Reece Walsh produced five try assists as Australia beat the Cook Islands 66-6, with Tom Dearden leading the side at halfback.
Despite several stars being left out of that match, some NRL greats believe coach Kevin Walters should retain the same lineup for the semi-final against Samoa.
Australia and Samoa will meet in one semi-final, while New Zealand face Tonga in the other.
Tonga made a strong impression in a high-quality match against Samoa, raising the question of whether they can go on to win the tournament.
New Zealand are set to welcome back fullback Kalyn Ponga, a significant boost for the Kiwis.
An NRL star has also given New Zealand a major compliment as they prepare for their semi-final.
Whether Walters will keep James Tedesco and Latrell Mitchell sidelined remains uncertain.