Australia’s Four Nations fate now lies in their own hands: if they beat Samoa at Wollongong on Sunday, the Kangaroos will progress to the final against New Zealand.

Australia, Samoa and England, despite their 16-14 loss to the Kiwis in Dunedin on Saturday, all remain in contention for the final ahead of the last round-robin match between the Kangaroos and Toa Samoa at WIN Stadium.

An Australia win will earn the Kangaroos a spot in Saturday’s final in Wellington.

If Samoa can upset Australia by nine points or more, they will go through to the final on for and against.

If Samoa win but by eight points or fewer, England will go through.

If the Kangaroos don’t make the final, it will be the first decider of a major rugby league tournament without Australian participation since the inaugural World Cup in 1954.

It is a situation Kangaroos captain Cameron Smith considers unthinkable.

“Given that the Kangaroos haven’t missed the final of a tournament in 60 years it would be pretty devastating but, at the same time, there are no easy matches,” Smith said.

“I haven’t played an easy Test match in my whole career.

“Other nations are a lot stronger now and it is not a given that Australia is going to win a tournament or win a Test match.

“There are great sides all around the world now so it is certainly tough for us but I am confident the boys have prepared well enough to play well and if we play well we give ourselves a chance of winning.”

FOUR NATIONS TABLE

Team Played Won Lost For Against Difference Points

New Zealand 3 2 0 60 38 +22 6

England 3 1 2 58 58 0 2

Australia 2 1 1 28 42 -14 2

Samoa 2 0 2 38 46 -8 0