The Kangaroos route to the final is strangely familiar to 2008. In 2008 they were in the ‘super group’ alongside England, NZ and PNG and in their first two games they hammered NZ and England 30-6 and 52-4. Then they had a really easy route to the final with a final group game against PNG and a semi against Fiji

By the time the final arrived, they were either underprepared or complacent or both and NZ shocked them (I know NZ played well)

This year, they have had a tough game against England (tougher than 200icon_cool.gif, then some pretty straight forward wins against Fiji and Ireland, a stroll of a quarter final against USA and now a semi they should win comfortably against Fiji again

The question is can they raise themselves for what will be only their second difficult game in over a month come final time – against what should be a pretty match hardened England or New Zealand. Normally, I would say the Aussies would lift themselves but they didn’t last time out, could they be caught cold again?

They're a class side but I don't see how they can't be a little underdone when it comes to the final especially of they win comfortably on Saturday.

They're good enough to deal with it though.

I don't think it will matter this time. 2008 the were been tagged as the undefeatables,, they had already blitzed all before including NZ. No one gave NZ a hope that day.

This year, New Zealand are just as good if not better, this is probably the last chance Australia's great spine has a chance to win a WC. They will not take anyone lightly this time.

I think sometimes we read too much in to this battle hardened, under cooked stuff.

Australia still disposed of England in the warm up game and they hadn't played for several weeks

Despite them being good professionals, I can’t see the intensity in training being particularly high for USA or even Fiji as they have already beaten them. They have also clearly been enjoying the nightlife of their Manchester base with a couple of late night incidents. A week is not a long time to turn that around. I can see the Kangaroos coming up short in the final

You wish/dream/hope.

If England get to the final then yes, all of the above

I actually agree. It's not going to be a good thing for Australia, let's put it that way.

But, before the tournament started, I thought this squad was one of the best we've put out in several years, maybe over a decade. That's not a popular opinion, in fact is very contrary to popular opinion, but that's what I believe. There's been a couple of top 17 injuries (Lewis, Slater) since, but I still see us as very strong. It's not enough to shake my belief anyway.

I really liked what I saw from Australia against USA. I don't think the quality of the opposition mattered too much, I saw them play cohesively, which had been missing from their tournament til that game. I'm highly excited about both Inglis and Hayne in the same team, now getting time with the ball.

Anything can happen but I feel like we're warming to give ourselves the best chance.

All it needs is a British ref