Australia 34 Fiji 2: World Cup over for Lewis after he runs into an advertising board

The Kangaroos confirmed the inevitable by booking a last-eight spot with a 34-2 win over Fiji at St Helens, with second-rower Lewis their sixth and final try scorer.

He smashed into an advertising board after chasing a kick shortly after, though, and despite walking off the field, he will play no further part.

“He’s dislocated his left shoulder and it took some time to get it back in,” said coach Tim Sheens – who is waiting to hear if he can select a replacement.

“It’s the end of Luke’s tour. He’s a great tourist, a great member of the squad and the boys love him. He can play a bit and he’s a big loss. He’s up and around now and will be sore, but we go to Ireland on Sunday and he will get settled in Manchester until we get back.”

Replacement or not, the beauty for Sheens is that he has incredible strength in depth.

With Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk rested for this clash, Golden Boot winner Greg Inglis dropped in at full-back, Jarryd Hayne started on the wing and Grand Final man of the match Daly Cherry-Evans excelled at scrum-half.

It is such resources which have seen Australia installed as the almost unanimous tip for the competition and their six-try show in stormy conditions added even more weight to the argument.

“We did look a little rusty and did some silly things, but defensively we were very good and we defended everything,” said Sheens.

Used to the beaches of Brisbane and Sydney, the last thing Australia needed on a night which saw thunder, sleet and torrential rain was a three-minute delay for the kick-off for television coverage.

They adapted to all that was thrown at them and Sheens added: “We had to change our game plan because of the conditions, but the guys reacted well and played nice and tight.”

For Fiji, attentions now turn to next Saturday’s meeting with England which will be a shoot-out for second place.

They were not as entertaining as they were in beating Ireland on Monday, although Australia are a totally different proposition.

They scored a sixth-minute penalty from Alipate Noilea but spent the rest of the night – the odd forward foray apart – tackling and running back 10 metres.