It used to be said that Australia could field two or three teams at Test level able to compete with New Zealand and England but Saturday night's 30-12 thumping by an understrength Kiwis outfit at Suncorp Stadium proves those days are well and truly over.

Now the Kangaroos face a must-win clash with England in Melbourne next Sunday just to keep alive their chances of avoiding the unwanted tag of becoming the first Australian team to miss the final of an international tournament since the inaugural World Cup in Paris in 1954, won 16-12 by Great Britain over France.

Kangaroo cull: Corey Parker cuts a disconsolate figure as New Zealand celebrate victory on Saturday night. Credit:Getty Images

Even if they triumph and then beat Samoa the following Sunday at WIN Stadium, the Kangaroos would go into the November 15 final in Wellington as outsiders against New Zealand after suffering their most comprehensive defeat since the 24-0 loss to the Kiwis in the 2005 Tri-Nations decider in Leeds.

That result was historic as it was the first time Australia had failed to win a Test series or tournament since the touring 1978 Kangaroos suffered controversial back-to-back to defeats against France in 1978, and the manner of Saturday night's loss suggests New Zealand may now have a superior depth of talent to draw on.