Australian captain Darren Lockyer has paid tribute to Fiji for a valiant effort in defeat following their World Cup semifinal clash last night.

Despite failing to score a single point in the 52-0 hammering by the Australian Kangaroos, the Vodafone Fiji Bati side put in their best ever performance against the World's top side.

In their previous encounters with the Kangaroos they were thrashed 66-0 and 66-8 in World Cup matches in 1995 and 2000 and hammered 84-14 in a Test in 1996.

Thrown together and headed by a handful of Australian NRL professionals, Fiji Bati were never expected to pull off an upset against the hot favourites.

Lockyer said "full credit to Fiji Bati" and they should be the team to watch in the near future.

Australia will now meet New Zealand in the final on Saturday at 9pm.