Australia is through to the semi-finals of the men's hockey World Cup after a 7-1 flogging of New Zealand in the penultimate pool A game.

The Kookaburras had to beat New Zealand in order to be certain of going into the semis, with a loss very likely to have condemned Australia to a shock early exit from the tournament in Moenchengladbach, Germany.

With the score at 1-1 after 25 minutes, that early exit was still a distinct possibility, but Australia then rattled off six unanswered goals to crush a team that had previously set the pace in pool A.

"Compared to the last few games, when we didn't finish off the chances we created, today was a different story," said striker Travis Brooks, who scored Australia's fifth goal.

"We've been trying to improve with each game, and slowly but surely we are getting there.

"But today there were still signs of work to do ahead of the weekend - tighten the defence more and be more thorough in attack."

Australia will have one more pool game against Pakistan on Wednesday, and Brooks said the team would not be easing off despite already being through to the semis.

"You can't flirt with your form, and we just want to be hitting the finals in top form," Brooks said.

Barring a shock against pointless Japan on Wednesday, Spain will join Australia as the qualifiers from pool A, while pool B fancies Germany and Holland are facing a challenge from Korea to qualify.

"The difference between the top four nations is very small - it's any dog on its day," said Brooks in his assessment of fancies for the World Cup crown.

The semi-finals will be played on Friday, and the final on Sunday.

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