in the world, there's not much God can do to help.

Or the pro-Bati crowd of 15,855, who boomed "Fiji, Fiji" whenever the underdogs went on the attack.

By the time the Bati received the ball again 11 minutes later, Paul Gallen, Brent Tate and Billy Slater had all crossed for tries to give Australia an early 16-0 lead that prompted a glance at the record books to consider whether the Kangaroos' 110-4 defeat of Russia at the 2000 World Cup could come under threat.

The fact that it didn't should be seen as a credit to the Fiji team, whose manager, Ilaitia Naqau, sent an email to supporters before the match declaring: "David uses Goliath's sword to cut his head off. This battle will not only be physical but spiritual as well."

The Bati played with a lot of spirit but it was another ruthless performance by an Australian team that in this tournament had already crushed the Kiwis 30-6, England 52-4 and Papua New Guinea 46-6.

The only downside for the Kangaroos was a hip flexor injury that forced Tate from the field in the 22nd minute after he collapsed mid stride without a hand being laid on him. Tate did not return and the initial diagnosis was that the Australian winger would be in doubt for the final against a Kiwi side dominated by his Warriors teammates.

Just minutes earlier, Tate had sprinted down the eastern touchline to finish off an 80-metre movement started by second-rower Glenn Stewart and involving skipper Darren Lockyer and centre Israel Folau. At the break, Australia led 26-0.

In the end the Kangaroos had too much skill with the ball and determination in defence, and a hat-trick of Johnathan Thurston tries in nine minutes followed by a freakish Greg Inglis put down just before full-time completed a 52-0 win for the world champions.