Australian coach Ricky Stuart fears a match-hardened New Zealand could be in better shape than his Kangaroos heading into Saturday night's World Cup final.

The home side will be warm favourites heading into the tournament decider against the Kiwis after taking care of business in trouncing Fiji 52-0 in Sunday night's semi-final clash in Sydney.

The 10-tries-to-none demolition continued a stunning World Cup run for the Australians, who have yet to be tested in any of their four games so far in the tournament.

It's a run which has Stuart concerned given the Kiwis go into the Suncorp Stadium match-up on the back of two tough hit-outs against England, which compares favourably with the Kangaroos' games against minnows Fiji and Papua New Guinea.

"I think (New Zealand's had) a terrific preparation going into a big game next week because everyone lifts for a big game," Stuart said.

"That football team will be a better team next week and I'm hoping that we are better again than we were tonight.

"The football game we play next week will be completely different to what we've done over the last two weeks."

Despite the loss, Fiji were celebrating their best ever performance in a tournament, a tournament skipper Wes Naiqama believes didn't deserve to end in a 52-point flogging.

Naiqama said the first nine minutes, during which the Kangaroos set up the match with three quick tries, left his side in too big a hole, but was happy with the way the Bati stayed strong through the middle section of the match.

"The first set we were a little bit overawed, the occasion got to them," Naiqama said.

"Probably in that middle period, once the boys got into a bit of a groove, we started to play a bit better, a bit more structured."

NRL club Newcastle were left anxiously awaiting news on the status of Akuila Uate after the Fijian flyer was sent to hospital for scans on a possible broken ankle.

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